Disneyland Trip Report

[WondersOfLife]

It is not designed for an experience like that. The show is at most 15 minutes long and its intimate setting clashes the concept of a dinner-show. What are guests going to have time eat in a 15-minute, timed, animatronic show, besides snacks? That's why there's a snack shop placed right in front of the building. Eating a piece of pineapple or a Dole whip during a 15-minute animatronic show makes sense. Eating a full-course meal and watching a 15-minute animatronic show that wasn't designed for that purpose does not.

Let's look at some of the past dinner-shows at Disneyland, like the Tahitian Terrace, the Golden Horseshoe Revue, Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, etc. The concepts of the shows were different, but they shared similarities. They were live shows, with real actors, musicians, dancers, the performances weren't timed on a clock (like the Enchanted Tiki Room is), and their settings had some space. They weren't their own separate attractions, like the Tiki Room is, but experiences attached to a meal for entertainment with real people. Again, the Enchanted Tiki Room was not designed to be a dinner-show-type experience. Something like that screams CORPORATE to me.

Eating a full-course meal and watching something like this in the space its currently in...:



...doesn't really make sense when compared to experiences like these:

I am pretty sure that the tiki room show would just perform at random times on a loop. Not requiring you to eat a meal in 15 minutes. Think Cosmic Ray at Magic Kingdom... And you're wrong, actually.. The original idea for The Enchanted Tiki Room WAS supposed to be a dining experience.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

The original dining concept had the birds in cages and on perches above people's heads tweeting and chirping, and if I'm not mistaken it wasn't a scripted show like we have now.

The concept eventually morphed into what we see today. The funny thing is that there actually was a restaurant built with animal AA figures strategically placed around diners - The Rainforest Cafe. Given today's tech a tiki/bird show could probably loop or have segments in multiple combinations without repeating for an entire day or more so that visitors would rarely have the exact same experience.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The Rainforest Cafe is disgusting and overpriced, but it must make money because it's been at the resorts forever now. At DL, most of the food is pretty subpar. I usually bring food in these days and only grab snacks and drinks. Outside of New Orleans Square and maybe Main and Buena Vista Streets, there's nothing worthwhile. I'm not a food critic, but I know I'm getting overpriced mediocre food that was slapped together by a cast member that despises me. The worst for me was Wine Country Trattoria at DCA. Just pathetic Italian, but at least I could wash it down with a decent drink menu.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

I think a lot of Disney park fans often overlook the fact that WED had little or no process when developing Disneyland and the expansions that followed leading up to the development of WDW. The evolution of the Tiki Room from a dining room to an attraction in single work session is the perfect example:



Notice how Walt says to the bird "You cost a heckuva lotta money".

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Outside of New Orleans Square and maybe Main and Buena Vista Streets, there's nothing worthwhile.

Paradise Garden Grill is pretty good, Pacific Wharf has the best variety of casual dining offerings in the entire property, and Flo's has a delicious American breakfast.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I am pretty sure that the tiki room show would just perform at random times on a loop. Not requiring you to eat a meal in 15 minutes. Think Cosmic Ray at Magic Kingdom... And you're wrong, actually.. The original idea for The Enchanted Tiki Room WAS supposed to be a dining experience.

Where did I say the original concept wasn't supposed to be a dining experience? I said the current version is not equipped for a dinner to be attached to it.

So if people spend an hour or more eating their food, they're going to watch the same 15-minute timed show what, three or more times?

 

[Californian Elitist]

The Rainforest Cafe is disgusting and overpriced...

Agreed.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

The Tiki Room rates highly with guests and pulls its own weight with attendance. While getting into a show in the early morning or late night can be a matter of just walking in, on peak days, which most are at this point, the courtyard fills up with guests before each show. It's still popular and its footprint is so small, replacing it would be next to impossible. What is WDI going to put in that small a space? Another kitchen?

It's not going anywhere anytime soon, and yes, Rainforest has gross food and charges way too much, which is why tourists love it!

 

[Deleted member 107043]

It's still popular and its footprint is so small, replacing it would be next to impossible.

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney

I don't think anyone here actually believes that the show is on the chopping block. This seems to be more of a "what if" conversation to me.

What is WDI going to put in that small a space? Another kitchen?

Shouldn't be that hard to do something there, especially if they annexed the unused restaurant next door. They could also build up, like they did with the Jungle Cruise dock when it was remodeled back in the 90s.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney

I don't think anyone here actually believes that the show is on the chopping block. This seems to be more of a "what if" conversation to me.



Shouldn't be that hard to do something there, especially if they annexed the unused restaurant next door. They could also build up, like they did with the Jungle Cruise dock when it was remodeled back in the 90s.

Yeah, I don't think anyone seriously thinks it's in danger, but the notion that it's not popular just isn't correct. It performs exactly as it needs to for its place in the park as a secondary attraction. Management also knows that a revolt would take place if it was threatened in any way.

