Today we will have a look at one of the most classic - yet often maligned - attractions in Walt Disney World ...
The Enchanted Tiki Room.
Originally part of a concept for a South Pacific themed restaurant in Disneyland, it was eventually given its own complete attraction and in 1963 became the first audioanimatronic show in Disneyland.
When Walt Disney World opened in October, 1971, it appeared there as well although it was known as the
Tropical Serenade, sponsored by the Florida Orange Growers Association.
Although for a time starting in 1998 it was taken over by the likes of Iago and Zazu (who had apparently purchased the attraction) and operated under the name of
The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management). As much as many of us lamented the change, it was necessary as people were no longer coming to see the original show as they had in the past, and performances were always punctuated with guests getting up and leaving in the middle of the performance.
For good or bad, in January, 2011 a small fire broke out in the attraction, and when it reopened in August of that year, most of the original attraction had been restored - evicting Iago, Zazu and company - and it reopened as
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room once again.
And my favorites ...