Nostalgia: Old Disneyland area motels

[GracieB]

For some nostalgic reason, I am remembering the very corny Inn of Tomorrow, a funky motel that had a space-age design. It was one of the Stovall properties. Even in 1977, it was hilariously outdated and laughable. It even had a glow in the dark star design on the ceilings. One of my friends ran up the phone bill by calling various takeout places--we were charged even for local calls.

Another cheapie was Westward Ho on Katella. I think a lot of these were renovated into larger hotels, or bulldozed. And one that had a picture of Dumbo on its sign!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The Stovall property has been renovated so that the space age decor is all gone, but the topiaries are still there.

If you ever get a chance to see Charles Phoenix do one of his retro presentations, take advantage. It's a fun show.

Moving to our community board.

 

[GracieB]

Mary Jo, I will look him up!

I remember Stovall's having several motels back in the day. Not sure, but maybe a few became Best Western? So you're saying Stovall's Inn of Tomorrow is today's Stovall's Inn. Interesting!

 

[DharmaLou]

35 years ago was my first visit as a child when I was 5. I remember that we stayed at the Peter Pan motel. I don't have any pics of it, but I would love to see some if someone does!

 

[GracieB]

Old pix of the Stovall's: http://207.45.186.130/~vstapf/apc/30.html.

 

[GracieB]

Peter Pan Motor Lodge: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hollywoodplace/6380655243/

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

It's really cool to see these old photos on the links, post more if anyone has any please!

 

[GracieB]

More retro motels! http://roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/california/socal/socalmotel/ocmotel/index.htm

 

[DharmaLou]

Thanks GracieB!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

We stayed at the Cosmic Age Lodge, for a couple of nights in 1986!

We simply had to chuckle at the 60's decor/colors---fantastic!

We seriously wish it was still there!

Thanks GracieB, for posting those links!

 

[kylie71]

My first trip to DLR was in 1976, I was 4. We stayed at the Westward Ho, it had cool arches, I remember, and a dinky pool, but I could not wait to go in!
Its now a Super 8... but still there!
I remember the Stovalls properties, and as a kid, riding by in a car, or looking at a brochure... remember those? My Mom used to call every motel around for brochures so we could dream about where to stay....

Very fun thread, Thank You!

--Lori

 

[MichaelaF]

We stayed at the Best Western Stovall's Inn in March and really enjoyed it. It's fairly recently renovated, and we were very happy with the rooms, and they did make an effort to keep some nods and references to the old Inn of Tomorrow/Cosmic Inns that Stovall's had. The location is great too, and we found an excellent price online. Definitely recommend it if you're into living some nostalgia without wanting to stay in a yucky place.

 

[lawboy2001]

Another of the Stovall's Inns was the Apollo Inn, which was on West St. just north of Katella. We stayed there in 1982. I played the Asteroids arcade game in the lobby for the first time!

The hotel had the space age theming and was across from the Disneyland parking lot (now DCA). It looks like the property is now either a parking lot, or Paradise Pier Hotel.

This link has quite a few pics of the old hotels:

http://roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/california/socal/socalmotel/ocmotel/index.htm