Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "Theming-schmeming - give me value. The hilton and sheraton participate with 'Priceline' and their rooms can be had for $50 to $60 bucks a night - with any luck." And that's kind of the problem with the DLH. There's no real value to staying at that property (or the PP Hotel) compared to the properties you mentioned other than being closer and the Early Morning Entry program. The DLH redo has some nice touches, but that oddly long rectangular shaped lobby with the low ceilings will likely still be there when the dust settles. For someone like me who is willing to splurge on amenities, services, appreciates good design, and wants to be close to the parks the GCH is the winner hands down.
Originally Posted By danyoung I'd really love to be able to afford the GCH. Heck, I'd love to be able to afford the DLH or the PP. But price aside, there's still plenty of magic in the old DLH for me!
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Yes, and I do understand the sentimental appeal of the place for some people. I first stayed at the DLH in 1977 when the Bonita Tower (I don't know what it's called now) was under construction. I've stayed there many times and have fond memories of the place.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I agree that the current DLH has been passed by over the years. I know people have sentimental attachments to it, and so do I. I miss the Monorail cafe, and all of the shops along the station, but oh well. I think with the growth boom and installation of other name brand hotels, the DLH's value has been greatly diminished. For quite a while, it was the only nice game in town, and it had monorail access. Now, not so much. There are nicer properties right down the street. There really isn't quite enough to set this hotel apart from a Hilton or Sheraton, at lest not for the money they are asking. I think to truly stand out in the crown now, they really did need to do a complete overhaul and theme it to something truly unique and not something you could experience down the street.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Obviously there isn't the space to build something like the the HKDL Hotel at DLR, but I can always wish... <a href="http://www.asiatraveltips.com/newspics/052/HongKongDisneylandHotel.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.asiatraveltips.com/...otel.jpg</a>
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 No, they couldn't build one of the exact same size, the the theme is a good one. They could do something similar while retaining the current footprint. I wouldn't mind seeing a scaled down version of the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel either, it looks very pretty, and I like the color scheme.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Isn't it funny how an automatic opening door -- something commonly found in grocery store entrances across the country -- can become an emotional trigger just because it's at Disneyland?
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I'm not a fan of the TDL Hotel. It reminds me of one of those big bulking behemoths you see in Las Vegas: <a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/tokyo+disneyland+hotel/TDRFAN25/Tokyo%20Disney%20Resort%202009/RyansJapanTrip010.jpg?o=9" target="_blank">http://media.photobucket.com/i....jpg?o=9</a> I agree that the color scheme is nice, though.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "I'm not a fan of the TDL Hotel. It reminds me of one of those big bulking behemoths you see in Las Vegas:" Which is why a scaled down version might be much cuter and nicer. I agree that the TDL Hotel is a little too large for it's own good. Still, the theming seems nice, and the colors are at least not white, brown, & pink.
Originally Posted By Ursula Hey, I was upset when they took out the Neon Cactus, so I'm not into change. Didn't Walt work with the Wrather's in conjunction with the hotel? My history is fuzzy on this, however.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 The only problem I could see is that the PPH needs to get re-themed too, and I really don't think they would build two Victorian hotels right next to each other. So, I don't know what they could do... My "wish" would be to theme the PPH Victorian and make it match the new Paradise Pier theme, and that one could look like the mini TDLH. Then do something totally different for the DLH. maybe an art-deco style, like the Ambassador or Hollywood Hotels. Or, do a totally new design that's never been seen at a Disney property before.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "Didn't Walt work with the Wrather's in conjunction with the hotel? My history is fuzzy on this, however." Walt Disney lent the Disneyland name, but had little or nothing to do with the development of the property. Here's a favorite website of mine that tells you all you've ever wanted to know about the DLH: <a href="http://www.magicalhotel.com/" target="_blank">http://www.magicalhotel.com/</a>
