Take a dip in the Neverland Pool?

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, I'm not trying to stir up trouble here, but I just have an innocent question. I'm considering a trip to DLR in November, and considering all my options for lodging. I have two daughters, 9 and 6, who are really getting into Peter Pan and would love the Neverland Pool at the DLH. However, the GC looks really nice too, and I love the idea of being so close to the park entrances. Would it be possible to go swimming once at the Neverland Pool if we stay at GC, or is that really, just not done and if we want to swim at that pool we HAVE to stay at DLH?

Thanks, again, not trying to cause trouble.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

I know this is a hot topic on the WDW boards but I dont think you will find that kind of trouble over here.

I wish I knew the answer to your question. I've only stayed at the DLH and it was in the winter so we didn't swim. I know someone else will have the answer for you though.

Just wanted to say it's cool to ask over here! Good question.

 

[got2travel]

The pools at both the GC and DLH are gated and you need your room key to open the door. So unless you time it and sneak in behind someone else, you won't be able to get in.

Honestly, I'd stay at the DLH. The DL resort is so compact compared to WDW, that you're only talking an additional 5 min walk. Plus, the DLH is usually less money.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I just read the "Resort FAQ" on the Disneyland website, and this is my "take" on the info they provide.

Guest staying at the GCH can use any of the services/amenities at any of the 3 Disney hotels.

Guests staying at the DLH or the PP can use any of the services/amenities offered at those two hotels. They can also use Pinnochio's Workshop and the Spa at the GCH for an additional fee.

All other services/amenities at the GCH are for the exclusive use of guests staying at the GCH.

The private DCA entrance located in the GCH is for the use of all Disney hotel guests.

 

[MATTERHORN]

I agree with PP, and I also would just call and ask. Tell them the circumstances and they may "grant" you permission even if it's not allowed. You never know!


Andrea

 

[Mtnman44]

I would be SHOCKED if a GCH guest was not able to use the pool at DLH.

 

[ter-moo]

You ARE allowed to pool hop at the DL hotels.

However, with children the ages that yours are, I'd highly recommend staying at the DLH rather than the GCH. It's cheaper, and just better themed for kids. Plus the rooms are bigger.

 

[Wendi2000]

If you stay at Disney's Grand Californian, you may use the pools at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier. If you stay at DLH or PPH you may use both of those pools but not the GCH pool. This may have changed but it was the policy in the past. I would call and check if it is really important to you.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We stayed at GCH in Aug and decided to test out our key at the neverland pool on our way to Goofy's. Kitchen. Our room key did not work. We did not ask at check in if we could use other pools though. We did ask to keep our key activated (for GCH"S pool) after we checked out at 11 am to so that we could use the GCH"S pool in the afternoon before we left for home in the evening and that was no problem. Never hurts to ask.

 

[tinkermell]

I just read the "Resort FAQ" on the Disneyland website, and this is my "take" on the info they provide.

Guest staying at the GCH can use any of the services/amenities at any of the 3 Disney hotels.

Guests staying at the DLH or the PP can use any of the services/amenities offered at those two hotels. They can also use Pinnochio's Workshop and the Spa at the GCH for an additional fee.

All other services/amenities at the GCH are for the exclusive use of guests staying at the GCH.

The private DCA entrance located in the GCH is for the use of all Disney hotel guests.

OK, I know this is off of the subject, but where are you guys getting the GC DVC Villas picture??? When I first saw it, I thought it was for real, and I missed out on all of the action!! Thanks!

 

[utahkennedys]

This is why we chose DLH for our upcoming trip -- dd5 LOVES Peter Pan so we figured we can try GCH later. I am very excited to try it out! Last time we stayed at HoJo's and really enjoyed it there for only $32/night, but this time we used DVC points.

 

[disney-super-mom]

OK, I know this is off of the subject, but where are you guys getting the GC DVC Villas picture??? When I first saw it, I thought it was for real, and I missed out on all of the action!! Thanks!

We started a Disneyland DVC wish club over on the DVC boards, and I asked if anyone could help us out and make a picture for our signatures, and here's what they came up with.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1349087

 

[TwingleMum]

Great topic. And I'm glad to see people were kind and nonjudgemental when answering the OP. Unfortunately it doesn't always happen on the East Coast boards.

 

[honeymom]

My 3 year old and 6 year old hated the DLH and Neverland Pool, but at ages 10 and 8, they loved GCH and the Redwood Pool. Just because Peter Pan isn't in the pool, doesn't mean it isn't a good pool. Plus, the pool slide is longer than the one at DLH.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Pools are a subjective thing. My kids (10 and 12 now) prefer the DLH pool to the one at the GCH. That doesn't mean I think the GCH pools stinks, it just means my kids preferred that pool. Frankly to me they are both nice pools with lots to offer. If the pictures of the DLH pool appeal to you it might be worth it to stay there. One of the big pluses of staying onsite at DL is the pool issue so its good to pick the hotel/pool that fits your needs best. I agree with another poster that due to the Disneyland Resort's compact size staying at the DLH does not make you feel that much further away from the parks. Its about five minutes further down DTD to get to the DLH vs. the GCH. The GCH is wonderful, truly a deluxe hotel with a very upscale feel. The lobby alone is about worth the pricetag. I loved the balcony our room had and will miss that when we stay at the DLH this year. I prefer the larger, brighter, Disney themed rooms at the DLH however. Like all Disney hotels there are about equal pros and cons when comparing the DLH vs. the GCH.

