This,
the largest hotel in Disney (and in Europe!) is now being
used for business conventions as well as tourist trade. The three top floors
are concierge quality and there are some super five person "family" rooms available.
Views from the upper floors are excellent, both front and rear, although those
over the lake are obviously superior. The best hotel shop in the resort is here
and there's a generally light and open feeling about the design of the hotel,
designed by Robert Stern who also designed the Cheyenne. The hotel's two restaurants
specialise in seafood and the rooms are generally nicer than the Sequoia Lodge.
A slightly longer walk into the park than Sequoia and New York hotels, there
is a little bus than runs in the summer. The promised water taxis have never
been in evidence.
The
Lake in Disney has been in the process of development
for ten years. Originally destined to provide a variety of water activities,
most have never materialised, partly because of staffing difficulties, partly
climate and partly not being high on the list of priorities. With the opening
of the Walt Disney Studios, however, it is likely that the lake will begin to
feature more prominently and at least start to fulfil some of its substantial
potential as a watersport playground.
