Memories of the Tiki Room
Everyone has personal stories about the Tiki Room. I thought it might be nice if we displayed some Tiki Memories here on the site. From reading these memories, it is clear that the Tiki Room certainly is a family favorite for all, and must be preserved. If you have a story or memory you want up here, email me!
- "When I was a kid, the Tiki Room always scared the heck out of me. Those chanting things on the wall really drove me crazy and I would cry and cry. Then all would be well with the thunderstorm. When I finally overcame my fear, I realized how extremely cool the whole thing was. I really enjoyed the show and music. Now music has become a big part of my life, and I think Disneyland and the Tiki Room have a lot to do with that. The Tiki Room has a magic you can't explain. Afterall, I still don't know how it rains in the show, but outside it's all dry!" - Chris Wingert
- "I always got a kick out of the bird named Colette--one of the French
birds. She came down out of the ceiling, and I always used to think:
'That's my bird!'" - Colette Knuchel
- "I was about 7 or 8, and my mom asked, 'Would you like to see the Tiki
Room? It's birds.' I went and loved every minute.
Soon I knew all the lines, all the cues. I remember hoping the flower
planters wouldn't hit anybody on the head when they lowered. I even got
so I could "cue" the thunder. I was thrilled to death to find the Tiki
Room song on the Official DL Album.
Ever since then, I have been in love with exotic birds. Their colors,
their personality, and their intelligence have fascinated me for years.
Currently, I have a beautiful conure whom I love like a son. One day, I
hope to have a sulfur crested cockatoo named Rosita, after the "missing"
bird from the Birdmobile.
Thank you, Walt, for the Enchanted Tiki Room! - Matthew Yates
- "The first time I went to Disneyland, I was six or seven years old (about
1980-81). My family and I went to the Tiki Room and I had no idea what
to expect. I remember thinking that it was kind of dark in there (I was
afraid of the dark) and that there were so many birds that were so
well-trained. I really thought that the birds were real. :) So, the
next time I went to Disneyland (1992), I was in for a surprise. The
birds were animatronic!
I love the Tiki Room. I love the pineapple dole whips and pineapple
juice, the pre-show, everything.
Long live the Tiki Room" -Leann Gallagher
- "I have always associated the Tiki Room with my first visits to Disney--
it was the first attraction I ever visited in the Magic Kingdom and in
Disneyland. I never miss it when I go now! And my family and I always
sing along good and loud. We also *love* the Hawaiian Gods preshow,
especially Tangaroa. And the Dole Whips! I will never forget the time
I got to wake up Jose-- though the CM was a bit puzzled why a teenager
would specifically ask to do so!" -Rachel V.
- "We went to DisneyLand with two teenagers. After a couple of
days we were all getting to the point where anyplace to take a
break looked like a good idea. We all had no idea what the
Tiki Room was, and when we entered I thought, "Well, at
least we'll get to sit down for a few minutes."
To my surprise, we all loved it. My thrill-seeking, difficult to
impress teenagers even demanded that we return to see it again
before our 4-day passes expired. We sang "The Tiki Tiki Tiki
Room" all the way home and for days afterward. If you ask my
son to tell you his favorite attraction at DisneyLand, the answer
will surely be, 'The Tiki Room.'" -Alan Davenport
- "I remember
visiting this attraction when it opened in 1963 and was sponsored by
United Airlines. It was truly a unique new form of
entertainment--unlike anything I had seen at the time (of course, I was
only 7, but it made quite an impression.)
