“Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world” — Walt Disney
When Walt Disney formally dedicated Disneyland on opening day (July 17, 1955) he stated that he hoped that it would be ” . . . a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”
Over the past six decades the Disney theme park that started it all has welcomed over 700 million guests from all corners of the globe and continues to introduce new forms of entertainment and technology that fulfills Walt Disney’s goal that Disneyland “never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world.” The creation of Disneyland was, perhaps, the single greatest entertainment achievement of the 20th century – – introducing an entirely new concept in outdoor family entertainment and launching today’s global theme park industry. In creating Disneyland, Walt Disney sparked the world’s imagination and established an icon of fun and magic known the world over.
Today, more than six generations of families and friends from across the globe have grown-up with the familiar and comforting experience of Disneyland, making it a treasured part of our collective consciousness. “The Happiest Place on Earth” can count among its guests seven US Presidents (From Harry S. Truman thru George H. Bush), numerous heads of state (Prime Minister Nehru of India, President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, Emperor Hirohito of Japan, etc.), plus countless famed actors, actresses, singers, musicians, artists and athletes (a virtual “Who’s Who” of the 20th century and young millennium).
At the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, leisure and business travelers will find three Disney Hotel properties, each with a distinctive style: the upscale surroundings and California Craftsman architecture of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the classic Disney magic and charm of the Disneyland Hotel, and the sunny California beachfront theme at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
Offering a variety of accommodations, surroundings and amenities, all three hotels feature the famous Disney touch for quality, service and hospitality.
As part of the Disneyland Resort, these hotels are just steps away from the eclectic mix of dining, entertainment and recreational features of the Downtown Disney District. Of course, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks are just a short walk away from any of the on-property hotels.
In 1990 US President Ronald Reagan described Disneyland as “a place that has captured the imagination and earned the affection of four generations of Americans . . . And a place that has served as host and goodwill ambassador to millions of visitors from abroad.”
By creating fantasy and happiness, Disneyland has even influenced such diverse areas as vacation trends (the park redefined the concept of the family vacation), transportation (first daily operating monorail in the western hemisphere; first daily operating PeopleMover system in the US), training and development (introduced and popularized nametags in the workplace, the “University” approach to training) and even urban design. In the realm of entertainment the park has introduced such revolutionary concepts as Audio-Animatronics, air launched fireworks, re-programmable attractions, and innovations in lighting systems, sound design and costuming.
A 1997 touring museum exhibition entitled “The Architecture of Reassurance” highlighted many Disneyland innovations. Karal Ann Marling, Professor of Art History & American Studies at the University of Minnesota, assisted in producing the exhibit and commented that (Disneyland)…is the “most complex, baffling and beloved work of art produced in postwar America.”
The legend and lore of Disneyland has been celebrated in numerous books, TV documentaries, magazine articles and even museum retrospectives. The park has been invoked in numerous movies and many popular songs and has become a staple of American pop culture that has been successfully exported to Florida, Japan, France and soon China.
But most importantly the dedication speech that Walt Disney read on opening day is still relevant and applicable today as it was almost five decades ago: “To all who come to this happy place – welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America . . . with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”
DISNEYLAND HOTEL
At the Disneyland Hotel, guests will find a family vacation resort brimming with Disney magic and benefits. Offering 973 rooms, the hotel features a variety of restaurants and lounges, shops, and three swimming pools, among other amenities.
The beautiful guest rooms feature exquisite Disney touches woven into the décor. The beds have stunning light-up headboards with an artistically carved representation of Disneyland park’s famous Sleeping Beauty Castle. As the focal point in each guest room, the headboard features fiber optics to create a magical skyline with fireworks – bringing the immersive park experience into the room. Guests also will discover a magical touch of music in the rooms, with refrains from the familiar song, “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”
The new magic at the Disneyland Hotel is part of a multiyear expansion project, which was also highlighted by the creation of new experiences, attractions and nighttime spectaculars in Disney California Adventure Park. The project culminated in the summer of 2012 with the opening of Buena Vista Street and the 12-acre Cars Land.
QUICK FACTS
- In 2015, the hotel celebrated its 60th anniversary.
- The Disneyland Hotel has three distinct towers. The Fantasy Tower lobby showcases Mary Blair artwork, creating an instant connection to the popular “it’s a small world” attraction, along with teacups in the lobby. The Frontier Tower lobby features a scale model of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, an icon in Disneyland Park. At the Adventure Tower, Jungle Cruise characters are incorporated into the design.
- The hotel provides Wi-Fi access across the property, self-parking and local telephone calls.
