Security from GCH into DTD?

[albertamom]

Has anyone had first-hand experience with the new security from GCH into DTD? I realize that it is only for GCH guests, but I'm still expecting it to be very backed up first thing in the morning.

With 7:00 park opening for EMH, I'm thinking that we might need to be going through by about 6:00, to avoid the 6:30 and later rush. Am I worrying too much? My teens will not be happy with me if I'm dragging them out of bed that early.

 

[ParkHopper1]

As a GCH regular I have been following this.

There have been several other first hand reports on this board and other forums that the GCH to DTD entrance currently is NOT restricted only to GCH guests, only the GCH to DCA entrance until 11am as usual and the DTD entrance has been free flowing with no significant backups.

 

[Darkbeer1]

As a GCH regular I have been following this.

There have been several other first hand reports on this board and other forums that the GCH to DTD entrance currently is NOT restricted only to GCH guests, only the GCH to DCA entrance until 11am as usual and the DTD entrance has been free flowing with no significant backups.

That is incorrect, as I have seen it first hand. The key, the main restriction is that noone but GCH guests and those with a reservation to a restaurant (and they have a list) can enter the property at Disneyland Drive, same as vehicles. There is now a pedestrian checkpoint at that point that prevents PPH and off-property guests to getting to the new security checkpoint, as they are sent to the ESPN Zone check

This allows the GCH Sephora check to be free flowing...

 

[ParkHopper1]

That is incorrect, as I have seen it first hand.

No, my statement is actually still correct. There is no restrictions FROM the GCH to DTD. Any non-guests that enters the Grand from DTD or DCA can use the DTD entrance freely or DCA entrance after 11am. You are correct that only registered guests and reservation holders can now enter through the front door of the GCH...but there are not any room key checks from GCH to DTD entrance. I assumed she was asking as a GCH registered guest and was responding to her thinking only GCH guest are allowed through the new DTD checkpoint which is not currently the case.

Nitpick...I know and can see how you misread my intent without the whole context, but just want everyone to be clear about the procedures as there is a lot of mis-information floating around.

 

[Darkbeer1]

But in REALITY, the entrance is limited to GCH Hotel Guests, and those who visit the Hotel for a meal reservation (ad some other minor examples).

The key being that the Sephora Entrance has a short line, as compared to if they allowed PPH and off-property guests to use it freely (aka no check at Disneyland Drive). And what will happen in the future? Disney has changed the wording for the special DCA entrance from the GCH, and states it is just for GCH Guests only....

Here is the wording...

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/grand-californian-hotel/?CMP=OKC-dlr_gmap_33

>>
Special Theme Park Entrance
With valid park admission, easily access Disney California Adventure Park and the Downtown Disney District thanks to a convenient entrance located on the hotel grounds.<<

 

[albertamom]

Thank you both for your replies.

Does it seem to be free flowing first thing in the morning, as well? It would be a wonderful surprise if it were!

 

[ParkHopper1]

But in REALITY, the entrance is limited to GCH Hotel Guests, and those who visit the Hotel for a meal reservation (ad some other minor examples).

No...it is not reality that the GCH to DCA entrance is for GCH guest only. Here is why I am arguing against that point....There have been several posts of people ticked off where they think they can no longer go into the Grand for Whitewater Snacks, Hearthstone Lounge, or to just enjoy the decorations in the lobby and in reality NOTHING has changed except that now only GCH guests and reservations can enter through the FRONT door of the Grand. You are correct that you can no longer use the GCH lobby as a shortcut from the street, but otherwise there are no new restriction in or out of GCH via DTD or DCA that would prevent lookie loos from visiting or stopping by for a drink.

Anyone can exit from DCA to GCH lobby then head to DTD and all non GCH guests can still come and go freely from DTD to the GCH lobby

Your statements (or at least its wording) is implying that the only people that are allowed to pass through the GCH to DTD breezeway are GCH guests which is not correct (at least as of now)

So to clarify, what we know:

-GCH Front Door Entrance from Valet/Street: Restricted to GCH Guests and Reservation Holders only. No more walking through Grand for non GCH guests through the front door.
-GCH to DTD Entrance/Exit: No changes except addition of two metal detectors. Anyone can still come or go freely at any time, guests or not.
-GCH to DCA Entrance: GCH room keys still required before 11am (changed from all "resort guests"). PPH, DLH and other non GCH guests must use main gates before 11am to enter DCA. After 11am they are letting all through as usual. Policy is that it is only for GCH guests all day, practice is that they stop enforcing that at 11am. (but you can not still come in through the front door of the GCH)
-DCA to GCH Exit: open to all, guests or not.

