New to DLH Pools & Just Booked a Cabana!!!

[pepe3penelope]

I've never been to the pools at DLH and I'm so excited we got a cabana! I heard there are 6 cabanas. I've tried to search for images online to see where they are located but I'm having a hard time.

1) Are the cabanas all in one area?
2) Which pool(s) are they located at?
3) Do they assign a cabana to you or can you request a specific one if you get there early enough? (Booked full day)
4) I have myself, DH, DD 6 1/2 years old, and DS 2 1/2 years old.
I saw online there's the Monorail Pool, D-Ticket and E-Ticket Pools. Are all three appropriate for their ages? How deep are the pools and where the slides end (don't want to worry if it's deep for kids)?

We are actually staying at the Villas at the Grand Californian. When I made the reservation over the phone, I asked her how do we get into the pool if we have VGC keys . She says the lifeguard lets us in. Is that true? Seems so inconvenient to have to ask every time.

TIA!

 

[Nonsuch]

1) Are the cabanas all in one area?
2) Which pool(s) are they located at?

There are 2 groups of 3 cabanas.

View from the 9th floor of the Adventure tower:

Cabanas are the 3 larger canopies.

Cabanas are hidden by the palm trees (lower right):

We are actually staying at the Villas at the Grand Californian...

Welcome Home

 

[aliceindisneyland]

I've never been to the pools at DLH and I'm so excited we got a cabana! I heard there are 6 cabanas. I've tried to search for images online to see where they are located but I'm having a hard time.

1) Are the cabanas all in one area?
2) Which pool(s) are they located at?
3) Do they assign a cabana to you or can you request a specific one if you get there early enough? (Booked full day)
4) I have myself, DH, DD 6 1/2 years old, and DS 2 1/2 years old.
I saw online there's the Monorail Pool, D-Ticket and E-Ticket Pools. Are all three appropriate for their ages? How deep are the pools and where the slides end (don't want to worry if it's deep for kids)?

We are actually staying at the Villas at the Grand Californian. When I made the reservation over the phone, I asked her how do we get into the pool if we have VGC keys . She says the lifeguard lets us in. Is that true? Seems so inconvenient to have to ask every time.

TIA!

How fun to be able to pool hop! We have never reserved a cabana at DLH, but we have spent many days at the pool!

If you can make a request, I'd try to request one near the Monorail slides, since that is where the shallow play area is that your 2 1/2-yr-old will probably use most, and you may be able to keep an eye on him from the cabana. I have noted many times that the cabana that is nearest the gate that is close to the Frontier tower has people walking by it constantly [that is the gate that most guests use]; the gate will also be clanging shut whenever a guard is not holding it open for guests. If the little one is napping, that may be annoying.

On the other hand, thinking back to when my DKs were the ages of yours, DH and I used to lounge near the E Ticket pool (about 4 ft deep like the D Ticket) because I feel more comfortable being able to keep eyes on my kids when they're in (relatively) deep water; I am not quite so worried about them near the slides/splash pad. There are lifeguards at all pools.

Your kids can use free life jackets that are stocked at the pool; they are allowed to use them on the slides [our last visit was in February; hopefully that rule is the same! You may want to call to confirm.] The Monorail slides dump into about 3-4 ft and kids need to swim to the exit by themselves (Mom or Dad can't go in to help them.) The force of the water shoots little kids pretty far across the dump out pool though, so it takes just a little paddling to get out.

The mini slides end without dumping you out; you're just sitting in a little puddle on the slide.

All around the Monorail slides is zero entry. *** Edited: the splash pad area that surrounds the Monorail slides is zero entry; as noted above, the Monorail pools dump into a 3-4 ft pool. The zero entry splash pad area***goes to maybe 1 foot deep.

Have fun!

 

[Nonsuch]

...I've tried to search for images online to see where they are located but I'm having a hard time...

 

[DarthMole]

The mini slides end without dumping you out; you're just sitting in a little puddle on the slide.

