Use Grand Californian entrance for shorter security lines?

[countofmc]

We usually stay on-site so security is pretty easy and straightforward since we go early to take advantage of MM.

This time we are staying off-site, so want to strategize a bit. We will be using the Harbor entrance (walking from hotel), so in the early mornings I don't think there's much choice other than going through the security on that side.

But we sometimes take mid-day breaks and come back to the parks. I was thinking when we do that, since the GC entrance will be open to all visitors (after 11am), would it better to just Uber to the GC, and enter the park through there? Or will the time savings be minimal as to not bother doing this?

We will be there next week, so overall crowd levels may not be too bad (hopefully)?

 

[Darkbeer1]

No way, especially if you are staying on Harbor, as you would add a lot of walking distance. And to pay about $10 to go there, also a no (IMHO).

After 11 AM the waits to enter the parks is usually fairly short at the main security checks.

Maybe if you were staying at the Hotels near the corner of Katella and Disneyland Dr/West St (sane street).

Heck, before 11 am, many Disney Hotel guests avoid using it, since it is very limited in the amount of turnstiles and security check issues.

 

[Disney_Alli]

We had our longest waits in the evenings coming from the DTD side and saw some decently long lines at the DCA entrance too. The Harbour lines tended to move very well all day.

 

[BriannaRuth]

We stayed at a hotel on Harbor a couple of weeks ago (Sheraton Park). The lines coming in mid-day are not bad at all. Don't bother going to the GCH.

The lines are also not bad at all coming in the mornings, as long as you're there before EMH starts. We normally stay onsite as well -- but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get in through the main gate on our last trip.

 

[JavaDuck]

We stayed at the Grand Californian, and there were a few days they were only allowing on site hotel guests through the Grand Californian entrance. The other days, anyone could use the entrance.

 

[bcla]

We stayed at the Grand Californian, and there were a few days they were only allowing on site hotel guests through the Grand Californian entrance. The other days, anyone could use the entrance.

I think most days it's hotel guests only up to a certain time, when they allow anyone with a valid ticket. We went to take a look at the GCH in the afternoon and had no issue returning. It was great too, with fruit-infused water served for free in the lobby.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just be prepared that sometimes the GCH entry is only resort guest all day long. So you could get there just to find out they are checking everyone.

During our D23 trip last year it seemed hit or miss and depended on which CM was running the entrance.

 

[Malcon10t]

We stayed at the Grand Californian, and there were a few days they were only allowing on site hotel guests through the Grand Californian entrance. The other days, anyone could use the entrance.

The DCA entrance is limited to resort hotel guests from opening until 11am. At 11am, all guests are permitted.

 

[disneychrista]

You will waste more time with this than you will save. I have never encountered more than a 15 minute wait at security and that was when i got there BEFORE they opened. Other than that, no matter what time of day I used the Harbor entrance, it was pretty much smooth sailing.