Chapter 10 - Magic Kingdom - Adventureland Part 2
The Enchanted Tiki Room posted Aug 2017updated Feb 2022
We're just toured through Adventureland. Just left the sights and sounds of the Jungle Cruise and Arabian Plaza. Our tour now brings us to exploring the exotic Tropical Seas and into Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
There is so much detail in Adventureland that doing it in one Chapter wouldn’t begin to have done it justice. Even by splitting it into several parts we’ve only be able to surface coat this magical land. However not to leave our readers short, we have include a number of great references and website dedicated to the attractions and experiences. Our main mission and intention is still to provide a pictorial tour. But without some background information or the backstories we wouldn't understand why they exist and the details involved.
We are now venturing into what may be one of the more important and interesting areas involving the history of Walt Disney and his Imagineers. This area of Adventureland, contains The Enchanted Tiki Room and Pirates of the Caribbean (which will be in Chapter 11). But before we explore and experience the attractions, let’s briefly examine how they got here.
We are now venturing into what may be one of the more important and interesting areas involving the history of Walt Disney and his Imagineers. This area of Adventureland, contains The Enchanted Tiki Room and Pirates of the Caribbean (which will be in Chapter 11). But before we explore and experience the attractions, let’s briefly examine how they got here.
In the Beginning
Walt Disney was very much involved in the concept, design and construction of the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Well before Disneyland opened or Disney World was conceived, Walt Disney imagined animated figures. His idea was to create three-dimensional figures that could move to synchronized audio tracks. But the technology needed was limited at the time, so when Disneyland opened in 1955, the park featured crude versions of AudioAnimatronics figures.
These figures were very limited in movements and were unreliable. The Jungle Cruise animated figures are an example of these early AudioAnimatronics.
With the exploration of space a number of new technological advancements became available. The Imagineers were able to benefit from these and apply them to their crude AudioAnimatronics figures. With the use of simple computers and new hydraulic and pneumatic hardware, the animals began to move more realistically, then like robots.
Walt Disney was very much involved in the concept, design and construction of the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Well before Disneyland opened or Disney World was conceived, Walt Disney imagined animated figures. His idea was to create three-dimensional figures that could move to synchronized audio tracks. But the technology needed was limited at the time, so when Disneyland opened in 1955, the park featured crude versions of AudioAnimatronics figures.
These figures were very limited in movements and were unreliable. The Jungle Cruise animated figures are an example of these early AudioAnimatronics.
With the exploration of space a number of new technological advancements became available. The Imagineers were able to benefit from these and apply them to their crude AudioAnimatronics figures. With the use of simple computers and new hydraulic and pneumatic hardware, the animals began to move more realistically, then like robots.
Photo: ©Disney
Walt Disney then directed his Imagineers team to create a likeness of Abraham Lincoln. Walt felt that an AudioAnimatronics figure could tell the story of American freedom better than the static display. To advance his ideas, Walt hired Buddy Ebsen to dance in front of a large grid and filmed the hoofer's movements. Walt himself directed the sequence. This footage was then studied and measurements were taken. With this information, the Imagineers built a 1/8 scale model of Ebsen which perfectly reproduced his dance routine. Walt even had a miniature stage built to showcase his new figure. Thus was the birth of modern AudioAnimatronics. You can see an example to this in the 'One Man's Dream" exhibit in Hollywood Studios.
Both The Enchanted Tiki Room and Pirates of the Caribbean depend on these developments for their existence.
The Enchanted Tiki Room may not be nearly as exciting as many of the other Disney attractions, but it is a classic and it's historic. Its AudioAnimatronics figures were the beginning of so many other magnificent attractions that followed. It's an enchanting show that Walt Disney personally supervised its creation. This was one of the last projects Walt contributed to in the park.
So here we go to the Tropical Islands and visit the exotic singing birds of .......
The Enchanted Tiki Room may not be nearly as exciting as many of the other Disney attractions, but it is a classic and it's historic. Its AudioAnimatronics figures were the beginning of so many other magnificent attractions that followed. It's an enchanting show that Walt Disney personally supervised its creation. This was one of the last projects Walt contributed to in the park.
So here we go to the Tropical Islands and visit the exotic singing birds of .......
The Enchanted Tiki Room
The AudioAnimatronics story doesn’t stop here it continues.
During a visit to New Orleans, Walt found and purchased a mechanical bird that could sing while moving its beak, head, and wings. Walt had an idea, that if toymakers can do this well, his Imagineers can do better. He took the bird home and gave it to his team so they could dissect it and discover what made it tick.
Walt and the Imagineers concentrated all of their efforts on this new project. In the months that followed, the Imagineers built life-sized cockatoos, toucans, macaws, and other tropical birds.
Originally, Walt wanted to design a Chinese restaurant idea, with the birds entertaining guests. Walt also reasoned that guests would be more accepting of the limitations of AudioAnimatronics mechanics when applied to non-human figures.
