We just returned from our first PPH stay. When we checked in, I asked this question. They told us to use our room key to open the pedestrian gate into the grounds of the GCH (next to the driveway gatehouse) and use their security entrance to enter DTD for DL EE (the line was wrapped all through the GCH courtyard before 7am, but it moved quickly when they opened the detectors and bag check around 7:05am). Our key did open that gate (as well as the PPH DCA entry gate), and we used that entrance without an issue. The walk was super easy, and felt hardly further than the GCH (where we usually stay) and much shorter than the walk to the DLH (where we have also stayed).
Construction is still ongoing for the rooms, with half of the rooms on each floor behind a black curtain. Pool is open, but they are still constructing the outdoor bar area by the pool deck. Elevators were no issue at all, but I can see how they might be if all of the rooms were in use. No restaurant yet….