All around the Monorail slides is zero entry. Goes to maybe 1 foot deep.

Correct on the mini slides. The lower monorail slide is similar in that you just coast into a shallow bed of water. The higher monorail slide does dump you off into an actual pool of water. It is zero entry, but it has to be around 3 feet deep at least.

One more tip. They do not allow more than one person to go down ANY slide at the same time. So little ones can not sit on your lap and ride down. Not even on the mini slides. Toddlers, if brave enough, have to go it alone. We noticed a few terrified kids who would not do it alone.

 

[pepe3penelope]

There are 2 groups of 3 cabanas. View from the 9th floor of the Adventure tower: Cabanas are the 3 larger canopies. Cabanas are hidden by the palm trees (lower right): Welcome Home

Thank you! This is our 1st DVC trip and we have never stayed on property at Disneyland! Pictures sure speak a thousand words.

 

[LisaT91403]

I've never been to the pools at DLH and I'm so excited we got a cabana! I heard there are 6 cabanas. I've tried to search for images online to see where they are located but I'm having a hard time.

1) Are the cabanas all in one area?
2) Which pool(s) are they located at?
3) Do they assign a cabana to you or can you request a specific one if you get there early enough? (Booked full day)
4) I have myself, DH, DD 6 1/2 years old, and DS 2 1/2 years old.
I saw online there's the Monorail Pool, D-Ticket and E-Ticket Pools. Are all three appropriate for their ages? How deep are the pools and where the slides end (don't want to worry if it's deep for kids)?

We are actually staying at the Villas at the Grand Californian. When I made the reservation over the phone, I asked her how do we get into the pool if we have VGC keys . She says the lifeguard lets us in. Is that true? Seems so inconvenient to have to ask every time.

TIA!

DS(6) spent most of our cabana day in the slide area. He never went into the D Ticket pool, but did swim in the big E Ticket pool a few times (with an adult). But he was in the slide area the overwhelming majority of the time.

As you can see in the picture, there are 3 cabanas by E Ticket pool and 3 by the slides. We requested to be by the slides, and while they would not guarantee it, our request was granted. Get there as early as you can to check in so that you can change your assigned cabana if there's nobody else there yet (again, no guarantee, but you might be able to do this). We were in Cabana 3, and never heard the gate slamming. We didn't want to be in Cabana 2 because we didn't want to be sandwiched in between 2 other parties.

The "big" Monorail slide empties into its own pool. I have to respectfully disagree with the previous poster who said it is a zero entry pool. There are steps to get out, and your child has to be able to swim to the side or end of the little pool in order to reach the steps and get out. It's not a big pool, but it's deep enough so that my (short) 6 year old cannot stand in it. And this makes sense, as you don't want to land in a shallow pool

Hope this helps.

 

[pepe3penelope]

I love this image, also! Thank you!

 

[pepe3penelope]

How fun to be able to pool hop! We have never reserved a cabana at DLH, but we have spent many days at the pool! If you can make a request, I'd try to request one near the Monorail slides, since that is where the shallow play area is that your 2 1/2-yr-old will probably use most, and you may be able to keep an eye on him from the cabana. I have noted many times that the cabana that is nearest the gate that is close to the Frontier tower has people walking by it constantly [that is the gate that most guests use]; the gate will also be clanging shut whenever a guard is not holding it open for guests. If the little one is napping, that may be annoying. On the other hand, thinking back to when my DKs were the ages of yours, DH and I used to lounge near the E Ticket pool (about 4 ft deep like the D Ticket) because I feel more comfortable being able to keep eyes on my kids when they're in (relatively) deep water; I am not quite so worried about them near the slides/splash pad. There are lifeguards at all pools. Your kids can use free life jackets that are stocked at the pool; they are allowed to use them on the slides [our last visit was in February; hopefully that rule is the same! You may want to call to confirm.] The Monorail slides dump into about 3-4 ft and kids need to swim to the exit by themselves (Mom or Dad can't go in to help them.) The force of the water shoots little kids pretty far across the dump out pool though, so it takes just a little paddling to get out. The mini slides end without dumping you out; you're just sitting in a little puddle on the slide. All around the Monorail slides is zero entry. Goes to maybe 1 foot deep. Have fun!