Certainly, if any corner of Disneyland deserves to be labeled forever
"off limits" for redevelopment, this is it." -Wayne Campbell
- "Every year, my mom and dad and I would go to visit my grandmother, who
lived in California. We'd always go to Disneyland. And one of our
favorite stops was the Tiki Room. I remember once, we went to the Tiki
Room while it was raining and the combination of the fake rain and the
outside rain was wonderful. Sadly, my grandmother died a few months ago,
and Disneyland is one of the things we have to remember her. And I don't
think Disneyland would be the same without the Tiki Room." -Elizabeth
- "I lived in Hawaii for 6 years. Prior to going there, my family went to visit my grandparents. Being a military family and always living across the country or even across the world, it was always a memorable time...I loved it [Disneyland], but my most memorable experience was visiting the Enchanted Tiki Room. I loved the birds, the flowers, the songs, everything! ...Someday, I hope to take my children there, as I can remember the songs and singing, and most of all my grandfather. He didn't sing much but when he did it was beautiful, and he also loved the Tiki Room. Possibly, this helped build the bond that grew between us til the day he passed on. I hope to be able to share these experiences with my children, and to take the Tiki Room away would seriously take a part of me away too." -Jennifer L. Lamoureux
- "When I was about 6 or 7 years old I became aware that there was this
particular portion of Disneyland, nestled between the Swiss Family Robinson
Treehouse and the Lagoon, that I was not familiar with. My dear aunt lived
in Fullerton and could see the nightly DL fireworks from her patio, so when
I was a young tyke visiting her I was, of course, thrilled to see these
fireworks, let alone actually go to DL and experience the Magic Kingdom
first hand. I have been to DL many times but always knew there was this
area across the promanade from the Swiss Family Rob Treehouse that was, for
me, unchartered territory. When I enquired my older sister said this area
housed the Enchanted Tiki Room and assured me that it was tres cool and that
she had had the pleasure of experiencing it many times. I quizzed her
about what happened in the TR and she said it was like being in a tropical
jungle with beautiful talking and singing birds...but then the tikis came
on!!! Whoooo!! Scary!!! To this day have not seen the bloody thing. I
attempted to experienc the Tiki Room 3
times on 3 separate visits to DL, but all 3 times it was out of operation
and closed down for some unexcusable reason. I mean REALLY, what goes on
with that? Aren't there DL technicians and engineers on-call at all hours
of the day? That horrible Small World atrocity seems to always be in
operation! Can't they keep the fabulous Enchanted Tiki Room up and running
too? If the TR goes down now, I'm screwed for life. I haven't been to DL
for about 7 years now, but I will come again if I know the TR is up and
running and calling me! Golly, don't the latest wave of Disney CEOs, family
members and big wigs know that anything with the word "tiki" in it creates
gobs
off excitement these days? Please don't let them turn their backs on such
nostalgia! Truly the only reason I would go back to DL would be to go the
the fabulous Enchanted Tiki Room, and as always to ride Mr Toad...but if the
one in Florida is being shut down after today, Labor Day, closing the one in
Anaheim might be next on the list. Boohoo!!!
What are they thinkin'?" - Dan
- "It is always a pleasure to intoduce people to the Tiki Room for the
first time. I am a native Southern Californian, and a dedicated
Disneyland guy! Growing up with people who "wanted more" from a park was
hard. As a teen the weekend argument from friend was "I'd rather go to
Magic Mountain, and ride real rides!", well sometimes I got my way and
we went to Disneyland and the first place I'd take them was to the Tiki
Room. Some of the greatest times I'd ever had was watching "Macho" 18&19
year old guys jump at the thunder and lightning twards the end of the
show. Seeing uninterested people get interested as the totum poles
chant. This is one of many fond memories I have of Walt Disney's
Enchanted Tiki Room." -David Marquez
- "The first time I went to Disneyland was in 1963. My mom had
mentioned that a new attraction called the Tiki Room had just
opened. I was only 3 years old at the time. What an impression
it made on me. I remember wondering how it rained outside the
Tiki Room, when we left the show it was dry outside.