So if you are in the Parks or DTD, nothing has changed in regard to Grand access.

There are some other minor exclusions. Disney has said this may still all change and be modified but above is current operating procedure so far as I understand it.

 

[SeiterClan]

No...it is not reality that the GCH to DCA entrance is for GCH guest only. Here is why I am arguing against that point....There have been several posts of people ticked off where they think they can no longer go into the Grand for Whitewater Snacks, Hearthstone Lounge, or to to just enjoy the decorations in the lobby and in reality NOTHING has changed except that now only GCH guests and reservations can enter through the FRONT door of the Grand. You are correct that you can no longer use the GCH lobby as a shortcut from the street, but otherwise there are no new restriction in or out of GCH via DTD or DCA that would prevent lookie loos from visiting or stopping by for a drink.

Anyone can exit from DCA to GCH lobby then head to DTD and all non GCH guests can still come and go freely from DTD to the GCH lobby

Your statements are implying that the only people that are allowed to pass through the GCH to DTD breezeway are GCH guests which is not correct (at least as of now)

So to clarify, what we know:

GCH Front Door Entrance from Valet/Street: Restricted to GCH Guests and Reservation Holders only. No more walking through Grand for non GCH guests.
GCH to DTD Entrance/ext: No changes except addition of two metal detectors. Anyone can still come or go freely, guests or not.
GCH to DCA Entrance: GCH room keys required before 11am. PPH, DLR and non GCH guests must use main gates before 11am to enter DCA. After 11am they are letting all through as usual.
DCA to GCH Exit: open to all, guets or not.

So if you are in the Parks or DTD, nothing has changed in regard to Grand access.

Disney has said this may still change but above is current operating procedure so far.

Does anyone know if we can still get to the trams if we came up Magic Way from Walnut to Disneyland Drive? We renting a townhome there for our trip in February, but I'm not really familiar with that area & haven't been back to Disneyland for over 4 years plus last time stayed on harbor at DI&S. any help advice or maps would be helpful!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Does anyone know if we can still get to the trams if we came up Magic Way from Walnut to Disneyland Drive? We renting a townhome there for our trip in February, but I'm not really familiar with that area & haven't been back to Disneyland for over 4 years plus last time stayed on harbor at DI&S. any help advice or maps would be helpful!

Yes. When walking down Magic Way you will intersect the walkway between M&F garage and DTD. Rather then turn right to DTD, you can turn left and head for the new security screening and Tram loading area. It should actually be easier and more defined rather than the zig zag through the parking lot like before from Walnut as there is now a designated walking pathway there since the walking path along the tram route between M&F and DTD has been closed.

 

[SeiterClan]

Yes. When walking down Magic Way you will intersect the walkway between M&F garage and DTD. Rather then turn right to DTD, you can turn left and head for the new security screening and Tram loading area. It should actually be easier and more defined rather than the zig zag through the parking lot like before from Walnut.

Thank you for your quick reply! How long would you estimate that walk to take?

 

[ParkHopper1]

Thank you for your quick reply! How long would you estimate that walk to take?

Darkbeer1 posted a pick a while back that there is a sign that says 15 min walk from M&F to the gates. That is conservative IMO. When we stay at the Holiday Inn behind M&F and do that walk we can do that entire walk from the hotel to gate in 15 min, but we move at a pretty brisk pace.

If tram loading is busy and you have the energy and are able bodied...I would just walk it. We have done the tram back a few times at the end of a tried day if there is no line to get on...but it is not a ton of time savings...just less energy!

 

[SeiterClan]

Darkbeer1 posted a pick a while back that there is a sign that says 15 min walk from M&F to the gates. That is conservative IMO. When we stay at the Holiday Inn behind M&F and do that walk we can do that entire walk from the hotel to gate in 15 min, but we move at a pretty brisk pace.

If tram loading is busy and you have the energy and are able bodied...I would just walk it. We have done the tram back a few times at the end of a tried day if there is no line to get on...but it is not a ton of time savings...just less energy!

That makes sense. My kids think the tram ride is fun but I would rather just walk it too. Guess we'll just see how busy it is! I'm wondering how long the walk is up Disney Way from Walnut to get to the M&F garage/tram area?