Originally Posted By Daannzzz If they had rerouted West Dr., now Disneyland Dr., around next to Walnut and behind the Parking structure, the DLH and the PPH they really would have had a resort district they could work with. I love the look of the new rooms and appreciate the DLH. I find it's large rooms very relaxing. I wouldn't mind them tearing down and starting over but I hope they don't build smaller rooms. The Southern California weather is perfect for balconies as well.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmmm, the decore looks like a disney themed Marriott, but that is meant in a good way. But it is the exterior of the hotel, the communal areas and where the waters show used to be, that needs some serious addressing. I have very fond memory of stays at the DL in the 70's and 80's, but even these new rooms are not likely to make me want to stay. Highly themed environment ala the GCH/DLP/TDL/HKDL/WDW would coupled with a comfortable and efficient transportation to DL, fine. But I am more likely to stay at the Marriott or Hilton than the DLH. In the meantime, we are more likely to either go GCH or Hojo/Candy Cane.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmmm, the decore looks like a disney themed Marriott, but that is meant in a good way. But it is the exterior of the hotel, the communal areas and where the waters show used to be, that needs some serious addressing. I have very fond memory of stays at the DL in the 70's and 80's, but even these new rooms are not likely to make me want to stay. Highly themed environment ala the GCH/DLP/TDL/HKDL/WDW would coupled with a comfortable and efficient transportation to DL, fine. But I am more likely to stay at the Marriott or Hilton than the DLH. In the meantime, we are more likely to either go GCH or Hojo/Candy Cane.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <There really isn't quite enough to set this hotel apart from a Hilton or Sheraton, at lest not for the money they are asking> I hear what you're saying, but at the same time... The fact is that occupancy rates for the DLH are excellent. That means you do have sufficient number of people who are willing to pay more for the undefinable "magic" they find there. Many people do not find that, or do not consider it worth the extra money, and they do not stay there. But even the DLH as it stands today attracts enough people who do. Of course, periodically you need to upgrade to keep it fresh, if you want to keep those occupancy rates high, and that's what this represents. If I had my grand long-term druthers, they'd 1). open a DLP-style "new DLH" in the east esplande (and someone did a neat aerial-map type thing a while ago that showed this could fit) that could be the fancy Victorian-style hotel; 2). combine the DLH and PP into one massive resort. The advantage (especially from Disney's perspective) of 1). is that it would be even closer than the Harbor Blvd. properties, and they could build it with Disney styling from the outset. When it was open, you could then temporarily close the DLH (since you'd have replaced its room count) and then the PP. The only disadvantage would be that it wouldn't have much in terms of grounds. The advantage of 2). is although it would be farther away, they'd have room to have some great grounds in whatever style they went with - polynesian or whatever. With the "new DLH" built on the east esplanade, they wouldn't have to quite replace the same number of rooms the current DLH and PP represent, so this new huge complex could have lower-rise room blocks, solving the view from DCA problem. This could be the one with the room for a huge Vegas-style pool complex (and their goal could be to make it the coolest pool complex anywhere), tennis courts, etc. that would give it a true resort feel. Then you'd have 3 hotels Disney could charge top dollar for: the "new DLH," the massive resort-y property where the current DLH and PP are, and the GCH, which would still have the great Craftsman style, and entrance right into DCA (which only becomes more of a selling point as DCA gets better). This would leave Disney without a moderate price-point hotel, but the Gardenwalk hotels would fill that niche - moderate price point in exchange for worse proximity; though if the third park is ever developed, they could raise those rates too.
Originally Posted By gadzuux I favor the idea of a "hotel village" in the massive space that now has DLH, PPH, and the simba lot. This acreage is approachable by vehicles from all four different compass points - stretching all the way from disneyland drive to walnut street, and from katella to near the M&F parking structure. This is important because large resort hotels need large vehicular access. It makes the most sense to break up the property into multiple themed hotels with their own separate check in access. These separate themed hotels could be laid out so that the structures occupied the outer rim which would help to define a berm of sorts. The various outdoor areas would merge together near a 'central hub' of the property, where a transportation system would be available to move guests throughout the rest of the resort. I'm seeing a continuation of DTD, with dining and retail, to this new hotel hub', to provide strolling access also. And with this "innovative" hub and spoke design, it could be developed and expanded gradually over time. But it would ultimately benefit from the groundwork being laid out now, and serve as a 'master plan' over time.
Originally Posted By kari12177 Id still stay at the GCH with the balcony. Im hooked on that place now.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 58 is an interesting variation on the "combine DLH and PP" theme, particularly if these smaller multi-hotels with separate check-ins shared common resort elements, like the huge pool area etc. I talked about. It would also allow for separate sub-themes for each hotel, which would be nice. So you could sort of get the best of both worlds: a smaller and more manageable hotel, with the big resort amenities shared. The disadvantage would be you would probably need more staffing if each hotel really was treated separately.