Also one of my favorite spots in Disneyland is the Enchanted Tiki Garden
in the early evening eating Dole Pineapple whip watching the rear projection
movie above the Tiki Juice Bar, and throngs of guests passing by on their
way through Adventureland." -Ken Martinez
- "...Let me take you back many many years ago when the Tiki Room first opened and my parents used to tak eall of us whenever any new ride seemed to open at DL-from Yo Ho to the Haunted Mansion, my family was there-not for the first opening, but shortly afterwards...
I remember the LONG waits to even get into the "waiting are" outside of the Tiki Room. We would wait and wait and right when we would start to fuss, the outside show would start and the gods came alive. My favorite one was Pele.
Throughout the years, I stopped visiting the Tiki Room-it wasn't "cool" to visit when you were with a friend checking out the girls at the park.
Yet, once I started dating, all of a sudden the Tiki Room was the place to go on a hot summer date. However, even before the show would start, I'd always buy those pineapple spears or a pineapple juice. (Which even now, whenever I drink pineapple juice-I think back to the TR.) And sitting in the back of the Tiki Room gave you maybe 15 minutes to makeout in the coolness of the Tiki Room.
I married and had children. When my daughter was born, besides "Fall World", her favorite ride was the Tiki Room. She get up and sing and dance to the birds show. And when it would thunder, she'd cuddle on my lap-scared and Daddy was there to "protect" her.
When my son was born, he too, fell in love with the Tiki Room and also sings along with "sissy". At times, even I sing along with the birdies...However, usually, my wife and I use this nice 15 or so minute break to relax and pass out snacks to our kids. And once the snacks are passed out, my wife and I will sit hand in hand and watch our children with love as we both realize they're growing up way too quickly...and I still am impressed by the fact that it is raining inside the TR yet sunny outside. I still would like to know exactly how they do the Disney Magic with this act, but then again, once you know the Magic, it won't be magic anymore.
I love the Tiki Room." -Leslie N. Herschler
- "I live in England, but have fond memories of the Enchanted Tiki Room that compel me to join your campaign. The first time I went was as an 8 year old in 1976, and I was charmed by the simple fun of it. Especially the rainstorm effects and the singing Tiki gods. But more recently, last year when I was posted to LA as the BBC's correspondent, I went back to Disneyland and was enchanted by the cultural importance of it. From the hostess's cute floral sarong-style skirts at the entrance (surely one of the coolest cast uniforms) to the perfect vision of Polynesia. I did a few features about the whole 50/60s inspired lounge scene. And given that it was born in LA, Disneyland should be cherishing this ride as a hip cultural emblem. Aloha!" -Samira Ahmed, Journalist,
London
- "The Tiki Room is one of my most favourite attractions at Disneyland. Yesterday(Dec. 30, ' 98) was my first chance to visit the Tiki Room. Although it was my first time, I feel that I've seen it over 100 times! I think that the Tiki Room is a very strong part of Disneyland, and it just can't be turned into a food-court! Doesn't Disneyland have enough of those already?" - A.R. Gutierrez
- "When I was 9 I took my first plane ride ever from Chicago to Los Angeles to
visit my uncle. During my weeklong trip, my uncle took me to Disneyland,
which, of course, included a visit to the Tiki Room. Yeah, I admit some other
attractions were more my speed, such as Space Mountain, but this place and
it's name stuck on me big time. Years passed and my obcession grew. In sixth
grade I fondly remember my science teacher, Mr. Zingg, talking about distances
from Earth to other planets. I raised my hand and asked, "How far is it from
Red Oak to the Tiki-Tiki Room?" (Red Oak was my grade school). The class
erupted into laughter. Mr. Zingg, sadly, not familiar with the Tiki Room,
looked perplexed had no answer and contined the planetary distance discussion.
