Early Convention Facilities

Some information on the initial convention and group meeting facilities at the Disneyland Hotel.

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If you enjoy the history of the Disneyland Hotel, please check out my book: http://www.magicalhotel.com I have a limited amount available and will not be doing a second printing.

I am now working on a second book which will cover just the 50's in (mostly) pictures. This book will feature the many brochures, ads and pictures I received after the release of my book. I have accumulated some awesome materials on the Hotel's history. I plan to follow-up with one on the 60's, then 70's, then 80's and depending on interest, will continue. I have some help on this project so I can hopefully get it out soon. Mike-I hope you know what you are getting yourself into! :)

I did a walking tour last year on the Hotel grounds and discussed the history of the Disneyland Hotel. Would anybody be interested in attending another such event if it could be put together?

Second Book

Would anyone be interested in a second book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel? Since putting out the first book, I have received many more vintage photographs as well as stories on the Hotel's history. This second book would be softbound, would primarily be pictures, and would be priced lower. Another book would be a significant time and money investment. If there was interest in this, I would consider it. Let me know.

http://www.magicalhotel.com

Monorail Bar

Next to the Disneyland Hotel Monorail Station was the Monorail Bar or Lounge as it would later be called. The decor featured decorations of transportation modes from various eras in history.

Disneyland Hotel Brochure 1961

The first Disneyland Hotel brochure to feature the Monorail on its cover, 1961-62

Artist Concept Drawing 1960

Artist concept of the new Disneyland Hotel additions for 1961

Monorail Station Construction 1961

Building the monorail station at the disneyland hotel 1961

Monorail addition May 1961 news

Just about one month to the opening of the extended Monorail, May 1961

Invitation ticket

June 1961 Invitation to the opening of the Disneyland Alweg Monorail extension to the Disneyland Hotel

Newspaper Ad

New Way to enter Disneyland!

The Sleek New Monorail Train at the Disneyland Hotel

Monorail Red at the all new Disneyland Hotel Station

1961 Monorail Addition

The extension of the Monorail linking the Disneyland Hotel to the Park was arguably the most exciting amenity ever added to the Disneyland Hotel. It was Walt Disney's dream to provide a working solution to mass transit and traffic congestion. The Disneyland Alweg Monorail was that answer to this dream. There is perhaps no more recognizable symbol to being near the Magic Kingdom than seeing the sleek Monorail cars gliding overhead. I think only the first sight of Matterhorn mountain rivals this. The announcement came in December of 1960 that Disneyland, in conjunction with the Disneyland Hotel would extend the Monorail to include a stop at the Disneyland Hotel. Now, Hotel guest would have a direct link to gain entrance into the Park. No more waiting in long lines at the Main Gate. Topping all if this of course was, the actual ride aboard the transportation medium of the future, the Monorail. What was especially fun was, riding in the front car with the actual Monorail Pilot. Great news! The new Monorails scheduled to be added this year are designed like the earlier Monorail cars with that 50's flair. I can't wait to see them in service.

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http://www.magicalhotel.com

The layout of the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail

Overhead shot from 1964 detailing the entire length of the Disneyland Alweg Monorail

1960 and 1961 Disneyland Hotel Monorail Addition

In December of 1960, Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel announced the $1.9 million extension of the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail. The Hotel would cover $600,000 of this cost. The new addition would link the amusement park to the Disneyland Hotel expanding the attraction from just under a mile in length to nearly two and one-half miles. Walt Disney would now have a working model of his transportation of the future. This addition to the blog focuses on the initial announcement of the addition as handled by the Hotel and the press. The Monorail story needs several sections to do it justice.

Newspaper Announcement of the Addition of the Monorail to the Disneyland Hotel

Expansion at Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel

May 1961 Article on the Monorail Addition

January 1961 Letter

New Additions to the Disneyland Hotel

Newspaper Article on Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking Agenda March 18, 1955

Groundbreak Participants

Disneyland Hotel Mini Golf Course

One of the most beloved attractions at the Disneyland Hotel was the Mini Golf Course located on the northeast section of the property accross Cerritos. This amenity was added in the summer of 1961 and quickly became a guest as well as Anaheim local favorite spot. The holes were themed after an attraction inside the Magic Kingdom and were actually designed and built by Disney artists. When the course first opened, none of the themed holes statues or figures were painted. They were all white in color with no detail. The Hotel took the suggestion of guests and had them painted. I think I get more requests for pictures of the Mini Golf Course than any other amenity from the Disneyland Hotel.

Disneyland Area Overhead

Close Up Showing Mini Golf Course Location

Mini Golf Course Postcard

Mini Golf Course

1960's Mini Golf Course

On the Course

Mini Golf Course 1960's

1960's Golf Scorecard

Inside Golf Scorecard 1960's

1970's Mini Golf Scorecard

Brochures

I am going to start posting some old brochures inside and out. Like I said before, I like to see the insides of the brochures and not just the covers. It gives the viewer more details and a feel for what was going on at the Disneyland Hotel at that point in time.

If you like this blog, be sure and vote for it at http://www.thedisneyportal.com/tdp/portal.asp

If you enjoy the history of the Disneyland Hotel, please check out my book: http://www.magicalhotel.com I have a limited amount available and will not be doing a second printing.

Disneyland Hotel 1961

1961 was a year of tremendous changes and additions to the Disneyland Hotel. The Monorail was linked from inside the Park to the Disneyland Hotel. New golf facilities were added on the Hotel grounds. Two new Garden Structures had been added in late 1960 and the Hotel would be as big as it got with no Tower buildings present. The Disneylander was published by the Disneyland Recreation Club and distributed to employess of the Hotel and Disneyland. It kept track of new additions and happenings at the Park and the Hotel. Here are two examples from 1961 showing notable Hotel expansions. The 1961 brochure shown also touts the new additions to the Disneyland Hotel. More to come on the details of the 1961-62 additions.

Disneylander 1961

Golf and Monorail Lounge Ad

1961 Disneyland Hotel Ad

The Monorail Cafe

Hard to believe the Monorail Cafe opened in 1986. Seems like it was there longer than thirteen years. I just loved this place and would really like to see it re-opened.