The restaurant, was to be called "The Tiki Hut," and located in Adventureland, would a Polynesian theme. As the idea for a restaurant progressed and it was determined logistically, while the average meal would take between 45-60 minutes. It would greatly limit how many guests could entertained. As well, space was limited in Adventureland at Disneyland, so the restaurant idea was discarded in favor of a 17 minute show only.
During a visit to New Orleans, Walt found and purchased a mechanical bird that could sing while moving its beak, head, and wings. Walt had an idea, that if toymakers can do this well, his Imagineers can do better. He took the bird home and gave it to his team so they could dissect it and discover what made it tick.
Walt and the Imagineers concentrated all of their efforts on this new project. In the months that followed, the Imagineers built life-sized cockatoos, toucans, macaws, and other tropical birds.
Originally, Walt wanted to design a Chinese restaurant idea, with the birds entertaining guests. Walt also reasoned that guests would be more accepting of the limitations of AudioAnimatronics mechanics when applied to non-human figures.
The restaurant, was to be called "The Tiki Hut," and located in Adventureland, would a Polynesian theme. As the idea for a restaurant progressed and it was determined logistically, while the average meal would take between 45-60 minutes. It would greatly limit how many guests could entertained. As well, space was limited in Adventureland at Disneyland, so the restaurant idea was discarded in favor of a 17 minute show only.
Thus it started with a Bird
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room opened in Disneyland in June 1963. The show contained 225 AudioAnimatronics performers directed by a fourteen-channel magnetic tape feeding 100 speakers and controlling 438 separate actions.
It may be difficult to understand today, but in 1963, the public could not begin to comprehend what the "Enchanted Tiki Room" was all about and would bypass this attraction for other adventures.
To draw attention the Barker Bird was created. He was situated on a perch above the Enchanted Tiki Room turnstiles. The Barker Bird (a copy of Jose who performs in the show) would call to the guests extolling them of the virtues of the performance inside. It worked. Guests were intrigued by the sophisticated AudioAnimatronics figure and venture inside to see the entire show.
In Disneyland, the adventure began with guests entering a dimly lit, quiet room. Once everyone was seated, a host or hostess used a cane to wake up Jose. The show was carefully orchestrated to "build" upon itself. First the four hosts spoke to the audience. Then a background chorus of birds chimed in and an elaborate bird-mobile descended from the ceiling. After we thought we'd seen everything, the various tropical flowers scattered around the room came to life and serenaded us. And finally, the Tiki gods began to recite Polynesian chants. In the end, so much celebration was taking place that the gods were awakened and angered. Guests left the Enchanted Tiki Room awe-struck.
While there may be 225 moving AudioAnimatronics figures, the show revolves around four wise-cracking macaws, Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz. Note that in the early years, their feather's colors represented their nationalities. Jose (voiced by Wally Boag) was covered in red, white, and green feathers, the colors on the Mexican flag. Michael (voiced by Fulton Burley) donned green and white feathers to represent his Irish background. Pierre (voiced by Ernie Newton) sported blue, white, and red for his French nationality. And Fritz (voiced by Thurl Ravenscroft) was covered in red, white, and gold feathers for his German heritage.
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room opened in Disneyland in June 1963. The show contained 225 AudioAnimatronics performers directed by a fourteen-channel magnetic tape feeding 100 speakers and controlling 438 separate actions.
It may be difficult to understand today, but in 1963, the public could not begin to comprehend what the "Enchanted Tiki Room" was all about and would bypass this attraction for other adventures.
To draw attention the Barker Bird was created. He was situated on a perch above the Enchanted Tiki Room turnstiles. The Barker Bird (a copy of Jose who performs in the show) would call to the guests extolling them of the virtues of the performance inside. It worked. Guests were intrigued by the sophisticated AudioAnimatronics figure and venture inside to see the entire show.
In Disneyland, the adventure began with guests entering a dimly lit, quiet room. Once everyone was seated, a host or hostess used a cane to wake up Jose. The show was carefully orchestrated to "build" upon itself. First the four hosts spoke to the audience. Then a background chorus of birds chimed in and an elaborate bird-mobile descended from the ceiling. After we thought we'd seen everything, the various tropical flowers scattered around the room came to life and serenaded us. And finally, the Tiki gods began to recite Polynesian chants. In the end, so much celebration was taking place that the gods were awakened and angered. Guests left the Enchanted Tiki Room awe-struck.
While there may be 225 moving AudioAnimatronics figures, the show revolves around four wise-cracking macaws, Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz. Note that in the early years, their feather's colors represented their nationalities. Jose (voiced by Wally Boag) was covered in red, white, and green feathers, the colors on the Mexican flag. Michael (voiced by Fulton Burley) donned green and white feathers to represent his Irish background. Pierre (voiced by Ernie Newton) sported blue, white, and red for his French nationality. And Fritz (voiced by Thurl Ravenscroft) was covered in red, white, and gold feathers for his German heritage.
Note: Thurl Ravenscroft who can be heard as a singing bust on the Haunted Mansion, Buff the Bison at Country Bear Jamboree, and also as the vocalist in “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.
The Sherman Brothers wrote "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room." Robert Hargreaves, Stanley J. Damerell and Tolchard Evans wrote "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing."
