The Original Disneyland Hotel

Walt Disney Family Museum

2012-01-23T15:13:00.000-08:00

My son and I were very fortunate to meet Diane Disney-Miller and her husband Ron Miller this past weekend at the Walt Disney Family Museum. They were wonderful, gracious people and it was a real treat to meet them. We shared our pictures and film footage of her father with them.

Merry Christmas To All

2011-12-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

Grand Opening in the Newspaper

2011-12-12T21:23:00.000-08:00

Here is how the newspapers covered the grand opening of the Disneyland Hotel. These were taken from Bonita Granville's very own scrapbook.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

2011-10-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

How many of you readers would be interested in the following? I am trying to put something together so please let me know. If interest is high for this, I could possibly swing it. I would also shoot for most if not all events to be free of charge. Please drop me a line or respond to this thread.

Disneyland Hotel History Week

This weeklong event would feature:

1.Historical tours (like very popular Walking in Walt’s footsteps tour)

2.Video presentations (have some great footage)

3.Ephemera displays (amazing collection)

4.Trivia contests with prizes which I will supply

5.Panel discussions cast members

6.Panel discussions guests

7.Talks about future Disney & Resort plans

8.VIP/E-Ticket special showings

9.Special guests from Hotel’s past

10.Book signings

11.Guest greeting, lobby presentations

12.Daily historical newsletter

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

1955 First Brochure

2011-10-14T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is probably the rarest and hardest to find of the Disneyland Hotel brochures. It lists only 104 rooms and was put out even before the restaurants were opened. They were using a converted ranch house as the Little Gourmet Restaurant. I would love to find a photograph of the interior of the Little Gourmet or even a close-up exterior of this facility. It was only open for about five months until they opened the regular Gourmet Restaurant in February of 1956.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

July 1979 Overheads

2011-09-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

Theses shots were all taken in July of 1979.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

More 70's Colorful Shots

2011-09-16T23:25:00.000-07:00

These were loaned to me by Hotel architect Alfred Nicholson. Al has been a wonderful friend and has provided many new (old) shots.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Early 70's Interiors

2011-09-16T22:59:00.000-07:00

These photos are from a Japanese magazine from 1970 when the Disneyland Hotel had just opened the Marina Tower with its brand new lobby.

The colors were sure bright and vibrant.

Our new book is out http://www.magicalhotel.com/

New Book is Now Ready

2011-08-11T08:11:00.000-07:00

The printer is sending us copies of the new book today! It is now available to order.

Hotel Marina

2011-07-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

Just got an interesting plot plan from 1967. It appears the Marina was not the first thought for the area behind the 1970 Tower Building.

A golf pitch & putt was what they had in mind for this area initially. This drawing is from 8/1967.

Here is the entire layout plot below.

New Book to be Released

2011-06-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

My new book titled: Disneyland Hotel 1954-1959: The Little Motel in the Middle of the Orange Grove will be released in August. I enclosed some sample pages in a previous posting. The cover is posted below.

Each page has been beautifully designed. The book features over 325 pictures, the overwhelming majority not seen ever by the public or for over 50 years. Walt and Roy Disney rare pictures, overhead shots, new groundbreaking and opening day shots....the book is amazing!

If you are interested, drop me a line to pre-order or to reserve a copy. For more information, please check our website: http://www.magicalhotel.com/

donballard@comcast.net

Richfield Service Station at Disneyland Hotel

2011-06-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

I am sure you are all aware that when the Disneyland Hotel originally opened in 1955, there was a Richfield service station on the property. You can clearly see the station in place from my latest overhead picture posting in the lower left portion of the photograph. The station was conveniently located right at the exit of Disneyland Park so guests could fill their tanks for the ride home. In my never ending quest for knowledge and details, I found the following. First is a portion of the text from the original contract terms to build and operate the Disneyland Hotel which was prepared by Jack Wrather & partners. This document is dated November 11, 1954:

I always wondered exactly when they started to build this service station on the Hotel property. I know that it was opened in time for Disneyland in mid-July. Overhead photos show that it was in place and open for business by July, 15, 1955.

I assume construction started shortly after the permit was issued and this building did not take too long to construct.

You might think that I would stop there and be done with this knowledge quest. Of course not! Next, I wanted to know what year the station was removed from the grounds. I had overhead photos showing the station in place up to 1975 but not there in 1979. The attached is proof showing it was removed in 1976. Here is the building permit to demolish the (then called ARCO) service station again from the city of Anaheim:

Now this has probably been way too much information for even the most zealous of Disney fans but I just couldn't stop. Hope you learned something.

Pics From the 50's & 60's

2011-05-11T13:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some beautiful pictures from the 1950's......

and the 1960's.......

Disneyland Hotel 1954-1959: The Little Motel in the Middle of the Orange Grove

2011-05-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

My old book is completely sold out. The good news is, my new book is just about finished. In the early planning phases, Jack Wrather would often refer to his hotel project as his "little motel in the middle of the orange grove", hence the title of the new book. If I do say so myself, this new book is absolutely amazing! I am using over 350 photographs, all from the 50's, many not seen by the general public in over 50 years. These are as rare as rare gets. At least 200 of these are from my recent find at a storage vault in Hollywood. The book is artistically designed by Sparks Arts...do yourself a favor and check out their services at http://www.sparksarts.com
Here are some not final draft sample pages from the new book. Release date will be some time in July/August.

Some Great Pictures From The 70s

2011-04-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

I think this is a beautiful shot of Monorail blue with the Disneyland Hotel back in the distance. I love those bubble topped Monorails.

A couple of pictures from 1979 one of the laser sculptor at the Disneyland Hotel and one from the artist/creator Rockne Krebs with the Wrathers.

Miscelaneous Pictures

2011-04-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted in a while. Been real busy on some special projects which I hope to share with you all real soon. Some good stuff coming up, I can guarantee you that!

These are a couple of small pictures cut out of Hotel brochures.

1957 New Car at the Disneyland Hotel

2011-03-03T17:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of Jack & Bonita Wrather at the Disneyland Hotel with their brand-new 1957 Cadillac El Dorado.

Overheads

2011-02-25T15:12:00.000-08:00

How about some overheads from various years?

February, 1963

August, 1966

September, 1968

October, 1972

August, 1975

January, 1982

Random Pictures

2011-02-21T22:06:00.000-08:00

The brand-new Anaheim Convention Center 1967

The Spruce Goose & Queen Mary

Disneyland with the Disneyland Hotel in the foreground

A view of the Disneyland Hotel from the parking lot at Disneyland. Seems strange but, I miss that parking lot.

New Pics From the Vault Find

2011-02-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

This one is cool because it has the LA Airways helicoptor flying over. This was taken just after this Tower opened for business in 1962.

This one is of particular interest. Notice the blue Monorail train. The postcard from almost the same view has a red Monorail train.

Hope you all like these.

Having Fun

2011-01-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

Time and again I hear from the Wrather family that Jack and Bonita loved having fun especially in their various business ventures. The pictures below I think show just how fun it would have been to be an employee or a friend of Jack and Bonita Wrather. These were brochures they had printed documenting a road trip to help welcome their friends and business partners from New York City. John Loeb was in the investment firm of Carl M. Loeb, Rhoades & Company who were partners in numerous Wrather Company entities.

Now wouldn't this have been a fun trip?

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the definitive book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

A Tale of Two Tents

2010-12-30T21:19:00.000-08:00

I think I know what the tent is at Disneyland in the top photo. I have no idea what this tent was used for at the Disneyland Hotel in the bottom photo.

Anyway, I love aerial photos. It seems you always learn something new from them. In this case, I learned a tent was erected at the Disneyland Hotel in May of 1960. I will now have to find out what it was used for.

By the way, I have added 600 pictures to my Disneyland Hotel collection all of which are simply amazing. I would bet the majority have not been seen in as much as 50 years or maybe more. The two above being part of the 600.

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the definitive book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

1956 Overheads

2010-12-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

These aerial view pictures were all taken in 1956 and show the Disneyland Hotel surrounded by citrus groves. I had never seen these before. The first four with very similar views are from February 16, 1956. Additional buildings located on S. West Street (center) intended to house services for Hotel guests were under construction. The 7 month old Disneyland is visible in the background.

The next photograph is from November 2, 1956.

This photo shows all of Disneyland and just a bit of the Hotel at the left bottom. The caption reads: Aerial view of Disneyland amusement park located at 1313 S. Harbor Boulevard as well as surrounding neighborhoods in Anaheim; view is looking northeast. The Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) and Harbor Boulevard can be seen beyond the park (horizontally, upper middle) and numerous orange orchards are scattered throughout.

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the definitive book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Please Help Date this Photo

2010-12-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

Can anybody help to date this overhead picture? Please provide evidence to support your year.