Even building up would be difficult. The room is really very, very small. Certainly not enough room for a ride. If they wiped out Aladdin's Oasis, a small attraction could fit back there, but at this point there would need to be a compelling franchise reason to make that call. So basically, if Moana makes a billion dollars, expect that scenario to happen.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I know I'm just totally out of touch with the average Disney fan nowadays when they're in favor of removing the Tiki Room and adding Star Wars Land to Disneyland. I couldn't think more opposite.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I know I'm just totally out of touch with the average Disney fan nowadays when they're in favor of removing the Tiki Room and adding Star Wars Land to Disneyland. I couldn't think more opposite.

A good friend of mine and I were talking about Disneyland one day, and she suggested Disney get rid of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which made my heart stop. THEN she suggested Disney get rid of everything of old age at the park. It was that moment when I wanted to back-hand her, good friend or not.

Disney has pretty much no respect for Disneyland's history and tradition, let alone the fans.

 

[WondersOfLife]

but the notion that it's not popular just isn't correct.

I've never taken or seen anyone going to the Disney parks for the very first time say that they actually like and enjoyed the enchanted tiki room.. My parents (47 and 63) themselves said that the show as weird and stupid. During the "birdies sing" song, they slowly turned and looked at me with the most hilarious faces of "why did you make us watch this?" XD

 

[Curious Constance]

Where did I say the original concept wasn't supposed to be a dining experience? I said the current version is not equipped for a dinner to be attached to it.

So if people spend an hour or more eating their food, they're going to watch the same 15-minute timed show what, three or more times?

No one is suggesting they keep the same show in it's present form and making people watch it over and over while they eat. It would obviously morph and change to fit the experience.

 

[Californian Elitist]

No one is suggesting they keep the same show in it's present form and making people watch it over and over while they eat. It would obviously morph and change to fit the experience.

It doesn't matter, since there is no space to fit a kitchen and seating areas.

The show doesn't need a dinner added to it. If folks don't want to see it, they shouldn't waste their time, simple as that. It still pulls in crowds and is still popular. It shouldn't be significantly changed or altered just because some people don't like it.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I think they should just demolish DL and then rebuild it with wider pathways. It's too crowded these days.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Even building up would be difficult. The room is really very, very small. Certainly not enough room for a ride

Who said anything about a ride?

 

[Deleted member 107043]

It doesn't matter, since there is no space to fit a kitchen and seating areas.

Does anyone know what happened to the space that contained the Tahitian Terrace kitchen that was in the same building?

 

[Rich T]

I think they should just demolish DL and then rebuild it with wider pathways. It's too crowded these days.

And instead of actual buildings, they can use screens!

Oh, Tiki Room haters, how you break this old heart. Myself, I went through a too-cool-for-corny stage in my teens when I avoided the Tiki Room like the plague. Now I dearly love it. It lets its freak flag fly like few other attractions in the history of theme parks. It's historic, it's got a Sherman Bros. classic, it's got Wally Boag and Thurl Ravenscroft, it's got The Hawaiian War Chant, it's got tikis hand-carved on site by Rolly Crump himself!! Okay, that said, I wouldn't mind seeing some new tech brought in to *really* make that whole room come alive in the finale (like that finale Monkey King room in Mystic Manor, maybe?). What would y'all think of cutting out the "Birdies Sing" number in favor of, oh, I dunno, that song from Lava only jazzed up a bit? No Iago.

Look, I understand. You can only really love the Tiki Room if 1) you grew up with it 2) the chanting tikis right next to your seat scared you when you were small and 3) (Most Importantly) You know that it's Bing Crosby that Jose's imitating during "Birdies Sing" without someone having to tell you.

 

[Figments Friend]

I like Disneyland's original Tiki Room a lot.
It's a unique experience that is lighthearted and fun.

I think today's technology and 'serious edge' vibe in entertainment these days has jaded some people to dismiss this charming little show.

Whenever i am in the Park, i take in a viewing or two.
I really like the setting, i like the presentation, and i like the animatronics and effects.
I find it quite appealing, and it's not from getting a 'nostaligia' buzz off of it because i am not a 'local' and have only been visiting DLR since 2007.
But i love it.
LOVE IT.

Yes, i'm a Disney Theme Park fan and i am of course aware of it's rich history...but that's not why i so enjoy it.
It's the content, presentation, and overall scope that i find appealing.
Blows WDWs 'copy' out of the water.....even pre-editing and pre-'Under New Management'.
There is something truly special about DL's original.

The pre-show in the Enchanted Garden, the music, and of course getting to enjoy Dole Whip floats in the Show itself are all plusses at Disneyland.
The fact that the Show just LOOKS great helps too...with the big refurbishment it went through a few years back to repair and restore things back to a pristine state.

In my multiple visits, the vibe i have gotten from the audience has always been positive.
The room has always been primarily full and only a couple of times i have seen a few folks leave mid-show.
I realize it might not be what some newer Guests are expecting, but for me it's a real gem.
They just don't make presentations like this anymore with AAs....or many shows with AAs in general, and that adds to the appeal for me.

The Enchanted Tiki Room is a treasure.