Disneyland Hotel Mid 1980's

The mid 1980's saw some drastic changes in the Wrather Corporation none more so than the loss of its founder and leader Jack Wrather in November of 1984. Here are some great color shots of Disneyland Hotel locations near the end of the Wrather ownership, just as Disney began to step up negotiations to buy it. It shows that Wrather was still trying to maintain the Hotel's 4 star status and was constantly adding amenities to keep the Hotel vibrant and exciting.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oolsierraa.jpg


http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...esuite80sa.jpghttp://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...inaLoungea.jpg

---------- Post added 10-24-2011 at 09:36 AM ----------

Fairytale Weddings was one such feature they began to advertise.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oachcolora.jpg

---------- Post added 10-24-2011 at 09:38 AM ----------

The wonderful and beautiful night-life panorama of activities highlighted in this after dark photograph.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...ilioncolra.jpg

Maybe it's just the pictures, but the marina does not seem big enough to have a boat of that size...

Thanks for posting these, Don! Man, do I ever miss the DLH of that era -- service and amenities were truly top class. (After the purchase the staff morale sure took a dive -- you could tell even before you talked to them. :()

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Originally Posted by Mr Wiggins

Thanks for posting these, Don! Man, do I ever miss the DLH of that era -- service and amenities were truly top class. (After the purchase the staff morale sure took a dive -- you could tell even before you talked to them. :()

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From further research, I heard the first great crisis after the purchase was several employees were told to shave their mustaches which some of course refused to do.

---------- Post added 10-24-2011 at 10:05 AM ----------

Here is an interesting 80's shot. Anybody remember this?

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...ansinginga.jpg

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Originally Posted by oldhotelguy

From further research, I heard the first great crisis after the purchase was several employees were told to shave their mustaches which some of course refused to do.

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Yep. But the big shock for the staff was the switch from the Wrather Company's warm, family management style to the cold, bureaucratic (and let's face it, arrogant) corporate management of Disney under Eisner.

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Originally Posted by oldhotelguy

Here is an interesting 80's shot. Anybody remember this?

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I remember it well. Nothing beat a summer evening having drinks and listening to live entertainment on the marina wharf while waiting for your table at the Shipyard Inn. And after an excellent dinner, a Disneyland Hotel Tram to take you to the Park for the Main St. Electrical Parade and Fireworks.

I really miss the old place (only actually stayed there once back then, but we often camped next door at Vacationland and had hotel privileges)

Ahh, this is how I remember the hotel! So great to see it in such detail. Keep 'em coming, Don, thanks so much!!

It's funny - there are no kids in any of those pictures ....

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Originally Posted by chadb14

It's funny - there are no kids in any of those pictures ....

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You did see families with kids, especially during holidays and the summer, but pre-DTD the DLH was heavily attended by adult couples. (And it wasn't just the DLH -- check out the images on Disneyland's shopping bags and print ads prior to the mid-80's/early 90's. ;))

I guess I just think of it as a family place. I had never stayed there until 1999 or 2000 (somwhere in that time frame).

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Originally Posted by chadb14

It's funny - there are no kids in any of those pictures ....

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I have some with kids too. Let me load those onto here. Give me a minute or two.

That's the way it was when we last stayed there.

Here is an interesting array from the 1980's all with children in them at the Disneyland Hotel.


http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...edalboatsa.jpghttp://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...eteBeach3a.jpghttp://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...nsideshopa.jpg

Last one is very interesting. Take a look! That's a scary looking bunny!!!

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...eregghunta.jpg

---------- Post added 10-24-2011 at 02:34 PM ----------

How many had ever heard of this?

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...ssrelease3.jpghttp://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...ssrelease4.jpghttp://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...ssrelease5.jpg

Shipyard Inn had a lobster tail my husband called his Ninja Lobster that was enourmous that he still talks about today. The sand beach pools were a great place for little swimmers and the main pools poolside service was great. I miss my old DLH. What year did the original Goofys kitchen open? I believe it was called something different though and Goofy was the head chef??? I miss the outdoor dinning under the trelis with beautiful flowers blooming and I miss the carmel praline like topping that was offered along with the stawberry topping for the Mickey waffles.

I am not sure about the year for Goofy's kitchen. First time I ever went there was 1998 and my son was scared to death of the characters. Especially Goofy who looked huge to my son.

I miss the Monorail Cafe and the old two story Garden Buildings.