- The Concierge Level provides upgraded amenities and services, access to an exclusive lounge, complimentary snacks, drinks and more.
- Located only footsteps away from the Downtown Disney District and Disneyland Resort theme parks and other hotels.
- The retro-themed pool area celebrates the imagination and legacy of Disneyland. The Monorail-themed slides in the pool area are replicas of the original Mark 1 Monorail trains that traveled between Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel during the early ‘60s.
- The hotel features 973 beautifully appointed guest rooms.
- The pool area features two Monorail-themed slides: the 180-foot-long Monorail Red slide and 80-foot-long Monorail Yellow slide.
- The 4-foot-deep, D-Ticket pool is a shady oasis next to the Monorail water play area, and the E-Ticket pool is perfect for families. There also are outdoor Minnie and Mickey-themed spas.
- Six pool-area cabanas are available to reserve. Each features a flat screen TV, refrigerator, safe, phone and ceiling fan.
- The hotel features 136,000-square-feet of function space. A business center provides a variety of services.
- Two ballrooms, including the magnificent 18,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, host banquets, receptions or large meetings.
- The 28,968-square-foot Exhibit Hall and 52 meeting rooms provide for flexible event arrangements.
The reimagined Disneyland Hotel creates a fun, family destination that pays tribute to the early days of Disneyland. 973 rooms are spread across three themed towers that feature an energy- efficient sky-blue reflective glass exterior. The Fantasy Tower lobby showcases Mary Blair artwork, creating an instant connection to “it’s a small world.” The Frontier Tower features a scale model of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the lobby. At the Adventure Tower, guests will see Jungle Cruise characters incorporated into the design.
Recent renovations also include a new pool and water play area, featuring slides and a splash pool in an architectural design reminiscent of the 20th Century Disneyland Hotel Monorail Station. Guests can grab a bite near the pool at Tangaroa Terrace, or sip on tropical cocktails and flavorful juices at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar.
Guests of all ages will enjoy the immersive water play area. With a nod to the iconic original park signage, “Disneyland” is spelled out in familiar blocks atop a platform supporting two thrilling water slides. A replica of the original Mark 1 Monorail Cars sits at each slide’s entrance, paying tribute to nostalgic Disneyland. Guests glide through the cars as they twist and turn their way to the water below. The larger of the two main slides sits 26 feet high and stretches 187 feet, until it plunges into a splash pool. The second slide is 13 feet high and 112 feet long. For younger guests, the area includes a third, two-lane mini-slide that sits just 3 ½ feet high and is 19 feet long, as well as a series of small bubble jets in which to play.
The four-foot-deep, D-Ticket pool is a shady oasis next to the new Monorail water play area, and the E-Ticket pool is perfect for families, with poolside food and beverage service at select times of the year.
The pool area also features a Minnie Mouse-themed outdoor spa, which matches a Mickey-themed spa. In addition, six new cabanas are available; each features a flat screen TV, refrigerator, safe, phone, and ceiling fan.
For dining experiences, Tangaroa Terrace features Island-inspired fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals are prepared to order and delivered to their tables either inside or on the large outdoor patio.
Trader Sam’s – Enchanted Tiki Bar, named after Trader Sam, Disney’s Jungle Cruise “head salesman,” features interactive special effects blended with classic Disney storytelling.
Trader Sam’s serves a mix of creative appetizers and signature cocktails like the “Uh Oa!” (light and dark rums with orange, passion fruit, guava and grapefruit juices) or the “Shipwreck on the Rocks” (bourbon, lemon, mint and organic agave nectar). Live music performed on the patio in the evening adds to the fun environment.
For families or individuals preferring a high degree of service, the Disneyland Hotel features concierge-level rooms with upgraded in-room amenities and complimentary access to the exclusive concierge lounge. Meetings are easily accommodated within the hotel’s 136,000- square-feet of function space, and a business center provides a variety of services.
Themed Suites
The Disneyland Hotel boasts a unique collection of themed suites including the Mickey Mouse Penthouse and the Pirates of the Caribbean suite. Three exciting, new suites were added as part of the renovation. The Adventureland Suite offers guests a two-bedroom hideaway complete with a grotto in the master bathroom that simulates various settings – including a rain forest and African savanna – through light and sound effects.
The Big Thunder Suite, where up to six pioneers are immersed in luxurious, rustic accommodations, was inspired by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland park. The Fairy Tale Suite, adorned in colors of sage and champagne, features an exquisite canopy bed as its centerpiece and a hand-cut cut mosaic of a stylized Sleeping Beauty Castle in the bathroom.
Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Resort in Southern California boasts a unique, and certainly one of the most “Disney,” VIP lodging experiences in the world – the Mickey Mouse Penthouse. Designed for “big cheeses” of all ages, the penthouse offers spectacular views of the 500-acre resort (including Disneyland park, Disney’s California Adventure park and the Downtown Disney District) via floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can experience a happy mixture of luxury, technology and whimsy including one-of-a-kind décor, artwork and magical touches that bring to life all the fun that Mickey represents.
The swanky penthouse, featuring an interior design of “Mickey’s” signature colors of black, white, red and yellow, occupies an expansive 1,600 square feet and includes an open living room, dining and kitchen area, two bedrooms and two and-a-half bathrooms. Classic Mickey Mouse imagery and three-dimensional artwork dominate the design scheme throughout the penthouse. Photos and sketches from the Disney library, featuring images of Walt and Mickey rarely seen by the public, are prominently displayed.
In the living room, guests encounter very stylized contemporary décor featuring eclectic furnishings and motifs of Mickey. A giant impression of Mickey Mouse fills the ceiling above, as glowing lights enhance the mood of the room. Hardwood floors and colorful area rugs accent the living room while the formal dining area seats eight guests. A built-in media wall is the focal point of the living room and features three flat screen TVs and a state-of-the-art home theater system worthy of Mickey’s status as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars.
The master bedroom features a number of luxury amenities including a king-size bed, lounge chairs, a 37″ flat panel TV and a DVD player, and is decorated with animation maquettes of Mickey Mouse in many of his most famous film roles. (Maquettes are three-dimensional models used by Disney animators to effectively render a character in two dimensions and are highly sought-after collectibles). The master bath includes a steam shower, Jacuzzi tub and a double vanity with a built-in TV in the mirror. Unique glass tiles on the shower walls bring the magic of Mickey Mouse to life as the familiar image of Mickey appears only when the warm water of the shower hits the tiled wall.
The second bedroom has a playful feel and is the perfect setting for little ones who wish to have the locale double as a playroom. The main “conversation piece” in the room is a cutting edge animator’s station, a high-tech table that adds to the Mickey Mouse and animation-inspired storyline. The desk will help budding artists take sketching to a whole new level as they draw their favorite character and watch it come to life through the magic of Disney technology. The bedroom also features a Mickey Mouse built-in armoire with a flat panel TV, DVD player and video games.
DISNEY’S GRAND CALIFORNIAN HOTEL & SPA
- The hotel features 948 beautifully appointed guest rooms, including 44 suites.
- There are three pools: Fountain, Redwood and Mariposa; two whirlpool spas; and a 90-foot Redwood Tree waterslide. Guests may also choose to rent poolside cabanas.
- 20,000 square feet of specially designed space for meetings and special events.
- 12,000-square-foot Sequoia Ballroom, with spacious pre-function area.
- 18 breakout rooms, including seven rooms connected to relaxing terrace areas.
- 300 underground parking spaces.
Capturing the spirit of early California through inspiring design and daring architecture, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a deluxe 948-room resort hotel property, offering a premium option for business or pleasure visits to the Disneyland Resort
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa recently completed an exciting, hotel-wide refurbishment. The renovations bring new magic to the deluxe hotel with completely redesigned guest rooms plus a refreshed lobby, pool area and concierge-level lounge. The most extensive refurbishment since the hotel’s 2001 opening elevates the premium guest experience and brings a contemporary approach to the Arts & Crafts design style.
This AAA Four Diamond hotel is the first Disney resort hotel in the world to be located inside a theme park, Disney California Adventure, providing guests with a special entrance to the theme park. The Grand also is home to the first Disney Vacation Club Villas on the West Coast.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa celebrates the romantic Arts & Crafts movement of early 20th century California. Designed to capture the artistic exploration of California’s coastlines with its Monterey pines and redwood forests, the hotel is layered with the memories of the arroyo craftsmen, the mission pioneers and the Plein Air school of painters.
Among the completely redesigned guest rooms are standard rooms, artisan suites, two vice presidential suites and two presidential suites. All rooms are powered with the latest technological features and premium amenities, including 55-inch smart TVs, Keurig coffee makers and built-in USB chargers. Many rooms offer breathtaking views of Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District.
The Resort offers more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, ranging from the 12,000-square-foot Sequoia ballroom to smaller conference rooms and a sophisticated boardroom. For corporate meeting guests, the hotel features meeting planner offices, a business center and separate meetings and conventions check-in facilities.
Food and beverage facilities include the award-winning Napa Rose, as well as Storytellers Cafe and Hearthstone Lounge. Guests will enjoy three distinct pools and a themed water slide, two whirlpools, a children’s pool, and a concierge-level reservation option with upgraded amenities and services.
