Disneyland Hotel Features New Magic and Nostalgia With Completion of its Largest Renovation

A stunning, two-year renovation project is now complete at The Disneyland Hotel, with significant upgrades and magical touches of Disneyland heritage appearing throughout the AAA Four Diamond property. A new courtyard, restaurant, bar, pools and water play area add immersive experiences, making the landmark property one more reason for families to enjoy a multiday vacation at the Disneyland Resort.

“This exciting renovation extends the immersion and magic of our park experience to this classic hotel,” said Tony Bruno, vice president Resort hotels and Downtown Disney. “We’ve woven important pieces of Disneyland park history into the Disneyland Hotel, particularly with the reopening of the pool and courtyard area. These nostalgic enhancements not only highlight the hotel’s unique heritage, but also our continued investment in the guest experience and our ongoing work to evolve the Resort and Anaheim into a world-class, multiday tourist destination.”

From the 969 remodeled rooms to the re-theming of the towers, the reimagined hotel creates a nostalgic, family destination that pays tribute to the early days of Disneyland. The Fantasy Tower lobby showcases Mary Blair artwork, creating an instant connection to “it’s a small world.” The Frontier Tower features a scale model of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the lobby. At the Adventure Tower, guests will see Jungle Cruise characters incorporated into the design, and the exterior of all three towers features energy-efficient, sky-blue reflective glass.

Iconic Dining Locations
Tangaroa Terrace, a “fast casual” restaurant, and Trader Sam’s – Enchanted Tiki Bar take their architectural cues from the original Tahitian Terrace restaurant in Disneyland park and the Polynesian/Tiki architecture that was popular during the early era of the original hotel. Tangaroa Terrace features Island-inspired fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with items that have included cinnamon-spiced oatmeal cakes with Island fruit compote and miso-crusted salmon, along with a selection of sandwiches, salads and “grab-and-go” items. Guests use an innovative, easy-to-use touch screen to select menu items, which are prepared to order and delivered to their tables either inside or on the large outdoor patio.

Trader Sam’s – Enchanted Tiki Bar, named after Trader Sam, Disney’s Jungle Cruise “Head” Salesman, recounts the story of his worldly travels through the artifacts and memorabilia he collected along the way. The bar features interactive special effects blended with classic Disney storytelling. Trader Sam’s serves a mix of signature cocktails such as the flaming Uh Oa — perfect for sharing —the Hippopotamai Tai and the Mosquito Mojito. The creative appetizer selection includes panko-crusted Chinese long beans and tamarind-glazed Island pork shanks with green papaya slaw.

Rounding out the tropical experience, Trader Sam’s features live music performed on the patio each evening.

Guests also can relax next to a large, outdoor stone fireplace, or enjoy the view of the new Cascade Falls and Old Unfaithful near the Frontier Tower, both reminiscent of the former Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland attraction in Disneyland park.

Immersive Pool Experience
Guests of all ages will now enjoy a new, immersive water play area. With a nod to the iconic original park signage, “Disneyland” is spelled out in familiar blocks atop a platform supporting two thrilling water slides. A replica of the original Mark 1 Monorail Cars sits at each slide’s entrance, paying tribute to nostalgic Disneyland. Guests glide through the cars as they twist and turn their way to the water below. The larger of the two main slides sits 26 feet high and stretches 187 feet, until it plunges into a splash pool. The second slide is 13 feet high and 112 feet long. For younger guests, the area includes a third, two-lane mini-slide that sits just 3 ½ feet high and is 19 feet long, as well as a series of small bubble jets in which to play.

No tickets are required at the new D-Ticket and E-ticket pools, which draw their names from the iconic ticket books that were used in the early days of Disneyland to experience attractions. The  4-foot-deep, D-Ticket pool is a shady oasis next to the new Monorail water play area, and the E-Ticket pool is perfect for families, with poolside food and beverage service at select times of the year.

The new pool area also features a Minnie Mouse-themed outdoor spa, which matches a Mickey-themed spa. In addition, six new cabanas are available; each features a flat screen TV, refrigerator, safe, phone, and ceiling fan.

Themed Suites
The Disneyland Hotel boasts a unique collection of themed suites including the Mickey Mouse Penthouse, and the Pirates of the Caribbean suite. Three exciting, new suites were added as part of the renovation. The Adventureland Suite offers guests a two-bedroom hideaway complete with a grotto in the master bathroom that simulates various settings – including a rain forest and African savanna – through light and sound effects. The Big Thunder Suite, where up to six pioneers are immersed in luxurious, rustic accommodations, was inspired by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland park. The Fairy Tale Suite, adorned in colors of sage and champagne, features an exquisite canopy bed as its centerpiece and a hand-cut cut mosaic of a stylized Sleeping Beauty Castle in the bathroom.

Guest Rooms
The beautifully remodeled guest rooms feature exquisite Disney touches woven into the décor. The beds have stunning new headboards with an artistically carved representation of Disneyland park’s famous Sleeping Beauty Castle, which serves as the focal point in each guest room. The background on the headboard uses fiber optics to create a magical skyline with fireworks – bringing the immersive park experience into the room. Guests also will discover a magical touch of music in the rooms, with refrains from the familiar song, “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”

The new magic at the Disneyland Hotel is part of a larger expansion project underway throughout the Resort. The multiyear expansion of Disney California Adventure park has added new experiences, attractions and nighttime spectaculars, and it culminates in the summer of 2012 with the opening of Buena Vista Street and the 12-acre Cars Land. The AAA Four Diamond Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa was expanded in 2009, adding 203 hotel rooms and 50 two-bedroom villas that are part of the Disney Vacation Club, marking the West Coast debut for Disney Vacation Club. At the Paradise Pier Hotel, all rooms were recently remodeled to fit the playful, beach theme.