Staying off the resort, eating at a resort hotel

[jonathonkgutierrez]

I'd like to grab breakfast from White Water Snacks in the Grand California Resort one morning of my trip so that my wife and I can use the hotel entrance into the park.

Where do we park at to eat there? Do we use the theme park parking lots, or do we park at the Grand California hotel? Also, is it the same amount to park my car at the hotel as it is in the other lots?

Also, how much earlier do the "special" gates open for those using the Grand California to stay or eat?

The trip is in September if thats any help

 

[HappyHaunt]

I don't know that you can use that entrance just for eating there. I thought it was only for hotel guests. I know we always had to show our room key when using it.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We ate at Storytellers one year hoping to use the hotel entrance to DCA and were turned away because we didn't have a room key.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

First I will start with parking:
No it is not the same amount to park your car at the hotel as it is in the other lots.
Parking in DTD is free for the first 3 hours or 5 hours free with validation at a sit down restaurant/resort or DTD eatery or AMC it is then $6.00 an hour after that.
Parking using day visiting resort guests self parking is $6.00 and hour max of $30.00 a day and valet is $17.00 valet fee with $6.00 an hour a max of $47.00
Don't lose the ticket for DTD or Day guest parking you will then be charged the day rate.
Cheapest of all would be to park at the Mickey and Friends parking lot and pay $15.00 for car or motorcycle.

The special entrance for hotel guests also can include a receipt showing you ate there as a hotel guests. I do know that when it has been busy that they will only accept the hotel key and not the receipt. But it is up to the people that are working the special entrance so you may not be able to use that entrance. The gates open I believe 1 hour early for resort guests only at least that is what it was when we were there.

 

[SeansMom]

In December, everyone in our party had to show our room key to get into DCA. I would ask the day before at the gate to/from DCA to be sure that is still the way it is.

 

[rentayenta]

They seem to be more strict about showing a room key. We saw several families turned away for not having one.

 

[rivey]

Don't plan on this idea working. You could try it, but right now they are letting only hotel guests use that entrance in the morning, at 9 a.m thru the summer promotion- it may only be 9:30 as normal in September again, info on that has been made public yet as far as I know. Signage and CMs were insistent this entrance was for Disney hotel guests only.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Some people have gotten in and some have not. Seems to vary, I would check the day before but even that could change. You still can eat at WWS though.

Jack

 

[HappyHaunt]

I'm honestly surprised to hear that they've allowed anyone to do that. It's a perk of paying A LOT of money staying at the hotel. Surprising to hear that all it would take is a $20-30 meal and get to use that exclusive entrance. Doesn't really seem all that fair to hotel guests.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I'm honestly surprised to hear that they've allowed anyone to do that. It's a perk of paying A LOT of money staying at the hotel. Surprising to hear that all it would take is a $20-30 meal and get to use that exclusive entrance. Doesn't really seem all that fair to hotel guests.

Totally agree, and they have really, REALLY started to enforce it in my experience. Which I think is only fair. I do like WWS, particularly for lunch. I think it's one of the best food values for your money in the resort.

 

[JosieGirl71]

My guess is that if you are going to WWS during normal park hours, then they will let you use the GCH entrance. Getting into the park early is a perk for hotel guests only.

 

[dwwlmw]

If you are staying at the Disneyland Hotel does that room key work for the special entrance?

 

[rentayenta]

If you are staying at the Disneyland Hotel does that room key work for the special entrance?

ETA: Was told it was for GCH/V only but according to current CMs, its available for all DLR hotel guests.

 

[disneydreamer74]

If you are staying at the Disneyland Hotel does that room key work for the special entrance?

Yes, it is for ALL DL resort guests. I have used it by showing my key card and had no issues while staying at DLH.
As to the OP, I could swear that I read somewhere that daytime guests (those eating at the resort) could access the special entrance as well. I will have to call now..my curiosity is killing me!!

 

[disneydreamer74]

Just got off the phone with a CM at guest services..she says that ALL resort guests are allowed entry at the special entrance. As for day visitors, she said it is hit or miss, but most CM's will allow entrance with a receipt. This does not include the early morning entrance, that is specifically for resort hotel guests.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I think if you pay premium for the perks you and those limited to being resort guests should have exclusive rights to those guests. Last August they were rejecting or letting people in. I listen to a couple of jerks trying their best to get in, just made the old guy steam up a bit.

Jack

 

[kkmcan]

Normally we go eat at WWS and use our receipt to get back in but there was one time when it was still early on a Sunday and they were only letting resort guests thru. We ended up going out thru Downtown Disney and going around to the regular entrance to get back in.