Update on Garden Rooms....Dateline September 10, 1958

2010-11-28T21:07:00.000-08:00

I just started reading over some of the documents from a pile of roughly 1000 documents I scanned from the Wrather archives. The date of the letter is September 10, 1958 and it is addressed to a bank which helped Jack Wrather many times through the years with the financing of the Disneyland Hotel. The letter states, "we have just started a building with 36 additional units, making a total for the Hotel of 236." This building , the ninth of eleven Garden type structures would actually have 34 rooms making the total 234 rooms at the Disneyland Hotel. I know the building was operational by July 4th, 1959 from an overhead picture I have but I have no information on when it actually first opened. It all depends on how long it took to build this single structure. I do know that the litigation between Wrather and Alvarez is what prevented building further additions to the Hotel between 1956 and 1958. On August 8, 1958 the litigation's ended and Jack Wrather bought out Helen Alvarez from all of their joint holdings which included a 50% share in the Disneyland Hotel. Based on this September date, expansion began almost immediately after the court cases were settled.

Another mystery solved....sort of.

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the definitive book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Two Story Buildings Room Count-Finally!

2010-11-26T22:17:00.000-08:00

The Disneyland Hotel continued to grow in size and room numbers well into the late 70's. One thing I have never been able to get is an accurate count of room capacity per building for the original two-story guest accommodation structures. These structures were built between1955 and 1960 and totalled eleven buildings. I had room totals for multiple buildings but never actual counts for individual buildings....until now. I was able to purchase a Hotel telephone directory from the 1960's (some time between 1962 - 1965) which not only listed total rooms per building but it actually gives the room number and telephone extension of each room as well as all Hotel shops, services and offices.

This first picture is from 1956 and I have inserted the room count on each building. I just love finding fascinating facts and information from the Hotel's history. At least, fascinating to me.

This overhead shot was taken some time in 1956, my guess would be June or July. The three North Garden structures were not quite finished as there is still construction going on as evident in this photo. The pool looks finished however it does not look like anybody is swimming. The pool opened late June/early July 1956.

This second shot was taken in 1960. The ninth structure (34 rooms) in the right foreground, was added some time in 1958 or 1959, I could never find the actual date. The last two Garden Structures that were added to the property are on the far right of the picture and contained 36 rooms each bringing the total to 306 total rooms by 1960. The Hotel would soon begin building up instead of out when the first tower was added in 1962.

Again, I have inserted room totals on the new buildings added in 1958/59 and 1960.

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the definitive book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

1966 New Plaza Building & Coldwell Banker

2010-11-24T11:31:00.000-08:00

I found several references to Coldwell Banker who evidently was handling the lease arrangements for the new Plaza Building which would open in 1966 at the Disneyland Hotel.

Some information on the Plaza Building (and Coldwell Banker) from our book http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Just to the west of the lobby and shopping arcade, the new shopping Plaza Building opened on the Hotel's grounds in November of 1966. It was a three-story structure with offices on the upper level and shops and boutiques occupying the first two floors. Built of concrete and glass, it contained an elevator that served all three floors and individual air conditioning to each shop and office in the complex was provided. The architects were again Weber and Nicholson of Los Angeles, who also had designed the Sierra Tower. Once again, the contractor was C. L. Peck of Los Angeles. The leasing of shop space in the Plaza Building was handled by John Holmquist of Coldwell, Banker & Company of Newport Beach (at the time operating only in Arizona, California, and Nevada...years before it became a national presence).

This new structure was actually a sunken building, patrons having to descend a short flight of stairs to enter the shops on the first-floor level. A sunken garden landscaped that lower level, and red tile walkways led guests from shop to shop. It was described as having glass walls and graceful grillwork, gleaming in a lush garden setting. It was further described as resembling a necklace on green velvet, containing the beautiful and unusual in a score of smart, avant-garde specialty shops. Here one could buy aromatic tobaccos from Turkey, candles from Mexico, leathers from London, toys from the United States, Germany and Japan, and here one could select from fashions inspired in Paris, Rome, and on Carnaby Street. The Plaza also featured a beauty shop, a travel agency, and a dental facility. The sounds of tinkling fountains and of Muzak added to the calm atmosphere of the new shopping area.

The Plaza Building was not only a place of leisurely shopping for necessities (forgotten in the haste of packing back home) or for finding those unusual gifts and souvenirs. From the first days of its operation, the Plaza was also a place of entertainment and of the unexpected. A shopper might discover a Mariachi band playing outside Flavia (a specialized gift store that featured the paintings of wide-eyed children by the renowned Southern California artist whose name was to be found above the entrance to her shop). Turning a corner, one might be greeted by Native Americans performing age-old ceremonial dances in front of Treasure Trails (a shop filled with authentic Indian dolls, crafts, and works of art). At another time at that same shop, one might be delighted by a young Navajo girl's demonstration of her skills of rug weaving. Only a few steps away one's dreams of the Pacific Islands could be realized at Waltah Clark's Hawaiian Shop. A former Hawaiian beach boy, Clark had established himself as an importer of fashions and accessories from his former home. The Yelland Galleries also held surprises for Plaza visitors. With the addition of the Plaza Building and with the pre-existing Arcade, the Hotel now had forty-thousand square feet of shopping area, occupied by nearly two dozen specialty stores. The Disneyland Hotel could now boast of having "the most complete hotel service and shopping center in the nation."

Both the Tower Annex and the Plaza Shopping Center were a part of the $5.5-million Hotel Expansion Program. By itself, the Plaza Building had cost $1.25-million.

This one is from my buddy Dave over at Daveland. If you have not checked out his blog or his website, do yourself a favor and do so: http://davelandblog.blogspot.com/

If you look carefully under the sign, you can see an advertisement from Coldwell Banker soliciting leases for the new Plaza Building.

Here is a Plaza Building construction shot also listing Coldwell Banker as well as the architects, contractors and builders.

This was an actual ad in the Hotel's Check-In magazine from October, 1966.

If you look in the background of this one, you can see Plaza Building construction going on. This photo was shot during the mermaid tryouts in 1966 where the lucky winners would swim around the submarine lagoon inside Disneyland.

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the definitive book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

What's in a Picture?

2010-11-22T20:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, you can find some pretty interesting things within a picture. Take for example these pictures I am posting tonight. It's what is in the background (or the foreground) that is pretty neat!

Can you spot anything before looking below?

Why it's a highly collectable Magicland Disneyland Hotel bag. I actually have one of these in my Hotel collection and it has wonderful graphics. Note: you can also see the Gourmet Restaurant offices on the door in the upper right.

What else can we find?

Why it's the sign listing the tennants of the Plaza Building at the Disneyland Hotel. Interesting that Muzak had offices here but I guess it stands to reason. The Wrather Corporation purchased Muzak in 1957.

How about another picture to scan!

Why it's the same couple as above but in a different store in the Plaza. This time, they are actually in Magicland......must be where he got the bag! Can you spot anything interesting in this photograph?

Why those are Gilbert Company Erector sets! Remember those? Wrather had also bought the A.C. Gilbert Company in the early 60's. What's that below the Erector Sets?

Why it's Tonka Toys. I had Tonka Trucks when I was younger and they were sure fun.

This photo shoot of the couple at the Disneyland Hotel was from the March-April 1967 edition of Check-In magazine which was given to Disneyland Hotel guests upon you guessed it, check-in..

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the definitive book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

November 12, 1984 - 26 years ago today

2010-11-12T18:39:00.000-08:00

Considered one of the leading entrepreneurs of his time, Jack Wrather died in Los Angeles, California on November 12, 1984 at the age of sixty-six after a thirty-three month battle with cancer. On that day, the first telephone call received by Bonita was from the White House. With the Reagans, Bonita had a tearful conversation over the loss of her husband and their close friend.

Jack Wrather had been a member of the Methodist Church converting to Catholicism after meeting Bonita. His two marriages had presented him with four children. He was survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Bonita Granville Wrather.

This last is my favorite picture of Jack & Bonita.

November 15, 1956 Gourmet Menu

2010-11-10T15:28:00.000-08:00

Check out these prices! This is from 54 years ago almost to the day.

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the book is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

1962 Hotel Features

2010-11-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

Here are some features of the Disneyland Hotel from 1962.

And perhaps the most unique amenity at the Hotel was its very own radio station.

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the book is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

November 14, 1979 Overhead

2010-11-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

At last, an overhead shot of the Disneyland/Disneyland Hotel area which details all of the Hotel features and offsite amenities. The first picture below is the overhead alone.

Next photograph is the same shot with some circles added to it.

The circles are color coded with details below:

Red Circle-Tennisland

Blue Circle-Vacationland

Green Circle-Golf Driving Range

Light Brown Circle- Mini-Golf Facility

Yellow Circle-Heliport

By 1979, the Heliport, Driving Range and Mini-Golf facilities were no longer operating. If you look closely, the Richfield/Arco Service Station and the iconic Disneyland Hotel sign have also been removed. I do not know exact years these last two items were removed but can probably get an idea by researching some other pictures I have. Last interesting note is, the 6th Garden Structure was still in place but would have less than a year of life remaining. It was removed to make way for the Rose Garden and Gazebo; a famous area for weddings and parties.

