Disneyland Hotel Receives "Four Diamonds" Award
Today we got an important out-of-loop update, coming from Disneyland Resort in California. Indeed, one the three hotels on property has received the prestigious four diamonds award from AAA. Here you are some additional information:
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Disneyland Hotel Receives AAA Four Diamonds Award
AAA has awarded the Disneyland Hotel its prestigious 2012 Four Diamond award,
making it the second property at the Disneyland Resort to receive such a high
rating.
“This is tremendous news, especially for the 1,000 Cast Members who work at
the Disneyland Hotel and create magical experiences for our Guests,” said Tony
Bruno, vice president of resort hotels and Downtown Disney.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is also a Four Diamond award
winner, as is its Napa Rose restaurant. According to the Auto Club, only 4
percent of the 31,000 hotel properties it reviews nationally earn the award.
Earlier this summer, the Disneyland Hotel marked a milestone in the property’s
major “re-imagination” project with the opening of a new courtyard, restaurant,
bar, pool and water play area.
The hotel’s three guest room towers have been
renamed for some of Disneyland Park’s distinctive lands: the Adventure Tower,
Frontier Tower and Fantasy Tower. At the entrance of each tower, large marquees
will feature classic artwork of Adventureland, Frontierland and Fantasyland
identifying each building.
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While we are very happy about this news, it seems a bit strange that they would give the hotel the same rating as the much more spectacular "Grand Floridian," or the grand "Grand Californian" resorts. AAA has to take a lot of things under consideration when giving ratings to the various hotels, including the "curb appeal," that is, the look of the building from the exterior. To tell the truth, Disneyland Hotel's exterior is not really that appealing, despite the very recent renovation. Of course, we are not doubting the company's way of rating, and we have never personally been to this hotel, so we can't speak about the interiors.
If any of you have been there, would you give the hotel an high rating? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section, if you'd like.
I recently stayed at the hotel would never imagine giving the Disneyland Hotel a Four Diamonds Award. I have no idea how they came up with a Four Diamond rating when the hotel is not complete and in a state of confusion. I was surprised when I saw the renovated towers as they looked more like generic mirrored glass office buildings than a Disney owned resort hotel. We stayed in the Adventure Tower and the lobby looked like any other hotel lobby except for framed Jungle Cruise artwork hanging on the walls, no Adventureland themeing at all. Isn’t this a missed opportunity to allow guest the experience of staying in Adventureland, Fantasyland, or Frontierland on their Disneyland visit? Shouldn’t I have felt like I entered Adventureland upon entering the the lobby and continued this illusion as I my way to the room? Isn’t that the point of staying in the Adventure Tower? Our room was nice, but just that, nice, not Four Diamonds nice. Again, I’m in the Adventure Tower and the room looks as generic as the lobby, nothing Adventureland within the room. The rooms only unique feature was a twinkle light headboard with the castle upon its surface. Even my kids were underwhelmed, which in itself, should say something about the renovation. I would NOT recommend anyone stay here for the price, Four Diamond rating or not. I'd suggest The Grand Californian for the money. I had read that the rooms were being given a mid-century feel given that is when Disneyland and the hotel opened, but the nothing is or felt mid-century in any way. The furniture, the design, the colors, all of it was neither mid-century or themed, it was simply generic hotel fixtures. Being this is the original Disneyland Hotel at the original Disneyland, I can't imagine why Disney didn't make this the most amazing Disneyland Hotel of them all rather than something utterly generic. I know some will say how great Trader Sam's is and it is a fun little local, but to experience it does not require a hotel stay and it is after all, a stolen concept of Trader Vik's, the king of all tiki themed restaurants and bars, which started in the late 1940’s and are still in existence today. Trader Vik’s, Trader Sam’s, hum.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts on theming aside - theming is not a prerequisite for AAA awards. The new Disneyland hotel rooms are stunning and there is nothing generic about them. Custom carved headboards with fiberoptic lights installed? I'd hardly call that generic hotel furniture. The rooms themselves are technology wise more upgraded than the rooms currently at the G-Flo. Perhaps you were staying in a room that had yet to be remodeled/upgraded?
ReplyDeleteYes it lacks a stunning lobby, but from what AAA goes by, the new Disneyland hotel is well deserved. I am surprised however that they gave this designation while construction is still going on.
I agree with Anonymous ... well deserved for sure.
ReplyDeleteIts good to know that hotels giving good customer service with great amenities get rewarded in this fashion. Great post.
ReplyDeleteyes obviously..i will vote for high rating of this hotel
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