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Funny but true: A study once asked kids what their favorite part of visiting the Disney empire was. Can you guess the winning answer? The swimming pool! Not that kids don't love the rides and appreciate the thousands you've spent on this trip but put a kid in a pool and its love at first splash.
The Peter Pan-themed Never Land pool is a 5,000-square-foot sparkler with a giant pirate ship (for looks only) and a 100-foot water slide. While the slide looks scary, it's slow and safe. But don't be surprised if your younger kids decide to pass. There is also a separate kids' slide and a hot tub. The pool has plenty of towels and chaise lounges, so scrambling for a vacancy isn't necessary. Five to six lifeguards are on duty during pool hours. Swim diapers for non potty trained kids required and are sold at the front desk lobby.
The Cove Pool near the Wonder Tower has two pools and a sandy "beach" for volleyball, as well as a children's play area. But don't let all the kids stuff fool you, the area is often passed over by kids who run for the Never Land pool making it perfect for adult mental health moments. Shriek with joy quietly. Located next to the Lost Bar, guests can purchase tokens and take mini boats for a tour through the lagoon that looks suspiciously like the real, beloved Jungle Cruise inside Disneyland. Also, near the Wonder tower by the Horseshoe Waterfall, kids can feed the Koi fish on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
You'll find Goofy's Kitchen and Disney's character breakfast next to the Magic Tower in the Entertainment Convention Center. Reserving your spot as far in advance as possible (Disney calls it priority seating) is smart during the off season and vital during the high season. The "Fab Five" includes the star, Chef Goofy, Mickey, Minnie (who is quite the party gal), Pluto and Donald who put on an enthusiastic show involving the kids at every twist and turn. When the Fab Five need a break, it's not uncommon for a cluster of princesses to make an appearance.
Disney lays out a vast breakfast: waffles, eggs, pancakes, everything a breakfast lover expects to see. When you first are shown to your table, seat the kids as close to the action as possible and yourself across from the kids so you can get good photos. The breakfast buffets are available from 7 a.m. to noon, weekdays, and until 2 p.m. on weekends. A character dinner buffet runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Breakfast is $27.25 each for kids 10 and up and $15 each for kids 9 and younger. Character dinners will set you back $36 per person for ages 10 and up and $15 for the 9 and under.
The Video Adventure Arcade is ideal for kids getting a little bored at the pool and has games galore including air hockey, pinball, good old-fashioned Ms. Pac Man and virtual reality games.
Extra Magic Hours allow all Disney Resort guests to take advantage of shorter waits for their favorite rides each day when one Disney theme park opens an hour early or stays open up to three hours after the official park closing. Check the weekly schedule when you arrive.
Other great amenities:
Monorail
Back in the day, the Monorail stopped at the Hotel, today you need to walk an entire three minutes into Downtown Disney to catch the Monorail which will let you off inside Tomorrow Land.
Babysitting services
Ah, music to a parent's ears. An outside company provides in-room childcare for infants and kids. One or two kids is $48/four hour minimum, $10/each hour following. For reservations call guest services.
Team Mickey's Workout Room
For die-hards not getting enough of a workout hoofing it through the Disneyland Resort each day, you'll find a workout room next to the Cove Pool. You'll be pleasantly surprised to find great equipment including elliptical machines, treadmills, weight machines and free weights. A fitness waiver must be signed at the front desk and children may accompany a supervising adult.
Laundry Room
Nothing fancy, but this room provides five washers and dryers and all of the soap support you need to keep the kids as clean as possible during their Disney days. |
Meet Goofy in the Magic Tower
Coughing at the price tag on a character breakfast? Almost every day from 2 until 4 p.m., Goofy visits the Magic Tower in the lobby and hangs out with the guests.
Front Desk Fun
Cast members hand out balloons and "first visit" or "birthday" pins to the kids.
Holidays
During Christmas Santa visits each afternoon and strolling carolers perform throughout the Hotel. At Halloween, the front desk hands out candy. If you're visiting during a holiday just ask what the holiday happenings are inside the hotel.
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