1959 was possibly the biggest single year for growth at Disneyland with the addition of the Matterhorn, Submarine Voyage and Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System. In parallel, the Disneyland Hotel experienced its greatest single growth spurt from 1960 to 1962. The comparison shots below show the Hotel in 1960 with surrounding areas still mostly walnut and orange orchards. The last two Garden Structures were added in 1960 and that would be the end of the originally designed and planned for two-story guest accommodation units at the Hotel. Early concept art depicts many more two-story structures planned, including in the area of the Marina and Bonita Towers however, those never came to be. From that point on, guest rooms would be housed in tower buildings, the first of which starting construction in June of 1961,opening in June of 1962. Earlier in 1961, the Hotel added several golfing facilities including a nine hole course, driving range and mini-golf facility. A heliport with service to and from LAX was also added which got people traveling from far away to Disneyland and the Hotel much faster than driving.
By 1962, the Disneyland Hotel now had over 450 rooms, complete convention facilities, several restaurants, full shopping facilities, an Olympic size pool and its own exclusive transportation to Disneyland via the Monorail. These were exciting times for both Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel.
1960 Aerial
1962 Disneyland Area - Hotel section (enlarged below) is on the bottom right
Heliport, driving range, mini golf, nine-hole course and a new Tower Building in 1962 at the Disneyland Hotel
1 comment:
Bring back the heliport! Hasn't helicopter technology advanced enough that it would be safe to try it again?
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