Thank you so much for your detailed description of the different areas. I'm still not sure which area of cabanas we will request, but I agree about getting there early enough to choose an end cabana and not be sandwiched. However, I probably will try to get the ones by the Monorail slide. Since DD is only 49" I'd feel more comfortable if she wears the life jacket.

 

[pepe3penelope]

Correct on the mini slides. The lower monorail slide is similar in that you just coast into a shallow bed of water. The higher monorail slide does dump you off into an actual pool of water. It is zero entry, but it has to be around 3 feet deep at least. One more tip. They do not allow more than one person to go down ANY slide at the same time. So little ones can not sit on your lap and ride down. Not even on the mini slides. Toddlers, if brave enough, have to go it alone. We noticed a few terrified kids who would not do it alone.

Thank you for the tips! I showed DD the photos of the pools and she is very excited about the monorail pool!

 

[pepe3penelope]

DS(6) spent most of our cabana day in the slide area. He never went into the D Ticket pool, but did swim in the big E Ticket pool a few times (with an adult). But he was in the slide area the overwhelming majority of the time. As you can see in the picture, there are 3 cabanas by E Ticket pool and 3 by the slides. We requested to be by the slides, and while they would not guarantee it, our request was granted. Get there as early as you can to check in so that you can change your assigned cabana if there's nobody else there yet (again, no guarantee, but you might be able to do this). We were in Cabana 3, and never heard the gate slamming. We didn't want to be in Cabana 2 because we didn't want to be sandwiched in between 2 other parties. The "big" Monorail slide empties into its own pool. I have to respectfully disagree with the previous poster who said it is a zero entry pool. There are steps to get out, and your child has to be able to swim to the side or end of the little pool in order to reach the steps and get out. It's not a big pool, but it's deep enough so that my (short) 6 year old cannot stand in it. And this makes sense, as you don't want to land in a shallow pool Hope this helps.

I've decided that we should do the monorail pool area. Did you make your request with Guest Services before your trip? If so, I'll call later. Does cabana 1 still have a good view of the children in the water? Was cabana 3 the one closest to the gate that the previous poster mentioned? I was planning on DS napping in the cabana and maybe DH and i while we take turns watching them. I would get annoyed by the gate slamming so just wondering. Thank you!

 

[LisaT91403]

Since DD is only 49" I'd feel more comfortable if she wears the life jacket.

My son is about 45" with his shoes on, and he does not wear a life jacket. Even when he was shorter, he didn't use one. It really has nothing to do with height -- it just depends on whether your daughter knows how to swim/is water-safe or not

 

[pepe3penelope]

My son is about 45" with his shoes on, and he does not wear a life jacket. Even when he was shorter, he didn't use one. It really has nothing to do with height -- it just depends on whether your daughter knows how to swim/is water-safe or not

She's a pretty good swimmer, but when we were at Legoland California's new wave pool 2 weeks ago, she was comfortable in the 4 feet deep section. When she was in the 5 feet deep section, she wanted a life jacket (although DH thinks it's only because her friends wanted to wear theirs). Maybe the 1 st couple times I'll go with her w/o the life jacket and see how she does.

 

[junmatno]

I've never been to the pools at DLH and I'm so excited we got a cabana! I heard there are 6 cabanas. I've tried to search for images online to see where they are located but I'm having a hard time. 1) Are the cabanas all in one area? 2) Which pool(s) are they located at? 3) Do they assign a cabana to you or can you request a specific one if you get there early enough? (Booked full day) 4) I have myself, DH, DD 6 1/2 years old, and DS 2 1/2 years old. I saw online there's the Monorail Pool, D-Ticket and E-Ticket Pools. Are all three appropriate for their ages? How deep are the pools and where the slides end (don't want to worry if it's deep for kids)? We are actually staying at the Villas at the Grand Californian. When I made the reservation over the phone, I asked her how do we get into the pool if we have VGC keys . She says the lifeguard lets us in. Is that true? Seems so inconvenient to have to ask every time. TIA!

