I can swim. I don’t like swimming. So I don’t usually hang around the pools while on my Disney vacations. However, I do enjoy the theming and so usually end up taking dozens of pictures for my ever-growing photographic collection. But don’t worry, I don’t take pics of people in the pools! That would just be creepy.
I wondered what I could contribute to this topic when it first came up, but then remembered a special moment my wife and I had while visiting the gift shop at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. This is what I saw out of the side window near the rear of the store:
Just tipping to just finishing up…
This splash pad, themed after Alice in Wonderland (hence the big hat), was pretty cool (pun intended). It took quite some time to fill up, but when it did:
Slash down!
It was a cooler day so not many kids braved the deluge and chose to watch the big splash from a safe distance. But I think it’s clear that if someone did stand underneath the hat when it tipped, they’d get very wet!
This fun spot opened in September of 2012. The splash area features several waterfalls, two slides, and a central play area for the kids. Some of the special water effects take place on a timer, while others are operated by kids pulling on pull-cords and turning valves. In traditional Disney style, the design of the playground is highly detailed with images of Alice, the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit and friends. There are various tea cups and tea kettles spraying water, and the Mad Hatter’s hat turns over periodically to dump its contents onto the unsuspecting children playing below. Thanks to DisZine for this little synopsis.
So if jumping into a pool isn’t your thing, why not try a good old fashion soaking courtesy of the Mad Hatters 10/6 size hat!
Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is The Disney Mamas.
And here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you have missed a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ DISTherapy: Nanea Volcano Pool at the Polynesian
2nd Stop ~ Heidi’s Head: Port Orleans Riverside
3rd Stop ~ In the Mouse House: Stormalong Bay
4th Stop ~ Disney Nouns (You are Here!)
Final Stop ~ The Disney Mamas: Disney Cruise Ship Pools
This looks so fun! I didn’t realize that pool was an Alice theme. I haven’t spent much time at the GF.
I didn’t know much about it either until I stumbled across it during my last trip. It did look like fun, Beth!
I think this is my favorite kids splash area at Walt Disney World. I love Alice in Wonderland so I think the themeing is amazing. I love that hat!
Splash areas are great for the kids for sure!
Have to admit I would be one of the kids playing on this.
Good for you! That’s the spirit!
I haven’t stayed at GF since they added the play area – but it definitely looks awesome!! I’m sure kids love it!!
Thanks Jenn! But hey, BIG kids can love it too!!!
My kids love splash zones and water playgrounds like that! I bet they’d have a great time at the Grand Floridian pool!
I bet they would too! I probably would too, but I can’t afford to stay there. Lol
I love the mad hatter theme! So much fun, though it looks like it could be almost painful to stand right under the hat when it empties. That is a lot of water!
I guess kids will endure anything to get wet!
What a classic Disney moment- capturing magic when (and where) you least expect it! I’ve walked past the splash several times, but always when the weather was chilly. What fun it would be to get dumped on during an Orlando summer day. (Or even just watch the dumping.) The Mad Hatter theming is ingenious- and devious!
I always enjoy it when I catch an impromptu moment!
We walked by this splash area last summer and it looks like a lot of fun! Great theme too!
Theme is everything. Interestingly I never clued in to the Alice in Wonderland/Mad Hatter theme when I took the pics!
Great post! I think I’ll just take a soak myself!
It was a bit cold when we were there in January! I’d recommend a July soak!
I just spotted this same site while visiting the GF last August.. and thought “How “ccol” 😉 is that!”
Tis cool indeed! Did you stop for a soak?
I’m not much of a swimmer either, Lee! But, I have to say that the Mad Hatter theme is really cool! I don’t think I’d actually stand UNDER it, but it certainly looks like fun – especially on a hot Florida day!
Yeah, it might be one to leave for the kiddies! Lol