Sneaking into DCA & Other Trip Highlights

[TechGuy]

Soundslike these are fire exits but chose to not place a fire alarm bell on the door because enough "regular" guests know they can exit into the park. Maybe Security determined since 99.9% of the people on the 6th floor have park tickets, it's not a huge risk and the nuisance alarms were more than they could manage.

Once you get to the bottom of any fire exit staircase, you only have one option, to go outside.

 

[LisaT91403]

I'm surprised there is a 6th floor room in that location. When I have explored GCH, the only 6th floor room on the east side seemed to be the El Capitan presidential suite.

Our suite didn't have double doors or a name on it. It was just a 1-bedroom suite, and had a connecting door to 6410. There was a wet bar to the right as we entered, and the connecting door on the right as well. The living room had a sofa sleeper, and the bedroom (to the left) had a king bed.

 

[TechGuy]

Sounds like the standard suite my brother had in the GCV section. They had kitchenette, washer/dryer, sleeper sofa, half-bath, balcony and a separate king bedroom with bathroom.

My parents had the standard room next door, with a connecting door. The smaller room was standard hotel door, bathroom to left, two queens. Window, IIRC, maybe a small balcony.

 

[Jerryp49]

Soundslike these are fire exits but chose to not place a fire alarm bell on the door because enough "regular" guests know they can exit into the park. Maybe Security determined since 99.9% of the people on the 6th floor have park tickets, it's not a huge risk and the nuisance alarms were more than they could manage.

Once you get to the bottom of any fire exit staircase, you only have one option, to go outside.

Exactly. You can , however get back into the GCH from the stairwell on any of the floors., but like TechGuy said, once outside the building , you cannot reenter the staircase.

 

[Otter49]

I have no idea why this back door to DCA exists but it strains credulity past the breaking point to suggest that Disney isn't aware of this. Notifying security would have probably gotten a big shrug.

 

[LisaT91403]

I have no idea why this back door to DCA exists but it strains credulity past the breaking point to suggest that Disney isn't aware of this. Notifying security would have probably gotten a big shrug.

I agree. I think they know everything. I'm sure there must have been cameras, but it just wasn't a big deal.

 

[Nonsuch]

Our suite didn't have double doors or a name on it. It was just a 1-bedroom suite, and had a connecting door to 6410...

In case anyone (besides me) is interested, this is the approximate suite location (distorted "flyover" view in ios maps). The bellman did not realize the DTD exit is only accessible from floors 3 to 5, since there is no 6th floor above World of Disney.

 

[Jerryp49]

I have no idea why this back door to DCA exists but it strains credulity past the breaking point to suggest that Disney isn't aware of this. Notifying security would have probably gotten a big shrug.

I imagine all the fire escapes have to have easy access to the outside of the building with no locked doors to get out. On that side of the building, maybe the only escape route is into DCA itself.

 

[TechGuy]

I imagine all the fire escapes have to have easy access to the outside of the building with no locked doors to get out. On that side of the building, maybe the only escape route is into DCA itself.

That's what I am thinking also. Every floor of every building is required to have a certain number of fire exits available.

This was the only option open to the designers for these floors of this building. No surprise in my book. Seems a balance between the fire exit laws, guest satisfaction, nuisance "fire" alarms from guests using the only way out of the stairwell, and potential loss of income from the ticket fees.

 

[limace]

Great report! Thanks for all the details-the RSR breakdown sounded like a cool backstage experience.

 

[LisaT91403]

Silly question- but who is Oscar at Carnation Cafe?

Oscar is Disneyland's longest tenured employee. He started working at the park in December, 1956. Up until a few years ago, he was the chef at Carnation Cafe. He is still at the restaurant, but now is an "ambassador"...he greets guests and makes conversation with them.

 

[calilou]

Thank you for your fun report! Lots of interesting Magic on your trip!

Oscar is Disneyland's longest tenured employee. He started working at the park in December, 1956. Up until a few years ago, he was the chef at Carnation Cafe. He is still at the restaurant, but now is an "ambassador"...he greets guests and makes conversation with them.

I didn't know this, thank you for the info! Does anyone know what his typical schedule is and how to recognize him? Where does he hang out?

 

[GeneralTso]

I've known about that "secret" little entrance for years. I also know people who were not lost and use that entrance. I don't care.
For heaven sake---FIRE someone over this?
If it was a critical security situation, it would be fixed. It's not that big of a deal. Some people get into DCA without a ticket. I don't get worked up over that. The OP was honest about what they encountered. Disney will not crumble because of this.

 

[LisaT91403]

I didn't know this, thank you for the info! Does anyone know what his typical schedule is and how to recognize him? Where does he hang out?

I think he's typically there in the morning through lunchtime. He's the older gentleman wearing the white chef's hat. Google Oscar Carnation Cafe, and you will find pictures and info.

 

[mgd]

I've known about that "secret" little entrance for years. I also know people who were not lost and use that entrance. I don't care.
For heaven sake---FIRE someone over this?
If it was a critical security situation, it would be fixed. It's not that big of a deal. Some people get into DCA without a ticket. I don't get worked up over that. The OP was honest about what they encountered. Disney will not crumble because of this.

If someone were to sneak in through that way with a harmful device that injures lots of people in the parks a la Boston Marathon because there is no bag check through that route, then you should kind of be concerned, and I am sure someone would be fired over it then. Maybe it was little known before, but posting detailed steps here for others to follow makes it that much easier for some crazy person to do.

 

[Sherry E]

Guys, I honestly don't think Lisa or anyone else was intending to reveal secrets or give out step-by-step instructions on how to literally sneak into DCA. I am certain that Disney must be aware of the situation, and if it got -- or gets -- out of hand they would deal with it. If anyone is extremely concerned about it, you should call the hotel and ask them if they are aware that people are able to "sneak into DCA." I think that would be a legitimate concern, and you would be bringing it to their attention if they did not know. And if they do know (which I am betting they do), then they're okay with it. I wouldn't want to see anyone fired over it, but if it is that big of a concern it should be mentioned to Disney. The situation is not going to get resolved here on The DIS, in this thread.

Also, I am going to move this thread over to the Disneyland TR forum.

ETA: I am pretty sure I read about the secret entrance here on The DIS a couple of years ago.

 

[kateandy08096]

Great TR! Congrats on the upgrade upgrading is always a great way to start a trip.