If you see any other interesting details, just let me know.

For vintage Disneyland Hotel images, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the book is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Friday Fun Pics

2010-10-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some rare shots from the early days. Interiors are tough to come by. Hope you like them!

If you like any of these and want images of your own, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Our website for the book is http://www.magicalhotel.com/

1957 Disneyland Hotel Film Stills

2010-10-27T22:51:00.000-07:00

I purchased a 1957 16mm film and had it converted to DVD as well as several of the frames converted to high resolution still images. I did this because many people asked me how they could get nice copies of these images.

I am posting some low resolution, unedited stills from the film below. The stills from the film are much better resolution although they are captured from the film and do have some areas of imperfection. Nevertheless, these show some seldom seen areas from the very early years of the Disneyland Hotel. Many interior shots from the restaurant and shops, grounds photos, pool photos as well as the original lobby and first manager of the Disneyland Hotel, Don J. Daley.

There are many more still shots which I hope to post shortly. If you would like your very own copies of these rare photographs, please visit: http://www.magicalhotel.printroom.com/

Please also visit our website http://www.magicalhotel.com/ and support this site by considering the purchase of our book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel.

I am in the process of making this DVD available as well. Thanks for looking!

Richard S. Stevens dies at 80; had leadership roles with Disneyland Hotel and Queen Mary

2010-10-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

October 26, 2010-From the LA Times

Richard S. Stevens, who had leadership roles with the Disneyland Hotel, Queen Mary and Balboa Bay Club during a wide-ranging business career, has died. He was 80.

Stevens died Oct. 14 in his sleep at his Newport Beach home, said his wife, Joan.

He worked more than 20 years for Wrather Corp. As president of Wrather Hotels, which included the Disneyland Hotel, he developed a plan for the company to lease the Queen Mary in Long Beach as a tourist attraction and display with it the Spruce Goose seaplane built by Howard Hughes.

Stevens was co-owner and president of the Balboa Club during the 1960s and '70s and was the Disneyland Hotel's president and chief executive from 1977 to 1982.

Stevens also was co-founder of the Bellport Group, which operated marinas throughout the world. He developed the Hamilton Cove project on Catalina Island, supervised a team that developed Marina Costa Baja in Mexico and was involved in developments in Arizona, Florida and elsewhere in California.

"He was just that person who loves the deal," said his daughter, Sandra Stevens Weston. "He always had irons in the fire."

Stevens was born July 4, 1930, in Long Beach to Margaret Virginia and Merrill Emerson Stevens. He attended high school in South Pasadena and in 1951 graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in business administration. In the early 1950s, Stevens served in the U.S. Army.

During the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, he was commissioner of the modern pentathlon competition held in the Orange County community of Coto de Caza. And in 1985 he was named president and chief executive of the Los Angeles Express, a United States Football League franchise.

Stevens was most proud of his work in Long Beach with the Queen Mary and the Spruce Goose. In the early 1980s, Wrather Corp. planned a development in Long Beach that included building a dome adjacent to the Queen Mary to house the historic aircraft.

"He was a visionary," his wife said. "He would come up with ideas, ways to do things that were unusual."

Wrather eventually sold the Queen Mary. The Spruce Goose was moved to a museum in Oregon.

For the last three decades, Stevens faced severe health issues. In 2009, he and his wife wrote a book, "Never Give Up! The Six Secret Steps You Must Take To Protect Your Own Life."

In addition to his wife and daughter, Stevens is survived by his son, Chris, and stepchildren Lisa and Brad Levine. Stevens was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Whistler Stevens.

1979 Wrather letter announcing Richard Stevens as President of Wrather Hotels.

Disneyland Hotel 1987

2010-10-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

In my book Disneyland Hotel: The Early Years 1954-1988, I admit, I covered very little on the Disneyland Hotel in the later 70's to the 1980's. I just did not have that much information to use or share. Different story now. I have tons more to add from the 70's as well as the 80's and for that matter, for all years. Now I just lack time to put it all together....but if I could, I would have the definitive work on the Disneyland Hotel. I am working on it though, slowly but surely.

In the mean time, here are some picture ads from Disneyland Hotel establishments circa 1987.

Caffe Villa Verde

El Vaquero

The Pavilion

California Wine Cellar

I don't ever remember personally going into any of these establishments however, for the Hotel's 55th anniversary celebration held on October 5, 2010, we presented at the Pavilion which is now called the Sleeping Beauty Pavilion. Here are some pictures from that event:

This was a poster created for the event. Wish I could have gotten one of these!

This was the cake designed for the event.

If you haven't seen "World of Color", I highly recommend that you do. It was absolutely wonderful!

Please visit our website and help keep these pictures coming by purchasing our book: http://www.magicalhotel.com/

No Theme...Maybe Friday Fun Pics on Sunday

2010-10-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

No theme today just some random shots to add. As always, hope you like them.

Pedal Boats which were free to ride the first few years then a fee was charged. I never rode these did any of you?

An interesting angle of the pool.

A suite at the Disneyland Hotel....a bit dated but nice even by today's fashions.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Happy 55th Birthday Disneyland Hotel on October 5th. Sadly, nothing remains from the first years of the Hotel. Of course you can always refresh your memory here.

Disneyland Hotel Visit

2010-10-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

I will be visiting the Disneyland Hotel on October 5th and 6th celebrating the Hotel's 55th anniversary. If you are around at either the Hotel or Disneyland Park, I would love to meet you and say "hello". Please contact me through my profile page on this blog.

Overheads From The 60's

2010-09-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Overhead shots of the Disneyland area are certainly some of my favorite pictures to see. It's always fun to date pictures by what is present (or what is not) in the photographs. Certain features can be identified in these pictures which immediately tell you from what year the photo was taken. Today, I am posting some shots from the 60's which feature various areas around Disneyland Park. Hope you enjoy them.

Anaheim Convention Center is going up. What year is it?

Wilbur Clark's is just finished and Disneyland is in the upper right.

Is that Melodyland in the lower right?

Look at those open fields around Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel!

Here is a great shot of the Disneyland Hotel and all its amenities. The heliport, golf facilities and the first Tower Building can be seen. Can you guess the year?

Please visit our website at http://www.magicalhotel.com/ and help support this blog by purchasing your copy of Disneyland Hotel: the Early Years 1954-1988.

Friday Fun Pics

2010-09-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

The following low resolution pictures (sorry about the low res) are from a contact sheet that was included in a late 80's, early 90's Disneyland Hotel brochure packet.

The Beach at the Disneyland Hotel

Mickey's Workout

Hooke's Point

The Lost Bar

Pavilion

Wine Celler

Marina Ballroom

Hotel Lobby

Please visit our website and support this blog.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Brochure Deviations: 1961 Brochure & 1961 Hotel Information

2010-09-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Many new, major expansions were added to the Hotel in 1961.

At a press conference in December of 1960, Jack Wrather and Walt Disney announced plans for the extension of the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System to link the Park to the Hotel. This addition to the monorail would provide Walt with a working model.

In 1961, the Hotel comprised 16-percent of the Wrather Corporation's gross annual income. Based upon the strength of the Disneyland Hotel's operations, plans were already underway to expand all areas: rooms, restaurants, convention facilities, and recreation/entertainment. Two new Garden Room structures were added in the Northeast section of the property. The Hotel now had eleven guest accommodation structures (six in the Northeast section and five in the southern section of the property).

Built above the Hotel's shops near the main entrance on West Street, a 13,000 square foot convention and exhibition center was added. The convention hall became Orange County's first ballroom, the Embassy Room. [The original banquet hall (just to the south of the Embassy Room) would be redesigned and named the Magnolia Room.] It was able to accommodate more than 1,400 guests in a theatre seating formation and 1,200 guests for a banquet. Its "official" opening took place on November 28, 1961. More details will follow in this blog.

1961 Disneyland Hotel front cover

1961 Disneyland Hotel brochure backs

Yet even more major changes were on the horizon at the Disneyland Hotel in 1961. Soon, the Hotel would expand up rather than out. More to come..........

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Brochure Deviations: 1957 1958

2010-09-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Here are brochures from 1957 and 1958 with their differnces. The front covers are identical but inside and back covers had differences.

1957 cover and inside

1958 cover and inside. Note the differences, mainly due to other services or features being offered.

Can you spot the differences in the backs of these brochures?

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Brochure Deviations: 1980's & Seaports of the Pacific

2010-09-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

In continuing with the brochure deviation theme, I am presenting the 1980's brochures and their deviations which featured the Seaports of the Pacific addition to the Disneyland Hotel. First, some text on Seaports of the Pacific introduced in 1980 at the Disneyland Hotel.

