Seems like Disney Explorers Lodge has been getting some bad rep since the start of summer holidays but hopefully this post will do it some justice.

Finding the Best Deal?
I had booked this 2 night (Tue - Thur) staycation months in advance to get a really good deal. I compared between Disney's own website between Hotels.com and ended up going with Hotels.com for a slightly cheaper rate. The hotel was extremely good in following all the remarks in the booking - 1.) my kids + husband's birthdays all fall in July, 2.) bed guards for both beds.

Milking your Annual Pass
It's great if you have a premium pass (or even if only ONE person in your family has it) you get all sorts of extra benefits. We had a 25% discount off for dinner and was given a free cake because it was the card holder's birthday. >> mind you we did have to make a reservation in advance and also ask for the hotel to put my kids' names on the cake. The hotel was awesome in all these extra touches like a small little chiffon cake for each kid when we got into our rooms, and then towers in the shape of cakes as turn down service.

Checking In
We arrived around 2pm and the lobby area was packed! They had a pretty good system of having you register your mobile number and then texting you when it's your turn to go check in. We waited for about 45 min before getting texted and once we got to the reception it was very brisk and smooth. There's plenty to see and do to kill time even around the lobby area (Disney store, TV corner for kids, lots of fun decorations, characters appearing every now and then, staff handing out stickers, checking out Charts Cafe's snacks, etc.) It was pouring on the day of our check in otherwise I think you can venture straight into the gardens which are absolutely stunning!

Swimming
A lot of reviews said booking for swimming timeslot was a pain. I agree and think if it was a one night stay we probably wouldn't have stood a chance. So we were grateful to be given a 10am timeslot for the third day and eventually still able to change it to 8am.

Food Options
Mind you we did not book restaurants until the weekend before and almost everything was booked out. We only managed to get breakfasts confirmed (both days at the same restaurant), and on waiting list for dinner. They eventually called us back to confirm a table for dinner @ Dragon Wind for the first night and that was good enough. Tbh the restaurant was not even half full when we left the restaurant at 7:20pm so it IS possible. My recommendation is to only try each restaurant once. If you've got young kids, bring a LOT of snacks, fresh fruits and veggie sticks.

Nemo Playroom
I had read a lot of reviews beforehand talking about when to line up... but to be honest, the line on non-park opening days are crazy long, so the best way to get in is to have an early dinner as soon as restaurants open at 6pm and get the kids in there for 15-20 min after meal time. To be honest, the playroom is pretty dry and anything less than 30 min is good enough - and only if it's a rainy day as well otherwise why waste time indoors!

All in all, I think if you lower your expectations, you definitely won't be disappointed hahaha The proximity of the hotel to Disneyland and being able to visit the park in the morning then head back for a short nap before running back for their last show of the day was all worth it!

I booked a 1 night stay for 2 adults and 1 child with 2 day park ticket. This was done on the Disneyland website. However when I checked in I was told that the 2 day park ticket was for the 2 adults only, despite the room booking being for 2 adults and 1 child. The front desk agreed that the original sale was "misleading". I was forced to pay for the child 2 day ticket making the price for my staycation way more expensive than budgeted. I hate to use the word "scam" but when booking a deal for 3 people and then being told that only 2 adults can go to the park, what am I expected to do with my child. Hotel and park were good, but the whole misleading deal left a bad taste.