Originally Posted By GoofTrooper23 Can't believe it - we can actually afford to stay at Grand California Hotel (with employee discount)- anyhow we've been reading on other websites that there is early entry to CA - does anyone know how early? Also what kind of daily activities do they have at GCA?
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 There is not an official Early Entry to DCA, as far as I know. However, the "guest only" entry from the GCH generally opens 1/2 hour before regular park opening, and Soarin' is running at that time! This is awesome, because you can hop on Soarin' and ride it before the park opens for everyone else. We also took advantage of this to get in line for Toy Story Midway Madness (or whatever it's called). We entered through the GCH entrance and said we wanted to wait for TSMM. They had us sit down near Grizzly Rapids (can't remember what that ride is actually called either, what's wrong with me) and wait until the park opened. So we did end up waiting for half an hour, but then were walked directly to TSMM, and got on it within the first five minutes of the park being open so it didn't eat into the rest of the day at all. I don't know if that ride still has a line, but it helped us out. Now all that being said, I would only suggest doing these things if you have quite a few days to take advantage of EE and the first hour of DL. DCA opens an hour later than DL, so you will not be able to get in a half hour early to DCA without sacrificing the first precious hour that DL is open when you can usually get on all the big ticket rides without much wait. You can usually head over to DCA a bit later and still get FPs and ride the highlights there without too much time wasted in line. But if you have the luxury of a multi day trip, and like me want to have the absolute minimum wait time and crowd fatigue possible, that half hour of pseudo-EE can be great! I know that there is a hotel tour offered at the Grand, and I believe there is storytelling at the fireplace for kids. I would absolutely recommend using Vacation Planning to help with your dining reservations and with planning any other special events you would be interested in. If you book dining reservations through vacation planning, they can print out an itinerary for you at check in. They are also really good at getting you reserved seating for Fantasmic or other premium experiences if you are interested in that. You can call VP at 1-714/300-7520, or email them at vacationplanning@disneyonline.com. I always have the best luck if I call, and leave a message with my phone number well in advance. They may take up to a few days to call you back, but once you have made a connection with an actual Vacation Planner, (be sure to get their name and ask how to reach them directly in the future) they are absolutely awesome and will bend over backwards to help. Remember to turn in a card with a good review for them after your stay! If you ask them, they should have a free balloon and signed photo from your favorite character available for you when you check in. Hanging out in the bar in the lobby and around the fireplace area is great. There is often a piano player. If you have a big group staying in one room, I would recommend considering the upgrade to Concierge. Sometimes this means a huge bump in the price of your room as well as the concierge fee, and if there are only one or two of you in the room it won't be worth it. However if you are already a big group staying in a suite or something, then the price jump of only the concierge fee ($150 a day, I think) might actually be worth it for you. The concierge offerings at the GCH far surpass those at the other two resort hotels. When we had a 3 bedroom suite with seven people staying in it, it absolutely made sense to pay an extra $150, as we could then have breakfast and lunch for seven, plus coffee, water and soda all day for that price. They offer a typical buffet breakfast of cold items, cereal, pastries, bagels toast, fruit and cheese is what I remember, then a nice tea in the afternoon which we used for lunch, (three or four finger sandwiches and a mickey scone satisfied everyone in our group), as well as wine and a hot appetizer in the evening and dessert with fireworks viewing in the evening made this a great option for us. I absolutely love staying at the GCH, and hope that you will too.
Originally Posted By DLTheo Do you have to stay at GCH to get that DCA early entry, or will they allow it for any of the on-property hotels, i.e. Paradise Pier or DH?
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 Anyone staying at of the on-property hotels can enter through the DCA entrance, which to my knowledge opens a half hour early when generally Soarin' is up and running.
Originally Posted By GoofTrooper23 Thanks guys - the information will be valuable - we are staying for 6 days! I've been reading NO early check in - we definitely won't push that but will be going on the scavenger hunt and taking advantage of all the amenities!
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 Yes, officially there is no early check-in, but there are some things you can do to get your room as early as possible. Call one hour before you arrive at the hotel to let them know you are on your way, give them your estimated time of arrival, and remind them about any room requests. If possible, they will try to have a room ready for you when you arrive in this case. This has worked for us once or twice, but often we still have to do the pager thing. Another tip when staying at the GCH, other hotels at the DLR and pretty much any big hotel; if you are leaving your room early in the day and wish to have your room made up when you come back for a nap, give housekeeping a call so that they know to stop by your room right away. I think everyone, including housekeeping is happy to know about a room they can do early, instead of happening to pass by and clean your room after 11 am when masses are checking out. 6 days! You are going to have an awesome time.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 We always get to the hotel and have them hold our bags. If you give them your cell number they will call you when the room is ready. We just go wander around DTD and get a snack and then go back to the hotel when the room is done. You do not have to wait at the front desk to get your bags, just go to your room and call down for your bags. They give you your keys and everything when you first get there and then they tell you what room it is when they call you to let you know it is ready.