For the summer season of 1980, the 25th Anniversary of the Disneyland Hotel, the Seaports of the Pacific shopping area was added to the marina. Under construction since February, it replaced what had been the artisans market. Ed Ettinger, the project's supervisor, explained, "What we've developed is a living theater consisting of those special environments associated with exotic ports of trade in the Pacific Basin." Side by side were an Indonesian pagoda blue tile roof, an Australian weathered tin roof, a Polynesian bamboo roof, and a Latin American red mission-tile roof...a wide variety of colors and textures. Staffed by authentic personnel, the Seaports was a mingling of accents and cultures. In the International Bazaar were to be found an arts and crafts market and shops of imports from the South Seas. Mimes, magicians, and strolling musicians entertained at this international bazaar. Sausalito Sue, a rustic cocktail barge, floated close by on the marina. Entered by means of a wooden ramp, it offered drinks and snacks.

And now the Seaports brochure and its many deviations.

There were two covers to this brochure ranging from 1983 to 1987

The 1983, 1984 & 1986 brochure back covers

The 1985 back cover mentions the Hotel's 30th anniversary

The 1987 back cover

This page remained unchanged and intact in all brochures from 1983 to 1987

1983-1985 map section of the brochure

The 1986 & 1987 map section

1983-1985 interior brochure

1986 & 1987 interior brochure

1983-1985 interior brochure

1986 & 1987 interior brochure

While the brochures shared many similar pictures and text, there were also numerous differences. So when you think you may already have a brochure in your collection, make sure to double check that they are not different versions that just look alike to the casual eye. Happy collecting!

Please visit our website: http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Friday Fun Pics

2010-09-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

Just adding some fun pics which were taken from brochures.

Do you remember a time like this? I do and it was in the Monorail Cafe after a wondrous day at Disneyland!

The Olympic Size Pool. I broght my son in this pool when he was nine months old.

Hope you liked these pictures.

Brochure Deviations: 1970 Brochure

2010-09-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

In collecting Disneyland Hotel items, you may think you already have something when in reality, there were many deviations in the Hotel paper items. Case in point today is a Disneyland Hotel brochure from the 1970's.

At first glance, the covers look the same. If you carefully look, you will see the script is different at the top and the picture has several differences. The pictures were taken very close together and use the same models but, there are differences. Can you spot at least three?

The back cover also has differences. Same picture but, differnt wording.

This had to be 1976 or later and I suspect it was 1976 to announce Tennisland adjacent to the Disneyland Hotel.

This one had to be later than the previous because they started using this type of Disneyland Hotel script in the later 70's. The previous three shots all came from the center of the brochure which was used at the Disneyland Hotel from 1970 to the later 70's.

So when buying Disneyland Hotel items, don't assume you already have something until you really check it out. There are also brochures (which I will detail upcoming) with very subtle changes in them. I can't even be certain I have all the variations but I do have a very large Disneyland Hotel collection.......just ask my wife!

Please visit our website at http://www.magicalhotel.com/

I am also in the process of making two DVD's available both showing rare footage of Disneyland and The Disneyland Hotel in 1957 and 1958. Stay tuned for further notice.

Update: Addendum one to our book is finally at the printer.

Jolly Roger Inn 1967

2010-09-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a nice brochure and rate sheet from the Jolly Roger Inn circa 1967.

Front and back cover

We have stayed at this facility and really enjoyed it. It was clean and comfortable and the food was very good. It was a bit of a walk to Disneyland but they did have a shuttle bus. We also liked that it was close to some eating establishments just accross the street.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Peter Pan Motor Lodge 1957

2010-09-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

I have also collected many items from surounding area hotels and motels and not just items from the Disneyland Hotel. Today, I am posting items from the Peter Pan Motor Lodge from 1957. The address is 2029 Harbor Boulevard but based on the map in the brochure, this establishment was located in the spot that the Jolly Roger Inn is at today. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. I am also thinking that there is still a Peter Pan Motel today however it is located on Harbor accross the street and up a short distance (towards Interstate 5) from the old location. I will post some Jolly Roger pictures shortly. If anyone knows otherwise on any of this, please share. In the mean time, hope you enjoy these pictures of the Peter Pan Motor Lodge.

Based on this map, it looks like this establishment is on the corner of Katella and Harbor, where the Jolly Roger is at today.

The rates were not that different than what the Disneyland Hotel charged.

Peter Pan Postcard

Please visit our website at http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Disneyland Hotel: Don Ballard Wants to Check You In

2010-09-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

Disneyland Hotel: Don Ballard Wants to Check You In

Bonita Tower part 2

2010-09-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Mid 80's overhead showing all three towers at the Disneyland Hotel. The unique solar power units are visible on the roof of the Bonita Tower.

Late 70's convention brochure listing the new Bonita Tower conference rooms as well as other amenities.

The Bonita Tower

2010-09-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

On December 12, 1976, Jack Wrather received the go-ahead to build one of the most modern hotel additions anywhere. But the city’s planning commission tacked on an interesting condition to the development. The proposed 13-story tower, to be the third tower in the Hotel complex, would be the tallest structure in Anaheim and would be the maximum height allowed. Under a rule adopted by the city some time previous, no building was permitted to be visible from Disneyland Park. The planners ordered a balloon to be flown at the height of the proposed building to make sure it could not be seen from inside the Park. The concern was that the fantasy atmosphere of Anaheim’s main tourist attraction not be disrupted. Architects for the new tower assured the planners contour lines had been drawn and there would be no visual intrusion in the Park. They agreed however, to confirm their paper theories with the balloon test.

The 1977 Wrather Corporation annual report announced an $18-million expansion program, including the third tower building, which would give the Hotel a total of 1,400 guest rooms and suites. [This was the third and final phase of the massive expansion plan announced by Jack Wrather back in 1968.] Included in the expansion plan were a new computerized reservation-registration system, a "space-age" telephone system, enlarged restaurant and bar facilities, remodeled kitchens, and enlarged and redecorated shops and boutiques. Also announced was the $3-million purchase of 21-acres of land contiguous to the original 60-acres leased from Walt Disney back in 1954. Located at the southwest corner of the Hotel, 7.5-acres were designated for additional parking. The remainder of the land was to be studied for future development. That "future development" never took place during the Wrather years.

1977 Wrather Corporation Report

More than 100 Disneyland Hotel representatives and Southern California VIP’s gathered on April 7th, 1977 at the Hotel for a ground-breaking ceremony and VIP reception to officially launch construction on the Hotel’s newest addition, a 13 story, 406 room tower that at completion will be the tallest building in Anaheim, California. The new tower was scheduled for completion in December, 1978.

From left to right: On April 7th, 1977, Jack Wrather, Donn Tatum (Disney Exec), Bonita Granville-Wrather and Anaheim Mayor Bill Thom break ground for the Bonita Tower.

1977 Disneyland Hotel newsletter

Construction under way

Bonita Tower all framed out

The new layout

Rates and information for 1978

This is one of my persoanl favorite pictures of the Disneyland Hotel. It's how I like to remember it. The Bonita Tower is on the left. Those were sure some fun visits!

1978 Southern California feature newspaper article discussing the Disneyland Hotel and the new Bonita Tower.

On July 1st, 119 rooms of the newest tower building were opened to guests. By August all the guest rooms of this third tower building were fully opened (although its Grand Opening was not celebrated until the following year). Included were thirty-eight suites with one or two bedrooms. The $18-million, 13-story Bonita Tower (named after Jack Wrather's wife) became the tallest building in Anaheim. In September, the new Tower's lobby was opened, along with six new meeting rooms (the Santa Rosa, the San Clemente, the Santa Catalina, the Santa Cruz, the Santa Barbara, and the Wrather Board Room). On the lobby level was to be found the Garden Lounge, which overlooked the Dancing Waters and would overlook the Aqua Gardens when opened the following year. This lounge contained a holding (warming) kitchen that allowed for the serving of special breakfasts and buffet lunches for meetings and conventions. The following year, a terrace was added to the Garden Lounge, allowing patrons to enjoy the refreshing evening.

1978 Jack Wrather letter

Early 1979 update from Jack Wrather

More importantly, the Bonita Tower was the first hotel building in the United States to utilize a solar heating system. Solar panels, installed on the roof, collected the sun's heat, which then heated water in storage tanks. That water was then circulated through the guest rooms. A new laundry-water reclamation system surpassed then current standards in the commercial laundry services. Installed in the basement of the new tower at a cost of $500,000, the facility eventually would supply laundry service for the entire Hotel. The laundry's first supervisor was Pete Kaiserman. The Tower had been designed as an "energy-conscious" structure. This new tower added 367 guest rooms, bringing the total for the Hotel complex to slightly over 1,400 rooms. As with the previous Sierra and Marina Towers, the Los Angeles firm of Weber and Nicholson Associates was the architect for the Bonita Tower.

And now for the mystery photo. I always thought the photo below was of construction on the Bonita Tower. I can't be certain but I think it is. Unless you can find anything in the picture to disprove this, (and by all means, please do if you see something I have note been able to see) I am going to say this is Bonita Tower construction.

Mystery photo!

Hope you enjoyed this photo set of the last tower constructed at the Original Disneyland Hotel.

