Disneyland Hotel, November 1974
Today I have two photos from the Disneyland Hotel. This first example is kind of a mystery to me! We're clearly looking across the Marina - a small artificial ocean where guests could paddleboat to their heart's content. I'm assuming that the Marina Tower (added in 1970) is behind us, but what is that building to the right? And why do we also see those little tents, the pavilion toward the back left, and weirdest of all, those five oversized toy drums? This was November, and perhaps the drums had something to do with a holiday display, but I genuinely have no idea.
Next is this view from in front of the Sierra Tower, with a spraying fountain that everyone should always jump into. The staff pretends to not like it, but I know that they actually do!
I like the oval signs that used to be seen around the property, this one is a directory so that you can find all of the gift shops and restaurants.
10 comments:
Major-
That 'mystery' building is the Convention Center. Just look HERE. You can see the "penthouse" and rooftop parking of the Center and the 'open grassy field' being used for 'drum storage'.
Thanks, Major.
I have no knowledge of these sorts of things so I'll just play the part of wisecracking goofball, as usual.
Pavilions and drums: Well, some kind of program has just finished, or is about to begin. I suppose the question is, was this for the benefit of the guests? Or some after-hours shindig for the CMs? Maybe it was a bachelor party, and nubile young lasses jumped out of those drums.
There's a step ladder leaning against the right-most drum. Not sure what that's about. Are those hay bales to the left of the ladder? Perhaps they were used as casual seating. A little farther to the left, it looks like there are a couple of Coleman ice chests. Still further to the left is what looks like the back of an upright piano. Maybe those elaborate red & white pavilions in the back are fancy-schmancy porta-potties.... maybe not.
Sierra Tower: In the thumbnail, I thought that oval sign was a satellite dish. Then I thought, "The middle of the fountain seems like an awkward place for a satellite dish." Then I looked at the close-up image (and read Major's commentary) and thought, "Still an awkward place for a sign." I guess the sign is actually behind the fountain?
Thanks for the link, Nanook. I can see where everything is situated now. But I still don't know what this event was for. The mystery continues.
This one's a stumper (Stumper is Bambi's friend). Thanks, Major.
Ah, the DL Hotel Convention Center! My cousin, who lived in Huntington Beach at the time, used to park on the roof when he went to DL in the early '90s. I can't remember why - maybe the parking was usually free?
There is a banner next to that giant ladder that may help explain the event, but I can't make it out at this resolution. The first word looks like it might be "Poop" or "Pimp," which something tells me may not be right, although the first option does mesh with JB's fancy-schmancy porta-potty theory.
The most amazing thing about that fountain is that all the water doesn't run out. No idea how they keep it filled with the basin tilted like that.
Nanook, thanks for that aerial shot of the Hotel.
The convention center is now Disneyland Hotel blue. A color I wouldn't have chosen, but to each his own. The "Pavillion" Sgt. Prestons et al...took up the grassy space. That building is still there, but has been Frankensteined a bit. Of course the bigger area was taken up by Vacation Club tower #4. Nice to see that so many people were letting in the Anaheim air sans screens. Did you know flies don't go past the 4th floor? That is a thing. Birds do however. The elevator shaft to the Top of the Park is long gone...of course that used to completely fascinate all of us. Glass elevators were "oooooooooooooooo" back then. Only Willy Wonka had one, and the Disneyland Hotel. The spot that the fountain is in is still there, I do remember that sign and like it a lot. I thought it was in the middle of the fountain too. This side of the hotel is very lush now with trees and vegetation. I'm a big fan of that stuff: but prefer this more open look. Can't say what the big drums et al are...but I wouldn't mind seeing scantily clad ladies jumping out of them. Don't think we can do that anymore, or say that anymore, or think that anymore. I did jump out of a cake once, and that is another story. Thanks Major!
I see that the Convention Center Hall has been adequately identified. I used to be mystified why Disneyland needed a convention center as Anaheim has a perfectly cromulent CC right across the street. I have concluded that not all convening was convenient at the Anaheim center and a place was required for the convening of lesser groups, and Disney stepped into the convening breach, as it were. I wonder how long this will last before some more remunerative occupancy replaces it. I would enjoy convening at the Disneyland Hotel, but if a nickel more can be derived from a different activity, convening will go out the unscreened window. At least there is little likelihood of grafting IP onto the convention center “Disneyland Hotel Encanto Convention Center”.
Odd decorations, there’s a story there somewhere.