In grade school, odd things stick on young minds and for reasons unknown, my
question became famous as other students would ask it to teachers, including
the hapless Mr. Zingg. Mr. Zingg grew very tiresome of this question and on
one particular day he flipped out on me. "You like this question so much, why
don't you write it for me, 100 times!" Yup, that's what I had to do. But I
took this task upon myself as an honor. Later that year our sixth grade class
created a weekly newspaper which consisted of creative writing stories, news
articles and art. My contribution was a continuing saga of two friends and
their encounter with the mystical Tiki-Tiki Room. No, it wasn't the Disney
attraction, but rather a fictional Tiki Room that would fit the "Indiana
Jones" pulpy serial style I was looking for. Years passed and during my
college years, I re-visited Red Oak, the grade school I attened many years
ago. I ventured into Mr. Zingg's science class. Yeah, he was still teaching
there, but the class was empty at the time. I took a piece of chalk and
wrote: "How far is it from Red Oak to the Tiki-Tiki Room?" on the blackboard
in huge letters. I left the class snickering as fond memories of days past
went through my mind." - Steve Kriozere
- "Two of my fondest childhood memories took place in the Tiki Tiki room. The
first is the moment my family walked in. Lets just say a bird to a special
fondness to my father. He showered him with white. My mom, sister and I just
burst out laughing.
The family next to us also thought it was quite humorous. We ended up
striking up a conversation and soon realized we were staying at the same
hotel. We made dinner plans with this couple and their children who were our
age. The father was one funny guy. Little did I know how famous Jay Leno would
become later on!
God Bless the Tiki Tiki Room."
- In reading all the Tiki Room memories posted on your site, I've noticed one
thing people seem to keep leaving out: The dancing water fountain. That is
one thing that always fascinated me. When I was a kid, I thought the pole of
water was pure magic, and watching the fountain dance to the beat of the war
chant was great. It is still mesmerizing today, even when I know the theory
behind how they do it. When we went to Disneyworld and saw the "Under New
Management" version, I was very disappointed to find that the fountain had
been replaced. Granted, the thing that replaced it (I won't say what so I
don't ruin it for those who haven't seen it) was cool to watch, too, but it
in no way adequately replaced the fountain. I still think it's one of the
best fountains in all of the Disney parks. -Tammi Kennedy
- "It was 1996 when we first visited Disneyland. The first time I went to
the Tiki room simply because my feet sored and I need a break from the
sun (I was pregnant then). My daughter wasn't interested in the idea and
would rather go on a ride than to see a bird show but had no choice.
However, to my surprise, she loved it and wanted to go back again. So we
did, again and again and again .... The Tiki room was a must visit show
twice a day in that 5 days visit. This year (1999), we visited
Disneyland again in April with my daughter and 2 year old son and went
into many different new rides/shows. Then one day my daughter asked me
if the Tiki room was gone as she would love to visit Tiki room again.
Although my husband wanted to go for more rides, my daughter "insisted"
we should go to the Tiki room. As soon as the bird started singing, I
realized the song my daughter hums almost everyday is the song from that
show. Although she is 3 years older since last visit, she still enjoyed
the show till the last second. To my husband's surprise, my son loved it
too. The drum, the birds, the flowers, the rain, the music, every single
detail of the shows attracts their eyes and minds every second. It will
break their hearts if they can't find the Tiki room next time we visit
Disneyland." -Ada
- "I've been into "Polynesian Lounge" way before it became hip, and I credit
my early interest in part to Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, into
which I first ventured as a mere kitten. It shares this distinction
only with the world-famous Kodak culture show in Hawaii, which I saw when
I was five (and is, like out Tiki Room, in danger of extinction). No
matter where I might be, I ALWAYS associate the taste of a pineapple with
the Tiki Room (and vice-versa, thanks to the Dole Tiki Juice Bar). My
love for birds - and especially parrots - stems from my affinity for Jose,
Fritz, Pierre, Michael, and their feathered compatriots. The theme song
is an anchor on the soundrack of my life, and a frequent dance selection
when I'm out cutting rugs - but it always sounds best _IN_ the Tiki Room
itself, with that glorious, bass-heavy surround-sound system!