 

[cruisehopeful]

Hmm, so if I understand this correctly, I can still access GCH from downtown Disney by Sephora at any time? We do like to go to Hearthstone for a drink or White Water Snacks for a meal and neither of those take reservations. If we are in DCA and it is after 11:00am, we can come and go to GCH like we always have? Sounds like at any rate, we will need to go through security before going to the Grand if we are not staying there (security at Downtown Disney or the Harbor side).

 

[ParkHopper1]

Hmm, so if I understand this correctly, I can still access GCH from downtown Disney by Sephora at any time? We do like to go to Hearthstone for a drink or White Water Snacks for a meal and neither of those take reservations. If we are in DCA and it is after 11:00am, we can come and go to GCH like we always have? Sounds like at any rate, we will need to go through security before going to the Grand if we are not staying there (security at Downtown Disney or the Harbor side).

Correct

 

[SeaDis]

Great thread, thanks for all the first hand details and clarification.

With the pool refurbs at GCH "to Spring 2017", and the new security setup, I was wondering if it would be better to stay at DLH to have pools more certain, and more security capacity in DTD.

I think it's fair to say the GCH/DCA morning line has been too long the last few years-- typically better to go to the main gate for EMH/rope drop. So, I was expecting a similar experience at the new checkpoint from GCH to DTD (Sephora). I hope we can get more first hand reports of the morning lines from GCH, especially during this season when the GCH is presumably near capacity. It would be pretty frustrating to be staying there based largely on "location", and then be trapped in the dark cold corridors (or backed up to convention hall) just trying to get "out" of the hotel in the morning. So far it sounds like security waits are down everywhere-- just due to the increased capacity? Hopefully that is true at GCH.

One thing to add:
I saw a photo on a weekly photo blog (DD) that showed a "third" GCH metal detector/bag check between World of Disney and Starbucks. I assume this is overflow-- some guests continue along the monorail courtyard to this location. Can anyone confirm if it's in use? I wonder if it's only for the holiday season or otherwise as needed.

Questions:
Can you still exit GCH front/main entrance and get to Trader Sams via the parking lots, without tangling with security in either direction? (Then return with room key at the crosswalk).

Is the DCA entrance moving much smoother also? Is this a more viable option in the morning now?

 

[Syndrome]

Questions:
Can you still exit GCH front/main entrance and get to Trader Sams via the parking lots, without tangling with security in either direction? (Then return with room key at the crosswalk).

Also wondering this ............
Since we are staying at GCV in January, and will be forced to use the other DL pools, will this be a pita now ? Will also be visiting Trader Sams a few times, and hoping its not going to be a major issue just to transfer between Disney resorts.

 

[albertamom]

OP, here. I'm just bumping this up to see if anyone has yet experienced the security from GCH to DTD first thing in the morning.

We arrive next Monday, and I'm really hoping that there are not big back-ups for 7:00 EMH.

 

[hsmamato2]

No, my statement is actually still correct. There is no restrictions FROM the GCH to DTD. Any non-guests that enters the Grand from DTD or DCA can use the DTD entrance freely or DCA entrance after 11am. You are correct that only registered guests and reservation holders can now enter through the front door of the GCH...but there are not any room key checks from GCH to DTD entrance. I assumed she was asking as a GCH registered guest and was responding to her thinking only GCH guest are allowed through the new DTD checkpoint which is not currently the case.

Nitpick...I know and can see how you misread my intent without the whole context, but just want everyone to be clear about the procedures as there is a lot of mis-information floating around.

Not sure what you mean, but last week (Sunday) they were sending all guests around to the main DTD entrance,told us all no entry into parks thru GCH unless you were a guest there.(made for some unhappy walkers) they had multiple cm's waiting on the corners directing people away.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Not sure what you mean, but last week (Sunday) they were sending all guests around to the main DTD entrance,told us all no entry into parks thru GCH unless you were a guest there.(made for some unhappy walkers) they had multiple cm's waiting on the corners directing people away.

Park hopper is saying that if you are in DTD, you can go directly into GCH to eat or shop or whatever, then go back into DTD after you are done via the GCH/ DTD entrance. Everyone can, it doesn't matter where you are staying. (I'm just paraphrasing, I have no first hand knowledge)

In other words, You are staying at Paradise Pier. Can you:

1. Go into the front door at GCH? - No
2. Go from DTD into GCH via the direct exit? - Yes
3. Go from GCH to DTD via the direct entrance? - Yes

Again, I don't know, I'm just explaining what was said previously.

 

[Malcon10t]

I have found it to be exactly as park hopper described. And lines to enter have been minimal.