1986 - The House of the Future: Week 7

[D Hulk]

Here is my early map concept art. I was inspired by the comments earlier on a "u" shaped hotel building. I'm leaving the actual architecture up to Doug: this is just the general shape.

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The central New York Wing has a grand Atrium reaching to the top floor of the mansion, with the very center hosting a giant skylight (there could still be towers or other high points around the center, I just think a skylight would be nice in the center). The central Atrium could have a NY Steakhouse-esque Table Service, Cofee Shop, and Gift Shop. All guests enter into this wing.

The Hollywood Wing and Chicago Wings each have their own themes and are for the most part mirrored. Each have their own separate lounges with their own entries and exits, but this is only accessible to already-staying guests.

The pool could be outside in the gardens beyond the New York Wing.

Thoughts? This is all very early and can change as needed.

This is great. Very close to what I was picturing. Might like to “hug” the lakeside northern section a bit more, which I’m thinking should have a great big lawn for garden party events, and walkways leading up to the boat dock. Like so:

Not sure what those, uh, those vestigial atriums are on the Chicago & Hollywood wings. Restaurants? Perhaps those could take up less space by receding into the main structure, and we use those two Us formed by each wing for two separate pool areas. And no pool in the northern lawn section if we do that.

What about Disney's Americana Resort?

NO!

Or Disney's Grand American if we wanna keep the Grand theme

YES!

 

[DashHaber]

Or Disney's Grand American if we wanna keep the Grand theme

I'm all for Disney's Grand American as the hotel name.

Also, this whole hotel set-up definitely feels like it can work in a way where we can have a backstory involving our Gatsby gangster founding the hotel to give the place some additional flavor, but guests wouldn't need to know that to enjoy the 1920s Americana that is the hotel's dominant theme.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

Also, although I love the name Disney's Grand New Englander, I really don't think it applies to our hotel anymore now that it has such distinct areas. How about instead Disney's American Dream?

Referencing both the cities across America but also the classic and more modernly nuanced phrase, "The American Dream" that's used to describe whatever fortunes immigrants sought arriving in America in the early 1900s.

What about Disney's Americana Resort?

Or Disney's Grand American if we wanna keep the Grand theme

Love the hotel names!

I will say though, I think it would be too easy to call it the Grand American since there are already the Grand Floridian and Grand Californian hotels. My conscience tells me that we should be a bit more creative.

I'm in favor for the Disney's American Dream!

 

[AceAstro]

I'm all for Disney's Grand American as the hotel name.

Also, this whole hotel set-up definitely feels like it can work in a way where we can have a backstory involving our Gatsby gangster founding the hotel to give the place some additional flavor, but guests wouldn't need to know that to enjoy the 1920s Americana that is the hotel's dominant theme.

I definitely agree with Disney’s Grand American but am really happy with both names. I see the argument about being more creative but I also like the idea of a consistent naming scheme!

And I love the backstory idea!!

 

[DashHaber]

I definitely agree with Disney’s Grand American but am really happy with both names. I see the argument about being more creative but I also like the idea of a consistent naming scheme!

And I love the backstory idea!!

@D Hulk had mentioned a concern about potentially going too hard on the theming and backstory, which would center around this Gatsby-esque gangster. The way how this hotel idea has been shaping up with the three branches (Hollywood, New York, Chicago), however, we've got a way of infusing that backstory into the hotel while also just letting guests enjoy the 1920s theming throughout.

 

[AceAstro]

@D Hulk had mentioned a concern about potentially going too hard on the theming and backstory, which would center around this Gatsby-esque gangster. The way how this hotel idea has been shaping up with the three branches (Hollywood, New York, Chicago), however, we've got a way of infusing that backstory into the hotel while also just letting guests enjoy the 1920s theming throughout.

Definitely. I feel like it could be something like Dinoland though. For those people that hunt out the backstory, it’s the huge thing that is deep and truly incredible. But to the average guest that doesn’t care about a backstory it’s just another land in Animal Kingdom. It can be simple things like the background music and framed newspapers and little clues here and there and it takes it a long way!

 

[NigelChanning]

@D Hulk had mentioned a concern about potentially going too hard on the theming and backstory, which would center around this Gatsby-esque gangster. The way how this hotel idea has been shaping up with the three branches (Hollywood, New York, Chicago), however, we've got a way of infusing that backstory into the hotel while also just letting guests enjoy the 1920s theming throughout.

I feel like that backstory should definitely be available to those who look for it but not to the point where it’s being shoved down guests’ throats.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

Definitely. I feel like it could be something like Dinoland though. For those people that hunt out the backstory, it’s the huge thing that is deep and truly incredible. But to the average guest that doesn’t care about a backstory it’s just another land in Animal Kingdom. It can be simple things like the background music and framed newspapers and little clues here and there and it takes it a long way!

Exactly! Sort-of like how ToT is just a spooky hopper ride for the average first, but if one looks for the Twilight Zone story/detail, it's a treasure trove!

