what's the big deal re: GCH entance to DCA?

[PetePanMan]

Hey - we will be staying at GCH in August. I've seen posts re: how great it is to use entrance to DCA from hotel. What is the big deal besides a a bit less walking to regular entrance?
thx

 

[skiingfast]

The main thing is, all resort guests have been able to use it to enter, often earlier than regular guests in the past year, allowing a head start to Soarin, WoC show passes and to the rope drop. Other than that it's just an often convinient option to exit more directly to the hotel and part of DCA.

 

[PetePanMan]

The main thing is, all resort guests have been able to use it to enter, often earlier than regular guests in the past year, allowing a head start to Soarin, WoC show passes and to the rope drop. Other than that it's just an often convinient option to exit more directly to the hotel and part of DCA.

Thx for response

Where is rope drop location (s)/

 

[specialks]

I view it as a plus because you can get in early for a few rides (they open the GCH entrance before the main entrance) and you bypass the longer entrance lineups (although the GCH does back up at times) and you bypass the current tunnel of winding walls and get straight to the park rides.

 

[papamouse1]

skiingfast said it well. Our experience with it included a much shorter, quicker line to get in as well. I remember one time we did Grizzly Rapids and got utterly soaked, so we walked out of the park, went to our room, changed, and got back into the park in less than 15 minutes. Don't underestimate the closeness and ease of getting in and out of the park

 

[Homemom]

skiingfast said it well. Our experience with it included a much shorter, quicker line to get in as well. I remember one time we did Grizzly Rapids and got utterly soaked, so we walked out of the park, went to our room, changed, and got back into the park in less than 15 minutes. Don't underestimate the closeness and ease of getting in and out of the park

We love to do this! We actually go back to the room and put on swimsuits with cover ups and head over and ride it 2 or 3 times and then go to the pool!

 

[specialks]

The main thing is, all resort guests have been able to use it to enter, often earlier than regular guests in the past year, allowing a head start to Soarin, WoC show passes and to the rope drop. Other than that it's just an often convinient option to exit more directly to the hotel and part of DCA.

Exactly!

Thx for response

Where is rope drop location (s)/

We lined up at the bottom of the pier bridge leading up to Ariel's Grotto. Then at "rope drop" they hand walked the rope and group back over the bridge and around to the pier. Not sure what the exact point of the walk where the CMs moved the rope aside as we were back a little in the throng. However, we went straight to TSMM and only had about a 10 min wait. I've never experienced a wait under 40 min personally. So, it was a big hit for us!

 

[mrswh]

I imagine rope drop will be back in Sunshine Plaza (whatever it will be called now) and there will be another over by Little Mermaid . . . but I guess we'll have to see what happens after June 15 when CL opens and the construction walls come down.

I love the GCH entrance (as part of staying at GCH - not sure it's that useful if staying at other hotels) because it gets you from room to park in under two minutes. I agree with the PPs about GRR too! Getting in early is huge, I think it really helps to get a head start on the crowds. (Especially with new attractions.) However, though I have heard reports of it before, we have never seen CMs walk people down to TSMM.

 

[skiingfast]

We lined up at the bottom of the pier bridge leading up to Ariel's Grotto. Then at "rope drop" they hand walked the rope and group back over the bridge and around to the pier. Not sure what the exact point of the walk where the CMs moved the rope aside as we were back a little in the throng. However, we went straight to TSMM and only had about a 10 min wait. I've never experienced a wait under 40 min personally. So, it was a big hit for us!

Just to add to this. There used to also be a rope drop to the Hollywood Backlot before contstruction in that area. And the Pier rope drop was in two locations. In mid June when Cars Land opens a lot may change. Inlcuding no rope drop, more rope drops, and different hours.


In case the OP or anyone is unaware, the things I mentioned in my first reply you can do at 9:30, from the front gate and the GCH entrance if they aren't let in earlier. At the regular or announced park opening of 10am, is when the ropes drop.

 

[Babybears]

Agree with you all! It is a very nice convenience!!! I especially love the short (if any at all) line. Even if you line up before they let you in during the morning, the line is still so small compared to the main entrance!! And, you are partway in the park already. Bag check, everything is so quick. Never a line later in day! I love it!!

 

[kailuagirl]

For us, it's just the feeling of coming down your hotel elevator, making a couple turns and you are in the park! So awesome! We love it!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Exactly!



We lined up at the bottom of the pier bridge leading up to Ariel's Grotto. Then at "rope drop" they hand walked the rope and group back over the bridge and around to the pier. Not sure what the exact point of the walk where the CMs moved the rope aside as we were back a little in the throng. However, we went straight to TSMM and only had about a 10 min wait. I've never experienced a wait under 40 min personally. So, it was a big hit for us!

You mean this?

 

[specialks]

You mean this?

Exactly.

I was about where the lady with the gold crown is. But, upon moving we fell back a bit, not quite as pushy as some others.