Photos on this page courtesy of Stephen Maniscalco

The Tiki Room is Disney's first audio animatronic, fully automated show. Birds sing and the "flowers croon in the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room". Originally, the attraction was planned as a restaurant, but further development produced the memorable Tiki room. (Previous to the refurbishment you may have noticed the chairs you are sitting on, along with the "booth style" benches are reminiscent of restaurant furniture). Your host is a loveable bird named Jose, and along with a cast of audio animatronic birds, flowers, and tiki gods, you're sure to be entertained. The Tiki room opened in 1963. There are more than 225 birds, flowers and tikis to enchant you.

Before you enter the show, the various Gods in the Enchanted Garden introduce themselves. The last Tiki God, Tangaroa (voice of Thurl Ravenscroft), a large tree just outside the entrance, sets the mood. The doors open and you enter the Tiki Room. Jose introduces the many birds and tikis. They present a variety of musical numbers, along with a thunderous ending.

Disneyland is fortunate enough to host the original show, with only a few minor changes in the format. Walt Disney World's version of the show has been altered to include new characters from The Lion King and Aladdin and is called The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management.

The theme music was written by the Sherman Brothers, who also wrote the music for It's a Small World and many Disney films including Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Mary Poppins.

When the attraction first premiered, an audio animatronic bird would beckon guests to the  Enchanted Tiki Room from the entrance to Adventureland. Unfortunately, the bird was so popular, that he had to be removed (he was causing major traffic problems at the entrance to Adventureland).

The majority of the show takes place over your head, so the best views are actually not up front where we would be accustomed to. Try taking a seat in the very back row (there are comfortable padded benches here, as opposed to the chairs). You'll get a much more enjoyable experience here, and you'll get a better overall view of the show. 

The latest refurbishment restored the Tiki room to its 1963 splendor, but no changes to the show occurred (with the exception of the cut "Offenbach" number that was (and still is) deleted from the show). The show building was completely modernized and each audio animatronic bird, flower and tiki was meticulously restored. Advanced LED technology lighting was installed in the fountain for the truly colorful effects and the sound system was greatly improved.




Outside the attraction in the queue area are various gods and goddesses. Before the show you can learn about each one of them. Be sure to also catch the famous "pineapple" film on display courtesy of the show's sponsor; Dole Pineapple. Don't forget to catch some pineapple juice, a dole whip (pineapple flavored soft-serve ice cream) or a "Dole Whip Float" which is the ice cream served over pineapple juice) at the Tiki Juice Bar. Food and drinks are allowed inside, so don't feel you have to rush to finish your dessert or beverage before entering the Tiki Room.



It's rare that children may be frightened by some of the effects inside the Tiki Room, but there is a thunderstorm sequence with some sudden darkness near the end of the show you may want to be aware of. You can sit near the exit (which is caddy-corner to the entrance) if you have to make a hasty retreat.




VIDEO

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room NEW!

Video Courtesy of RU42 Productions


 

Hi Resolution Photos (Pre-Refurb) Click to see larger images

Photos are (C) VisionsFantastic.com and Josh Baker.

Hi Resolution Photos (Post=Refurb) Click to see larger images

Photos are (C) VisionsFantastic.com and Stephen Maniscalco.