Please have a look at our website and help keep these photos coming by purchasing your very own copy of "Disneyland Hotel: The Early Years 1954-1988"

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Water Wonderland part 3

2010-08-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

Water Wonderland included a number of new and updated attractions around the marina area and at the base of the newly opened Bonita Tower. In front of the Tower was the new $2-million, four-acre Aqua Gardens. It featured the 165-foot wide, crescent-shaped Horseshoe Falls, the top of which was a bridge for guests of the Bonita Tower to use as a link to the wharf. Also included in this area were a beautifully landscaped rain forest, a series of reflecting pools, and rapids. Finally, there was a fish pond grotto (inhabited by over 400 very expensive Japanese Imperial Koi fish), landscaped in the style of Japanese gardens. While the Aqua Gardens may have had a distinctively tropical atmosphere, in actuality all of the plants, trees, and rocks needed for this new area had been transported only from nearby San Bernardino and the Sierra Mountains.

Overhead shortly after the Bonita Tower opened.

A rare view of the new waterways at the Disneyland Hotel.

Careful attention to detail provided for beautiful scenery.

A beautiful night-time shot of the Water Wonderland at the Disneyland Hotel. This picture was another fron an archive that probably has not seen the light of day in over 30 years.

Water Wonderland part 2

2010-08-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

In today's posting, I am including two pictures not seen in (what I am guessing) over 30 years. These pictures were locked away in archive folders possibly never to be seen again. I will be posting many more rare photos coming up and I hope you enjoy them.

On Thursday, June 7, 1979, the Disneyland Hotel began a four day celebration to herald the opening of Water Wonderland, located in and around the marina area. The first evening's event was called "Celebrity Cruise to Water Wonderland," a red carpet cocktail party for 7,000 specially invited guests, dressed in nautical attire. Guests were provided a walking tour of the new Aqua Gardens (called "Journey to Aquatic Wonders") and a debut of the Still Green laser sculpture show. Guests were entertained by a floating musical revue ("Pacific Terrific") from a barge in the middle of the marina. Included were a Polynesian ceremonial torch lighting, a fiesta of Mexican music, exhibits of Japanese culture, and fireworks. Following was a premiere of the all new Dancing Waters and Lights Fantastic Show. Invited guests then attended the "Captain's Dinner," hosted by the Wrathers and featuring Japanese, Mexican, and Californian cuisine. The dinner ended with "Showtime Around the World," a musical production presented by Cast Members from Disneyland.

Water Wonderland 1979 Brochure

Each evening at dusk the trumpeting of a conch shell and the beating of a Taiko drum could be heard. Pacific islanders, each wearing a colorful loin-cloth, performed a ceremonial lighting of the propane torches surrounding the marina.

As a part of Water Wonderland, a giant laser sculpture was premiered. Commissioned by Jack Wrather, the laser art was entitled Still Green (a.k.a. Rather Green) by Rockne Krebs, a pioneer in laser art. The blue-green laser sculpture was presented nightly and could be viewed from many guest rooms. One argon laser was placed atop the Sierra Tower while another was located on the seventh floor of the Marina Tower, shooting two beams 500 feet across the marina. A third was positioned on the roof of Restaurant Row and shot its beam at a small mirror atop the Convention Center, 700 feet away. Nine small mirrors were placed in various locations around the property. As the laser beam hit a mirror, it was redirected to yet another mirror. One beam traveled a half mile to the fifth floor of the Inn-at-the-Park. Eventually, 14 lines of light formed the design of the laser sculpture, covering over 14-million cubic feet of space. Described as a 3-D collage, it was comprised of giant triangles and other unusual geometric shapes. It was so large that no one could view the entire work from one location. Guests walking through the Hotel's property would see an ever-changing configuration of this piece of art. Adding to the sculpture's effects upon the viewer were its reflections in the calm water of the marina and off the charcoal-tinted windows of the three towers. The condition of the atmosphere would also change the sculpture from night to night. Smog, rain, dust, all affected the color and visibility of Still Green.

Please visit our website http://www.magicalhotel.com/ and help support the posts presented here.

The Wrather Story

2010-08-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting two-page article detailing the Wrather Story.

The interesting item here is a picture of J.D. Wrather senior, Jack's father as well as a photo of Jack Wrather with Walt Disney on the grounds of the Disneyland Hotel.

This brochure was published not long after Jack's passing when his son Christopher took over as President of Wrather Corp. I would date this brochure from 1985 or 1986.

Good Bye Waterfalls

2010-08-20T23:10:00.000-07:00

The demolition of the Disneyland Hotel waterfalls in front of the Bonita Tower (I refuse to call it by any other name) is taking place as I write this post. I thought it would be fun to post some pictures of the actual construction of the falls from the late 70's. What makes some of these photos even more special is the photographer- Bonita Granville-Wrather herself! Hope you enjoy these pictures as soon, they are all we will have left of the falls that lasted over thirty-years at the Disneyland Hotel.

The falls at the Disneyland Hotel were part of the new Water Wonderland at the Disneyland Hotel which opened in June of 1979.

Construction shot of the falls taken by BGW

More construction

The completed falls.

It's very sad to see them go. In spite of petitions and campaigns to keep them, Disney decided their time had come. Next week, I will post some info on what is replacing this area at the Disneyland Hotel.

Bonus black and white shot.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/ is our website for the book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel. We are also doing a rewrite in addendum versions with much more text and tons more great pictures. Stay tuned.

1968 Disneyland Hotel Brochure

2010-08-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

I would have to believe I have just about every paper item available from the Disneyland Hotel. Just about. This posting features a 1968 brochure which I do not have but was lucky enough to get nice, high resolution scans of. This came out just after Jack Wrather announced the huge expansion plans for the Disneyland Hotel in 1968.

Brochure cover

Some details of the expansion which would have 1,000 guest rooms in a brand-new tower buidling.

This is a wonderful overhead view which details the locations of the new facilties.

Back cover of this 1968 brochure.The new tower would actually (partially) open in December of 1969. This would lead to the relocation of the original registration lobby from West Street to Cerritos Street and give the Disneyland Hotel a new address.

Please check out our website http://www.magicalhotel.com/ and get your copy of the Disneyland Hotel book. There are less than 200 more copies available.

Jack Wrather & Mollie O'Daniel Wrather

2010-08-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

On July 31, 1941, Jack Wrather married Mollie O'Daniel, the daughter of then Texas Governor Wilbert Lee (Pappy) O'Daniel. O’Daniel invited everyone in the state to come to the wedding at the Governor’s Mansion. A crowd estimated at 25,000 cheered as Mollie and Jack took their vows. The brief marriage, produced two children, Jack D. III and Molly.

Today I am posting extremely rare pictures of Jack Wrather's first marriage ceremony. In fact, I would bet that these pictures have not been seen in almost 70 years! This post is for Molly Dolle the daughter of Jack and Mollie O'Daniel Wrather and I hope it brings a smile to her face.

Taking their vows

The Bride and Groom. What a beautiful couple!

Cutting the cake.

With guests at the reception

Sharing the wedding cake

The Groomsmen....the only person I can identify is Jack's mother Mazie in the center of the photograph

First born child, Miss Molly Wrather with who I am guessing is Mollie's mother

Hope you enjoyed these very rare photographs of the man who gave you the Disneyland Hotel.

A Thousand Thanks to Major Pepperidge

2010-08-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight I would like to pay tribute to a fellow blogger David/Major Pepperidge from the wonderful blog site http://gorillasdontblog.blogspot.com/

David single-handedly updated this blog to make it 1,000 times easier for readers to download the contents and look at the posts. He spent almost an entire weekend (probably even longer) working to correct the mistakes I had made in the creation of this blog. You should all notice how much easier it is to access the posts. I just cannot thank him enough for the wonderful work he did for me. It was a total unselfish thing to do and really show the kindness of the Disney bloggers. His blog is a must see and has some amazing pictures and information. I am just blown away at all he did for me.

Thank you David.

Jack Wrather & New Bride Bonita Granville Wrather

2010-08-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some wonderful pictures from 1947 just after Jack Wrather married Bonita. The first one has Jack carrying Bonita over the threshold into their new home.

Next, we have the couple enjoying their morning breakfast.

Last picture shows the newlyweds enjoying a game of cards. Jack's first marriage lasted only a few years however his marriage to Bonita lasted the rest of his life. They were not the typical Hollywood couple and cherished their family life.

Bonita gave up her acting career to help her husband with his many business ventures. She did resume her career shortly in the 50's in acting, producung and directing roles. Bonita was instrumental in many design projects at the Disneyland Hotel. She helped run the company after Jack's passing in 1984 with her son Christopher.

Disneyland Gold Passes

2010-07-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

The Disneyland Gold Pass was issued to a select few families, business associates, investors and friends of Walt and Roy Disney. Today, I have posted some unique items from my collection detailing the receipt and gratitude Jack Wrather and family had for these Gold Passes. The last one signed by Walt was the 1966 card and by Roy was the 1971 card. Walt did find time to let it be known he wanted the Wrather family to have a 1967 pass however he was unable to sign them. I believe the letter I have posted was written by Walt Disney's secretary and it did occur after Walt's passing. With all Walt had on his mind and being very sick, he still remembered his friend and business partner Jack Wrather. To me, that shows just how special the bond was between Walt and Jack.

