Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room at the Magic Kingdom
The Enchanted Tiki Room is one of the signature attractions in Adventureland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. Present since opening day in 1971, it debuted as the 'Tropical Serenade' an almost identical copy of Walt's classic Disneyland hit.
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
The very first of Disney's shows to include audio-animatronics, the original Tiki Room laid the groundwork for many of the classic Disney attractions that Disney Parks are known for. The South Pacific-themed musical show is hosted by four lifelike macaws named Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz who keep in line a "talented" cast of over 225 talking, singing and dancing audio-animatronic birds, flowers, tiki drummers and tiki totem poles.
Enchanted Tiki Room Exterior
The Magic Kingdom's Tiki room was temporarily taken over by Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from Lion King in the 'Under New Management' show in 1998. Despite it's best effort it never really spoke to the fans and many original Tiki Room devotees shunned the remodeled attraction for more than a decade. Finally the Tiki Gods really did get angry and in 2011 a small fire broke out in the attic of the attraction. The fire significantly damaged some of the elements of the new show, and the building was shuttered. With the sudden necessity for a refurbishment the Disney looked to the very successful refurbishment that had happened to the show in Disneyland and chose to return the Florida attraction to it's roots.
Macaws Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz Host the Show
On August 15, 2011 'Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room' opened to excited fans eager to visit the refurbished attraction. The new show, supported by a popular resurgence of tiki culture, is just slightly edited from Disneyland's original. The enjoyable air conditioned respite lasts just over 15 minutes, and offers island-style entertainment for every age group.
A Cast of 225 Audio-Animatronic Performers
The attraction's music includes fan favorites such as "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" song that was created by the legendary Sherman Brothers as well as "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing," and the "Hawaiian War Chant." Today's show has been enhanced with a state-of-the-art show-control system, a vibrant re-mastered audio track, and a more brilliant, versatile, yet energy-efficient lighting system.
Enchanted Tikis Chant
Are you a Tiki Room fan? This year the original Enchanted Tiki Room at the Disneyland Resort is celebrating it's 50th Anniversary this year! To celebrate our West Coast friends will be holding a special event this June, registration begins April 2nd and you can find more information about that on the Disney Theme Park Merchandise Event website.
Enchanted Tiki Room 50th Anniversary
This is one of those classic Disney attractions that always makes me smile. The vintage charm and island music, the knowledge of the ground breaking technology that paved the way for so many Disney favorites. It's a delightful and charming reminder to me that Walt's spirit is still alive, and a must do whenever I'm in the Magic Kingdom. Thanks so much to Sam Howzit for sharing the Tiki Room Interior shots through Creative Commons. Do you love the Tiki Room? Leave a comment below and share what your favorite part is.
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Tracy wrote on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 12:01:
I love the Tiki Room as it is currently in MK! We have such a great memory of my husband, 3 kids and I all seeing it together for the first time when the kids were early teens. My husband and I got terrible giggles from the absurdity of the attraction and really embarrassed our kids (which is a favorite past time of ours). My daughter has since decided this is also a favorite and loves to go and chair dance and sing to the show with me whenever we are in MK. You can't help but smile as you take in all of the show. The air conditioning is also a great perk!
J wrote on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 12:40:
You know it seems like this would get old, but it hasn’t for me yet. I remember it being a favorite from childhood, and it still manages to be today. I give Disney some props for trying to put a new spin on something, and eventually realizing it was not working, so when they got the chance they changed it back. And as I have pointed out several times, never ever forget you can do the Macarena to the Tiki room theme song.
Kristen K. wrote on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 15:42:
I tried so hard not to really slant this piece and just keep to the facts but I absolutely adore the Tiki Room! I have been a fan since I was knee high, I hated the "under new management" and I'm over the moon that the WDW show is back to honoring the original. This attraction makes me smile and is in my opinion about as classic Disney as you can get. If I could get to DLR for the special event I would be all over it.
Poppet wrote on Thu, 03/21/2013 - 18:56:
Our trip to Disney last wk was the first time my husband and 2 children watched this. My daughter loves the song so she was soo excited to see the show and hear it. So glad it returned to the "original" my kids really enjoyed it.
Charles wrote on Sun, 03/24/2013 - 17:27:
Oh I cannot wait to hear the Tiki song again. The last time I was in the Tiki room was when I was in my 20's in the late seventies. Now I will be 60 next month while visiting WDW. I am so happy that The enchanted Tiki Room is Back! I know the song will stick in my head just like "Its a small world" song.
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