Originally Posted By ImTempest I'm getting very concerned about the E ticket pool at the Disneyland Hotel. I've been following along as the construction has been progressing, waiting for the "Wow!" moment. But the more that gets unveiled, the more I keep going "YAWN". I loved the Neverland pool. My son and I used to play we were on a tropical island with pirates, and he adored the slide and the pirate ship. I adored that he could go down the slide and I could be in the pool watching him. He recently asked me if we were going back to the hotel with the pirate ship, and I told him the pool area had changed and the ship was gone. I showed him the pictures of the new pool and, being 10, he asked "What's an e-ticket? This pool looks kind of boring." An E-ticket means nothing to him, of course. What's he going to do - pretend he's an E-ticket? Then he said "So if I want to slide I have to go in another pool, where the monorails are? What if I want to swim? Do I walk back and forth?" Then I realized that seems to be how it works out. And that would mean I follow him, back and forth. I'm going to have to go look for myself, but so far I don't have a good impression of the pool.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Wow, you are so right about the pool. I just looked at the pictures and the first thing that i thought of was Las Vegas. I guess they are trying to be modern with the new pool and i dont much like it either. I really loved the look of the Neverland pool too
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Any pics guys? I always felt the Neverland pool was the only redeeming feature of the Dlh (other than the dining options).
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I admit to being the biggest harshest critic when these changes were announced but I just returned from the DH in October and LOVE the changes. I posted a comment that reflected my thoughts for DVCers:Will not want to stay at the Grand when they see this new area. The pool is confusing and seemed to have 3 levels. i just assumed an adult area and two monorail slides/pool areas for different age groups. Your 10 year old will love the new resort complex. And so will you. The outdoor fireplace is big. A wonderful food court and Trader Sams. Loved the changes!
Originally Posted By tashajilek <a href="http://www.disneygeek.com/progress/disneyland_hotel/index.php?page_id=1&image_count=0" target="_blank">http://www.disneygeek.com/prog..._count=0</a>
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I love DisneyGeek. He and Westcoaster always have the best pics. The pool does look more "adult" and less fanciful than before, for sure. Perhaps the idea is that the pool is for swimming/relaxing, and the slides are for playing. I agree that if you liked to combine the two (like InTempest's son) it could seem like a net loss, but those who wanted a more tranquil pool setting would probably like it. Plus, isn't the "D-ticket pool" close by the monorail slides?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks Tasha. What were they thinking? So dull. If I ever go back to DL, it is still the Grand where we will be.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I think the idea is that they have the D-ticket area for kids to burn off energy swimming, along with the nearby monorail slides (which are certainly the best slides they've ever had there), and the E-ticket pool for a tranquil place adults can relax.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: This is just a side note to warn all you nice ducklings out there that if you ever happen to see a little old hag swimming around in any of the Disneyland Hotel Pools, don't get into the water with her or even AFTER she gets out. She does nasty things in swimming pools that I can't repeat. But her name is Orgoch and she really oughtta be arrested for the way she contaminates the water! Like I said, you really oughtta know...
Originally Posted By irishfan Having stayed at the hotel in August I really like the changes. Love the new tower signs.
Originally Posted By tonyanton Actually, I'm liking the exterior/pool area look quite a bit more than I thought I would. I'm still a bit unsure about the lobby areas....a bit plain, but perhaps they're not done with the signage/details, etc. On a side note, I'm curious if they will renovate the shop interiors...they look very '90s Disney Store at this point.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Although the hotel certainly had its flaws before the renovation, it had a lot of charm and character. It seems like there was a lot of effort put into removing all of that and replacing it with a simple streamlined look. It looks nice and modern now, but in a few years, I suspect it will look even more dated than the giant drawings of the Castle all over the place. And with the current design, there's no charm to get by on, once the 'modern' look has aged. The pool area has increased in size, but it seems that the overall capacity of the hotel ammenities has severly decreased. Gone are the shops by the old waterfalls, Hook's Pointe and the cellar place. Croc's Bits & Bites/Lost Bar seem like a fair trade for Tangaroa Terrace/Trader Sam's, but it's still an overall downgrade. One could argue that there are plenty of places in DTD that are just a step away, but the whole courtyard area just feels so bland and empty now; had they maintained the old capacity it would only feel bland.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It feels like any other 4 star hotel in America. Maybe once foliage fills in, it will look better. But it just screams waste of money to me. And I think the monorail slides look really tacky. The mini golf course in the 70's, the marina in the 80's, the Neverland pool in the 90's, they were all worth while. Now, you might as well stay at Hojos when compared to the Dlh.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I just looked at the pics to see what everybody else sees with these comments. It does look bad in those pics. It makes me realize I was up every morn before daybreak and returned after sunset. So I never saw the new pool area during daytime. I hate the huge obnoxious cabanas. They have squeezed those in at the POLY Hotel also which I really dislike. MM&MM&Pluto looks sad in the chainlink fenced in playpen. Somebody set them free! Also forgot that the fiber optics in the hotel's headboard never worked which is typical of modern technology. I did not even bother to report it. Also did not like the decision to remove the balcony with sliding doors for windows that are tinted and do not open. I remember thinking it was claustrophobic . I can never figure out why hotels spend money for these improvements and do not install a ceiling fan in the rooms to circulate air and help reduce heating&cooling costs(?). I still liked the new resort area at night with the Tiki Torches and fireplace. The new design has opened up the area to make it feel larger. I did notice a lot more families relaxing with these new amenities in comparison to past years. I guess I am 50/50 with the new design. I like the new stuff but agree the charm is gone.
Originally Posted By tashajilek "I guess I am 50/50 with the new design. I like the new stuff but agree the charm is gone." yea, most people dont go to Disney for modern but for charm. I really looked forward to one day visiting the old pool
Originally Posted By tonyanton I wonder if the former restaurants, like Hooke's Point saw a decrease in business after DtD opened...probably why no replacement was put in. Also, it funnels more guests to Steakhouse 55 and Goofy's Kitchen.
Originally Posted By ImTempest That's it exactly, FerretAmos - bland. That's the perfect word. I like that they're freshening things up, but now it seems like the character is gone. Someone earlier said the E-Ticket pool was the quiet pool for adults. I don't go to Disneyland for quiet time away from kids, I go to be with them and make memories with them. This is our "Me" time together.