 

[PerGron]

I'm going to make the backstory rich, but not in the same way as I did with Adventure Atoll. I want it to be present in the hotel so y'all can play with it as you see fit, but I don't want the judges to think it's too much

 

[PerGron]

Also, whoever is doing the signature restaurant, once you decide on the specialty dish, let me know so I can work it into the backstory as the favorite meal of the character

Especially if it's gabagool

 

[AceAstro]

Also, whoever is doing the signature restaurant, once you decide on the specialty dish, let me know so I can work it into the backstory as the favorite meal of the character

Especially if it's gabagool

What about instead of at the signature restaurant it’s a “secret menu” item at the Speakeasy Bar? Can make it as:

“This guy got whatever he wanted, wherever he wanted. Whether it was on the menu or not”

 

[PerGron]

What about instead of at the signature restaurant it’s a “secret menu” item at the Speakeasy Bar? Can make it as:

“This guy got whatever he wanted, wherever he wanted. Whether it was on the menu or not”

That works better!

 

[D Hulk]

@D Hulk had mentioned a concern about potentially going too hard on the theming and backstory, which would center around this Gatsby-esque gangster. The way how this hotel idea has been shaping up with the three branches (Hollywood, New York, Chicago), however, we've got a way of infusing that backstory into the hotel while also just letting guests enjoy the 1920s theming throughout.

Definitely. I feel like it could be something like Dinoland though. For those people that hunt out the backstory, it’s the huge thing that is deep and truly incredible. But to the average guest that doesn’t care about a backstory it’s just another land in Animal Kingdom. It can be simple things like the background music and framed newspapers and little clues here and there and it takes it a long way!

I feel like that backstory should definitely be available to those who look for it but not to the point where it’s being shoved down guests’ throats.

Aye, I agree. Y'all would know better than I, but don't Disney hotels like Wilderness Lodge (@spacemt354?) and Hilton Heed do exactly this - hiding subtle backstory in the framed photograph & newspaper details et cetera? That's a good model to follow.

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Ahoy mateys! I've tossed together a "look book" for the exterior architecture and grounds. Going very "Chateauesque" with this, with the heaviest influences to come from Oheka Castle, the cinematic Gatsby mansion, and Chateau Frontenac (the Canada Pavilion building). The grounds will follow these examples as well, with symmetrical fountain plazas leading up to stairs which rise to the car drop-off, and Greco-Roman statuary throughout (of Disney characters?). @Outbound, any thoughts?

One deliverable I'm planning on making is an illustration somewhat like this one I did for Mumbai Disneyland's Florentine Hotel.

 

[D Hulk]

Also, whoever is doing the signature restaurant, once you decide on the specialty dish, let me know so I can work it into the backstory as the favorite meal of the character

Especially if it's gabagool

One random thought for the signature restaurant. Set it on New Year's Eve, 100% of the time. Champagne, dancing, black tie wait staff, the whole shebang.

 

[PerGron]

One random thought for the signature restaurant. Set it on New Year's Eve, 100% of the time. Champagne, dancing, black tie wait staff, the whole shebang.

Pleasure Island who?

This is a great idea though

 

[D Hulk]

Pleasure Island who?

This is a great idea though

What, this was an actual thing?!!? I got the idea from an old Simpsons episode.

 

[PerGron]

What, this was an actual thing?!!? I got the idea from an old Simpsons episode.

Yeah, from 1990-2005, Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney in WDW did a New Year's Eve Fireworks show every night at midnight

 

[Suchomimus]

@D Hulk had mentioned a concern about potentially going too hard on the theming and backstory, which would center around this Gatsby-esque gangster. The way how this hotel idea has been shaping up with the three branches (Hollywood, New York, Chicago), however, we've got a way of infusing that backstory into the hotel while also just letting guests enjoy the 1920s theming throughout.

If that would happen irl, I’d like to see a fourth branch of New Orleans or St. Augustine minus the Jim Crow & segregation.

 

[Outbound]

Aye, I agree. Y'all would know better than I, but don't Disney hotels like Wilderness Lodge (@spacemt354?) and Hilton Heed do exactly this - hiding subtle backstory in the framed photograph & newspaper details et cetera? That's a good model to follow.

---

Ahoy mateys! I've tossed together a "look book" for the exterior architecture and grounds. Going very "Chateauesque" with this, with the heaviest influences to come from Oheka Castle, the cinematic Gatsby mansion, and Chateau Frontenac (the Canada Pavilion building). The grounds will follow these examples as well, with symmetrical fountain plazas leading up to stairs which rise to the car drop-off, and Greco-Roman statuary throughout (of Disney characters?). @Outbound, any thoughts?

One deliverable I'm planning on making is an illustration somewhat like this one I did for Mumbai Disneyland's Florentine Hotel.

Sounds great! I'll leave you to the exterior architecture. I agree that interaction with the lawn would be ideal for events, especially if you can see the park on the other side of the lake.

 

[NigelChanning]

So, are we going ahead with any gangster influence or are we not doing that?