Oct. 30–Cartoon Network is building its first hotel, and it will be in Lancaster County.
The network announced Tuesday that a partnership between Cartoon Network and Palace Entertainment will bring a hotel with 165 rooms to a nine-acre destination on Route 30 in Lancaster, next to Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park. Hershey Entertainment sold Dutch Wonderland to Palace Entertainment in 2010.
Cartoon Network Hotel will feature the animation and antics of characters from shows like Adventure Time, We Bare Bears and The Powerpuff Girls.
"With just the right mix of technology, design and animation, we're aiming to bring our characters to life in a way that we haven't seen done before", said Christina Miller, president of Cartoon Network-Adult Swim-Boomerang said in a news releae. "We can't wait to be part of many family vacations with the ultimate Cartoon Network experience."
Highlights of the plan include an interactive lobby, resort-style pool, water play zone, outdoor ampitheater with oversized movie screen, lawn games and fire pits. Inside, plans include an indoor pool, game room and play area.
Guest rooms and suites will feature "interchangeable show theming that can be customized around children's preferences to make each visit a new adventure."
Palace Entertainment owns and operates more than 20 amusement parks and water parks in the United States and Australia. The Cartoon Network Hotel project is Palace's first partnership with an international brand on lodging.
"This is going to be a game changer," said Rolf Paegert, Chief Operating Officer of Palace Entertainment, said in a news release. "We are thrilled to be part of bringing the Cartoon Network experience to Lancaster, evolving the family hospitality and accommodations industry within the region. The new hotel will enhance the tourism in Lancaster offering several options in hospitality choices for families."
The hotel is under construction and slated to open in 2019.
The announcement comes just a few weeks after Hersheypark announced expansion plans for 2020 that include retail, restaurants and its tallest roller coaster yet.