Please also visit my website http://www.magicalhotel.com/. I would be more than happy to personally sign and personalize your copy. Purchasing the book helps us to be able to document more on the history of the Disneyland Hotel and make available even more news and information on the Hotel's rich history. Buy your copy today! There are limited copies left.

1958 Letter from Walt Disney - This 1958 letter announces the issuance of the Wrather families 1959 Gold Passes to Disneyland Park. Walt issued his first pass to the Wrather family in 1956 and they receive passes to this very day.

1959 Disneyland Gold Pass - signed by Walt Disney and issued to the Wrather family.

1966 Letter from Walt Disney's Office - I believe this letter is from Walt Disney's personal secretary letting Jack and family know that Walt wanted them to have their 1967 Gold Passes to Disneyland. This was determined just prior to Walt's passing prior to Walt entering the hospital for the last time.

Letter to Roy Disney 1969 - Jack would write to Roy Disney expressing thanks for the Gold Card to Disneyland. He would also state just how much his family enjoyed these gifts.

Disneyland Gold Cards

2010-07-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

Walt Disney would personally deliver these Gold Cards to the Wrather family at the Disneyland Hotel and they were all personally signed by him. Chris Wrather told me an interesting story about his mother, Bonita Granville Wrather. When she was in final negotiations to sell the Hotel, she asked Mr. Eisner if the family could retain the rights to Gold Cards for life. Mr. Eisner happily agreed. The deal was then completed.

1956 Gold Card - Issued by Walt Disney to the Wrather family

1959 Gold Card

1960 Gold Card

1965 Gold Card - Just a year before Mr. Disney passed away.

1966 Gold Card - This would be the last that Walt Disney would sign for the Wrather family.

Disneyland Hotel Golf Course

2010-07-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

Posted a couple of golf shots today. Will post some more shortly as well as details with facts and figures.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Overhead View - The golf course was adjacent to the first tower building and the original guest room structures.

The Disneyland Hotel golf course.

Dave Smith, Walt Disney Company Archivist to Retire

2010-07-01T12:21:00.001-07:00

Dave Smith, Chief Archivist at the Walt Disney Company has announced his retirement after 40 years with the company. His retirement will coincide with his 70th birthday in October of this year. I personally want to wish Dave well in his retirement and also acknowledge the many times he has helped me out with research and clarification on Disneyland Hotel related questions. Dave has always responded to my enquiries which have greatly improved the content of this blog as well as the Disneyland Hotel book and addendums to the book. Dave built the Archives from scratch to what it is today. For those of us lucky enough to have visited the Archives, his work is evident in the structure and content of the materials located there. My visit there was most productive and Dave helped me immensely. We wish you the best of luck with sincere hopes for a wonderful retirement. You will be sorely missed and I am hoping you will still have a hand in the happenings at the Archives. I am sure the department will be left in good hands. Here is to a job well done Dave and God bless!

Dave at His Desk - From my visit to the Archives

Studio Archives - Here is a picture from my visit to the Disney Archives in Burbank, California. I am often told that I am the fourth handsomest in this picture.

Hotel Book First Addendum Now Available

2010-06-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

An electronic version is now available of the first addendum to our book "The Disneyland Hotel: The Early Years 1954-1988." This work features original text and photographs plus all new information and many more photographs. The first issue covers 1954 until the day before opening day, October 4th, 1955. With all the new information received, the story of the Disneyland Hotel can now be told with many more facts and details. Please let us know if you are interested in a copy.

http://www.magicalhotel.com

First Addendum Front Cover

Inside Front Cover

BonitaTower Meeting Rooms

2010-06-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

Interior photographs are always tougher to find of the Disneyland Hotel. Today, I am posting some interior shots of the meeting facilities at the brand-new Bonita Tower in 1978. The Hotel boasted it could accomodate groups of just about any size. Some of the settings had wonderful views of the surrounding areas.

Please write if you are interested in the first addendum which is now available in an e-copy version. http://www.magicalhotel.com/

The Disneyland Hotel had rooms of varying sizes for group meetings. Here is a smaller room located in the new Bonita Tower.

Bonita Tower Meeting Room - You could hear the sounds of the waterfalls from this meeting room which opened in 1978. Beautiful setting!

This was when the Bonita Tower first opened in 1978.

Room Interiors of the Late 70's

2010-06-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight I am adding some interior shots of the various rooms at the Disneyland Hotel around 1978. This was when the Bonita Tower had just opened and the Hotel now boasted over 1400 rooms which was the largest amount of rooms ever advertised at the Disneyland Hotel. This is right around the first time I ever stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and I remember it well.

In case you haven't noticed, the Disneyland Hotel is undergoing some pretty big changes these days. Soon, the only way to remember or see how it used to be will be right here on this blog or on my website http://www.magicalhotel.com/. Even better yet, get a copy of our book on the history of the Hotel which you can order online from the website.

I will be posting brochure deviations coming up. When you think you have two of the same brochure, watch out....you just may have two different versions with only slight deviations and one of them might be quite rare.

This would have been a mid-priced suite in the Marina Tower.....around $200 a night.

Interior view of a Tower Suite in the late 70's. These rooms rented for between $125 - $300 and this particular suite looks like one of the larger ones.

A typical room interior in the late 70's.

A late 70's look inside a Tower Room.

Coffee Shop Interior - This is a repeat of this picture previously posted however, this has a much wider angle and shows more detail. This restauarant would become the Monorail Cafe in 1986.

1987 Magazine Advertisement

2010-06-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

This was just prior to the transfer of ownership of the Hotel to the Walt Disney Company

Publicity Shot

2010-06-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

Papeete Beach from a late 80's publicity packet on the Disneyland Hotel

Walt Disney and Jack Wrather

2010-06-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

Did some digging and I did manage to find another picture of Walt Disney and Jack Wrather together. While this is obviously at the same event (official Grand Opening/August 1956) it nevertheless is a different photo. It was taken just before or just after the previous picture posted in this blog. I would still love to see any others of the two together.

Kaleidoscope Magazine Spring 1980

2010-06-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

AS DOCUMENTED EARLIER, THE DISNEYLAND HOTEL HAD SEVERAL MAGAZINES OVER THE COURSE OF ITS HISTORY. THIS ONE, KALEIDOSCOPE RAN FROM THE LATE 70'S TO THE EARLY 80'S. THIS PARTICULAR ONE FEATURED A THREE-PART STORY ON THE HISTORY OF THE DISNEYLAND HOTEL AT THAT TIME CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY AND WAS ALSO A GREAT INSPIRATION FOR OUR BOOK “DISNEYLAND HOTEL THE EARLY YEARS 1954-1988” HTTP://WWW.MAGICALHOTEL.COM. THE PICTURES BELOW ARE ALL FROM THE FIRST PART OF THE HOTEL STORY TITLED “THE WILDCATTING YEARS.”

Another mystery: this couple Mr. and Mrs. Robert Arnone are billed as the first guests staying at the Disneyland Hotel yet the administration building shops are clearly visible in the background which did not open until 1956. Were they brought back to attend the gerand opening in August of 1956 to celebrate or were they the first to check in at the Hotel's opening in 1956?

The Linkletters with Walt Disney at the grand opening of the Disenyland Hotel

First manager of the Disneyland Hotel Don J. Daley shakes hands with Jack Wrather at the grand opening celebration.

Early amenities at the Hotel.

I would probably date this picture as late 1955 oe early 1956

Original Pictures from Bill Cotter

2010-06-09T13:51:00.000-07:00

Today I am adding original pictures from the files of Bill Cotter. Thanks Bill for allowing me to share these. If you get a chance to bid on Bill's pictures on disk on Ebay, I would highly recommend that you do so. His shots often show areas of Disneyland and the Hotel not often seen by the masses. They bring back so many wonderful memories and they are all in beautiful living color. I love Bill's book "The Wonderful World of Disney Television" which I refer to often when finding shows on television. If you love the old "Wonderful World" Sunday night shows, this book will sure bring back some great memories.

Guests outside the Disneyland Hotel Shops - The shop area was a wonderful way to enjoy your stay at the Disneyland Hotel. It was also where my family would buy gifts to take home to give to other family members not on the trip. This was one place where men did not mind shopping....well at least I never minded shopping here. I absolutely loved those black stone sidewalks. They just added a touch of class to me. This shot was from the 50's though I do not know the actual date.

Exterior of the restauarant area at the Original Disneyland Hotel - I loved those black stone sidewalks. They felt so cool during the hot summers.

Restaurant Area - The parking lot on West Street and the restaurant exteriors in the 50's. I love those cars and that architecture.

Walkway between Garden Structures - Jack Wrather paid close attention to details and made sure the grounds on the Original Disneyland Hotel were lush and beautiful.

