VDH Opening

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Yeah I get that but so is the Grand Floridian for an example. The resort studios at Big Pine Key were hotel rooms and still they were able to create some “ theme”.

Folks, let's not knock something for what it's not even trying to do. Disneyland Hotel is not a themed resort, it predates that. So the DVC tower at that hotel is not a themed space (other than "Disney" theme).

It's not anything like BPK, which does have a theme as part of a themed resort: Victorian. That was the theme when it was part of the hotel side and is still that way as DVC. If one has to have a highly themed environment then buy elsewhere! AKV or PVB, etc. But it's not like VDH tried and didn't make it out with a theme lol, it's not intended to have it.

 

[Brian Noble]

...and for a lot of people, the theme of "Disneyland Hotel" is very significant in terms of sense-of-place. If you grew up a Disneylander, the DLH is a thing.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

...and for a lot of people, the theme of "Disneyland Hotel" is very significant in terms of sense-of-place. If you grew up a Disneylander, the DLH is a thing.

100%!!!! It's hallowed ground for long-time Disneyland fanatics, lol. This is why I don't think they'll have a lot of trouble with sales.

 

[AstroBlasters]

...and for a lot of people, the theme of "Disneyland Hotel" is very significant in terms of sense-of-place. If you grew up a Disneylander, the DLH is a thing.

My wife, who grew up a Disneylander, and was a CM during her summers in college, thinks VDH is too “loud”.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

100%!!!! It's hallowed ground for long-time Disneyland fanatics, lol. This is why I don't think they'll have a lot of trouble with sales.

I think it will still sell very well. But yeah. I think they missed the mark. They should have themed it with more history instead of a really fancy version of Art of Animation.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Folks, let's not knock something for what it's not even trying to do. Disneyland Hotel is not a themed resort, it predates that. So the DVC tower at that hotel is not a themed space (other than "Disney" theme).

It's not anything like BPK, which does have a theme as part of a themed resort: Victorian. That was the theme when it was part of the hotel side and is still that way as DVC. If one has to have a highly themed environment then buy elsewhere! AKV or PVB, etc. But it's not like VDH tried and didn't make it out with a theme lol, it's not intended to have it.

I feel like, in general, WDW-people expect something much different than DLR-people. (Disclaimer - I like both WDW and DLR but I like them for different reasons.) I like that the Disneyland Hotel isn't trying to be something else. It's exactly what it calls itself....a Disneyland hotel. It's not trying to be something from a different location or whatever. It's very authentically Disneyland. YMMV, of course.

 

[DonMacGregor]

A pretty good history of the hotel, as I remember it growing up in Anaheim and as a DL CM in the 80's and 90's. Some things I do miss, others are welcome replacements. At the end of the day. a ridiculously rich history. As I said previously, Grand Californian does an amazing job recreating history, The Disneyland Hotel IS history.

ETA: Full disclosure: our favorite WDW resort (and where we own the most points) is WL, for the very reason that it reminds us so much of the Grand Cal. But, DLH is perfect in its own, very unique and historic way.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

as I remember it growing up in Anaheim and as a DL CM in the 80's and 90's.…..The Disneyland Hotel IS history.

I get it. Though, I still think Disney could have done better with the theming to remind people who aren’t as familiar? I don’t know. Maybe it’s too hard to balance between classic and modern.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Nice video by The Magic in the Music:
Have to admit I went through and paused a million times like she does - she noticed a few details I missed though

Just watched this. It looks sooo nice. If I have a quibble, it's that I wish the exterior looked more blue to blend in with the existing DLH towers more. But loving all these colors, this will be a fun place

 

[gmi3804]

I think the theme is “Color”

Yeah I get that but so is the Grand Floridian for an example. The resort studios at Big Pine Key were hotel rooms and still they were able to create some “ theme”.

The "theme"is Wayfair Cheap and Disposable. Penguin lights and framed mass-produced prints are not enough for a theme.

 

[Chili327]

Maybe it’s too hard to balance between classic and modern.

I think that is what they did.

Just watched this. It looks sooo nice. If I have a quibble, it's that I wish the exterior looked more blue to blend in with the existing DLH towers more. But loving all these colors, this will be a fun place

Maybe they're going to add some color to the other towers in the near future.?

 

[DonMacGregor]

I get it. Though, I still think Disney could have done better with the theming to remind people who aren’t as familiar? I don’t know. Maybe it’s too hard to balance between classic and modern.

Totally get it and respect it.

I also think (VERY controversial opinion warning) that for many Californian's, the theming at the original Florida resorts seems a bit off. I mean, let's be honest, 100% of the Imagineers lived in California, so it's no surprise that the Victorian Grand Floridian is a carbon copy of the Hotel Del, and anyone who's been to Hawaii or other Pacific Islands knows that the Poly is at best 1/2 true Island aesthetic and 1/2 1960's California Tiki Culture (which itself was an over-the-top interpretation of Island culture). Heck, I'll bet the imagineers spent many a night at Don the Beachcomer's, or visited Tiki Bob's or Trader Vic's (sound familiar?). All this just to say that perceptions of theming come from many perspectives.

As for the later WDW resorts, no criticisms whatsoever (well, excluding the budgets. LOL). Joe Rohde is an effing genius.

 

[gmi3804]

I get it. Though, I still think Disney could have done better with the theming to remind people who aren’t as familiar? I don’t know. Maybe it’s too hard to balance between classic and modern.

It think the bigger problem is that after "theming" became a thing, everything was expected to be "themed." DLH is its own theme, Classic Disneyland.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Just watched this. It looks sooo nice. If I have a quibble, it's that I wish the exterior looked more blue to blend in with the existing DLH towers more. But loving all these colors, this will be a fun place

This I will agree 100% with. They did just repaint them a darker blue just 2 or 3 months ago, so that was maybe an effort to meet in the middle?

 

[AstroBlasters]

It think the bigger problem is that after "theming" became a thing, everything was expected to be "themed." DLH is its own theme, Classic Disneyland.

The hotel rooms are… I wish the Villas were more aligned with that. Less Animation Academy and more Cathay Circle.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Totally get it and respect it.

I also think (VERY controversial opinion warning) that for many Californian's, the theming at the original Florida resorts seems a bit off. I mean, let's be honest, 100% of the Imagineers lived in California, so it's no surprise that the Victorian Grand Floridian is a carbon copy of the Hotel Del, and anyone who's been to Hawaii or other Pacific Islands knows that the Poly is at best 1/2 true Island aesthetic and 1/2 1960's California Tiki Culture. Heck, I'll bet the imagineers spent many a night at Don the Beachcomer's, or visited Tiki Bob's or Trader Vic's (sound familiar?). All this just to say that perceptions of theming come from many perspectives.

As for the later WDW resorts, no criticisms whatsoever (well, excluding the budgets. LOL).

I agree with this. I've always thought that several of the WDW resorts seem a bit cheesy. Like nicer, more expensive, versions of themed rooms you can find in random motels.

 

[Brian Noble]

to remind people who aren’t as familiar?

Disneyland is a "locals" park in a way that WDW can never be.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Disneyland is a "locals" park in a way that WDW can never be.

I get it. But who stays at the Disneyland hotel more? Locals or visitors?

 

[Brian Noble]

If you are staying late, you might want to sleep nearby and head home in the morning. I know I've done that at my local park more than once.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I get it. But who stays at the Disneyland hotel more? Locals or visitors?

I think you’d be surprised.