Disneyland Hotel Announces Milestone in Largest Renovation in Its History

Disneyland Resort today announced the completion of significant upgrades to the Disneyland Hotel, marking a milestone in the landmark property’s current renovation project. A new courtyard, restaurant, bar, pool and water play area add immersive experiences to a Disneyland Resort vacation.

“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.”

New Iconic Dining Locations
Tangaroa Terrace, a “fast casual” restaurant, and Trader Sam’s – Enchanted Tiki Bar take their architectural cue 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 including cinnamon-spiced oatmeal cakes with Island fruit compote, Hawaiian and Kalua pork flatbreads, and miso-glazed 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, Shipwreck Island — perfect for sharing — and the Hippopotamai Tai. The creative appetizer selection includes panko-crusted Chinese long beans with Sriracha mayonnaise 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, both of which are reflective of the former Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland attraction in Disneyland park.

New Immersive Pool Experience
Guests of all ages can 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. Reminiscent of the original Monorail station at the Disneyland Hotel, at each slide’s entrance sits a replica Monorail Car that guests glide through 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.

A new, “D Ticket”-themed, 4-foot-deep pool is situated next to the new Monorail water play area. The “D Ticket” theme ties in the historic ticket books that were used in the early days of Disneyland to experience attractions, where each ticket received a letter assignment. In late 2011, the “E Ticket” pool will open at the Never Land pool site, which currently is under renovation.

The new pool area also features a Minnie Mouse-themed spa, which will match a Mickey-themed spa that is scheduled to open with the “E-Ticket” pool. In addition, three new cabanas are available; each features a flat screen TV, refrigerator, safe, phone, and ceiling fan.

New Themed Suites
The Disneyland Hotel boasts a unique collection of suites including the Mickey Mouse
Penthouse, and the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fairly Tale suites. The newest additions are the
Adventureland Suite, which offers guests a two-bedroom hideaway complete with a grotto in the master bathroom that simulates various settings through light and sound effects, including a rain forest and African savanna, and the Big Thunder Suite, where up to six pioneers are immersed in luxurious rustic accommodations inspired by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland park.

Guest Towers
In June, the hotel’s three guest room towers are being renamed for the distinctive lands of Disneyland. The Dreams Tower is becoming the Adventure Tower, and the Wonder Tower will become the Frontier Tower. Finally, the Magic Tower, which will be finished in late 2011, will transform to the Fantasy Tower. At the entrance of each tower, large marquees will feature classic artwork of Adventureland, Frontierland and Fantasyland identifying each building.

The Disneyland Hotel renovation is now nearing completion of its two-year transformation. The beautifully remodeled guest rooms feature exquisite Disney touches woven into the décor including a stunning new headboard 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. Along with the E-Ticket pool, main lobby and port cochere of the Fantasy Tower, the façade of the hotel’s convention center also will be completed.

The work at the Disneyland Hotel is a part of a larger expansion project underway throughout the Resort. Disney California Adventure park is undergoing a multiyear expansion project that includes new experiences, attractions and nighttime spectaculars, culminating in 2012 with the opening of Cars Land. The four-diamond Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa also underwent an expansion in 2009 that added 203 hotel rooms and 50 two-bedroom villas that are part of the Disney Vacation Club, marking the club’s West Coast debut.