Tangaroa Terrace and Disney's Cop Out

Just caught a glimpse of the art for the new Tangaroa Terrace planned for the expansion and renovation of the Disneyland Hotel. This quick casual dining experience will have tropical decor and great music. The outdoor seating is perfect for those beautiful California nights. But what is missing?

This Tahitian Terrace inspired eatery is missing the very thing that made the Terrace so popular when it was first opened: Polynesian dancers and live music! With a bit more creativity in space planning, there is no reason Disney suits couldn't bring in a smaller venue similar to the Spirit of Aloha show at Walt Disney World's Polynesian Resort. A serious misstep.

With the live dancers and musicians, this would be the evening place to be found- and the crowds would have a great signature experience to mark their vacations. Without the live entertainment, this location is nothing more than a Disneyfied Rumbi Island Grille! If the Disneyland Resort is indeed a resort, there needs to be an increase in the offerings- and Disney missed the mark here by taking the easy way out.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Island Paradise and Other Adventures

It was just one of those lazy afternoons while still on vacation after our daughter's wedding. We were enjoying a late lunch date together at one of our favorite spots, Rumbi Island Grill. Looking up, I saw this terrific poster. I immediately flashed back to our two trips to Hawaii.

The next flashback was to my many visits long ago to Disneyland. At least once a summer, we stopped to eat at the wonderful Tahitian Terrace in Adventureland.

I am sure this was where my love for the islands originated. As a teen, I read books like The Dove, and fantasied about sailing away to some tropical paradise.

Now landlocked in Denver, I treasure my rare days at the beach, be it in California, Florida or Hawaii. And I'm so glad the Disney suits plan to bring a bit of Tahiti and the Terrace back to the Disneyland Hotel. When they do, you can be sure I will be there...