Vintage Disneyland Tahitian Terrace

I cannot resist the lure of the islands! It seems I am not alone in this either. From tiki bars across the States to the authentic thing in Hawaii, people just love the chance to escape even if for a few hours. 

Walt Disney was one smart man- and he was quick to realize the allure. At Disneyland, the incredible Tahitian Terrace was my very first experience. Tucked back in the corner between the Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room was a very special restaurant. Cuisine was highlighted by teriyaki everything and pineapple- lots of it. Yum! The food was great, but the performances were just plain mesmerizing and fun. Even this black and white photo cannot kill its charm.

When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, the lovely Luau Cove and its all star revue at the Disney's Polynesian Village was a must-do experience. We were fortunate to go to the show one last time before the Cove disappeared forever to make room for the Disney Vacation Club Expansion. Ah, those innocent days of Disney when to stay at the island themed resort was actually affordable! Now, a brief break at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto will have to scratch the itch.

(Photographer unknown.)

A Look at Disneyland's Adventureland Circa 1955

Innocence and discovery without agenda or political reckoning. That was Adventureland during its initial decades at Disneyland. The entrance to the land as seen in this concept art reflects the time. How refreshing! The United States was at the cusp of bringing Hawaii into the union when Disneyland opened, and you just know that with the forward thinking Walt Disney that some island themed atmosphere would soon be coming to his beloved park. Of course, that would come within its first decade when the Tahitian Terrace opened in 1962. Just around the corner was Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, and it would take the world by storm with its Audio-Animatronics musical show. This was only the beginning for the little park that changed the world...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Saturday Night at the Disneyland Hotel

What it lacks in size, it makes up for in sheer panache. The Disneyland Hotel may not be the biggest or the most prestigious resort ever found at a Disney themed resort, but it has a style than none can match: It's the only one that celebrates the history of what came before it. 

To put a replica of the old Disneyland sign at the pool and then use a monorail themed prop as a slide is genius. In the hotel lobby, guests find a giant tea cup just waiting to be taken for a spin as a photograph. Not to be outdone, down the path, Trader Sams bar is filled with all things tiki with more than a nod to the first attraction to feature Audio-Animatronics- Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. 

The entrance to Downtown Disney is at the edge of the property, and just beyond are the two theme parks, including what may be the most beloved one in all the world. Walt's park. The one that started it all. And that is something no other park can lay claim to!

(And Happy Birthday to the real photographer in our family!)

Tropical and Exotic Adventureland

For fans of Disneyland, it can seem that Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is a second class version of "Walt's park", but the truth is, the Florida wonderland is full of incredible Imagineering work! Take a look at the concept art for the Great Ceremonial House, home to the Enchanted Tiki Birds at opening, but now known as the Enchanted Tiki Room. Just beautiful! Even without its water feature- look closely- it is a stunning building.

Great thought was put in when it came to designing all of the Magic Kingdom. It was on a grand scale, and initial plans were meant to continue on in that vein. For proof, just take a look at the never built Thunder Mesa complex for Frontierland. 

I will admit that once Aladdin's Magic Carpets came on the site that something was lost. The addition was not only a thematic mismatch, it was a downgrade to the elegance of the area. Used to be a view from the top of the Swiss Family Tree House yielded the fantasy to take hold: YOU were out in the jungles of the world, and across the horizon were exotic locales waiting to be explored. Asia, Polynesia, Africa, and beyond. Adventure awaits!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Two Rare Adventureland Goodies

Since I ran out of time to put together my "The New Orleans Square You've Never Seen" article, I thought I would put out there a couple of pieces of rare concept art for Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. 

At top is Imagineering's Colin Campbell and a beautiful piece showing the outdoor preshow area to the Tropical Serenade at the Sunshine Pavilion. In Florida, there's no garden with the gods before entering the Enchanted Tiki Room, but there is a cute little show while guests wait for the main attraction. In this piece, I'm struck by how dressed up everyone is! What a nice change of pace compared to today, right?

Do you love eating at Skipper's Canteen? (I haven't gotten in yet. It's on my must-do next trip.) The Jungle Cruise inspired restaurant looks to have a great menu and an intriguing atmosphere. 

But actually, I have gotten into Skipper's Canteen, just under the name of the Adventureland Veranda- which goes back to opening in 1971. Same location, different interior, much less expensive but some similarities. Dorothea Redmond captured the charm of early Disney World perfectly here. The Veranda also had some space now used by the Magic Kingdom's more difficult to see Club 33. It was nice to sit and eat lunch and overlook the rest of the park while the Plaza Swan Boats sailed by. Ah, simple pleasures of years gone by...

