Disneyland Hotel through the years

Category: Travel

There have been plenty of changes to the Disneyland Hotel since it first opened in 1955, three months after the opening of Disneyland itself. Today’s guests might be more than a little surprised at the changes that have occurred to the hotel in the past 70 years.

Walt Disney knew the benefit of having a hotel next to the park however with the expense of building Disneyland, which he used much of his own finances, mortgaging his properties to see his dream come true, he couldn’t afford to build the hotel.

Disney turned to his wealthy friend Jack Wrather who eventually decided to build the hotel however it was kept in his possession and not owned by Disney. It took a year after the opening of Disneyland to officially open the Disneyland Hotel, which was very different from the resort we know today.

The hotel used a tram to transport guests to the park and back. (I remember this tram vividly.)

When it opened the price of a single room was $20, a double was $19, and suites were $22-25. Soon they decided to vary pricing seasonally. Today a $20 room from 1955 would be $235.53. But what you got back then was so much more than a place to sleep.

Every room included air conditioning and a TV, which was unique in the day.

Restaurants, a swimming pool, and the Patio Arcade Shopping area with various shops (jewelry, camera, drugs, clothing, toys, etc.) added to the property. There was also a dentist office and a doctor’s office. To put it mildly, this was a location with almost everything anyone could want when visiting Anaheim.

There were shows and activities around the pool making this a fun place for those not going to the park or taking a break from Disneyland.

The hotel was a success and soon the monorail was redesigned and extended with a stop at the hotel so guests could take the monorail or the tram to the park. Guests visiting the park could take the monorail to the hotel to look around, eat, and shop before returning to the park. And the hotel also had a helipad where a scheduled helicopter from LAX would fly guests directly to the resort. This convenience stopped after several crashes. (I took this helicopter ride several times. It sure beat taking the 5 freeway.)

With the popularity of the hotel there had to be expansions and additions. Disneyland was becoming a go-to family vacation destination and the park as well as the hotel needed more additions.

The hotel changed from a small rise set of buildings to a tower which, at the time, was the tallest building in Orange County.

Additionally, a three story shopping mall was built making the hotel a destination for locals as well. And there was a golf course added as well as a miniature golf course. (I loved this miniature golf course because the buildings were copies of areas of Disneyland. It was a fun place to spend time with my family.)

A little lake and boat marina was another addition to the hotel. (I remember the little boats which to me as a kid was like a ride in the park.)

A nighttime water show added some more entertainment to the hotel, however Disney California Adventure eventually became the site for the dancing water shows. (I remember being completely enthralled by the Dancing Waters at the hotel.)

Throughout the years the hotel kept expanding until the third tower was added. Today there is a fourth tower for the Disney Vacation Club members. As the buildings grew many of the other aspects were removed, like the marina and boats. The tennis courts were also removed. (I spent many hours on those courts!)

It’s worth mentioning that the hotel was still not owned by Disney. Amazing. 

In 1984 two things happened. Wrather died and Michael Eisner became the CEO of The Walt Disney Company. One of his main objectives was acquiring the Disneyland Hotel, which he managed to accomplish.

The evolution of the Disneyland Hotel is extraordinary. As a kid I had so many experiences there. It was a great place to spend time when not in the park. Ah, those memories.

Disneyland Hotel in 2025

Today the Disneyland Hotel sits at the end of Downtown Disney, a dedicated shopping and eating area where entertainment also adds to the fun. The monorail no longer has a stop at the hotel however it is not too far from there.

As of 2025 the Disneyland Hotel features 973 guest rooms including 71 suites. The Villas at Disneyland Hotel (Disney Vacation Club) adds 344 rooms to this AAA Four Diamond hotel.

The Disneyland Hotel is not the only hotel on the resort property as Disney Grand California and Pixar Place have sprung up to add more rooms for guests to stay while visiting the parks.

The Disneyland Hotel, I might add, has one of my favorite restaurants – Trader Sam’s. It’s a tropical little hideaway with a small inside area for dining and outside tables to eat and enjoy the sun. Plus, if you are craving a Dole Whip, you can get one here without going into Disneyland. 

Kids enjoy Goofy’s Kitchen for breakfast or dinner with Chef Goofy and his pals. There are other places to grab a snack and some shops to purchase mementos. 

Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of the hotel today is the fireworks behind the beds. Guests can keep them sparkling all night long or turn them off. I personally enjoy keeping them on all night. It’s fun and reminds me I am in The Happiest Place on Earth, aka the Disneyland Resort.

The Disneyland Hotel has gone through many changes over the years. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the resort and the hotel offers many specials during this milestone year.

With so many memories of the hotel, I have to say spending time there with my family through the years are some happy times we’ll never get back but hang onto throughout our lives. Families are now making their own memories as the hotel and the resort are still thriving.

And no, I was not born when the resort opened! 🙂

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.