The Enchanted Tiki Room
By Soarin’ Diva
There are some classic attractions at Walt Disney World that just never go out of style. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is one of these timeless classics that we make sure to visit each trip. Tucked behind The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Adventureland, it can sometimes be easy for guests to miss the attraction, walking by it on the way to another attraction or ride. I realize a trip into Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room isn’t exactly an exciting coaster ride, or even a relaxing boat ride, but it does offer guests a cute show to pass the time, and more importantly, an indoor seating area to get out of the blazing heat or pouring rain.
To give you a little background on the show, it originally opened in Disneyland in 1963, followed by Walt Disney World at the opening in 1971. It also has a place in Tokyo Disneyland. The fact that this attraction has a spot in three of the Disney parks around the globe should be a hint that the show is charming and full of nostalgia. Originally, the show was about 17 minutes long, but has undergone a few changes since opening and is now a little over 12 minutes with a 4 minute pre show taking place right outside the arena featuring Clyde and Claude, two talking toucans.
Pre show at Enchanted Tiki Room
Once the pre show is finished, the guests are invited into the Tiki Room where three rows of benches are circled around the room. The show features something Disney parks are famous for, animatronics in the form of several species of tropical birds, as well as birds of paradise, orchids, totem poles and masks, all of which sing and/or speak. Giving off a Polynesian vibe, everything inside the Tiki Room is an example of exotic paradise.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
As the lights dim, the show begins with four Macaw’s lowering slightly from the ceiling as the begin singing, soon joined by many of the other 225 exotic birds and totem pole animatronics in their song. To me, it’s more exciting when there are guests there who have seen the show before and join in, as my family does, as we all sing along to, “The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room”, which was a song originally written by the famous Sherman Brothers, who have collaborated on so many Disney songs.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
The show ends with each animatronic lending voice to their version of “The Hawaiian War Chant”, as the audience realizes that even the totem poles behind them are part of the show, sound vibrating all around the room. As the crescendo builds, suddenly there is a huge boom of thunder, lightening flashing, and rain starts falling from the windows behind the audience.
Disney Diva Tip: Did you know that guests are welcome to bring their snacks in to eat while they enjoy the show? We love to stop by Aloha Isle next door to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and grab the famous Dole Whip, then take it inside with us to treat ourselves while we watch the show!
Our family loves watching the show, as well as the rest it gives us from the constant on-the-go walking as we travel from attraction to attraction. It’s fun and cute, and most of all, it’s a classic dating back to Disneyland that stands the test of time. As I’ve mentioned, the show has undergone some changes over the years. At one time, it was converted to feature Zazu from The Lion King and Iago from Aladdin, but due to a fire in the attic several years ago, the Iago animatronic was damaged, so the attraction was reverted back to the original animatronics. In my opinion, this was actually a good thing, the original show is much better than the show featuring Zazu and Iago was.
If you haven’t taken the time to stop inside Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, I highly recommend giving it a try. If you’ve never noticed it in your rush to the next mountain coaster, or if you have seen it without realizing exactly what it is, I hope this gives you a little insight. Young children and adults alike enjoy this show, and I think you will too!
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