GCH to DCA at rope drop/EMH

[pixleyyy]

Hi,

We are staying onsite for the first time at GCH and we're trying to decide if we use the GCH's entrance to DCA when we do rope drop or EMH. I've heard that the lines are long and fewer security stations (slower entry) at the GCH entrance to DCA and that going to the main gate is faster. But I've also heard the opposite, that the lines aren't any slower at GCH and use that entrance instead of the main entrance. Can anyone help us decide the best plan of attack?

And if it helps, it's hubby and I with no bags. Do they even have no-bag lines?

 

[Malcon10t]

Hi,

We are staying onsite for the first time at GCH and we're trying to decide if we use the GCH's entrance to DCA when we do rope drop or EMH. I've heard that the lines are long and fewer security stations (slower entry) at the GCH entrance to DCA and that going to the main gate is faster. But I've also heard the opposite, that the lines aren't any slower at GCH and use that entrance instead of the main entrance. Can anyone help us decide the best plan of attack?

And if it helps, it's hubby and I with no bags. Do they even have no-bag lines?

There are no "No Bag" lines at the Grand entry points. And they will request you please wait in line if you try to bypass them, to the point of stopping and holding everyone up until the person returns to the line.

We prefer the main gate for EMH or rope drop as there are several turnstiles marked for it and it is easier to get thru. I have NEVER seen a short line at the DCA entrance at the Grand first thing in the morning. Usually it wraps back to Whitewater, around the backside of Whitewater, then back towards Storytellers. It can take 20-30 mins if you aren't there 30-45 mins before opening. If you are going 30 mins after opening, lines should be fine then.

 

[pixleyyy]

There are no "No Bag" lines at the Grand entry points. And they will request you please wait in line if you try to bypass them, to the point of stopping and holding everyone up until the person returns to the line.

We prefer the main gate for EMH or rope drop as there are several turnstiles marked for it and it is easier to get thru. I have NEVER seen a short line at the DCA entrance at the Grand first thing in the morning. Usually it wraps back to Whitewater, around the backside of Whitewater, then back towards Storytellers. It can take 20-30 mins if you aren't there 30-45 mins before opening. If you are going 30 mins after opening, lines should be fine then.

Thank you!

 

[gerilyne]

I always went to the main gate for rope drop into DCA. It took much less time going that route first thing in the morning vs. the private entrance. the rest of the day though, we used the Grand entrance with no issues.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always use the main entrance in the mornings and the GCH to DCA the rest of the day. Makes life so much easier when tripping

 

[Heather1101]

We were there June 27-June 30 and found it way faster to go through the main entrance. You can get in earlier using the main entrance. When we went to use the GCH entrance in the a.m., they wouldn't let us in line til park opening. It was quicker to walk through Downtown Disney and through the front DCA entrance.

 

[HydroGuy]

We were at GCH June 19-22 and I have seen for myself how bad the special GCH entrance can be.

However...

I noticed when we were there that they scanned guests thru thru special entrance early before EMH officially started and held them somewhere near GRR. So we tried it one morning when we came down right at 8AM when EMH started that day. And there was almost no line.

 

[Whistlebee]

We were at GCH June 19-22 and I have seen for myself how bad the special GCH entrance can be.

However...

I noticed when we were there that they scanned guests thru thru special entrance early before EMH officially started and held them somewhere near GRR. So we tried it one morning when we came down right at 8AM when EMH started that day. And there was almost no line.

We had this same experience last week. Our first day of EMH we weren’t ready until 7:45 (7am) opening. No one was in line. Obviously, they were all all ready in the parks but we were sure glad we checked as thiscsaved us a lot of time! Our last EMH was an 8 am opening. We used the GCH entrance at 8am and there was no one else in line. Obviously, they had already let the crowd in. Security did mention that everyone had shown up at 7am thinking EMH was at 7 when it was really at 8 that day. Doesn’t hurt to check sometimes as we walked in both times.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always use the main entrance at opening, seems to move along quicker.

Jack

 

[StormyCA]

We usually poke our heads out to see what the private entrance line looks like, but 9 out of 10 times the line is too long and we head to the main gates.