Tiki Room Closed?

[Skywise]

Cool. I suppose I'll visit twice then. Once from 4-7 for the regular show, and again while trick-or-treating.

I know by most standards the Tiki Birds suck, but I've always enjoyed it. I don't care about its history or that Walt himself was personally involved with the design in Anaheim. Can't really explain its appeal to me, just that's it so....so....out there. So bad it's good, perhaps? Was Walt on an LSD trip when he gave his input?

I really think it would be perceived as very cool and advanced in the 1960s - Much like the Carousel of Progress.

To clarify - I *would* see it again but I'm not going to go out of my way to see it again. I'd rather sit through that then the Hall of Presidents though.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I didn't realize Walt created it. Obviously that changes things. I still won't go to it as it does nothing for me but I wouldn't want to see something Walt personally did go away. Which is why I don't agree with people saying Small World or Carossel of Progress should go.

 

[lurkernj]

For some reason, I sat through this show last night, so I can verify it wasn't closed yesterday

 

[BrianL]

I LOVE the Tiki Room! It's so creative, and immersve, and yes, kinda out there, but so much fun. I think though that the main reason I love it is the music! The performers are amazing, classic Disney, and it's a jingle that I can sing all day and it just makes me happy. I know some people just ain't into it (my sister for one), but for me, it's one of my top Happy Places.

All together now!

In the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room....

 

[canoe86]

I had never been to this before......or maybe I had in the 1970's and might account for some issues since childhood.

Regardless, went for the first time this last trip. I originally thought the entrance portiom WAS the show !!!! Those first two birds...FUNNY!!!!!!

Ushered into the actual attraction and the show started. I kept thinking the whole time, bring in the funny birds!!! Well, not the whole time, the rest of it was thinking and praying the exit doors wouldn't jam.

 

[Farps]

I might be wrong but isn't this one of the only attractions at WDW that Walt actually had his hands on? I thought he had a lot of imput in making the Disney World version. Hence "Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Rom"?

That's the only reason I support its continuing existence. If Walt was actually involved, it's gotta stay.

 

[Robo]

A fire damaged the Iago animatronic, so instead of repairing him the returned the show to the original configuration, though actually missing a segment that the fire also damaged (the part that comes up from the center).

The fire is not the reason the center "dancing fountain" (featured in the original show) is not in the current show.
That fountain was removed when they added the "Polynesia" character to the center section for the UNM version of the show.

Rather than go to the expense and time of rebuilding that center fountain, they just didn't include it in the current version of the show.

 

[DaisyNY]

One of my DH favorites though I don't get it...it does close early on late night hours at times. So if you're a fan schedule it earlier in your day!

 

[PoohsFan1]

My kids have never experienced this attraction, mainly because DH never wanted to stop and watch the show . However, in January it will just be DD13, DD11, and I (DH is staying home this trip) and my kids can't wait to finally watch it. Unfortunately the Liberty Bell, another attraction I was planning on them experiencing for the first time, will be in refurbishment when we are there...well there is always next time .

 

[MrInfinity]

I hope it's open when I'm there. It's always a joy to experience the attraction that Walt Disney built himself - with his own money. It's amazing to see the attraction the audio animatronic art form was invented for. I also love hearing the vocal performances of Disney legends such as Wally Boag and Thurl Ravenscroft. The parks shouldn't be a museum but if there's one exception it's this. You can't truly appreciate the history of the Disney parks without experiencing this.

Agreed. This ride was defining of the entire concept of audio animatronics.

I loved it as a kid, and am thrilled to take my kids to it now -- they end up singing the song for the rest of the day. This is one of those attractions that sets WDW apart from being just another theme park. This and Small World.

The ingenuity at the time it was made, and the preservation to keep it going for so long... awesome.

I can't believe how many ppl love Disney World but would be quick to ditch anything that isn't a thrill ride. Really what would you have then -- a Six Flags. If that is what ppl want there are parks for you that will cost 90% less.

I will say, I think WDW folks would have a better opinion of the attraction if it was like DL's. There is nothing in the world better than getting a dole whip (with no line ) and eating it while enjoying the show. They even encourage you to do so. The preshow there is pretty charming too

Ah, yes, I love the preshow in the Cali version.

 

[BrianL]

The fire is not the reason the center "dancing fountain" (featured in the original show) is not in the current show.
That fountain was removed when they added the "Polynesia" character to the center section for the UNM version of the show.

Rather than go to the expense and time of rebuilding that center fountain, they just didn't include it in the current version of the show.

Ah, I did not know that. The fire is still what killed Iago though, right? I barely remember the UNM version of the show.

I saw the DL version recently and it is so much better with the fountain. Also the pre-show is better with he island gods, which I had never seen since last time I was at DL we just walked up and right into the theater. Sometimes short lines make you miss stuff. I still love both versions though!

 

[MNash87]

We LOVE The Tiki Room! At least the original version. My parents took us to WDW the year after it opened. That's when I saw it the first time and have loved it ever since. My brother still has the record album of the Tiki Room show, lol.

 

[Robo]

The fire is still what killed Iago though, right?

I'm leaning on the side that thinks the fire was the impetus that facilitated the closure and rebuilding the attraction back to the original show.

Neither version, "original" (really, a close proximity to the original) or "Under New Management," is an overwhelming hit with Florida guests.