DISNEY’S PARADISE PIER HOTEL
- Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel towers at 15 stories high with a total of 481 guest rooms, including suites and poolside cabana rooms.
- The hotel houses more than 24,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, including the 7,250 square foot Pacific Ballroom and 15 breakout rooms.
- Kids can lounge in beach chairs and watch classic Disney cartoons on a sandcastle-shaped screen at the Paradise Theater located inside the hotel.
- Amenities include Mickey’s Beach Fitness Center, complimentary Wi-Fi in all guest rooms, a business center, in-room dining services, merchandise delivery and the Mickey in Paradise gift shop.
- The California Streamin’ waterslide stands at 186 feet high, twisting and turning into its own miniature pool on the rooftop deck.
- Guests with an ambitious sweet tooth are challenged to try the Kitchen Sink ice cream sundae at Disney’s PCH Grill, containing 10 scoops of ice cream, every available topping and an entire can of whipped cream.
Guests return to the heyday of California beachfront boardwalks at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Loaded with special Disney touches, this seaside-themed hotel overlooks the newly reimagined Pixar Pier, one of the most colorful sections of the Disney California Adventure park, which opened in June with the debut of Lamplight Lounge and the Incredicoaster.
This hotel offers charming facilities and superb service, with a fun California beachfront theme including recently remodeled seaside-themed rooms. The hotel is festively painted and decorated to reflect the theme, and some guests enjoy a view of the colorful Pixar Pier and Paradise Bay district of the park right from their room, along with the “World of Color” nighttime water spectacular.
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel takes pride in being one of the finest hotels in its class. The 15- story, high-rise structure features 481 guest rooms, including remodeled suites and a recently renovated rooftop pool and whirlpool, a fitness center, lobby bar and coffeehouse, poolside bar, gift shops and game arcade.
In Disney’s PCH Grill, guests can take a trip along California’s famous Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), for a celebration of the state’s culinary diversity and fresh spirit. Offered daily, Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast is a lively character dining experience where families will soak in the rays and catch some waves on the dance floor with Donald, Daisy and Stitch. Guests may enjoy a breakfast buffet, including build-your-own-parfait stations, chef’s signature flatbreads, egg white frittatas and more. Disney’s PCH Grill also offers the Calitalian Dinner Buffet, where guests will enjoy lively Italian cuisine with an authentic twist with flavors from the Tuscan countryside.
Dining:
- Steakhouse 55 is named for the year that Disneyland opened, taking guests back to a bygone era of Old Hollywood rich in Disney history. This is the place to spend an exquisite evening savoring a great steak, chops or seafood; enjoy a leisurely, elegant breakfast or the special treat of one of the special Disney-themed afternoon teas.
- The Coffee House is a stop to fuel up during the day with freshly-brewed coffee specialties, pastries, salads, sandwiches and Dole Whip!
- Goofy’s Kitchen is a fun-filled breakfast or dinner buffet with Goofy and his pals!
- Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill is newly renovated, further immersing its South Sea Islands feel featuring lit torches, music and express eats with a Polynesian flair. Tangaroa Terrace, a “fast casual” restaurant, and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar take their architectural cues from the original Tahitian Terrace restaurant in Disneyland and the Polynesian/Tiki architecture that was popular during the early era of the original hotel. It features Island-inspired fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with items that include cinnamon-spiced oatmeal with Island fruit compote and Kalua pork flatbread, along with a selection of sandwiches, salads and “grab-and-go” items. Meals are prepared to order and delivered to their tables either inside or on the large outdoor patio.
- Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar is a bewitching hideaway inspired by the world-famous Jungle Cruise, offering adventurous colorful cocktails and pu pu platters in a tropical oasis. Named after Trader Sam, Disney’s Jungle Cruise “head salesman” – recounts the story of his worldly travels through the artifacts and memorabilia he collected along the way. The bar features interactive special effects blended with classic Disney storytelling. Trader Sam’s serves a mix of signature cocktails such as the flaming Uh Oa! — perfect for sharing —the Hippopotamai Tai and the Mosquito Mojito. The creative appetizer selection includes panko-crusted Chinese long beans and sweet and spicy Asian wings with tropical slaw . Rounding out the tropical experience, Trader Sam’s features live music performed on the patio in the evening.
Guests also may relax next to a large, outdoor stone fireplace, or enjoy the view of the new Cascade Falls and Old Unfaithful near the Frontier Tower, both reminiscent of the former Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland attraction in Disneyland.
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