Long before Anaheim's difficult to book Trader Sam's, there was Sgt. Preston's Yukon Saloon. It was the place to go in the area for some late night mischief on The Disneyland Hotel property. Imagine a Canadian show setting with an Adventurer's Club vibe. It was unique to the time, setting the stage for what would come later in Florida when Walt Disney World needed to compete with Church Street Station's popular complex in Orlando. Did you think under Michael Eisner's reign, Pleasure Island came about because of more altruistic motives?
Anyway, back to Aneheim.
This piece of concept art above is most likely from the 1970's when the newest feature was planned- a large, expanded tropical pool zone. The Imagineers on this job kept it pure and simple, and probably rather inexpensive. But I don't remember this actually being built as shown. Dancing Waters? Check- been there and remember that. Same with the hotel's first video arcade. And many other additions.
Sgt. Preston's Yukon Saloon, and the beautifully done wharf area nearby made the area a great place for a cheaper date night when you wanted your Disney fix. You could still ride the monorail from the hotel into the park and back for a small fee. In earlier days, day guests could even play miniature golf on a course that featured icons from Disneyland park.
What comes next after the Disney Vacation Club tower opens? Who knows? But the evolution of the hotel and its grounds will go on and on as long as there are Disneyland fans left in the world. In other words, until the end of time!
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
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