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.)

Miniature Golf for Walt Disney World's Polynesian Village

Aloha! Like any good Californian, I really like my tiki culture! So, you can imagine how excited I was when this piece of concept art for a miniature golf course ended up on my desk. Is this possibly for Typhoon Lagoon or maybe it was part of a plan once upon a time for an expansion of the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World. Looks like it would fit for something next to Trader Sam's Grog Grotto even. Does anyone know more?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

World Class Look at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Ah, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, the original hotel that Walt Disney World dreams are made of! You're looking at what it looks like now as of mid-March 2023 in a great photo by Bioreconstruct. The new Honolulu high rise tower is being built in the upper right hand corner. It will not only change the sight line, but it will remove the sense of separation from Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Photo from My Favorite Disney Postcards

Back in the opening year, the Polynesian was much smaller, giving it a remote, exotic feel. The slightly color corrected version of this vintage postcard is seen below.

As any die hard Poly fan will tell you, the lobby waterfalls were much better looking and more inviting than the glass floats hanging from its ceiling guests see today. The hard to get into Trader Sam's Grog Grotto may be loads of fun, but the new vibe at the Poly is less relaxing than ever before. Still, it's a good place to hang out on a non-park day. But let's not talk about those outrageous room rates! 

(Images copyright The Walt Disney Company and Bioreconstruct.)

This is Disney World's Polynesian Resort?

Yes, there's a mega story Downtown Honolulu-esque building going up next to Walt Disney World's original Polynesian Village Resort. It may look nice when it's completed, but there's no question it will change the feel of the beloved original property. Here's a piece of concept art that some Imagineer dreamed up awhile back. With elements that feel old school, it harkens back to a simpler time. But, of course, this is modern Disney, so it's all about the money and withdrawing every last bit of cash from every guest. Hence the multi-story Downtown Honolulu vibe of the new building. My love for classic Disney Imagineering and business sense will never fail, but this new brazen one that looks to constantly slaughter the cash cow? Well, I'm losing patience. 

My next trip should include more time at Universal Orlando Resort. Once Epic Universe opens, Disney will lose yet another day to their main competitor. And I will not be the only one.

(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.)

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.)

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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.

Rare Polynesian Village Pool Art

Who doesn't love Disney's Polynesian Village Resort? You are looking at a pretty rare piece of concept art designed exclusively for my favorite Walt Disney World hotel. On my very first visit I took the monorail around the property and just had to get off to explore the place. And it's been the same for every trip since. Beautiful grounds, strolling paths, and a great pool. Give me breakfast at Kona Cafe, dinner at Ohana, or a drink at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, and I've got a smile on my face. Even without the stunning (and original) lobby waterfall, I just cannot get enough of that resort's tropical vibe! 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Old Polynesian Village Concept Art

Found in one of my old Walt Disney World pictorial souvenir books is this old piece of art for the Polynesian Village Resort. It's quite a nice item even if the colors are a little funky- even for 1971. 

Although we have not been able to stay there so far, it has remained the one location in the World that would be my first preference if price were not an issue to be considered. My hunch tells me I'll miss the old lobby and its majestic waterfall. It also indicates I'll probably really like Trader Sam's Grog Grotto- poor name aside.

Here's a drink (tropical of course, including umbrella!) to the old days at Walt Disney World. A toast to simpler times.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.) 

Walt Disney Studios Paris: The Little Park with an Identity Crisis

It's not for lack of trying. It's for lack of trying hard enough. With the truly incredible remake of Disney California Adventure, the woefully under built Walt Disney Studios Paris theme park is now the bastard child of sorts in the Disney theme park collection.

Following the Michael Eisner disaster era of post- EuroDisney / Disneyland Paris, build them on the cheap, this park continues to suffer from a poor beginning, desperation in expansion, an uncertain future, and the sheer misfortune of sitting next door to the most beautiful Magic Kingdom ever built. 

As with any Disney park, including the now lost Epcot, the disaster of Florida's own Studios park, or the beautiful but lacking Animal Kingdom, there are "nice" attractions to be found among the ruins of potential greatness.

Crush's Coaster is a fun-filled zippy excursion through the world of Nemo, but its big box exterior and less than fully executed interior still make it a second rate attraction. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is also fun but as its straddled with the same design as that found in California, by its very beginning it's far less than it could have been. Rock n Rollercoaster looks every bit as thrown together at the last moment as it was, yet, these three attractions do provide some thrills for those wanting more of an adrenaline rush than can be had at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad next door. 

Aside from a film based avant grade "sophisticated" theater show, the park's rounded out by a very sorry Studio Tram Tour and the kiddy amusement park rides of Toy Story Playland. It's certainly not a compelling mix- and faced with a one day only choice, a wise park goer would opt for the park next door. Nor does it make Disneyland Paris a destination resort.

Although, in the current Disney world where Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is better executed than the most current Walt Disney World attractions, perhaps the Imagineers have hit it out of the park by creating the Bistrot Chez Remy. This popular but pricey and very well themed restaurant, is the French equivalent to Be Our Guest in Florida's Magic Kingdom. As with the Grog Grotto, the Paris stop and Florida's Fantasyland eatery are attractions all their own, luring guests who have now forgotten Disney used to be in the attraction business long before it was in the restaurant one.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)