It’s been hard to figure out a vacation plan of action with you know what is still lingering. We spent all last Summer long at home. We didn’t do any trips and learned how to make do. Although Covid-19 is ramping up we knew that we needed a place that was safe and semi local and we chose Cartoon Network in my hometown of Lancaster PA. Once on the property it’s a one stop shop you have everything you need.
So how do you do family trips in Covid-19 times? You take precautions and only do what you feel comfortable doing. You enjoy your time and you make as many memories as possible. The same level of closeness we have been experiencing since the closing of the world we have been taking that out and about with us!! Also Cartoon Network can be useful for a staycation too.
Anticipation of the Stay
Since I’m originally from Lancaster PA, we have watched the stages of the hotel being built. We tend to go back and forth due to the fact that I have all of my extended family there. We have watched as it has transformed. As it was finished being built we made a promise to the children that we would stay there. We do watch quite a few shows on the Cartoon Network channel. I am personally a Power Puff Girls Fan!
Well Kept Secret
We make sure that we never tell our kids plans until it’s time to go out the door. This was hard to keep because you can’t pack a family up and the kids being 12, 9, and 7 don’t notice. We told them we were going somewhere and we would let them know once it was time to go. I started packing them about 3 days before we were expected to leave. I have a seasonal master list that I use. It sounds cliche but nothing has been left or missed using my list!
Distance to the Cartoon Network Hotel
From Philadelphia it’s about an hour and a half. If you’re used to the drive you can get there an hour and 15 minutes. It’s a smooth ride. You can elect to go what I would consider the back roads or you can take the Turnpike. Going down Route 476 to 76 to 30 is a straight shot there since the hotel is located on Route 30 near the Tanger Outlets. The Cartoon Network is nestled around shopping, food, and entertainment. You don’t have to go far for anything that you need. It’s really in a perfect location!
Let’s Talk Room Accommodations
There are suites that fit up to 6 people. They fill up quite fast. The rooms also are decorated with themed shows such as We Bear Bears, Big 10, Power Puff Girls, Adventure Time, and Amazing World of Gumbo as examples. You can select the character room (if available) as well as the type of room. Our room was a Queen bed and bunk bed with shower. They have the traditional rooms available as well too. What was unique was that each bunk bed also has a television connected to it. So kids can watch their own things.
Each room has the standard Keurig, extra outlets including USB outlets, alarm clock etc. However each room is brightly decorated and if you’re a Cartoon Network fan it’s absolutely everything. Check back on my Instagram as I will do a reel of the full on bedroom tour!
What to do at the Hotel
The hotel really has thought of everything. There’s so much to do that it’s hard to be bored. Here are the listing of things to do on the actual property:
- Characters-you can see characters the entire time of your stay during designated time
- Activities (arts and crafts) free and paid-pricing between $7-$15 (very cost effective)
- Arcade open 24 hours
- Indoor pool open 10am-8pm
- Outdoor pool (weather permitting) open 12 noon until 8
- Power Puff Girls Splash Pad (weather permitting) open 12 noon until 8pm
- Indoor movies
- Outdoor movies
- Fire pit
- Restaurant
- We Bare Bears Cafe
- Scavenger Hunt
- Hot Tub for ages 16 and up
We didn’t hear we are bored not one time from adults or children. The staff were absolutely amazing and friendly. Everyone of them had their masks on, hand sanitizing stations, and social distance enforced!
Pool Time
We enjoyed the indoor and outdoor pools. This is where knowing your family comes into play. My husband and daughters didn’t like the outdoor pool in its entirety. They thought the water was too cold. My son loved it and really is a fish. The indoor pool water was just right and since my husband doesn’t like being outdoors it worked that he spent the majority of his time at the indoor pool with the girls. I like to lay out and tan! So I stayed at the outdoor pool the entire time. They do have a slide at the outdoor pool of which the kids absolutely loved! Don’t forget about the Splash Pad!
Hot Tub Fun
Ages 16 and up is permitted in the hot tub. It was perfect. It’s located outside and is an oasis. I thought that since it was over 80 degrees that being in the hot tub would be problematic but it wasn’t. My husband enjoyed our time just talking overlooking the children!
Activities-Art and Crafts
They have some of the most amazing crafts. My youngest loved the sensory bottle. We both made one. Fill it with glitter and beads and as you shake it (filled with liquid) if you’re dealing with anxiety as the glitter settles so should your anxiety! They had things to paint, crafts to build, all activities are unisex so everyone can enjoy! Activities can be done inside or outside which was the best part and all day long until about 930 as 10pm is quiet time.
Characters
They do not have all of the characters. However the ones they had we enjoyed. They all were friendly and upbeat. All of the staff was to be honest.
Finn
Gumball
Darwin
Arcade Fun
I don’t know to many people who don’t love a good arcade. The arcade is pay as you play. The kids spent about $20 per card for each of them 2 times for $40 total time there per kid. You can spend more or less. To be honest that was more than enough for the week. They came come with bags of prizes.
Restaurant
It’s a pretty big restaurant on the premises. It has several themed rooms to eat in within it. There are larger than life screens that show the characters cleaning or fixing the food. There are of course themed breakfast and dinner. They aren’t open during the pandemic for lunch unless you want something from the We Bare Bears Cafe. The food was good. My son like the Together breakfast which was pancakes with strawberry syrup and popcorn. Sounds crazy but I had a bite it’s not bad. Don’t worry parents and adults there are menus for you too!
We Bare Bears Cafe
This is where I spent most mornings getting an amazing cup of coffee. The coffee offerings are different in the We Bare Bears Cafe from the restaurant. If coffee is your thing, you’re gonna want to get it from We Bare Bears Cafe hands down.
Overall our entire stay was absolutely hands down amazing. The rooms were clean but of course I brought Clorox wipes and Lysol spray. We had an overload of masks and hand sanitizer on us at all times. We socially distance ourselves the entire time. The family had a blast, was safe, and of course want to thank the Cartoon Network for the best stay. I will be doing several reels over the course of the next few weeks of the pools, food, other Lancaster PA fun. We saw family, ate at other restaurants, miniature golf, and more!
Lancaster PA owes us nothing! Next week I’ll break down some things to do to alleviate the stress of traveling with a family, fighting anxiety on the road, logistics of travel and some dos and don’t of giving everyone what they need on a trip! We didn’t set any times to do anything. One thing we enjoyed not having a thousand things to do that weren’t about self care and fun. We did everything on our time. No rushing-no fuss!
Also we spent our last moments in the gift shop bringing home mementos of our time!
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