Disneyland hotel pool area to get makeover

[Carolc]

After reading about the changes planned for the pool area of the Disneyland hotel, I have mixed feelings. They will be adding a new slide that will pay homage to the Monorail and to the early years of Disneyland in the mid 50's. While the concept sounds intriguing and respectful (I love things that remind people of the Walt days), the makeover comes at a price. They will be removing the waterfalls and koi pond from the Wonder/Bonita tower. The Peter Pan theme of the pool will also be gone. They will be adding a tiki-themed place to eat that supposedly echos the architecture of The Tahitian Terrace, my 'alma mater'.

Read more information on the Orange County Register

[tukogirl]

Carol, I totally agree with your mixed feelings about this. I love retro things and I LOVE the tiki room (anything tiki!!) and so wish I could have gone to the Tahitian Terrace. Those changes sound exciting, but the koi ponds and waterfalls will be missed. There is nothing like talking a little walk to the hotel for taking a beautiful, quiet, and cool break from the hot crowded summer parks. And exploring during the day was lots of fun too.

Hubby is wondering if he can adopt some of the koi when they lose their home.

[Carolc]

The waterfalls were turned off recently and a wall has been put up around it. Sadness set in!

Here is a brief news update from DisneylandLive (a Disney fan site): http://disneylandlive.com/?p=1696 It includes two videos in high def.

[This Dixie Pixie]

I'm a person who can go with the flow and usually I give Disney the benefit of the doubt when they decide to change something. Most of the time (with a few notable exceptions like Journey into Imagination and Stitch's Great Escape) I think they hit a home run or at least a triple with their changes. But I'm really sad that the waterfall and koi pond are on the chopping block. And especially sad because when I'm staying at the Disneyland Hotel this fall, there will be ugly walls instead of beautiful water features. This is more than likely my first and only time to stay at DLH so that is disappointing. I am giving Disney the benefit of the doubt though because the plans for the new pool and stuff do look like they'll be really nice. I know it's going to be done sometime but it's just that it's happening while I'm there...

[Carolc]

Just came across an update which shows some current construction photos, as well as a few conceptual images. It also tries to explain the reasons for the changes. See article here: http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_ch...to-forget.aspx

[Carolc]

Here is a photo that was taken today. It shows part of the Monorail slide

http://www.mousewait.com/disneyland/...and-hotel-pool