The Ballroom
Written by @PerGron
There are few things that get people as excited as alcohol and dancing, yet in the 1920’s when Frankie Keys established the Grand American, one of those two things was illegal. Due to the 18th amendment to the United States Constitution, the production, sale, and transportation of “intoxicating liquors” was prohibited, meaning that if Frankie was to get away with his bootlegging on such a large scale as a hotel, it was time to exploit a loophole in the law.
According to the 18th amendment, the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol were banned, but what was not prohibited by the amendment was the consumption or gifting of alcohol that was already owned. Many government locations and businesses still had alcohol available for foreign dignitaries and overseas businessmen, and lucky for Frankie, he was good friends with a California state senator.
The senator began funneling different types of alcohol kept on reserve to the Grand American, from wines to whiskeys to amaretto. It began in small quantities so as to not raise alarms, but quickly the demand grew and the senator had to get allies in the senate. Soon, he had recruited all but three senators and representatives to his side, organizing massive exodus of alcohol from government institutions across the state, and soon it spread into Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon. The massive amounts of alcohol illegally smuggled into the hotel’s wine cellar became astronomical, but Keys was able to sway influential lawmakers, police officers, and lawyers to his side using the sweet nectar of the gods.
The ballroom was finished in autumn of 1928 and opened as just that, an elaborate and ornate ballroom. It featured a live orchestra on most nights, with tables for sitting and conversing as well as enjoying a quick bite to eat, but the biggest draw was the “free” alcohol. Keys found a way to cheat the system, claiming the alcohol was already his, and he was merely distributing it to his guests, for free. Instead of charging per drink, The Ballroom charged an extravagant fee of $5 per guest, equivalent to about $75 in today’s money, for a night of dancing, but with this came unlimited drinks (within reason). Many of the upper class guests happily obliged, and Frankie pulled in a lot of money from his new operation, essentially legitimizing his bootlegging.
In the coming years, The Ballroom would be celebrated as an incredibly inventive concept, but also as a creative business venture. However, in December of 1933, the 21st amendment was passed, ending prohibition. Between this and the global recession happening at the time, attendance to The Ballroom plummeted, until finally one day in 1935, a fire broke out in the ballroom. It was able to be contained, but 15 people perished, causing Keys to officially close the area for good.
Nobody is sure when or how The Ballroom reopened as no owner of the hotel ever admits to the location even existing, yet today, The Ballroom booms as it once did in the late 1920s. There is no charge for entry, but the drinks continue flowing, for a fee. Guests who speak around to the staff of the ballroom may even gain an interesting insight onto what led to the mysterious reopening of the space.
Despite its grim and mysterious backstory, for guests not invested in a story and instead searching for a night of fun, The Ballroom still provides, with antique 1920’s theming all about, including a live orchestra or big band every night of the week. The bar is open and the drinks are flowing, enough to keep every guest happy.
As the name implies, there is a dance floor where guests can partake in every dance they’ve ever wanted to try, from the foxtrot to the tango to the Charleston. There are also plenty of seats for conversing and a small menu featuring hors d’oeuvres. There is also a main bar serving classic bar favorites, hosting the largest selection of liquors in all of Blue Sky Disneyland property, paying homage to the large selection provided to Frankie in his easily days.
Throughout the experience, Eagle-eyed guests who are invested in the story of The Ballroom may be able to pick up on some small details, including a picture of a group of guests who appear to vanish as you walk by, as well as scorch marks on curtains, tables, and walls, revealing the fire that once destroyed the room. Bartenders and other cast members are all specially trained to have individual backstories that are just cryptic enough to raise questions. Some bartenders may use 1920s slang while others may reference President Hoover, etc. If guests press enough, they’ll reveal the tragic story, but only in pieces, meaning guests have to actively seek out the backstory. It makes for a fun addition to the space that isn’t required, but is extra immersion.
The drink menu is vast and for that reason, there isn’t an official menu. Featuring a full bar, guests can purchase any of their favorite drinks or create their own concoctions. However, there is a specialty menu consisting of a few drinks that are staples of The Ballroom. These drinks switch from time to time, but are mainly made up of the cocktails guests would enjoy during the prohibition era, including the Sidecar, Ward Eight, and Tom Collins.
The Ballroom focuses more on theming than it does drinks or food, lending to a menu that pleases everyone with boundless options. Guests are encouraged to leave the bustling hurry of a Disney Vacation and instead enjoy the jazzy 1920’s era ballroom, wrapped up in fun, mystery, and some unconstitutional crimes