How early can we book for cabanas?? We r going for Half Marathon weekend and I want to do a 4 hr reservation.

 

[pepe3penelope]

How early can we book for cabanas?? We r going for Half Marathon weekend and I want to do a 4 hr reservation.

I'm not absolutely sure but someone else can correct me if I'm wrong. I believe the CM from Gust Services said 2 weeks.

 

[pepe3penelope]

OP here again!! Since we are new to the cabana experience, I wanted some clarification about dining service. Can you order from any of the DLH restaurant menus? We also booked a full day at GCH. Does that mean we can order from the Storytellers cafe and room service if we wanted? Do you just save your tip for the end the day or tip as you go? Thanks!

 

[LisaT91403]

OP here again!! Since we are new to the cabana experience, I wanted some clarification about dining service. Can you order from any of the DLH restaurant menus? We also booked a full day at GCH. Does that mean we can order from the Storytellers cafe and room service if we wanted? Do you just save your tip for the end the day or tip as you go? Thanks!

At DLH, we were able to order from the Trader Sam's and Tangaroa Terrace menus. The server was happy to keep our tab open until the end of the day, and then we could add tip at that point.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Correct on the mini slides. The lower monorail slide is similar in that you just coast into a shallow bed of water. The higher monorail slide does dump you off into an actual pool of water. It is zero entry, but it has to be around 3 feet deep at least.

One more tip. They do not allow more than one person to go down ANY slide at the same time. So little ones can not sit on your lap and ride down. Not even on the mini slides. Toddlers, if brave enough, have to go it alone. We noticed a few terrified kids who would not do it alone.

DS(6) spent most of our cabana day in the slide area. He never went into the D Ticket pool, but did swim in the big E Ticket pool a few times (with an adult). But he was in the slide area the overwhelming majority of the time.

As you can see in the picture, there are 3 cabanas by E Ticket pool and 3 by the slides. We requested to be by the slides, and while they would not guarantee it, our request was granted. Get there as early as you can to check in so that you can change your assigned cabana if there's nobody else there yet (again, no guarantee, but you might be able to do this). We were in Cabana 3, and never heard the gate slamming. We didn't want to be in Cabana 2 because we didn't want to be sandwiched in between 2 other parties.

The "big" Monorail slide empties into its own pool. I have to respectfully disagree with the previous poster who said it is a zero entry pool. There are steps to get out, and your child has to be able to swim to the side or end of the little pool in order to reach the steps and get out. It's not a big pool, but it's deep enough so that my (short) 6 year old cannot stand in it. And this makes sense, as you don't want to land in a shallow pool

Hope this helps.

I edited my post for clarity - I did not mean that the Monorail slides dumped into 1 ft of water! That would be crazy - I was referring to the splash pool that the Monorail slides are on top of. Sorry for any confusion!

 

[LisaT91403]

I edited my post for clarity - I did not mean that the Monorail slides dumped into 1 ft of water! That would be crazy - I was referring to the splash pool that the Monorail slides are on top of. Sorry for any confusion!

Actually, I understood what you were saying, and it wasn't your post that I was referring to when I said I disagreed

It was this one:

The higher monorail slide does dump you off into an actual pool of water. It is zero entry, but it has to be around 3 feet deep at least.

If you look really closely at the pictures, you can see the ladder at the far end of the landing pool for the big slide. It's a regular pool, not zero entry, and you have to use the ladder to get out.

 

[DarthMole]

If you look really closely at the pictures, you can see the ladder at the far end of the landing pool for the big slide. It's a regular pool, not zero entry, and you have to use the ladder to get out.

You are correct. Thanks for pointing that out. I'm not sure why I thought it was zero entry. Either way, for little ones the big slide does require a fairly competent swimmer since the rider must exit the pool on their own.