Even more appropriately, the Tiki Room and I share a birthday. It
opened on June 23, 1963, just twelve years before I arrived in this
world. But the Tiki Room isn't just important to me - or anyone else - as
an individual. It's a cultural icon! Living documentation of a
tremendously dynamic time in the life of an extremely creative man and his
company...and as such, it should be preserved for all of us to experience
for ourselves! I'm familiar with the old show biz maxim that advises
bowing out with a degree of still-active success, but I truly believe that
the Tiki Room's appeal and impact is beyond demise. The thing is a legend
in its own time, which is special, and fortunate for new generations who
would be left wondering wistfully in its absence. It's silly, but every
discontinued attraction at Disneyland - especially those I never got to
experience - corresponds to a tiny missing fragment of my soul. I feel
dismay and loss...and the urge to "seek them out" in some form or another.
And I know that I'm not the only one in an Omnimover-blue funk over
"Adventure Thru Inner Space"!
Anyway, someday I'd love to be able to point to Jose, in full
audio-animatronic glory, and say to my own kids, "Isn't it amazing? These
mechanical friends are the first of their kind...the forerunners of Mr.
Lincoln, the pirates, the ghosts, and even the Country Bears. I'm so glad
they're still around." -Kali
- When I was about 5 or 6 my parents took me on with them to see the
Enchanted Tiki Room. The moment I walked in I was frightened by the
totem polls on the sides of the walls. I was scared to death. Then
toward the end of the show, when I saw them start to move their eyes and
talk, it scared me even more, it took me several years before I could go
on it again. Same with other rides, the pirates in New Orleans even
scared me, but now I love them, at times I wonder why I was so scared of
them (but I was small so...). I now love every Disneyland attraction,
but the first I went on in along time was the Enchanted Tiki Room, I
wanted to see what it was like because I had forgotten about the talking
totem polls on the walls, I just knew I had been scared of something.
But, as the show went on I laughed and had a great time! I wish I had
relized that there was nothing to be scared of sooner! Which is why I
too have also signed the petition. If you are reading this and have not
signed it yet, I would highly suggest you do...as the webmaster of this
site says, would you like this to become a food court? The Walt Disney
World version of this attraction has already changed, not into a food
court, but now the original show (which I love), has changed there, now
Zazu from the Lion King & Iago from Aladdin, now run the show. I ask you
all one thing....Do you want to see the original show at Disneyland (the
first Tiki Room) to change or maybe even disappear? I hope you have
decided that if you have not signed it yet, to sign the petition, your
name could really help save the Enchanted Tiki Room. --Ryan Wilson
- I have many great memories of the tiki room, but my absolute favorite story
didn't really happen to me, My sister had a friend that was six years old in
1964, His parents took him to the tiki room and when the show began, a man in
a gray suit sat next to him and seemed to be watching the young child all
through the show. after the show was finished, the man asked the boy, how did
you like the show? did you like the birds? wasn't that thunderstorm
something? and so on. the child answered all the questions and thiught
nothing of it, when they left the tiki room, The parents were jumping up and
down with excitement, of coarse they knew that the man was none other than
Walt Disney! My biggest fear for our Beloved tiki room is that people are
not interested anymore in going to the tiki room, and that will cause Eisner
to remove it, I went in 97, and hardly anyone was in there. I am going for
four days, this Wednesday, and you can bet I'll be there! Please visit the
tiki room again and again, Lets fill up that room! That room represents Walts
dreams,please go!
- I enjoyed your page, as it brought back wonderful memories of my previous
visits to the Enchanted Tiki Room.
I recall the many visits that we had, looking up in awe at these terrific
singing birds with the tikis chanting all around us. Every year we went,
we all enjoyed the tiki room. One year we went in with it being sunny
outside, and I was amazed to walk out after the "thunderstorm" to find
everything wet with real rain (although it had stopped before we came
out). It was like magic!
