DLH - goodnite mr. wrather

[katiesue]

Welcome original_dh! I love all the ideas you've posted above.

[innerSpaceman]

Alas, I don't think the Disney company is hip enough to go retro to a fairly recent earlier age, especially one (the 50's and 60's) so
reminiscent of Disneyland's youth (and more beloved era).


And, while it's always a matter of personal taste, the box buildings of the Hotel are ugly, as is most box architecture of the 60's. Some things were cool and some things were duds. Box architecture was a dud.

But unless they adopt the retro swank period as a theme, there is nothing to make the Disneyland Hotel into what's guest-expected as an integrated themed environment.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Alas, I don't think the Disney company is hip enough to go retro to a fairly recent earlier age, especially one (the 50's and 60's) so reminiscent of Disneyland's youth (and more beloved era).

Wouldn't a "Retro" look become dated in a few years? The cool aspect of a previous time-frame would become quickly less cool in a relatively short period of time.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Wouldn't a "Retro" look become dated in a few years? The cool aspect of a previous time-frame would become quickly less cool in a relatively short period of time.

I'm not willing to bet money on it, but I believe the MCM designs will be appreciated even more in the future than they even currently are. I think the rise in popularity and interest in the "Arts and Crafts" style has set a good precedent for what ahead for Mid-Century Modernism. I see interest in all things MCM growing by leaps and bounds.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Wouldn't a "Retro" look become dated in a few years? The cool aspect of a previous time-frame would become quickly less cool in a relatively short period of time.

I don't know about that - it's a great homage to the time when the park was built, just as Main Street is a tribute to Walt's Childhood experience. During the 50th the hotel got some really cool retro merchandise, so I could totally see them pulling it off.

[Mary Blairiffic]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

I don't know about that - it's a great homage to the time when the park was built, just as Main Street is a tribute to Walt's Childhood experience. During the 50th the hotel got some really cool retro merchandise, so I could totally see them pulling it off.

I totally agree! I went hog wild with the 50th anniversary merchandise. It flew off the shelves from what I could see! And you know what? They could unearth what's left of the one remaining Mary Blair mural in Tommorowland and incorporate it into the new design somehow!!! Too swank!!

[original dh]

The biggest problem Disney has is, they want to get people into the parks and shopping areas and away from the Hotel's. It was different when the Disneyland Hotel was the only "official Hotel" on the grounds and it was not owned by Disney. Jack Wrather had incentive to keep people at the Hotel but also recognized Disneyland was the main event. If you notice, the expansions to Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel were almost in parallel. When Disneyland would add something, so too would the Hotel. They worked together like a team and it was wonderful. It was a competition but a very cordial, mutual and friendly competition. The only time I heard of a major disagreement was when Jack Wrather installed the large, red "Hotel Disneyland" atop the first tower building. Neither Walt nor Disney appreciated that, feeling it would detract from the exeperience inside Disneyland. Turns out, you couldn't see the sign from within Disneyland (except maybe on the Skyway or at the top of the Matterhorn) but Walt never liked that sign. Walt Disney had no problem helping Jack with Hotel announcements (even opening day for Disneyland had an interview with Jack and Bonita) as well as mentions of the Disneyland Hotel in magazines, on TV shows and various other mediums. Walt never forgot what his friend Jack did for him by building the Hotel to begin with. Remember, he had approached many others to help build a Hotel and all others turned him down. Today, Disney wants to get people to spend money and by making the Disneyland Hotel into something interesting and exciting, would defeat their main purpose of this. On the other hand, they need to make the Hotel nice enough so people will want to stay there. The interesting thing is, even though the place is outdated and some would say lacking (not to me) it still has over a 95% occupancy rating year-round. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I think they could strike a happy balance and rejuvenate the Disneyland Hotel while generating cash as well. Stay tuned.


www.magicalhotel.com

[Not Afraid]

(We're posting at the same time, in the same room, and obviously NOT communicating.)

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

(We're posting at the same time, in the same room, and obviously NOT communicating.)

I dunno - we seem to be sharing some thought waves...

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

(We're posting at the same time, in the same room, and obviously NOT communicating.)

Sure you are. You're communicating the same way LoT couples always communicate: via IM and or the LoT.