Putting green - Beautiful shot of the architecture, grounds and amenities at the Original Disneyland Hotel

Sign Close-Up - A close-up of the putting green rules sign.

Coral Club - The fountain that guests (mostly kids) would use as a wading pool. Man was that nice on hot summer days!

Overheads

2010-06-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

Some of my favorite photographs are overhead shots. I love to try and guess the year and even further the month of the shot. Not too tough on one I added as the year was typed right on the picture.

1960 Overhead - An interesting view from behind the Disneyland Hotel. Those homes are still there today.

1969 Overhead - The Marina Tower is under construction and ground is being cleared for the marina itself.

Personal pics from 1956

2010-06-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

Guests at the Original Disneyland Hotel

Near the sandbox

Guest rooms and the fountain/wading pool

Children at the fountain at the Disneyland Hotel

Personal Photographs from the Disneyland Hotel

2010-06-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

More candid shots from happy times at the World's Most Exciting Hotel. The Hotel was truly special with many fun activities for all.

Hotel Disneyland - The Original Tower Building in the early 60's

1965 Construction - Tower Addition personal picture

More 16mm stills

2010-05-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

Check out some more stills captured from the 16mm film stock. If you are interested in a copy of this film, just drop me a line. Contact details are available in my profile.

http://www.magicalhotel.com

Amenities at the Disneyland Hotel - My best guess is, this is the heater/air conditioner at the Disneyland Hotel circa 1958.

Entering the lobby at the Disneyland Hotel 1958 - The very first lobby at the Disneyland Hotel 1958. The car in the background was used to take certain guests to Disneyland or other places they needed to get. Usually it was for VIP guests.

Shopping at the Disneyland Hotel 1958 - Doesn't everybody wear a mink coat while shopping at the Disneyland Hotel?

New Shots From 1958 Film

2010-05-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

Today I posted some more still shots from the 16mm film from 1957-58. These feature rare interior shots from the shops at the Disneyland Hotel. Interior shots are not that easy to find, hope you like them. I am now going to try and pin down the shops in which they came from.

http://www.magicalhotel.com

1958 Landscaping at the Disneyland Hotel - Award winning landscaping in 1958 at the Disneyland Hotel

Rare Interior 1958 -

Pool Area 1958 - Lush landscaping at the Disneyland Hotel from 1958

Gourmet Restaurant 1958 - Exterior Gourmet Restaurant Disneyland Hotel 1958

Interior shots are not easy to find. This could be any of a number of shops at the Disneyland Hotel in 1958.

1957-58 Coral Club Rules Sign

1958 Wayne's Flowers Interior

Reverse Side Gold Pass 1950's

2010-05-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

I had several requests to show the reverse side of the Gold Passes. Here you go!

The 1956 Gold Pass had no limit to number of guests plus a free dinner at the Red Wagon Inn. You got your free passes at the ticket booth on the outside of Disneyland. No signature required.

By 1959, the number of guests had been limited to 5 and no dinner was offered. You also had to pick up your complimentary tickets at City hall. This one would also be more valuable in that the owner had to sign them. This one would have Walt Disney's signature on the front and Jack Wrather's signature on the back, two very prominent men in the shaping of the city of Anaheim.

After further review........

2010-05-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

Funny what you find when you really take a close look at a picture. See below.

After looking closer at this picture, I noticed some activity in the parking lot. Looks like a police car and an ambulance. Wonder what was going on?

Mini Golf Close-Up - I zoomed in on the mini-golf course.

1965 Overhead

2010-05-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

These wonderful photographs are from my friends at Vintage Disneyland Tickets blog. They detail Disneyland and the surrounding area from 1965. Construction has begun on the Tower addition of the Disneyland Hotel which necessitated the need for a new parking lot for the construction workers. This is a great set of photos and shows the locations for many exciting features at the Disneyland Hotel including the golf facilities, heliport and other exciting locations.

Beatiful detailed shot of Disneyland and the surrounding area. The Disneyland Hotel is on the lower left.

The entire 60 acres of Disneyland Hotel property

1965 Overhead Hotel Section

1965 Overhead Golf Facilities - Driving range & mini-golf

1965 Overhead Mini-Golf Course - The famous mini-golf course with the holes themed after Disneyland attractions. The building to the left served as the store for golf equipment sales and rentals for the mini golf course and driving range.

1965 Overhead Heliport - A close-up of the Heliport in 1965 at the Disneyland Hotel

1965 Overhead New Parking Lot - This parking lot (upper left) was created to accomodate the workers who were building the Tower addition in 1965. Construction can be seen directly south of the existing Tower building.

A Variety of New Photos

2010-05-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

I was scanning some 1980's Disney, Disneyland and Disneyland Hotel magazines and found these that I am posting today. Just a mix of photos with no central theme other than early 80's timeframe.

Rose Garden and Gazebo - I remember watching weddings from my room at this location. When we would come back for a mid-day rest or swim in the pool, we could watch the festivities. On some of those really hot days, I really felt sorry for the wedding party and guests.

Early 80s Ad - Here's a neat little ad from a Disney magazine from the early 80's.

This was part of a story in a 1980's Disney News Magazine. I am really surprised Disney did not know that Wrather Corp. did indeed at one time own the AC Golbert Company, creators of the Erector Set toys for kids.

1957

Graphics

2010-05-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

early 60's graphic

Top of the Park Graphic

1967-1969 Disneyland Hotel Brochure

2010-04-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

One fun thing to do is, scan the Hotel brochures and edit out pictures from them. There are usually interesting pictures in most all of them with views not ordinarily seen. Today's shots feature the 1967-69 brochure which displayed an array of wonderful, color pictures in and around the Disneyland Hotel. This brochure was issued just after the Tower Annex project in 1967 and folds out to huge proportions. It's one of my favorites.

http://www.magicalhotel.com

Top of the Park Lounge

Monorail Bar

Heliport

Mini Golf

More Walt Disney Pictures

2010-04-21T18:55:00.001-07:00

Pictures of Walt Disney at the Disneyland Hotel have been hard to come by for me. I am sure there were many taken over the years but I have personally only seen six. Even rarer still are pictures of Walt with Jack or Bonita Wrather. I will keep digging and hopefully. more will turn up.

http://www.magicalhotel.com

June 1961 and the Monorail has just been expanded to the Disneyland Hotel

Walt Disney with Jack and Bonita Wrather - Reviewing a script for a television program

Bonita Granville with Walt Disney - Walt Disney shots with the Wrathers are rare.

Disneyland Hotel Amenities

2010-04-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

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

1980's at the Disneyland Hotel

2010-04-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

The 1980's were a period of tremendous changes for the Disneyland Hotel. The Hotel struggled to keep pace with people's needs and changing tastes, its owner passed away in 1984 with new management immediatley following and then renewed efforts by Disney to purchase the Hotel with their eventual purchase in 1989. With all of these distractions, the Hotel still managed to create new amenities like Seaports of the Pacific, new bars, restaurants and lounges, a new beach and various other activities for its guests. The Hotel was a tourist destination in and of itself.

Seaports of the Pacific - A couple of shots of the Seaports of the Pacific at the Disneyland Hotel mid 1980's

Pavilion - The Pavilion Bar at the Marina, Disneyland Hotel 1980's

Papeete Beach - If I had you guess where this picture was taken, would you ever believe it was at the Disneyland Hotel?

Goofy's - 1980's brochure photo showing Goofy's Kitchen

Pedal Boats - 1980's brochure photograph showing a dad and daughetr enjoying the pedal boats.

1980's at the Disneyland Hotel

2010-04-11T21:53:00.000-07:00

More shots from the late 80's in and around the Disneyland Hotel. The 1980's was an era I think not properly covered in our book Disneyland Hotel The Early Years 1954-1988 simply because we didn't have much information from the 80's. Believe it or not, 1950's stuff was much easier to get than 1980's material. The Hotel was under severe budget cuts and they didn't print as many brochures or pamphlets. I plan on covering the 80's much more with the addendums soon out.

http://www.magicalhotel.com

Fine Dining at the Disneyland Hotel

Papeete Beach Disneyland Hotel 1987

Inside Tower Room 1987 at the Disneyland Hotel

White sand beach at the Disneyland Hotel 1980's

Tennis Facilities at the Disneyland Hotel

Monorail yellow at the Disneyland Hotel station 1980's

The Charter House Hotel

2010-04-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

Maybe the Disneyland Hotel was filled to capacity or maybe it was just too expensive, whatever the reason, many other lodging facilities both hotels and motels sprung up all around Disneyland. The Charter House was convenient for its location to Disneyland being right accross the street from it. Rooms here were typically $2-$3 a night cheaper than at the Disneyland Hotel and that was quite a bit of money back in 1962. The Monorial was in full operation by 1962 with its newest stop at the Disneyland Hotel and the Hotel experienced record attendance that year. Because of this, many folks probably enjoyed their vacation from the Charter House Hotel rather than the Disneyland Hotel. I want to also feature on this blog vintage pictures of other hotels and motels around Disneyland.