I’m with Bu, the tropical veg is really fine now, a whole different atmosphere.
Also, blue is a very tough color to use for architectural purposes outdoors. Most conventional blue pigment for paints and plaster are sensitive to ultraviolet and become “fugitive” in a relatively short time. Looking closely at the fountain pic, the building wall looks like it might be covered in mosaic tile, like some of the Tomorrowland 55 buildings, whose porcelain fired surfaces would stay bluer longer.
I rather like the current color scheme of the DLH and hope the management can keep the required maintenance on tap. High performance coatings are available now that didn’t exist 50 years ago, but these are quite expensive, and we have seen how expensive maintenance is the first thing overboard in a pinch. A $600/night lodging should not have chalky blue paint.
Thanks Major!
JG
Chuck, thank you for the follow-up on the Pirate flag yesterday. Strange to read a post from that time.
Nanook, NICE! That’s definitely the same spot, thank you.
JB, now all I can think about is nubile young lasses jumping out of those drums. I guess it’s better than thinking about taxes. Looking at the disparate elements (ladder, bales of hay) doesn’t help, if anything it confuses even more. You probably could put a satellite dish in the middle of a fountain, the water shouldn’t affect anything, but I wouldn’t want to be the repair man. I can only assume that those large drums were for some sort of parade (Bicentennial Fever was ramping up by ’74), maybe somebody will chime in with details.
Chuck, I can understand looking for free parking, after all, it probably cost $1.75 to park at Disneyland! Outrageous. I tried to read that banner too, and I’m sure it says both “poop” AND “pimp”. A typical Disneyland banner. The water in the fountain doesn’t run out because they used heavy water.
Bu, so that building is still there? I assumed it must have been torn down for one of many additions. I saw a video about the Vacation Tower, and the rooms looked pretty good (by my standards, which might be low), though I would still never do a time share. I did NOT know that flies don’t go past the 4th floor, that’s the kind of trivia that will help me win Jeopardy!. I’m sure that elevator was quite a feature back in those days, and really made guests feel like they were in a special hotel. There were a number of signs around the Hotel grounds with that shape, it’s very pleasing to look at. The young ladies don’t need to be scantily clad, though I wouldn’t complain if they were.
JB, why let the City of Anaheim get all that sweet convention money when the Hotel could get it for themselves? Plus, as you hinted at, some smaller events might not need the “parked spaceship” convention center, even though it looked super cool. I’ve only been to one event at the Disneyland Hotel, and that was for the 50th Anniversary of - the Disneyland Hotel. Those blue colors are probably fugitive because of the one-armed man. Ha! I’m hilarious! Send me cash! I do think you’re right, some of those walls appear to be tiled, which is always a look I like. I’d sure love it if I could stay in a $600/night hotel without even worrying about it, but… no such luck.
Not to brag (ok, to brag a little) but I'll be at the Disneyland Hotel tomorrow! I can already predict that I'll see absolutely none of this. That whole "passing time" thing, you know. Still, I'll give it a slight glance, just to say I did.
Pic #1: Also two trash cans and a piano, at the outdoor "Poop and Pimp" Convention.
Pic #2: I like the idea of getting sprayed in order to view the DL Hotel Directory. Sort of like running through the sprinkler, as a kid. Refreshing.
Stu, you LUCKY DUCK!
Thanks, Major.
I know it’s late but sue thought I should still post … but I think I may know what those drums and hay bales are all about. I have a 1975 DL HOTEL convention entertainment planning packet that shows that area as a corporate themed event area .. off hand I don’t recall the name it was given . Anyhow , the packet featured a card insert for the themed party - events convention -corporate groups can have there and the DL HOTEL will arrange everything …some of the themed include CIRCUS , ROARING 20’s, MARDI GRAIS, HAWAIIAN , MEXICAN FEISTA, OLD HONG KONG, WESTERN BBQ, and there were a few others … but they include entertainment from Disneyland … etc. no prices are given as everything would be arranged with a DL HOTEL convention planner …
It’s interesting that after the areas and Marina was redeveloped to SEAPORTS OF THE PACIFIC … many of these themes became somewhat permanent… but opening brochures show the area in artists renderings and show a corral like fence , a barn stage flat , hay bales , a windmill . Country Western band and square dancers . So this event space may have still been used into 1979 … before becoming an outdoor terrace area for the PAVILON “nite club” and the garden terrace restaurant.
Thanks for that pic Nanook, that was the DH I grew up at...
And thanks Major, more Hotel please!
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