Disneyland Hotel To Get new themed Waterslides (Merged Threads)

[d.N.d.]

Not sure I'd want to go down into the waterfalls if I was wearing a wedding dress. It's pretty wet down there.

I think that could become an option if the more adventerous bride wanted to have a go at it.

[DLFreak71]

I think that could become an option if the more adventerous bride wanted to have a go at it.

and they could wear another dress for photo's

[BlAcKoUt510]

I hope the redesign of the Neverland pool still looks as enchanting as it does now.
I really like the look of the waterslides though, it fits well. Anyone notice the supports of the slides look like the monorail beam & the former Disneyland sign on top looks fantastic. I just hope the pool doesn't look so plain as it does on the map.
Sad to see the waterfalls go, but I guess I'm ready for something new. They were always closed when it got dark anyways.
Also the old Fantay Waters area badly needs to be demolished or replaced with something.

-- I just looked again and noticed Skull Rock was missing on the map. If its just a plain pool its going to be disappointing. That pool was like every kids dream pool.

[explodingboy]

It looks like the kiddie pool next to the old water show (along with the old water show area) is being turned into a big grassy area. The current koi and waterfall area also looks like it is being turned into a grassy area. The new pools are going to be where the crystal shop and a grassy area currently are. The Jungle Cruise ships also look to be gone.

I like the new pool, but it is a shame that they are losing the koi, waterfalls, and possibly the ships. Hopefully they will find the koi a new home somewhere in the resort.

So they are taking out something very, very cool, and putting in grass. Makes sense..I see how they think up there; practically.

[Skyway1981]

When does construction start? The waterfalls and koi ponds are a must for every trip we make. It is so sad to see them go. I'm hoping to make a trip before they begin the work.

[TifaOnACloud]

Count me among those deeply saddened by the upcoming loss of the waterfalls. It makes absolutely no sense theme wise. The whole area is get a Polynesian makeover, how the heck do waterfalls not fit in?

It's unsurprising though. As a long time fan of the hotel (I've loved the place since I first stayed in 1994), I've known that they've wanted to remove them for ages. Mostly maintenance issues and what not. Every time its refurb comes up, they ask whether it's worth the trouble. Same with Fantasy Waters, which they often let rot, so I can't be too sad to see finally truly die.

What really upsets me though are the lame excuses as to why (too much water? it reuses it's own supply) and the fact that its replacement is a lawn. I could see if the new pool needed the space, but it apparently doesn't, and as for theme, the new monorail idea clashes far worse.

At least when they pulled out the marina a decade ago, the new pool seemed a worthy, if not as classy successor. With the falls gone, the Disneyland Hotel will truly lose a very special part of its charm and elegance, something they've been tearing from it for sometime. I'm beginning to see why some fans of the place were for the rumored demolition before the refurb was commenced.

I'm liking the new theming idea, and while I enjoy Hook's Pointe, as long as the new restaurant is good, I'll manage. I don't quite see why the Pan theme can't coexist with the monorail one, seeing as that section looks rather barren, but oh well. The falls however are right up there with the loss of The Monorail Cafe and rest of the old buildings. As happy as I am that the tower were spared destruction, I just can't stand that they plan to rip out part of the very heart of the hotel's charm. Worse, they know it for a fact, and they don't care! Seriously, the official statement is "We know it's great", "We know they're loved" and "it doesn't make sense" reads like "we don't care eitherway". It's insulting.

Anyone know if there's anything we can do to change their minds? I'm willing to help fight for them.

[toonaspie]

I feared retribution for saying this but I will say it now...I'm one of those younger people who would've preferred that this hotel had been torn down years ago and a brand new Disneyland hotel built in its place. This is doesn't mean I'm a hater of nostalgia, but it seems to me that no matter what kind of retheming and upgrades are being done with this hotel, it never feels like a real Disney hotel (in today's sense). To me it's still a trio of standard towers that could easily look like any of the cheap hotels on Harbor Blvd. even with the new upgrades.

I do believe nostalgia is important but one shouldn't try too hard to preserve it or it looses it's value if that makes any sense. It could be I'm less sympathetic cause this was never originally a Disney-owned hotel when it was first built.

I would've preferred that the entire hotel had been rethemed in the Contemporary style instead of this unusual messy mixture of Disneyland nostalgia and nods. They could have maybe like a little museum inside to dedicate the history and nostalgia of the original hotel but all this stuff they're planning seems nonsensical and tacky. I can see older people likeing the 1950s retro stuff but it might be harder to please most of the younger folk.

[TifaOnACloud]

I get what you're saying about nostalgia, if one fights too hard, it all becomes about the loss. But a lot also simply has to do with what's taking it's place. I don't love the falls just because of memories I have of it, but because they really do add to the hotel and are much preferred to a mere lawn. Nostalgia is big, of course, but so is the sense of history and charm one gets with an older location. Like an earlier poster put, they're ripping out genuine nostalgia (charm) in favor of a false one.

As for the hotel pre-dating the concept of a Disney themed hotel, I've never held it against it. On the contrary, the Wrather years arguably make her the most interesting history wise. The hotel's seen so many changes, that the tours they give can be rather fascinating. The DLH is as much apart of Disneyland to me as any land, and I know even the GCH will never reach that, no matter how much I enjoy it as well. I also know I'm in the minority on that. I suppose to the average guest, that history doesn't matter (hence the original name changes, no one really knew the significance of "Granville's" or the Bonita tower). That's who these upgrades are for.

I agree that the new theming is something of a mishmash, and naturally miss the early Disney years with the Marina, and shops and restaurants in front of the tower. Still, I have no problem with them upgrading the rooms and grounds. It's not like I want everything stagnant. As much as I missed the marina's peddle boats, I liked the pool that replaced it, even if it was more Disney family oriented. So it was a fair tradeoff. My only problem here is the ridiculous notion of tearing out something that they've admitted is well loved and a highlight of the resort, with nothing in return. I'm not even saying they have to keep it as is. Update it, minimize it a little if need be, but don't just pave over it.

To me, I'll always remember the DLH as the classy hotel I stayed in when i was a kid (that definition is of course subject to one's own opinion). Most of it's still there. Personally, I'd love for them to focus on making her an elegant, contemporary option, as that's how I viewed it - timeless. A lot of the recent changes seem to reflect this thinking (like the new rooms, even if they are a touch Marriott like).

I've started a Facebook page for what little good it might do. I know there's little we can do about it, now that it's announced and kicks off in two months. I just don't feel right about standing idly by about it though. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=538810142#!/pages/Save-the-Disneyland-Hotel-Waterfalls/124063700961186

[bayouguy]

Sorry to see the waterfalls go. Seems the few remaining links to old time Disneyland are just about to fade away.

[Athlonacon]

Some kid 20-30 years from now is going to look at an old vintage picture and wonder what it must have been like to have been around for waterfalls at a hotel. I knew years ago that they'd be coming out one day, in fact I was absolutely shocked to find them even in 2005 when I visited for the first time since the renovation. They are a priceless piece of Disneyland (not Disney) history and they evoke an era that is not of this cheap, instant-gratification, newer-is-better society we live in today. In other words, they were doomed from 1988... it's just a miracle they survived THIS long.

Indeed they will be missed, but I haven't visited the hotel grounds for years and don't intend to ever again anyway. It is a *major* loss, but not one that will be felt since I've ignored the Disneyland Hotel completely since 1999.