Originally Posted By jmuboy The DLH could be fine, the exterior of the towers just needs a retheme (or theme in general).
Originally Posted By dianedisney I would really be sad if they torn down the DLH. It is my favorite of the 3. I have stayed at the Grand 3 times and it is a beautiful hotel, service was wonderful but just too big for my taste. I have never stayed a PPH not my taste. But the DLH has a certain charm to it and has everything you could ask for and within a reasonable walking distance. The last 2 times I stayed at the Grand they put us out in the south 40 area where it took us 15 to 20 minutes walking time to get anywhere. After a long day of walking in the parks and shopping at DT Disney I want my room and I want it now. We always do Goofy's Kitchen and they have a great coffee shop for my morning mocha what more could you want. Yes... I would be truly sad if they did away with DLH.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Most of the external 'skin' of the DLH towers are glass windows, so it would be difficult to overlay a 'theme' onto the outside. This hotel is what it is, and it's not bad at all. It's a bit dated in it's architecture, but that's okay. At the prices they charge, a certain atmosphere of sophistication is also expected. But slapping up a bunch of gim-crack "theming" onto the outside walls could end up being silly and cheap. I think DLH is fine as it is. Given a choice between the three 'on-property' hotels, I'd pick DLH over PPH and even GCH, just on it's own merits. Then build a fourth hotel and theme it all you want.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss IF *I* were to attempt to give the DLH a theme while still retaining the towers, I'd go for a retro, 50's theme. I'd ramp up the styling cues until it screamed hip and cool. Maybe even make the pool area have a kind of DL Yesterland vibe.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt The problem with doing a 50's theme is that the Marina and Bonita towers were both built in the 70's – and look like it. On top of that, the three towers don't correspond and lack uniformity (they are different heights, etc). Furthermore, they are all horribly bland and boxy, and are void of the kind of interesting detail commonly found in Disney architecture. It's really unfortunate that the Wrather Corporation didn't have more foresight when they built those buildings. Assuming that it is financially feasible, I think that Disney should bulldoze them and build a mega resort hotel on the level of the Bellagio in Vegas or the Atlantis in The Bahamas. <a href="http://www.atlantis.com/flash.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.atlantis.com/flash. aspx</a>
Originally Posted By deadmentellnotales but i like your style, I always thought disney should build a casino in Vegas, that way parents do their thing and kids can still have fun. Plus can you imagine what Disney could do with themeing? of course that's assuming they were more creative.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<The problem with doing a 50's theme is that the Marina and Bonita towers were both built in the 70's>> Actually, I don't mean a 50's theme, but a 50's-60's vision of the future. Since they'd have to work around these dissimilar towers, I would try to make everything look like how Walt envisioned our 'great big beautiful tomorrow' might be... space-age, if you will. <<I think that Disney should bulldoze them and build a mega resort hotel on the level of the Bellagio in Vegas or the Atlantis in The Bahamas.>> A place like that wouldn't have $89 AP rates. I'm sure another deluxe resort hotel would work for DLR, but it could use a moderately priced one as well.
Originally Posted By StillThePassHolder " Assuming that it is financially feasible, I think that Disney should bulldoze them and build a mega resort hotel on the level of the Bellagio in Vegas or the Atlantis in The Bahamas." Again, assuming there's space for a "mega resort" (there isn't), who would go? Disney Hotel prices are too high for many people as it is.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss If you look at a satellite photo of the area from the DLH to PPH, along with their parking lots, IMO indeed there is enough room for a mega-resort. They would need to consolidate the parking, possibly with another parking deck. To alleviate the mega-walk from the front desk to a room, I would give such a resort two or more reception areas.... it could be like the Yacht and Beach Club resorts at WDW, for instance; sharing many facilities, but separate at the same time.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "A place like that wouldn't have $89 AP rates." So? "Again, assuming there's space for a "mega resort" (there isn't)...." You could still do something, albiet not on the scale of the Atlantis, with the space available. As trekkeruss pointed out two sides of the DLH are large parking lots. "...who would go?" WDW seems to keep its high-end resorts full. With guest spending and occupancy higher at DLR it's fairly obvious that there is demand for another full scale Disney hotel experience at in Anaheim. In any case, something interesting should be done with the property that DLH occupies as long as it's finanically feasible.
Originally Posted By SpoonCM If you all haven't noticed, they re-themed the lobby areas of DLH. So, you have a somewhat disney contemporary themed rooms, with victorian themed lobbies, with a 1970s structure, and a pool themed to Neverland. Add in the "beach themed" cove pools and the Croc's/Lost Bar/Crystal Store/Arcade area and you have a theme-atically challenged resort. I wouldn't mind them tearing down the place for a better built structure with one strong theme. Besides, a new building would allow for more than one coffee pot to be connected to an outlet without the building going up in flames.
Originally Posted By dianedisney deadmentellnotales.....I have always loved the idea of a "Disney Resort & Casino" in Vegas, but the image of 3 MM heads on a slot machine for a jackpot just doesn't seem right. Plus gambling and family values with Disney just doesn't work. Otherwise they would have casinos on their cruise ships. But it would be fun to imagine what the Disney Imagineers would come up with if they could go totally wild drawing up a resort in Vegas. I have a feeling it would blow alot of the other resorts out of the water. I have always referred to Vegas as an adults Epcot Center, with all the different countries represented in the theming of the resorts on the strip.
Originally Posted By StillThePassHolder "With guest spending and occupancy higher at DLR it's fairly obvious that there is demand for another full scale Disney hotel experience at in Anaheim. In any case, something interesting should be done with the property that DLH occupies as long as it's finanically feasible." I'd have to see proof of that. It's been my impression that if prices were much higher people would be going off site a lot more.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster The Disney hotels have the highest occupancy rates in the immediate DL Resort area, the highest rate being at the most expensive hotel in Anaheim: The Grand Californian. I'd say the demand is there. I'm not alone in this. I've heard whisperings of a fourth hotel starting construction in late '06. Unfortunately the PP and DLH aren't scheduled for demolition....yet.
Originally Posted By juicer Hi Hans...sorry I haven't responded to your response - But the reason I fondly remember the Garden Villa rooms is for a few things: 1.How large the rooms were-They were large enough to sleep a large family of 5 without any problems 2.How close they were to the pool 3.The wonderful private patios-If you had a ground floor room your patio was almost as large as a standard room at the GC 4.And last but not least-The many memories of great family gatherings I know the rooms were a little worn (very little) - but the furnishings were fine and the bathrooms were larger than average. But I realise that they needed to be taken down. Now I am for the whole Disneyland Hotel and PP Hotel all being demolished to be rebuilt - Its time
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Now I am for the whole Disneyland Hotel and PP Hotel all being demolished to be rebuilt - Its time>> So back to my original questions: Would *you* pay to see the DL imploded, and what theme would you like to see replace this hotel?
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "I'd have to see proof of that. It's been my impression that if prices were much higher people would be going off site a lot more." It was documented in the company's annual report. I forget which one, but it was either 2004 or 2003. You can research them at disney.com.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "So back to my original questions: Would *you* pay to see the DL imploded, and what theme would you like to see replace this hotel?" Pay? Why should anyone pay to see this?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss It's just a question, Hans. Obviously for you the answer is 'No.' But some people might, especially if there was pomp and ceremony surrounding the event.
