Monthly Archives: October 2009

The Enchanted Tiki Room – Disney World, Orlando, FL

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Tiki Sites and Stores and tagged with , ,

Enchanted Tiki Room Disney World

A definite must-stop on our Disney World trip was, of course, The Enchanted Tiki Room in the Magic Kingdom park. It features a completely different exterior design than The Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland.

Outside the Enchanted Tiki Room

Next to it was the Dole Whip outpost, where I noticed they also had pineapple juice floats with vanilla ice cream. I’ve never been a fan of Disneyland’s float because the pineapple juice is too tart to blend well with the sweetness of the Dole Whip, so I’m thinking the vanilla might be a better match.

Tiki Room
Sadly, I’d already ordered a chocolate/vanilla swirl cone so I didn’t get to taste test my theory. Next time!

Enchanted Tiki Room - Under New Management

Ten years ago, Disney defaced this treasure by adding the “Under New Management” element and bringing in Iago from “Aladdin” and Zazu from “The Lion King.” Ironic, as it seems like “new management” has ruined/closed many venerable tiki establishments (Trader Vic’s Beverly Hills, perhaps The Tonga Room next year).

William & Morris

It started off fine, with these two toucans named William and Morris (…get it?) that are talent agents bragging to each other about their clients, the new “co-owners” of the Tiki Room. As if I don’t already hear enough of these types of show-offy showbiz conversations in LA?

Talking tikis

In that intro, the Hawaiian tikis you know from Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Room are mutely relegated to the sidelines. Once inside, the birds and company begin with the beloved refrains of “In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room…”
Boring tiki birds?

But then Iago interrupts with a tirade against the “boring tiki birds” sung to the tune of the Genie’s “Friend Like Me.” One of the lyrics warns that “you better get hip or your audience will disappear.” Ouch!

Enchanted Tiki Room tiki goddess

Angered by all this, the “tiki goddess of disaster” with a Chiquita Banana headdress emerges from the waterless tiki fountain to put the smack down. The incongruous song choices continue with the tikis singing doowoop “In the Still of the Night” and then rapping birds of paradise, “Conga” and “Get On Your Feet” (one of those imagineers must have been a big Gloria Estefan fan).

Tiki fountains in Florida

Anyway, it was interesting to see a completely different version of the Enchanted Tiki Room, but I was glad that I get to go home and see the real one. You can watch the whole show for yourself on YouTube. Possibly the best part is at the end where Iago says “Boy, I’m tired. I think I’ll head over to the Hall of Presidents and take a nap.”

The Enchanted Tiki Room
Disney World
Floridian Wy.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Editor’s note: The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management suffered a fire in January 2011. The attraction then underwent renovations to turn it back into a version of the original show and re-opened in August.

Boutiki at Disney’s Polynesian Resort – Orlando, FL

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Tiki Sites and Stores and tagged with , , , ,

Boutiki at Disney's Polynesian Resort

Ok, this is the last post about Disney World’s Polynesian Resort, I promise. I hesitated to include it, but it’s such a tiki train wreck, starting with these mischievous fellows with the crazy bulging eyes.

Yikes

Yikes.

Ugly tikis at the Polynesian Resort

I think these monstrosities are playing hide and seek in the store.

Polynesian Resort print

Aside from those giant ugly tikis, this is actually a great store. It had a bunch of merchandise tailored to the Polynesian Resort, like prints, mugs, t-shirts, etc. It was a nice change since all the shops at Disney World seem to carry most of the same stuff.

Disney World Polynesian Resort Shirt

I loved this design and had to get the shirt—you may remember that it’s Shag-approved! Mickey and Stitch make cameos, obviously, but I just noticed that Donald Duck might be in there too.

Boutiki

EDITOR’S NOTE: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been undergoing extensive renovations in 2014, so consider this post a time capsule.

Barefoot Pool Bar at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Bar & Restaurant Reviews and tagged with , ,

Barefoot Pool Bar

We had intended to have a tasty beverage at the Tambu Lounge (probably something in a pineapple), but we didn’t have time to wait for it to open as we were soon heading to Epcot where there were rides to wait in line for and countries to drink at.

The menu at the Barefoot Pool Bar

The Barefoot Pool Bar is found, you guessed it, down by the pool. They didn’t have nearly the selection of libations, but they were the only game in town at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. And I may not know much about mixology, but I do know that many consider putting pineapple juice in a Mai Tai to be a grave offense.

Tikis

I first thought this photo was notable for the tikis flanking the flat-screen tv (another supposed tiki bar no-no), but now I marvel at the number of fans set up. Sadly, I doubt they made much of a difference for that dude.

Pina Colava & Orange Dream

It was freakin’ hot out, so we went the frozen route with the Pina Colava and Orange Dream. Both were tasty and hit the spot but I thought the Pina Colava was the better of the two.

Pool volcano at Disney's Polynesian Resort

It was tempting to take a whirl down the pool’s volcano slide, but I wanted to get some shopping in at the Bou-Tiki back in the lobby.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is undergoing extensive renovations in 2014, including the closing of the Nanea Volcano Pool. For the latest updates, you should check out Tikiman’s Unofficial Polynesian Resort Pages