Young Dance Fans Square Off With Disneyland Hotel Over Curfew

ANAHEIM —  A group of young country and Western dance fans are hopping mad over the Disneyland Hotel’s decision to impose an 8 p.m. curfew on anyone younger than 21 at its Neon Cactus dance lounge.

“The hotel is part of Disneyland, and Disneyland is supposed to be a place for the entire family,” said Adam Billings, 19, of Garden Grove, who organized a petition drive. “This really gets me mad.”

Disney officials say they decided to implement the 8 p.m. curfew on underage patrons next week because older guests have complained that the lounge is too packed with teen-agers and that they never get a chance at the dance floor.

“When we opened it last year, (the lounge) was intended for adults,” said Joe Aguirre, a spokesman for the Disneyland Hotel. “There are so many youngsters on the floor. It was never intended to be a teen-age dance club.”

But to the younger patrons, the Neon Cactus is one of the few places people their age can meet and enjoy wholesome entertainment. They said the lounge keeps them off the streets and away from gangs.

Thursday night, more than 200 young people signed a petition protesting the policy. Because music at the Neon Cactus begins at 8 most nights, the younger patrons will effectively be excluded from dancing there. The exception will be on Sundays between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., which will be “family nights.”