The best. Continually winning awards,
this hotel exceeds even the American standards of service, seeing to your
every need. The dining is good, breakfast either good or excellent if you
choose a 'Character" breakfast, room service quick and responsive and the
feel of the hotel is unsurpassed. Straddling the entrance to the park, you
can watch the guests as they line up outside the imposing gates each morning
and then stream into the park from underneath the hotel. Watch for the clocks
which run backwards in the corridors, the ashtrays with the "D" in Disney
style written into the sand each morning and the super little shop which,
although not as good as the Newport Bay's, certainly carries a good range.
For those who wish to hobnob with the rich (and sometimes famous) ask for
the Castle Club. This is probably most people's idea of heaven! The gardens
have freshly planted flowers to maintain Mickey's face and, of course, the
hotel clock is Mickey. Characters roam the lobby and the hall ways throughout
the day. With or without children, this hotel is simply the greatest place
you could hope to spend a few days in. Strangely, however, the swimming pool
is small and unadorned and the arcade area cramped. Probably better for the
smaller members of the family, this hotel.
The characters
Disney Hotels are all themed - which makes
them rather special from a child's point of view. However, the Characters
- Mickey, Pluto, Tigger et al. tend to frequent mainly the Disneyland Hotel,
although they do put in appearances at the remainder. . If you stay in the
Disneyland, however, you should be aware of the characters' appearances. There
is a small room on the third floor of the hotel from which they appear - starting
at 7.30am each morning - every thirty minutes. For an excellent 'photo opportunity,
position yourself on the 'bridge'
- that's the section of the hotel which links the wings with the central building
- at the swimming pool end of the hotel at about 7.25am. A stream of Disney
characters will move between the wing and the restaurant until about 11.00am.
One thing, however; maintaining the illusion
for younger children is extremely important for Disney - and the cast members
- so it's advisable to restrain children from following them into the hotel
wing.
