It really is a big area with multiple pool areas, lazy river and water slides, so it really depends on where you plan to spend the most time. Like the PP said, we prefer the Waikolohe pool area and then we can run around from there because it is sort of central, and DD did like to spend time in the big pool playing with new friends she met. If you are there really early and can get seats where you want, you will find spots where there is an umbrella with shade and a seat next to that out in the sun. You have to be there really early to get an umbrella seat though. I was stuck out in the sun, and the seat next to me which just had someone's stuff on it and no person there was under the umbrella where I wanted to be. Eventually an attendant put the folded towel there, and I said if they moved the stuff, I would like to move over to that seat and they said fine. When they came to move the stuff, before I could even throw my shoe on the chair or slide over, a person walking behind them basically threw a pile of stuff almost over the attendant and onto the chair to grab the chair...and then promptly went into the pool and left the chair empty. So...I remained stuck out in the sun with a nice shaded chair sitting empty next to me. So.... if you want something with an umbrella in that prime area- be there early.