Proof for Early Entry

[VicgirlBC]

The benefit used to be a lot bigger than it is now. I really don't understand why they changed it, because staying onsite is such a premium cost-wise.

EE used to be a separate entrance (so a separate line) and it was an hour instead of 30 minutes. I really don't see that the benefit they're offering now is worth the $$. And I say that as someone who normally stays onsite for said benefit.

I agree with you. I’m struggling to see the value they offer. In January we stayed at the Courtyard Themepark Entrance. It was fabulous. Large rooms, fit all 5 of us, great quick service breakfast place on site for Starbucks coffee and hot breakfast items. And it only took us 7 minutes to walk to security! And the security line up moved so quickly no matter what time of day we went through.

This trip it’s just me and my almost adult kids. The GCH is a surprise for them, and I’m hoping it will live up to my expectations.

 

[mom2rtk]

We used to stay onsite because I loved early entry so much. Now that it's only half an hour, we're out. Stayed over on Harbor for the first time and won't ever go back. The Disney hotels are way overpriced for what you get now.

 

[tinytilly]

On Sunday we entered through the Pixar Place entrance for DCA (early entry), and we never had to show a card or the reservation in the app. It was quite strange.

It's probably because you have to use your room key to get through the entrance to the line so they just know you're a guest maybe.

 

[amyg1975]

It's probably because you have to use your room key to get through the entrance to the line so they just know you're a guest maybe.

That is what I was thinking, but at that time in the morning, so many people were out, we never had to use our room key because someone held the gate open for us.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I agree with you. I’m struggling to see the value they offer. In January we stayed at the Courtyard Themepark Entrance. It was fabulous. Large rooms, fit all 5 of us, great quick service breakfast place on site for Starbucks coffee and hot breakfast items. And it only took us 7 minutes to walk to security! And the security line up moved so quickly no matter what time of day we went through.

This trip it’s just me and my almost adult kids. The GCH is a surprise for them, and I’m hoping it will live up to my expectations.

The GCH is a great hotel, other than the smallish rooms. Love the lobby there and the quick entrance/exit to DCA is a nice perk that the other two onsite hotels don't have so much. It's nice not to do the walk (unless you get one of the rooms that seems like it's a mile away).

I'm sure your kids will love it.

 

[soniam]

We used physical cards successfully, except o day at DCA. They hadn’t been given a card reader, do they just looked at the app. The readers are on a smaller piece of plastic now, no mini door

 

[buffalobasingal]

We have a room at Grand Cal for most of the people in our party, but have one extra guest who is staying offsite. Will they be able to do Early Entry if they go in with us at the same time, or do cast members check how many or who is on the reservation and only allow those specific guests into early entry? It's not a big deal since it is just a half hour. I just want to know when to tell them to meet us.

 

[maleficent55]

We have a room at Grand Cal for most of the people in our party, but have one extra guest who is staying offsite. Will they be able to do Early Entry if they go in with us at the same time, or do cast members check how many or who is on the reservation and only allow those specific guests into early entry? It's not a big deal since it is just a half hour. I just want to know when to tell them to meet us.

Sorry, it’s only a perk for guests staying on site

They'll have to rope drop to meet you wherever you pick at 8:00am

 

[soniam]

We have a room at Grand Cal for most of the people in our party, but have one extra guest who is staying offsite. Will they be able to do Early Entry if they go in with us at the same time, or do cast members check how many or who is on the reservation and only allow those specific guests into early entry? It's not a big deal since it is just a half hour. I just want to know when to tell them to meet us.

They check. You must scan your room key, and they verify the number of guests in the system. I know this, because it always throws them off a bit when I go by myself but my family is on the reservation.

 

[Porsche4]

We have a room at Grand Cal for most of the people in our party, but have one extra guest who is staying offsite. Will they be able to do Early Entry if they go in with us at the same time, or do cast members check how many or who is on the reservation and only allow those specific guests into early entry? It's not a big deal since it is just a half hour. I just want to know when to tell them to meet us.

They can enter the park a bit before 7:30 with you which is when everyone even EE people are admitted but at the end of Main Street on the right hand side will be a sign and Cast Member for Hotel Guests Only. Here you will need to provide the CM with proof of stay, either a physical room key or your hotel reservation on the My Disney App and they will check that the names on the reservation align with those on the tickets. You will need to arrange a meet up place with your non eligible friend at 8:00am traditional rope drop time.

 

[crystal1313]

Has anyone done EE lately… Is a key card still easier? Thinking of a trip in July and want to be prepared.

Also, can you use the Pixar place entrance to DCA for EE? Possibly going in July.

 

[maleficent55]

Has anyone done EE lately… Is a key card still easier? Thinking of a trip in July and want to be prepared.

Also, can you use the Pixar place entrance to DCA for EE? Possibly going in July.

You can hold up your app with your reservation too