Many Disney Parks fans like to play "Which Resort is the best?" I'd rather just enjoy the differences for what they are. They're both so different and each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. But one thing is certain: Disney Imagineers are some of the best in the business! Even if Universal Creative is killing it lately, I want to believe Imagineering can still create world class attractions when given the proper encouragement, direction, and budget. Where's Walt when you need him?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room: Here, There, But Not Everywhere

Did you know that United Airlines and Dole were not the originally proposed sponsors of Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland? The beloved attraction that stands at the entrance of Adventureland (and deep within it at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World) was sure to be an out of the box hit. 

 

Walt Disney World's Tropical Serenade at park opening in 1971.

From Gorillas Don't Blog.
 

The use of Audio-Animatronics was in its infancy stage and first debuted with this epic stage show in the round in 1963- right on the middle of America's love affair with all things Hawaiian and Tiki. Walt and his Imagineers knew this new E Ticket attraction would be a smash, and they first pitched sponsorship to none other than RCA. The concept art above is one of the first ones created. 

 

Alien invasion in Tokyo Disneyland.
 

The show was imported to Tokyo Disneyland and is now interrupted by Stitch, but it was never added to any other castle park aside from the two in the US.

 

Colonel Hathi's Outpost in Disneyland Paris.

There is a tribute of sorts in Disneyland Paris' Adventureland in Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost, where feathered cousins perch above diners.  

 

Disney is slowly doing away with its Audio-Animatronic musical shows. (See this post.) It's an unfortunate move when especially in Florida they have all the land the could ever need. In fact, I'd say The Enchanted Tiki Room is "appreciated" in Florida and Japan but only truly beloved in California. Should the suits desire Moana to have a castle park presence, this would be the place she'd move in. Until then, let's all sing like the birdies sing.

(Art and photos copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

  

Disney World's Shag-A-Delic Jungle Cruise

I'm pretty familiar with the stylistic art of Josh Agle aka Shag. His map for Disneyland, designed for its 50th Birthday celebration, hangs on my wall. He's done beautiful pieces for the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and of course, for Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. But I've never seen him do art for Walt Disney World- until now. This piece above for the classic Jungle Cruise oozes fun! Adventureland never looked so good! It's about time Disney fans give the World its due. It's not Disneyland and doesn't have Walt's personal touch, but it has a charm and vibe entirely its own. And Shag captures it quite well!

(Art copyright Josh Agle.)

Disneyland Attraction Posters: A Little Tiki Culture for a Sunday Morning

Disneyland, tiki culture, and Imagineering. What a great combination for something very creative! Here's Paul Hartley's attraction poster to advertise Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, the groundbreaking Audio-Animatronic filled musical show. With its introduction in the early 1960s, Disneyland and every Disney theme park after would never be the same. This show goes through changes in Tokyo and perhaps one day will be fully replaced in Walt Disney World, but may it live on in its slightly abbreviated form in Walt's park. It's a classic! (By the way, the Insights blog has the most extensive attraction poster collection on the web!)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tiki Culture Lives on at Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort

Tiki Culture- I love it! Give me views of South Pacific tropical islands with crystal waters, lush fruity drinks, and the sights and sounds of days gone by, and I'm in total relaxation mode. Or give me stuff that delivers the vibe. Are you one who still enjoys the Enchanted Tiki Room? Does Trader Sams float your boat? Join the club!

Few things were more enjoyable during our last Walt Disney World trip than an evening at the Polynesian Village Resort and dinner at the world famous Spirit of Aloha luau. Even the boat ride over from the Magic Kingdom at early dusk was truly magical.

The re-envisioned lobby area was a major step backward, and the Moana makeover seems pleasant but unnecessary. The original just needed a refresh and not a makeover. That said, I am looking forward to a new entrance and monorail station. Yet...

The real Hawaii has charms that Disney's duplication can't match. But when you want a small taste of that island life while at Disney World, head over to the Polynesian. You won't be disappointed!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Rare 1967 Disneyland Painted Map

Here's a fresh and bright and charming 1967 map of Disneyland. It seemingly wasn't used much if at all as there are no labels or text, but it is full of vintage goodness. Used shortly after the opening of Pirates of the Caribbean that same year, the graphic design of the icons sparkle with life. 