Located at 1700 Harbor Blvd.

1962-1963

Restaurant facility at the Charter House Hotel 1962

Main entrance to the Charter House Hotel with the Disneyland sign visible in the background.

Aerial overview of the location of the Charter House Hotel accross the street from the Disneyland entrance.

Coffee Shop at the Charter House Hotel 1962

A typical guest room at the Charter House Hotel in 1962

The pool area at the Charter House Hotel in 1962

The bar at the Charter House Hotel 1962

Restaurant at the Charter House Hotel 1962

Meeting space at the Charter House Hotel

L'Horizon Hotel in Palm Springs; A Wrather Hotel

2010-04-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from Palm Springs Magazine

Built in 1952 by oilman and movie mogul Jack Wrather and his actress wife Bonita Granville, the 22 room boutique hotel was a favorite hideaway for the socially well-connected couple's Hollywood friends, not the least of who were Lassie and Marilyn Monroe. Lassie, money-spinning star of Wrather's productions, had a private suite, it's not known which bungalow Marilyn preferred. The Wrathers had their own separate residence on the property.

L'Horizon Hotel a Wrather Hotel - Outside shot of guest rooms at the hotel.

The outside bar and grounds of the hotel

Two shots from the grounds of the hotel

Interior Bathroom

A shot from the early 50's of an unknown couple

More Hotels/Motels

2010-03-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

Some additional local to Disenyland hotels and motels. Many touted their closeness to Disneyland and most were cheaper than the Disneyland Hotel.

Motel Receipt Magic Star - A 1965 receipt from the Magic Star Motel

Sandman Motel - The Sandman Motel which opened prior to Disneyland but this card is from 1957.

The Modernaire Motel - I loved the architectural style of this motel. It oozes 50's.

Magic Star Motel Soap Wrapper - Soap wrapper from the Magic Star Motel

Tracking Buildings on the Disneyland Hotel Property

2010-03-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

Today's posting shows an elusive, very early feature at the Disneyland Hotel. Work was done on an existing building on the property to convert it into the Disneyland Hotel's very first restaurant. It was called the Little Gourmet Restaurant and is mentioned in the Hotel's first brochure after it opened. I am not sure how long the Little Gourmet remained open for business as the Gourmet Restaurant was opened some eight or so months later. There was mention of this building being used as a storage facility in its last years. It was demolished some time prior to or near March of 1959 as I have photos of freshly dug ground from this timeframe. I have yet to find an interior photograph or menu or for that matter any item from the Little Gourmet Restaurant.

July 1955 - Richfield Service Station and Little Gourmet Restaurant buildings close-up. The Little Gourmet building (right middle) was an original ranch house on the Disneyland Hotel property and was converted into the first restaurant on the Hotel grounds. It was called the Little Gourmet and served customers until the (regular) Gourmet Restaurant opened some months later.

June 1960 - Little Gourmet is now gone. Probably removed around March 1959. See Fresh pavement square in lower middle of picture.

Miscellaneous Paper Items

2010-03-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

I went through my Disneyland Hotel collection this weekend and made over 200 new scans which I will be sharing with you all. Hope you enjoy them.

http://www.magicalhotel.com

1956 Disneyland Hotel Menu

This menu is from November, 1956. The new restaurants had been open a little over 8 months at this time and were doing very well. Jack Wrather wrote several memos to the other investors that the restaurants had been doing much better than he had ever expected. In fact, the size of the restaurants had been expanded from the earlier planned drawings exactly for this. Jack had a forecast report done prior to the construction of the Hotel and it stated the restaurants had tremendous potential. In application, they even exceeded what was forecasted. They had good food in all price ranges and people beat a path to them.

Front cover of 1956 menu

1956 Menu - Look at those prices!!

Gourmet Restaurant placemat from the 1950's.

Parking Pass - 1950's Disneyland Hotel parking pass.

The reverse side of the colorful parking pass.

Walt and Jack Together

2010-03-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

I found the picture posted below while conducting research for the addendums I am writing on the Disneyland Hotel book http://www.magicalhotel.com/. I do not know the date of the picture, any quesses with qualifying evidence? This picture was actually imbedded in a Wrather Corporation brochure from 1984. Walt definitely looks older than the pictures from the Hotel's grand opening in August, 1956 and he is dressed in a different clothing. My guess would be it was taken when the Monorail was extended over to the Disneyland Hotel.

BTW-the research was tremendously successful. I found at least four more pictures of Walt Disney and a member of the Wrather family together. Stay tuned as I will be posting these pictures just as soon as I get the scanned copies of them. The pictures as well as the new information I found are absolutely amazing.

Walt Disney with Jack Wrather at the Disneyland Hotel

1956 Disneyland Hotel Items

2010-03-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

A mix of Hotel items for this entry. The postcard is very rare and is one of three originals I have from the Hotel. I have no idea how many different ones they produced and little is known about the origins of these. I heard they wanted to provide postcards for guests and used these black and white versions while the color ones were being produced but I cannot confirm this anywhere.

Original Postcard - When the Hotel opened, it used regular black and white photographs to use as postcards while the first color cards were being made. These are some of the rarest Hotel collectibles to find.

Dining Receipt 1956

Guest receipt tab from the Disneyland Hotel 1956

1956 Guest Card - Newspaper alert for guests staying at the Disneyland Hotel from 1956

1956 Guest Card - Newspaper alert card from 1956

Mystery Building

2010-03-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

From the pictures below, can anyone identify the mystery building on the grounds of the Disneyland Hotel? I would think it was used to hand out towells, recreational supplies and maybe even refreshments and food. I have absolutely no information whatsoever on what it was. I do know that it was eventually replaced by the Plaza Buidling in 1966-67.

No mystery building in this 1956 picture, circled area.

The mystery building is circled. Does anyone remember what this building was used for? It was later replaced by the Plaza Building.

The mystery building is circled. I have no info on what this was used for, but I assume it was for recreational supplies, towells and possibly refreshments.

Was this where you got recreational equipment? Towells? Sunscrean? Refreshments?

1957 Still Shots From Film Footage

2010-03-08T21:20:00.000-08:00

Below are some great shots that I captured from 16 mm film footage from 1957 at the Disneyland Hotel. There are some great shots of some areas not usually seen.

Disneyland Hotel 1957 - This would be where the Monorail would arrive in about 3.5 years

Interior Room - The interior of a guest room in 1957 at the Disneyland Hotel

1957 Hotel Arrival - Does anybody know what that tent is in the background at Disneyland?

1957 Lobby Area - Arrival at the Disneyland Hotel

Hotel Sign 1957 - Rare colr shot of the Disneyland Hotel sign

Exterior 1957 - Vintage cars and restaurant exteriors from 1957

More Movie Stills

2010-03-06T21:20:00.000-08:00

Posting some more movie stills from the 1957 footage. There are some great shots contained within this footage. Check out http://www.magicalhotel.com for our website.

Entering the Disneyland Hotel Lobby in 1957

Walking to the pool, orange trees and lush landscaping along the way

Interior Room 1957 Disneyland Hotel - Television set inside a guest room at the Disneyland Hotel 1957

Hotel Grounds - The Disneyland Hotel featured orange trees aplenty on the grounds as exhibited in this 1957 picture.

Hotel Arrival - Lobby doors in background with embossed "DH" on the doors

Random Pictures

2010-03-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

Just some random pictures from the Disneyland Hotel's past. Hope you like them.

September 1955 - Disneyland had been open for about two months and the mad rush was on to finish the Disneyland Hotel. Labor and construction strikes would slow the progress as well as a shortage of skilled laborers due to their work on Disneyland

1956 Pool Shot - Another angle of the Olympic-Size swimming pool

1959 Aerial - A very busy Disneyland parking lot and Disneyland Hotel from this July 1959 overhead shot.

1970 Aerial Shot - The Marina Tower had just opened and the actual Marina too. Initial Convention Center construction can also be seen on the left middle of this picture.

The Olympic-Size Pool 1956 - The fountains (shown in previous posts) are visible in the upper right of this 1956 photograph.

1965 Picture - If you look in the lower right corner, you can see the pit has been dug for the Plaza Building dating this photo to 1965/66. You can also see the Mini-Golf Course just beyond the Hotel parking lot near the top middle of the photograph.

Meeting Room

2010-03-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

1957 Meeting Room

Travel Ad

2010-02-27T21:19:00.000-08:00

1956 Travel Ad for the Disneyland Hotel

Hotel Advertisement, 1957

2010-02-25T21:19:00.000-08:00

The Coral Club 1957

From 1957 Hotel Ad

Outside on West Street shot

Rare inside lobby shot 1956

Personal Photos

2010-02-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

More personal photos from someone's vacation in 1963.

You could park directly in front of your room at the old Garden Structures but only in selective buildings.

Taken from their balcony.....I could probably figure out what building they are in.

The Gourmet Restaurant in 1963

From 1963, the parking lot on West Street with the Monorail and Monorail Station in the background