I think you cannot go wrong with either choice personally, neither hotel has to take a backseat to the other. And both pool areas are nice. The pool area at the GCH has some nice views of DCA which is fun as well as a staff that circulates to take food and drink orders. The DLH has more landscaping, shade, sandy areas for little kids to play in and a bar and snack shop that serve great food and drinks but no wait staff to bring it to you.

As for pool sharing, they used to have the policy listed above where GCH guests could use any of the three pools. As far as I know that changed at some point in the last couple of years. I was told by a GCH cm last June they no longer do that. I asked because my kids love the Neverland pool and I thought it might be fun to go over one day while we were staying at the GCH. I was told no. Out of curiousity I tried my room key at the DLH pool gate one night on our way to Goofy's and sure enough it did not work. That does not mean that if you asked another cm they couldn't possibly do something to give your GCH key access to the other pools, who knows? You can get different answers to the same question from cm's! But I would hesitate to base any decsion I made off of what people have done in the past since things do seem to change. If the DLH pool's theme looks like something you really want, I would just stay there and know that its a great hotel (it has its fans and critics like every other hotel but overall it is a well loved property that is very often sold out) with lots of magic and lots to offer. And still extremely close to the parks.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Great topic. And I'm glad to see people were kind and nonjudgemental when answering the OP. Unfortunately it doesn't always happen on the East Coast boards.

Next to the dreaded reusing your resort mug, pool hopping is a hot topic on the WDW side of disboards! I am amazed at how such threads can get to 10 pages in a very short time. Sort of silly when generally an innocent question is asked and then quickly answered since its not that big of a deal. Go figure!

 

[TwingleMum]

Next to the dreaded reusing your resort mug, pool hopping is a hot topic on the WDW side of disboards! I am amazed at how such threads can get to 10 pages in a very short time. Sort of silly when generally an innocent question is asked and then quickly answered since its not that big of a deal. Go figure!

I know I always am amazed at the amount of vitriol the morality police spew to these poor people asking an innocent question. It has sent more than one newcomer away never to return.Thats why I appreciate the people on this board so much ~ no judgements just nice funny people sharing a common interest.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Pools are a subjective thing. My kids (10 and 12 now) prefer the DLH pool to the one at the GCH. That doesn't mean I think the GCH pools stinks, it just means my kids preferred that pool. Frankly to me they are both nice pools with lots to offer. If the pictures of the DLH pool appeal to you it might be worth it to stay there. One of the big pluses of staying onsite at DL is the pool issue so its good to pick the hotel/pool that fits your needs best. I agree with another poster that due to the Disneyland Resort's compact size staying at the DLH does not make you feel that much further away from the parks. Its about five minutes further down DTD to get to the DLH vs. the GCH. The GCH is wonderful, truly a deluxe hotel with a very upscale feel. The lobby alone is about worth the pricetag. I loved the balcony our room had and will miss that when we stay at the DLH this year. I prefer the larger, brighter, Disney themed rooms at the DLH however. Like all Disney hotels there are about equal pros and cons when comparing the DLH vs. the GCH.

I think you cannot go wrong with either choice personally, neither hotel has to take a backseat to the other. And both pool areas are nice. The pool area at the GCH has some nice views of DCA which is fun as well as a staff that circulates to take food and drink orders. The DLH has more landscaping, shade, sandy areas for little kids to play in and a bar and snack shop that serve great food and drinks but no wait staff to bring it to you.

As for pool sharing, they used to have the policy listed above where GCH guests could use any of the three pools. As far as I know that changed at some point in the last couple of years. I was told by a GCH cm last June they no longer do that. I asked because my kids love the Neverland pool and I thought it might be fun to go over one day while we were staying at the GCH. I was told no. Out of curiousity I tried my room key at the DLH pool gate one night on our way to Goofy's and sure enough it did not work. That does not mean that if you asked another cm they couldn't possibly do something to give your GCH key access to the other pools, who knows? You can get different answers to the same question from cm's! But I would hesitate to base any decsion I made off of what people have done in the past since things do seem to change. If the DLH pool's theme looks like something you really want, I would just stay there and know that its a great hotel (it has its fans and critics like every other hotel but overall it is a well loved property that is very often sold out) with lots of magic and lots to offer. And still extremely close to the parks.

Amy&Dan, what is the slide like at the DLH pool?? Where is the pool slide?? I can't tell from pics where it is or if it has something to do with the ship or skull rock. How deep does the pool get? Is there a zero depth entrance?


Sorry to hijack the thread!

Thanks for the info,

Lives4Disney

 

[MATTERHORN]

Here is a great previous thread with pics of all the onsite slides by our famous Mary Jo


http://www.disboards.com/showthread...ighlight=disneyland+hotel+pool+slide+pictures

 

[Amy&Dan]

Amy&Dan, what is the slide like at the DLH pool?? Where is the pool slide?? I can't tell from pics where it is or if it has something to do with the ship or skull rock. How deep does the pool get? Is there a zero depth entrance?


Sorry to hijack the thread!

Thanks for the info,

Lives4Disney

The slide is in the skull rock. It is listed as 100 feet long in the Birnbaums Guide to Disneyland. I don't think the pool gets much deeper than maybe 4 or 5 feet. About like the WDW ones. There is no zero depth entrance that I know of. My kids like the slide, I haven't been on it but I would say it its about like the ones at the WDW moderates if you have stayed at any of those. They have life jackets for use and plenty of lifeguards around. I also want to say that kids cannot wear a life vest on the slides. Not too sure, my kids have been able to swim without one since we have been going to DL. But I seem to recall my little nieces couldn't go on the DLH or GCH slides with their life vests on. You can see from that helpful link Matterhorn gave some nice shots of the pools.