It was during a season when Audio-Animatronics were new and exciting. Take a look at the prominence of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln right at the hub, the Enchanted Tiki Room makes its splash on the map, and the beautiful clock tower of It's A Small World stands proudly behind the castle. Beyond those highlights, the beloved and iconic New Tomorrowland shows off the Peoplemover while older school attractions still have a place. From the Swiss Family Treehouse to the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Jungle Cruise, Disney knew their market and that variety is the spice of life.

For all its many changes over the decades, "Walt's park" certainly remains just as astonishing as ever!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Aloha from Hawaii- and Those Spirit of Aloha Ribs!

Disney and Hawaii - or more specifically the many cultures of the people of Polynesia- are intertwined in various ways. It's not just the Enchanted Tiki Room!  The love of the cultures also brought about Disneyland's Tahitian Terrace, Walt Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort, The Spirit of Aloha dinner show, Trader Sams and Trader Sam's Grog Grotto watering holes, and perhaps the most beautiful of all, Disney's Aulani Resort on the island of Oahu. 

Last visit to Walt Disney World, we fell in love with the Spirit of Aloha's ribs! 

We discovered the recipe, and now we'll share it with those of you so inclined to try it at home. Aloha!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

------

Disney's Spirit of Aloha -Polynesian Resort

Island Barbecued Pork Ribs

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

Select 2 each slabs of Raw Pork Spare Ribs (total – 4 lbs.)

Dry Seasoning

1 cup Kosher Salt

1 tsp Celery Salt

2 TBSP Mesquite Seasoning

1 TBSP Onion Powder

1 TBSP Garlic Powder

3 TBSP Sugar

1 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Sauce

1 cup Tomato paste

1 TBSP Corn Syrup

1 TBSP Molasses

1 TBSP Dijon Mustard

2 TBSP Honey

1 cup Pineapple Juice

2 TBSP Rice Wine Vinegar

1 tsp Granulated Garlic

1 TBSP Onion Powder

1 TBSP Caramel

1/4 Tsp Smoked Liquid

Barbecue Sauce Preparation

1. In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients and mix well

2. Keep refrigerated

Preparation

1. Mix all dry ingredients and season lightly the pork rib slabs on both sides; let marinate for 12 hours.

2. Cook the seasoned pork ribs at 325°F for 1 hour.

3. Cut slabs of ribs while hot into individual pieces (one bone each) and place in baking dish.

4. Heat the barbecue sauce to a simmer and pour over the entire pork ribs.

5. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in a warm oven at 200° for 30-45 minutes.

The Main Street Cinema, Country Bear Jamboree, and the Heart of a Disney Park

Even though Disneyland is removing merchandise from its classic Main Street Cinema, probably much to the dismay of Bob Chapek and others like him who seem to think the parks are mostly showcases for sales of Disney Intellectual Property related items, there are even those fans who believe it wasn't such a bad idea.

Case in point: Robert Niles, from Theme Park Insider-

"Okay, I'm gonna deliver some tough love here. Main Street Cinema is a wasted space in Disneyland. It's not that this is a bad concept — far from that, an old-time movie theater show the films that gave birth to the Walt Disney Company is a perfect, even necessary, component of Main Street USA. But in its current form, Main Street Cinema simply is not attracting enough attention to merit the use of that very valuable corporate real estate."

Generally, I tend to appreciate and agree with Robert on many things, but this is not one of those, even if I do believe him to be a true fan and an all around good guy.

My question for him and others is, "What should Disney place there?" Main Street Cinema is one of the cornerstones of true placemaking in the park; one of the original attractions that felt true to theme and place, helping to immerse guests into Walt's park. It was one of many items that made Disneyland different than regional carnivals and pier attractions. One of the many little touches that bring charm and authenticity. I say leave it as it is, and let guests enjoy it if only for nostalgia's sake. (Or air conditioning.)

The same holds true in Florida's Walt Disney World resort and her Magic Kingdom. Those who are thinking of replacing Country Bear Jamboree and even Enchanted Tiki Room are missing the point. If I'm not mistaken, those two Audio-Animatronics shows are back to back as well as not taking up too much space. Perhaps between the two, there would be enough room for a decent sized dark ride. But is is worth it? No.

Beyond destroying some opening day attractions, a move like this only subtracts from the variety of entertainment choices for guests. Once upon a time in that Magic Kingdom, every land but Main Street had an animatronic show (Mickey Mouse Musical Revue in Fantasyland, the silly but fun Sonny Eclipse show in Tomorrowland, and the two mentioned above). These types of shows are still perfect for little ones, older folks and others for whom these bring back lots of memories, and any guest who prefers a gentler even corny form of entertainment. 

