Originally posted by grizzlyhall
I must strongly agree. The New Enchanted Tiki Room is one of the most personally insulting refurbishments I've seen in the 31-year history at WDW. Ya know, Walt took great pride in this huge feat. Now we have these two hosts criticizing Walt's creations? Sure, new technology could have been added...but there are several weaknesses to this new show:
(1) Storyline
Okay; it's about new management. However, there isn't TOO MUCH of a show...it kinda leaves one hanging. It does tell the story of how the Tiki Room changed (incompletely for those who haven't seen the original classic), and leaves us hanging...that's basically it. As for the small "show elements"...
(2) Material
The show elements are most out-of-fit. A disco ball with 50s music...rap music...in Adventureland? It seems like too much modern intrusion in the incorrect place. I prefer the originality...not something one can regularly hear on a radio...where it fits better.
(3) Original Fans
We're basically booted out. The material and essence of the show has essentially changed; and our liking is actually criticized. In fact, audiences are dwindling down once again, as hours are being reduced. While it's great marketing to have Zazu and Iago in there doesn't mean it's the right thing to totally discombobulate the entire attraction as a ridicule of the original. The style and spirit is changed; and just like it's been with Kitchen Kabaret - quicker show and less quality in it...
Okay; lots of people like the new one. But so many (the ones who enjoyed the orignal) are now inbalanced. This is where the idea of balance comes into play...and very delicate subject matter. In order for a great refurbishment to be in effect, the original spirit should be technologically advanced and what not...brought to new levels; as various interests of other groups are put in, while the attraction is still in spirit and loyal to its loyal fans. Basically...compromise.
Anyways...that's that... DL's seems to have great crowds; going under refurbishment this Summer for touchups. I have heard pretty scary rumors...*sigh*
Grizz, a few things to consider: First of all, the original show was INCREDIBLY dated. They used old stereotypes and presented things in a sort of lounge atmosphere that was modern at the time the attraction was created but today is about as dated as Leave it to Beaver. That alone is a sad but true fact.
I imagine when the idea to update this attraction was being considered, replacement with something else was probably also a thought. Sadly, the last few times I saw the original show it was in a half empty “theater” and many people left before the end. The simple charm of animatronics isn’t what it used to be and the content offered absolutely NOTHING for any child that wasn’t a fan of Nick at Night. Also, you may have noticed how newer attractions tend to be shorter than the older ones. Studies have shown that guests would rather spend less time in individual attractions and go through more attractions during the course of the day. Personally, I don’t feel this way myself (but that may have to do with me having an annual pass which allows me to make slower paced trips through the parks than most) but Disney’s consideration of this change in the public’s taste is evident with some of the changes that older attractions like the Tiki Room, WoM, JIM and others have gone through after refurbishment/replacement.
With all that being said, I think we should consider ourselves lucky to have anything of the Tiki Room at all. They found a way to incorporate new characters that younger audiences can appreciate and relate to while at least paying a little homage to the original attraction.
You know what’s funny? We always talk about how they should keep all of Walt’s original stuff and so on but do you honestly think if Walt were still around, he would keep half the old stuff the way it was? He’d have probably gutted a good number of the original attractions a few times over if he were around to do so… Times change and as much as we hate to see it, sometimes the tastes of the public change in ways we don’t agree with. I mean, how many people do you really think were sorry to see Horizons go? Every time I’ve been on it for just about as long as I can remember, it was a walk-on-attraction. They went through and showed older visions of the future and during the second decade that it operated in, the current future was outdated. Don’t get me wrong, I wish they could have kept it as well but I’m sure that guest satisfaction with its replacement will far outweigh complaints over its removal. I mean, that’s what happened with WOM, right?