Featured Attractions

Monday, May 26, 2014

Anaheim Vacationland: Stovall's Motels


Not many people believed in Walt Disney's dream, but Al Stovall did. Mr. Stovall opened a chain of motels at various locations surrounding DISNEYLAND. An optimist, much like Walt Disney, Mr. Stovall designed his motels with futuristic themes, using crazy "googie" architecture, topiary trees and bright lights to make his locations stand out from the rest of the pack.

A few of the motels were sold to DISNEYLAND and demolished to make way for the resort expansion in 2001. The remaining properties are still held by the Stovall family, but have been remodeled. Gone are the flashy space age elements and names, only to be replaced by blander, less interesting architecture.