Grand Cali entrance to DCA question About This Page:

[Tonichelle]

I read today that you can use the entrance if you aren't a resort guest BUT if you have a receipt from one of the restaraunts or shops. Does this really work? and can you use it to gain the 30 minute early access? (like I get an early breakfast ressie and then enter the park after eating/before park opens)?

[DebiDebiDebi]

I couldn't find any information that would substantiate that information. However, it may be worth a call to guest services to see what the official answer is.

[Tink and co.]

I know when we've stayed there the only time resort room keys were diligently checked was for the early entry for WOC fastpasses. It's advertised in the Grand "newspaper" as a perque for resort guests.

[Tonichelle]

Originally Posted by DebiDebiDebi

I couldn't find any information that would substantiate that information. However, it may be worth a call to guest services to see what the official answer is.

I read the "tip" in the unofficial guide, but I wonder if they mean for just during park hours, not the early hours?

[LizCatMom]

Originally Posted by Tonichelle

I read the "tip" in the unofficial guide, but I wonder if they mean for just during park hours, not the early hours?

As of our stay this past December, both mornings when we were in line at GC to use their entrance into CA for Early Hours, they made the announcement "Please have your Resort key/card ready for when we come through to check and everyone in your party must have one" and then CMs would come through and make sure we had them.

I know I have read of other people saying that they would get a snack or a bite to eat at GC -- White Water snacks comes to mind -- and then show their receipt to gain entry BACK into CA, but I would be really surprised if this would work for Early Hours.

[Dave Marx]

While anything's possible when it's up to a CM to choose between strict adherence to policy and making a guest happy once the park is open to the general public... In the case of early entry to the parks, they're going to follow the same procedure regardless of what gate it is, "Show us your resort ID."

[w-steele]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

While anything's possible when it's up to a CM to choose between strict adherence to policy and making a guest happy once the park is open to the general public... In the case of early entry to the parks, they're going to follow the same procedure regardless of what gate it is, "Show us your resort ID."

As Dave pointed out and as monthly 'guests' at the Grand, I can say NO to any early hour enterance for non resort guests. Later on in the day non resort guests have been allowed in that gate but again, its up to the CM's working because I have seen at other times, later on in the day, where we were asked for our room key card.
The main purpose of that gate was to allow any resort guest a faster way into the park, beating the long lines that could slow them down at the main gate. It also allows them 'head of the line' access to the Fast Pass area to get WOC tickets, beating the general public by up to 30 minutes.