Cartoon Network: Summer Family Vibes

After my husband and I spent a much needed 10th Wedding Anniversary trip in Vegas we surprised the kids with a family vacation to Cartoon Network Hotel. The hotel is located in Lancaster PA where I am from originally. If you remember we went last year and fell in love with the properties. So as we embarked on another journey there some things that have changed and some things that have stayed the same.

Cartoon Network: Family Fun Month

August is Family Fun month. A time to the time to do family oriented activities and events. For instance going to Cartoon Network is a family event. Family vacations can be as big or small as you want it to be. We stayed for a week but you can make it as long or as short as you need it to be. There were plenty to do like an Indoor or and Outdoor pool, indoor activities like a Game Room, crafts, movies, and more. The entire time we were there we met so many families from near and far. Many who had come on the strength of the Cartoon Network. The activities were all geared towards the many shows of Cartoon Network and more. It’s a must go for any one of any age. When I went last year I influenced even my friends without kids to go and enjoy.

Adventure Time Room

My husband booked this trip but once there since it was a surprise to the kids, I elected for a room that as something my son would want.  We stayed at the Power Puff Girls Room for me last time. Our room was focused on Adventure Time the show. It was a really neat room. Our room had a bunk bed and a King bed. We had the girls stay on the bottom bunk and my son on the top. Our kids are used to us leaving on Route 30 so when we picked them up from my Brother and Sister in Love’s house, they were completely shocked.

Now as a fan of Cartoon Network I had to quickly search Adventure Time up. My son watches it but it’s one of the show I don’t watch it. He loved it and loved how he felt like we catered to him.

Pool Time and Changes

One of the things that we have all learned since the pandemic is to be aware of the unexpected. One of the things that I enjoyed is seeing that the Cartoon Network Hotel has their liquor license. It’s a great thing to be able to sip cocktails, and beers by the pool. The snacks in general has stepped up. From pizza to icecream and more. I loved the Paradise in PA cocktail. The colorful drink was absolutely worth it. Here are some other things to note. Lifeguard are not as plenteous. So you are going to be swimming at your own risk. I will say I remember more life guards this time around than last time. Also follow the rules. There is only one hot tub. Enjoy it but be sure to keep kids from being in it unsupervised.  Indoor pool opens up around 11am while the outdoor pool opens up at noon.

While there the weather was hot but it rained one night. Having the indoor pool was clutch. My family is pretty split on being outside or inside. I like being outside. My husband is the polar opposite. He elected to spend more of his pool time indoors. I loved sunbathing and enjoying the cabanas which are first come, first served at no extra cost. All kids who do not meet the height requirement for the outdoor slide must test out to use it. Each child will be given a wrist band-leave it on for the duration of your time. If not you may be required to test again daily.

Powerpuff Girls Splash Pad

It’s open starting at about 10am daily. It’s a fan favorite for sure. So many ways to get way and stay cool. Kids and adults of all ages love the fun that it provides. Keep kids supervised as younger kids will need to be supervised. Also make sure all kids that are not fully potty trained will need to wear swim pants/pull ups.

Limited Restaurant Time at Cartoon Kitchen

The We Bare Bears Cafe has mostly consistent hours. There you can quick meals that are ready made and coffee and drinks. It’s aesthetically pleasing and there coffee is some of the best. They also have milk alternatives which works best for me. Think salads, and sandwiches, yogurts and bagels type of eating. The Cartoon Kitchen has limited hours. This hadn’t changed from the time that we were there. If you are looking to eat mostly onsite I highly suggest you pay attention to the hours. I believe Tuesday or Wednesday it’s closed all day.

Meet the Characters at Cartoon Network

We met Ben 10 and Four Arms. The last time we met Darwin, Gumbo, Jake and Finn from Adventure Time. They rotate the characters from visit to visit. Check into see the times that they are available. They limit your interaction to a high five to allow everyone to interact and keep them safe. So no hugging etc. This was a change from last year. It didn’t bother or change our experience.

More Family Fun at Cartoon Network

Enjoy nightly fire pits daily at 8pm. These are on a first come, first served. Also movie time at night is at 9pm.  It’s a great way to unwind weather permitting. Make sure you bring some bug spray as Lancaster is surrounded by many trees and that also means many mosquitos and other bugs too. Outside of that, the calm and the way the light lights up the property is a great scene to see. During the day enjoy fun at the Omnicade. Load up game cards that can also be loaded. We placed the kids on a 20 dollar per day limit. It gave them more than enough fun. The prizes are fun too.  There are plenty of arts and crafts to be done but pay attention to the time offered.

Lastly you can make yourself into your own Powerpuff Girl/Boy as well. Plenty of things to color and a scavenger hunt to follow. It’s good to see that they change the hiding spot as well. It may it a challenge for the kids.

For surrounding areas there are plenty of restaurants minutes away as well as the property is directly next to Dutch Wonderland. My Brother and Sister in Love took the kids and they had plenty of fun. Cartoon Network is a great family friendly and oriented location. Its located at 2285 Lincoln Hwy. Come and make Lancaster a place of fun, shopping, and adventure.