Originally Posted By jmuboy If you check out the DL Hotel you may notice a few rooms (maybe three total - one in each tower) what are missing their balconies, have new windows (sliding glass doors removed) and are surrounded with blue paint. Seems these are the mock-up rooms for the new DL Hotel rooms. According to Al Lutz's update today, which includes exterior shots of these new rooms, the new rooms designs are mocked up so that Disney execs can see what WDI wants to do with the rooms and approve a design. Looks like there are also plans to revamp the exteriors a little bit. The interiors will be designed to embrace the buildings "mid-century modern" look. This idea could work if they went with a "retro-contemporary" look and added a touch of Disney class. This new design could also be done one tower at a time, allowing the hotel to remain in operation while the renovation happens. Shutting down or demolishing the entire hotel has always been something that Disneyland did not want to happen because of the lost revenue. Especially in this day of economic belt tightening, I can see why Disneyland would not want to loose out on a single penny, especially with the price tag on DCA's upgrades. There was no mention in he article if any of the grounds, services, retail facilities, pool, etc would also get a face lift as well. Al does seem to imply every time he mentions this hotel's updates that renovation of this hotel is almost dire. So it looks like something will happen here sooner rather than later. I am guessing that Disney would want any renovations to be complete by the 2012 opening of Carsland inside DCA.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I personally hate this idea. Those towers should have been demolished a long time ago. They are just awful.
Originally Posted By Britain Well, if you do have to keep the towers, I can support a "Salute to 1955" kind of theme for the Disneyland Hotel.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<I personally hate this idea. Those towers should have been demolished a long time ago. They are just awful. >> In priciple I agree. But since I don't stay at Disney hotels I guess it really doesn't matter to me.
Originally Posted By ArchtMig >>>I personally hate this idea. Those towers should have been demolished a long time ago. They are just awful.<<< We agree. But, sadly, by removing the balconies and pushing out the windowlines slightly, it appears that they are going to be made to look even more stripped down and "modern" looking than before, even. Not really what I want to be treated to at the DLR. It's like... "hey, I really dream of having a once in a lifetime chance to vacation at Disneyland and sleep in a glass enclosed office tower." ...NOT! But regardless, I still think the Paradise Pier Hotel is the more eggregious offender.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Yeah, I guess if I had to choose the ugliest hotel at DLR it would be the PP Hotel.
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer I wonder what the logic is behind removing the balconies? Some people love balconies. Or will it be just some of the rooms without balconies (Ie alternating floors, or perhaps "Club Level" rooms will still have them). Seriously though look at some Hilton's, Westin's etc, they're considered decent hotels while being essentially office towers.
Originally Posted By dshyates The decision to remove the balconies was spurred by the guy who committed suicide by jumping out of the window last year. That is why they are putting in glass walls instead of sliding glass doors.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 One of the best features of staying at DLH is being able to open the doors and step out (even if it's just a few inches) over the waterfalls or DTD. I'd be really sorry to see that "perk" go.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 They're really not proper balconies (a few inches tops!), but it was still nice to open the doors and look out at the whole DLR before you. I mean, you'll still be able to look, but you'll have that glass glare and the sound will be muffled too. I was surprised and delighted that you can hear the whistle of the Mark Twain even high up in the Dreams tower, with the window open.
Originally Posted By jmuboy Another aspect of this hotel that really bothers me and has to be addressed is the hideous exterior of the ballroom and the aful interior of the pavilion (outside the Steakhouse 55 and Goofy's Kitchen entrances). This hotel needs a massive top down refresh like they did at te WDW Contemporary Resort the last few years. I'm all for Mid-Century Modern, just make it all work as a whole. The DL hotel has always been such a mixed bag. It's needs a comprehensive approach to at least make the place blend together with a single design.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "The decision to remove the balconies was spurred by the guy who committed suicide by jumping out of the window last year." Well, that's what Al says.
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer Eh, then perhaps fullsize balconies on the Concierge level with liability forms? At least blue tint is less common. But I'm not sure if I want to see rooms facing Disneyland with a blue filter (I can understand them wanting to reduce the cost of running AC though). What I'm wondering though is maybe if corner rooms, or every third room could have Mickey Mouse shaped windows, if the monorail at TDL has them... (Even though those are the ugly Japanese monorails). Maybe the rooms will be more reminiscent of the the new Contemporary Hotel rooms?
Originally Posted By di-tard4life i dont understand why they had to built another part of the hotel... it totally took out the wedding garden, it was soo pretty, but i guess disney has to do what it needs to keep afloat!!
Originally Posted By jmuboy Some ideas I had for the grounds would be to theme the services to DL. For example, some quick ideas I had: - 2nd floor pavilion. Remove convention center meeting rooms. back half of the area becomes new gym. Front half becomes "Walt's" - an old Hollywood high end steak and seafood restaurant. The lounge would be called "Lounge 55" with vintage DL pictures. - Goofy's Kitchen becomes Chef Mickey's Toontown Kitchen. Similar in design to the one at WDW's Contemporary. - Steakhouse 55 space becomes "Monorail Diner" with a diner feel, black and white monorail pics and memorabilia. Diner style comfort food. - Pool area is removed and becomes "Fantasyland Gardens" with Disney classics as the theme. Koi pond moves here with Mulan style pagoda, the Nemo photo op at Epcot is recreated here, dancing couples topiaries, a Fantasia fountain with dancing water and buckets with constantly flowing waterfalls, etc. - A fast food / food court style eatery themed to Frontierland with "chuck wagon" themed serving stations. This would go in the general area of Hook's point. - The current Fantasy Waters, arcade, Lost Bar, cove pools, etc area would becomes the "Adventureland Pool" This area would feature a volcano pool, similar tot he one at WDW's Polynesian resort, a quiet pool, spa, "Liki Tiki Beach Bar" and "Bengal Bites" snack stand. What do you guys think? I certainly have some other ideas. For example, there needs to be a 2nd, large retail space. Fantiasia is nice, but not enough for a hotel of this size. I also think another lounge in the lobby level of the old Bonita Tower would be a good idea.
Originally Posted By bean "9 dshyates Wed 3/4/2009 6:07a The decision to remove the balconies was spurred by the guy who committed suicide by jumping out of the window last year. That is why they are putting in glass walls instead of sliding glass doors." If this was true then they would have reconsidered all the balconies on the new wing of the GCH as well as the outside patio being built up on top of the hotel for WOC viewing. I think its more of a design decision. the removal of the sliding door really does not give the room much more room either. The glass windows are basically in the same location as where the door is. The metal railing would just be removed to give the tower a more sleek view. There are a couple advantages to removing the doors. 1) heating and air conditioning would be better controlled within the aging structure. 2) It allows them to place a small table or furnishing against the glass wall allowing other areas of the room to be better utilized 3) Guests do not have to look at people walking around naked or in their underwear when they look up at the tower
Originally Posted By bean Oh and i am with the crowd that would rather see those towers demolished. They could easily accomplish that without having to loose revenue on the other towers while each tower is rebuilt. Earlier plans had the hotel built along the west end part of the property. The same could be done. tear down the outdated convention rooms and other facilities in the back. Build the first major phase of the hotel while keeping the towers still open. Once the main portion of the hotel is built start demolishing one tower at a time to make room for additional hotel expansion or amenities for hotel guests. they could probably benefit from that because by then the main hotel tower would be built and occupied while two of the other three towers still stood until it is time for each one to come down one at a time.
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer ^^ More intial investment, although the savings of a newer building (Ie, lower operating costs, more efficient use of space, no longer 40 years old and brand new requiring less maintenance). This would also allow them to move upmarket if they so desire. But...
