William Pereira- A Legend & His Legacy

[HoJo Helper]

William Pereira was a legendary architect who was highly influential in the shaping of Orange County, California. A friend of Walt and Roy Disney, he designed some of the original hotels surrounding Disneyland- including the Disneyland Hotel itself. William Pereira was an architectural genius that has left a lasting impression on every square inch of ground he has built on.

Built as a Howard Johnson Hotel in 1965 with a prominent orange-roofed Howard Johnson Restaurant on the property, this site was one of the first large hotels built to accommodate Disneyland’s overnight guests, and Pereira designed our award winning property!

It received the American Institute of Architects “Exhibition Award” in 1966 as an outstanding public venue. It is one of the only hotels across from the Disneyland Resort that benefits from seven private acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and walkways, unspoiled “mid-century modern” style buildings, tall old-growth trees and two large pool areas. Almost every sign of the unique architectural styles of the 50’s and 60’s have been wiped away in Anaheim with the exception of the original HoJo and Disneyland itself.

We are proud to share in such a rich architectural history, and invite you to come and experience truly Retro Family Fun with us here at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Anaheim, in the Anaheim Resort!