1983 Disneyland Hotel Convention Facilities

[oldhotelguy]

Here are some interesting items related to the Disneyland Hotel's construction of the convention facilities opened in 1983. Quite a few pictures to share over the next day. First, some background: On April 15, 1983, Tokyo Disneyland was opened. On May 25th, the New Fantasyland was opened at Disneyland. Across the street at the Hotel, as part of a $14-million expansion plan, the meeting and convention facilities' total floor space was increased to 160-thousand square feet (becoming the largest convention resort in all of southern California). Also added and connected to the Convention Center were two distinctive restaurants and two new lounges.

But before this, here is what the area looked like from above pre-1983 convention facilities:





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And from the news release on the expansion:



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And now, the concept art of the new facilities:



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And the architectural layout:



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Here is an actual construction shot with Yukon Klem in the foreground from Sgt. Preston's Yukon Saloon:



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The proposed layout of the new facility:

[AB Born]

These pictures are awesome, thanks for posting

[oldhotelguy]

And now, just after the facility was opened:



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Here is a shot which will hopefully bring back some fun memories. First some background:

In December, the Atari Adventure was opened below water level of the marina. It contained 63 state-of-the-art video games. Access was at the dock in front of the MarinaTower at the north end of the marina. A year before, the marina had been drained to allow for the construction of the game room's walls. This was only the second such Atari video game room in the nation. The room's manager, Dick Reynolds stated: "It is probably the best looking game room in the entire United States." The room was dimly illuminated by hundreds of tiny lights. The plush decor included deep pile red carpet, accented with brass railings. The room was open from early morning until midnight. Above the video room, private parties could be booked on the dock. Cocktail parties, receptions, and other "special" events took place in a Las Vegas theme.
(look in the left middle foreground)



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Can anybody guess where the photo above was shot from?

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Now, you have seen the outside, care to take a look inside?

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Top Brass Bar


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Caffe Villa Verde


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Pavilion Lounge



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These next two pictures were from Architect Al Nicholson's own collection and are my favorites. I have one black and white and one color to help show the perspective.



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And finally, overheads showing the finished project.



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Restaurant references:
Opened on July 1st, at the base of an octagonal-shaped structure at the southeast corner of the Convention Center, the Italian themed Caffe Villa Verde offered a wide selection of homemade pasta dishes. The restaurant had a 280-seat capacity on the inside and a sidewalk patio providing service for an additional forty persons. Outside, over-looking the marina, patrons dined while seated on wooden benches and chairs. Inside, the kitchen pantry provided a display of freshly prepared breads, pastries, and pastas. Here one could enjoy homemade ice cream while surrounded by an authentic Italian tile decor. The restaurant was highlighted by brick archways, stucco walls, and Italian tile accents.

Located next to the Caffe Villa Verde was the newly opened Top Brass Lounge. Directly above that restaurant, on the second floor of the tri-level complex was the new Pavilion Lounge. Entered by means of a wide, tall flight of stairs from the marina area, the lounge was opened nightly for cocktails and dancing. Overlooking the illuminated marina, the Pavilion also provided a thrilling view of the Park's "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks display and a spectacular view of the Hotel's Dancing Waters show and the Still Green laser sculpture display.


The second (more formal) restaurant was opened on July 20th. Located next to the Caffe Villa Verde and to the rear of the Convention Center's southeast corner, Granville's Steak House (using Bonita Wrather's maiden name) was a first class restaurant, seating one-hundred patrons. Granville's celebrated the finest of
Americana regional cuisine. Vegetables were served family-style. An interesting and novel feature of the menu allowed a diner to sample two of the regional specialities of the house by ordering two half-entrees on the same plate.

[explodingboy]

Wow! I always look forward to your posts, oldhotelguy. So thank you! It's so neat to see how it has progressed over the years, I wish I could have seen experienced some of the neat things the Hotel had over the years.

Side note, that looks like a baseball diamond in the first photo, top left? I can't imagine it is. Any idea what that could be?

[WildForMrToad]

was it taken from where compass books is now located

[oldhotelguy]

was it taken from where compass books is now located

No it was not.

By the way, not sure if Compass is still in Downtown Disney or not. I know they will be removed but not sure if it has already happened or not.

[Circa1966]

Thanks for bringing back the memories, Don...Cafe Villa Verde was a staple for dinner, the Pavillion Lounge a great late-night stop and I remember coming down the escalator into the convention area lobby when I was at the hotel with a car and parked on top of the garage

And I think the picture was taken from the Dancing Waters area.

[ttrocc7007]

That's a real nice collection. I especially like the aerial color photo and the good lookin' babe in the pool.

[Bruce Bergman]

Look through the Lounge and Restaurant photos - First the "Tom Selleck Look-alike" with the mustache is the Bartender, then he took off the bow tie for a regular tie, puts on a jacket and goes Dancing.

Gotta be the same guy - they are both showing him in Left Profile. "Get my Good Side." Might even BE a young Tom Selleck, that's an acting call that puts food on the table for a day or two.

--<< Bruce >>--

[Mr Wiggins]

Many, many thanks for posting these, Don. They bring back great memories of summer sunset dinners on the Villa Verde sidewalk, watching the gas torches being lit all around the marina, and hearing the live music begin playing on the wharf. Those years when the DLH had the marina were the best!

[Ortizmo2000]

Look through the Lounge and Restaurant photos - First the "Tom Selleck Look-alike" with the mustache is the Bartender, then he took off the bow tie for a regular tie, puts on a jacket and goes Dancing.

And check out Lovitz sitting at the bar waiting for his drink.

[oldhotelguy]

Want some more pics?

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Here are a few from Granville's and of course we all know who this was named after right? BTW-still waiting for an answer from someone on my question above.



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[Tomorrowland67]

Was that photo taken from the sandy area that looked like an artificial beach?

[oldhotelguy]

Was that photo taken from the sandy area that looked like an artificial beach?

The Disneyland Hotel had a second pool called the Cove Pool. It was put in in the early 70's, matter of fact I think it was 1970. This photo was taken from that pool. It's funny too, the models in this picture were also used for other location shots in additional pictures I have.

[Tomorrowland67]

When the Sierra Pool was too crowded, I'd go over to the smaller pool next to the Dancing Waters. I don't think I ever knew it was called the Cove Pool. I thought the beach sand was a nice alternative to a lounge chair.

My first stay at the Disneyland Hotel was in the summer of 1983; we went to DL see the new Fantasyland. I didn't realize the hotel had recently been expanded.

Those photos are great, and bring back some wonderful memories. Thanks.