As part of its current extensive renovation project, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, US, has announced substantial upgrades to the pool and courtyard areas of the Disneyland Hotel.

Changes will include building a new pool and water play area, renovating an existing pool, opening a new restaurant and bar, and re-theming the hotel's three guest room towers. A new, immersive water play area will be created, featuring - with a nod to the iconic original park signage - the title 'Disneyland' spelled out above a platform supporting two water slides. Reminiscent of the original Monorail station at the Disneyland Hotel, each slide's entrance will feature a replica Monorail car which guests will pass through en route to the water below.

The larger of the two main slides is 26ft (8m) high and 187ft (57m) long, while the second is 13ft (4m) high and 112ft (34m) long. The area will also include a third two-lane mini slide for children - 3.5ft (1m) high and 19ft (5.8m) long - as well as a series of small bubble jets. The existing 4,800sq ft (446sq m) Neverland pool is to receive a cosmetic makeover and a new 4ft-(1.2m) deep pool will be built between it and the new water play area. A footbridge will cross over the new pool, connecting both sides of the courtyard area. The space also will include two spas at opposite ends of the pool area.

The site of the current Cove pool will become a lawn area and six new cabanas will be added.__Further redevelopment will take place in the current location of Hook's Pointe, Croc's Bits 'n' Bites, the Wine Cellar and Lost Bar. A new 'smart casual' dining area will take its architectural cue from the original Tahitian Terrace restaurant in Disneyland Park and the Polynesian architecture that was popularised during the early years of the hotel. A new, fully enclosed bar will feature specialty drinks. Construction of the new waterplay area, pool, and food and beverage locations is scheduled to begin in August this year and to be completed by summer 2011. The remodelled existing pool should be finished by summer 2012.

Changes elsewhere include the renaming of the hotel's three guest room towers after Disneyland's 'lands'. The Dreams Tower, currently under renovation and scheduled to be completed in June 2010, will become the Adventure Tower, while The Wonder Tower, next to undergo redevelopment and slated for completion in 2011, will be the Frontier Tower. The Magic Tower, due to be finished in 2012, is being re-christened The Fantasy Tower. Marquees featuring classic artwork for Adventureland, Frontierland and Fantasyland will identify each tower.

Pic: The Disneyland Resort Hotel showing (left) the Dreams Tower, to be renamed The Adventure Tower, and (right) the Magic Tower, to become the Fantasy Tower