Disneyland Hotel Grounds, November 20, 1980
GDB friend Sue B. (you know her!) generously scanned a series of 31 photos that her dad, Lou Perry, took as he wandered the grounds of the Disneyland Hotel on November 20th, 1980. That was a Thursday (thanks to Jason's Disneyland Almanac, as always), the park was open from 10:00 until 6:00 (short day!!), and it was a balmy 81º, cooling down to 44º at night.
My knowledge of the Disneyland Hotel can fit in a Tic Tac container, so I will have to rely on you guys to fill in the blanks. For instance, where was this picturesque little waterfall? I'm imagining the pleasant sound it would make, hopefully masking the noise of the harmonica player nearby.
TWO waterfalls?? That's too many! They'll hear from my attorney.
Koi. Why did it have to be koi? Well, OK, I admit that I like koi fish, even though they don't like me. Maybe because I fool them with Red Hots cinnamon candy? Some fish can't take a joke, that's all I have to say.
I believe that all this cool multi-level stuff is gone now, sadly - it looks like there were many little hideaways and places to explore, and I do love water features as a rule. The more the better, no matter what I said after photo #2. Looking at this image, I can picture myself playing my harmonica down there, for all to enjoy!
MANY THANKS to Lou and Sue!
11 comments:
Major-
I stood many a time one both levels of the walkway as seen in the last image.
Thanks to Lou and Sue for sharing.
I love the infinite variety of koi fish. True, their colors seem to be limited to black, white, red, orange, and a bit of yellow. And maybe some blue? but the combination of colors and patterns are endless. Looks like the big white one on the right is eating the small yellow and white one. Hard facts. That's an interesting swirly pattern on the bottom of the pool.
I love the intertwining of shrubbery, water, and rocks shown here. Looks very Alpine, or maybe Himalayan.
Thanks to Lou, and Sue, for the photos. And to Major for supplying the harmonica soundtrack.
There was a cave behind that waterfall in the first pic. We can see an opening behind the falls, which allowed a view of it's backside while inside the cave. Notice how there isn't any railing around the pool of water at the base of the waterfall. Guests could just fall right in, and I'm sure they did. Eventually, they put a railing around it. I did a post back in July of 2010, showing pics of the added railing, and the inside of that cave, along with pics of the larger waterfalls in that area.
Yes, Major....all of that is gone now. And it was replaced with just a bunch of grass and one lone geyser. Sad!
Thank you Lou, Sue, and Major, too!
The Hotel grounds have always been beautiful in all their variations. I don’t remember these scenes in particular, but the multi-level effect is striking. I would even listen to harmonica music just to see these views.
Thank you, Lou, Sue, and Major!
JG
My wife and I did enjoy the pools and caves that used to be there. One trip, after they erased it leaving the one geyser we were trying to take a selffy as the geyser erupted when a cast member (hope no one is triggered) offered to help. We thanked her and she handed us a card introducing her as President(Manager? Jill, I think?) of the hotel offering us Friends and Family rates next time we visited! The next visit we mentioned her name and the card and were upgraded to a corner suite! So I have fond memories of that area of the Hotel.
Thanks, Major, Sue and Lou for the trip down memory lane,
Zach
Nanook, I think that the first time I walked around the Hotel grounds, some of that stuff was there (mid90s?), but my friend was more interested in finding a restaurant for lunch.
JB, koi are pretty neat, there’s a place near me that has a huge Chinese garden with a big pond, bridges, and plenty of koi. It’s beautiful. I guess there’s blue on some? Not really sure. I always think of black, white, orange, yellow, etc. The Hotel grounds look very pretty, a place I’d be glad to be staying while visiting the park.
TokyoMagic!, I’ve seen photos taken from behind the waterfalls, in fact the Mysterious Benefactor just sent me a link to some really nice pix including a number of Hotel images. Those guests didn’t fall into that pool, they were pushed in! I didn’t even know there was “one lone geyser”, I guess I’ve missed that during my brief visits.
TokyoMagic!, yes, thanks to Lou and Sue.
JG, I’m not sure when I was first aware of this version of the Hotel, with all of the waterfalls and ponds, but I thought it looked quite pretty for an “amusement park hotel”. I guess it’s no surprise that it has all been removed. What did they put in its place? I know there are the pools with the water slides and such, is that what replaced it all? I play the harmonica well, but only know “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain”.
zach, wow, that’s a great story about the Manager/President helping you with the photo and THEN offering you a great deal and upgrade for your next visit! That’s the kind of story that you used to hear all the time, I hope things like that still happen today.
I understand Lou's fascination with the Water Wonderland falls, I too would spending lots of precious Disneyland time wandering those waterways, enjoying the tranquil roar. Thanks Sue.
MS
Not all multi-level stuff is gone now. Can I interest you in some essential oils?
I remember seeing this place once, after dark, on our one stay at the Hotel on our second anniversary in 1995. We had just watched Dancing Waters and were strolling around the grounds until we felt at home (coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson) when we stumbled upon it unawares. It was pretty dimly lit by what I think was a green light. It looked pretty neat, but it was dark, there were a lot of unsupervised teens running around, and there was this weird-smelling smoke coming up from the grotto, so we passed on it. Wish we’d gone back in the morning or on another night.
Thanks, Sue & Major!
I enjoyed everyone's comments about their experiences, here.
The Disneyland Hotel area, back in the 60s (and maybe into the early 70s??), had a number of Koi ponds all over, by the walking pathways. I remember the paths being so thick and lush with tall, tropical-looking foliage all around you. Arriving from cold Chicago, and then walking to your hotel (or riding the little 'golf cart' to your hotel or garden apartment room), was like stepping into a tropical paradise for us.
My dad will be glad to hear that you like these.
Side note: One of my dad's early photos is going to be used at the Walt Disney Family Museum, for their special exhibit on Disneyland's 70th anniversary: "Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story." The exhibit will run from November 14, 2025 to April 19, 2026. I'll be attending the special preview on November 13....if anyone else is going to attend on the 13th, please let me know....it would be fun to meet other Jr. Gorillas, at the event.
Thanks, Major.
That place along with the surrounding area was a great addition when the Bonita Tower was added in 78-79. There were grottos aplenty aye... and weird smoke be rising from them mysterious chambers... Chuck, you should have braved it :D
Thank you Major as always
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