Last year, I got to visit Hawaii for the first time, and everywhere we
went I thought about the Tiki Room. In my mind, I was comparing my view
of Polynesia with that of my memory. We had already planned to go to
WDW this year at that point, so I could hardly wait to compare my trip
to Hawaii and see what similarities in style and decoration I could see.
The last week in September, I visited The Magic Kingdom at WDW, and was
horrified to see "The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management"! It
was awful. They took a marvelous show and utterly ruined it. It was not
charming, or even entertaining. The only part of it I liked was when
Iago got zapped; I was pretty hacked off after he interrupted the Tiki
Room Song. You know, I listened to that LP so many times growing up
that I memorized the entire show, dialogue and all? Maybe I am being
inflexible about this, but it was great before they messed with it. I
hope this does not happen to your show at Disneyland!! If it doesn't, I
shall be certain to make a trip to California sometime in the future just
so I can see the "Original".
I just wanted to share this viewpoint with you, and let you know that your
link to the petition is broken. I am about to write a letter to Eisner
letting him know how this ruined my day at the Kingdom. Perhaps this is
a losing cause, too, but they have got to understand that not everything
has to be glitzy and overblown to be enjoyed by all. -Denise Horton
- My mother and I flew to California from Dallas, Texas to visit my
great-uncle, Robert Stafford in the summer of 1963. Uncle Robert was a
film editor for Disney Studios. DisneyLand was a world of wonder for
me. My most vivid memories were being absolutely PETRIFIED during the
Alice In Wonderland ride (the big sunflowers scared me to death!),
riding the Dumbo ride, AND the Tiki Room. It was the most wonderful
place I had ever been to. The colors, the birds, the music - AMAZING.
I was a little unsure of the totem poles at first but, decided soon
enough that if those beautiful, happy birds could live in the same place
with those grumpy totems, then the totems were OK too.
In July of 1996, my husband and I took our children (Lance: then 16,
Landon: then 13, Sarah Michael: then 7) to DisneyWorld. There were two
things I wanted to share with them: the Dumbo ride (which Sarah LOVED
just like I did) and the Tiki Room. Sometimes, boys those ages are
difficult to impress but, they thought the Tiki Room was sooooo COOL!!
Sarah was bit concerned about the totems at first too (it must be the
age) but, soon felt right at home. When asked what parts of DisneyWorld
they liked best, the Tiki Room was one of the top spots for all three of
the kids.
It was absolutely FANTASTIC for me to be able to share a part of my
happy memories with my kids. Even if it was on two different coasts.
The Tiki Room should remain for as long as DisneyLand and DisneyWorld
are in operation. Oh, by the way, my husband Bobby was really impressed
too. Count on me to help in any way possible to keep the Tiki alive
for generations to come. Thanks for all your hard work. - Deana Clark
- Ever since I was born (1986) my grandparents would take me Disneyland nearly every day of my life until I was four, and began to go to school (we're
>locals. And always since I was able to choose, we went to the Tiki Room. I loved the birds, the flowers, and especially the Tikis, and I was also completely mezmorized by the Magical Fountain; and I always wondered, until recently only a comple years ago, how that fountain stream was so perfect. I memorized each song by the time I was four, too. My grandma even sung "Lets All Sing Like the Birdies Sing" to me as a lullaby as I sat in her lap at home. And then when I entered Junior High, the Disneyland visits became even less frequent, but we would still visit the Tiki Room each time. Now I've never even held a Park Pass since I've been in High School, and I dearly miss the Tiki Room, and my grandpa who just passed away recently, who was the one that I sat with inbetween him and my grandma in their old car, and when we went in the park, and when we went to the Tiki Room. If Disneyland ever gets rid of the Tiki Room, my heart will be broken. The Tiki Room is the center of all my wonderful memories at Disneyland. I will do anything it takes to keep it running. And it's always been my dream to be able to BUY the entire Tiki Room, should Disney makes a definite decision to take it away, so I hope they never do this until I have enough money ;) - Christopher Purpura