These shows and smaller attractions bring a charm and warmth to the increasingly over commercialized Disney Parks  forming a backbone, a sense of place, and in many aspects, the heart and soul of those beloved spaces. 

They are worth preserving as is.

(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Imagineer Rolly Crump's Midway of Life for Epcot

Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump is quite the character! And he's quite the innovative artist when it comes to bringing to life new ideas. Rolly's perhaps best known for his work at Disneyland and The Enchanted Tiki Room, the unrealized Museum of the Weird (for the Haunted Mansion), and It's a Small World's Tower of the Four Winds (for the World's Fair). 

The concept art you're seeing here was not designed for Disneyland, however. Instead, this Midway of Life was created for EPCOT Center's long gone Wonders of Life. (I guess I should say, the space itself is still used but as an event center for Epcot's ever increasing festivals.) It's quirky Victorian era charm was not to be as the art direction for the Future World pavilion took a more contemporary but eventually dated looking turn.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.) 

Tropical Hideaway Update

Take a look at what is going on behind the walls of Disneyland's new Tropical Hideaway eatery. Nestled between the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise, this place is another in a series of fine tuning the suits are bringing to the park in time for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. As we speak, signs and lighting have arrived. Based on the look of things, this photo from Reverse Imagineering (https://twitter.com/revimagineering) shows we're clearly on our way for opening. See more at that site.

(Photograph copyright Reverse Imagineering.)

Tiki Saturday

Certainly, it's a Tiki kind of Saturday! As I finish up my last day's trip report for Walt Disney World, I thought I'd share an image not shown from my One Day, Two Park, 26 Attractions time at Disneyland on July 5.

The Enchanted Tiki Room has endured as one of my favorite attractions. Imagineering was just hitting its peak in those early years, but no one had an idea where it would truly go when the park debuted this show in 1963. 

On a hot day, I entered the garden waiting to hear the sounds of the tropics and watch the charming show. It was a fun house and still quite fun! I took many more photos than this, but especially once you enlarge it, it's still beautiful in there. If you want to read about my Commando day at the Disneyland Resort and pick up a few tips, go here.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Retro United Airlines Tiki Room Poster

This Enchanted Tiki Room attraction poster is an older one that features United Airlines. The stylistic approach reminds me of the ancient Hawaiian fabric prints that you find all over. Of course, the classic original Disneyland logo is pretty darn cool as well.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tropical Serenade Attraction Poster

Before Moana moves into the Tropical Serenade at Walt Disney World, I thought it'd be good to post a high quality copy of the attraction poster.  An Adventureland original!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disneyland Time Machine: Music to My Ears

America the Beautiful. Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland. Adventure Thru Inner Space, America Sings, and more. Much more. What a way to visit vintage Disneyland in your mind! It's one thing to daydream about a visit to the park, but it's another thing entirely if you're adequately prepared. 

And I am. Listening now to the excellent Musical History of Disneyland, the perfect 50th anniversary gift for Disney park fans. Starting with Walt Disney's dedication, the collection takes you through each land of the park, bringing atmospheric music, deluxe attraction soundtracks, and evening and holiday performances and parades. It's a time machine journey that never gets old.

Disneyland's Pineapple Whip Poster

As a follow up to yesterday's post... Deep from my Imagineering files: a fairly rare attraction poster for Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room, or really, the Dole Pineapple Whip. Who can resist this delicious treat on a hot summer day? Just head toward Adventureland. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dinner in the Enchanted Tiki Room

Had Walt Disney's original plans come to pass for his park, the very lovely Enchanted Tiki Room would have come to life as a sit down restaurant in Adventureland. For the day, this would have been quite the unique experience. Imagine sitting under in the beautiful Hawaiian inspired room enjoying a meal while the Tiki Birds serenade. The concept art shown is a fairly rare piece as it portrays tables placed inside the room and guests walking around in it. 

Personally, I'm quite pleased the Disneyland Imagineers went an entirely  different direction. Had they made this a high end restaurant, only select number of paying guests would have been able to experience the earliest incarnation of Audio-Animatronics. As a continual show, Disneyland guests had a chance to see the latest and greatest Imagineering technology without having to pay more.

A more thrilling show could be found in Adventureland anyway. A full on South Seas revue at the famous Tahitian Terrace- complete with hula girls and fire dancers providing more excitement than a group of machine birds could ever compete with!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)