Since the show was 17 minutes in length, true to Disney style it was realized that some sort of diversion would be required for queue. Thus a number of Polynesian gods were situated around the perimeter of the waiting area. Each god spoke to the audience and provided a brief explanation as to his or her importance and function. These were not moving AudioAnimatronics figures. Some figures rocked back and forth and others dropped flowers from their branches, but there was nothing sophisticated about these Tiki gods.
The Sherman Brothers wrote "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room." Robert Hargreaves, Stanley J. Damerell and Tolchard Evans wrote "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing."
Since the show was 17 minutes in length, true to Disney style it was realized that some sort of diversion would be required for queue. Thus a number of Polynesian gods were situated around the perimeter of the waiting area. Each god spoke to the audience and provided a brief explanation as to his or her importance and function. These were not moving AudioAnimatronics figures. Some figures rocked back and forth and others dropped flowers from their branches, but there was nothing sophisticated about these Tiki gods.
The Enchanted Tiki Room in Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World
When the Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971, a copy of Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room was on hand to greet guests. Renamed "Tropical Serenade," this attraction was an immediate success.
Although the main presentation was the same, the queue area and preshow was all new at the Magic Kingdom. While waiting to enter the theater, guests faced a shrine and waterfall that eventually parted to reveal two AudioAnimatronics birds perched atop a Tiki god.
Tropical Serenade closed on September 1997 for an extensive rehab.
When the Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971, a copy of Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room was on hand to greet guests. Renamed "Tropical Serenade," this attraction was an immediate success.
Although the main presentation was the same, the queue area and preshow was all new at the Magic Kingdom. While waiting to enter the theater, guests faced a shrine and waterfall that eventually parted to reveal two AudioAnimatronics birds perched atop a Tiki god.
Tropical Serenade closed on September 1997 for an extensive rehab.
The Tiki Room reopened in April 1998, with new title "Enchanted Tiki Room - under new management. Which included a new preshow also featured moving AudioAnimatronics figures, William and Morris, who set up the storyline.
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In the queue area is a cylinder-shaped temple which opens behind a waterfall to reveal two audio-animatronic toucans — William (voiced by Don Rickles) and Morris (voiced by Phil Hartman). William and Morris. The pre-show entertains the guests by discussing their positions as agents of the new Tiki Room's new "co-owners". A cast member then tells the birds that he/she is preparing to let the guests in. William and Morris are incensed because their clients are not yet in the theater. Morris says that he has to leave because he's about to sign Donald Duck, while William brags that he's got the Mighty Ducks. Then the temple closes with the two birds yelling and arguing.(see the video below)
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Inside the new show “The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management” awaited the guests . The show still starred Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz, but two new additional characters were added to the entertainment, Iago (voiced by Gilbert Gottfried) from "Aladdin" and Zazu (voiced by Michael Gough) from "The Lion King." In the show, Iago and Zazu are the new owners of the Tiki Room and want to make some changes to the act. They even poked fun at the previous, slow moving show.
The Enchanted Tiki Room – under new management Show Summary
Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz start singing "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" as they have for the last 30 years, but in the middle of their song, Iago descends from a hole in the ceiling.
Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz start singing "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" as they have for the last 30 years, but in the middle of their song, Iago descends from a hole in the ceiling.
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Iago holding a small megaphone, yelling that the Tiki Birds need to stop the music. Iago complains that the show's outdated songs make him want to "toss his crackers." The birds say that they are in the middle of a show. From another part of the ceiling comes a perch bearing Zazu. Zazu pleads with Iago not to toy with the Tiki Room. Pierre tells Iago that "his friend" is right and that he should not anger the Room Tiki Gods. Iago ignores Zazu's warnings and replies that Zazu isn't his friend.
José, Michael, Pierre and Fritz are confused — they don't know Iago and Zazu because they never "fly to the movies." To give them an example of how the songs should be sung, Iago begins singing a song to the tune of "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin. He says that since the Tiki Birds are ancient history and he's a big "cele-birdy," he's going to change the show so that a more modern audience can appreciate it, warning the birds that they'd better get hip or their audience will disappear. Zazu tells Iago to stop — the Tiki Gods can hear him. Iago then begins to deliberately insult the Tiki Gods, soon after which "lightning" strikes and the lights go out. The Tiki Birds begin singing that the atmosphere in the theater has suddenly gotten "Hot Hot Hot" and the Tiki Poles begin chanting. |
From the center of the fountain in the middle of the room, smoke bubbles and fumes and Uh-Oa, the "Tiki Goddess of Disaster" (voiced by Armelia McQueen), emerges. Uh-Oa wants to know who dares to defame the Tiki Gods and Zazu tells her it was Iago. Uh-Oa then sings about how unwise Iago was to have messed with her. She claims that he "Can't fly away because [he's] stuck, [she] has cursed [him] for pushing [his] luck and it won't help to yell — [he's] under [her] spell!" Uh-Oa then uses her magic Tiki powers and Iago shoots up from his perch. In a big, dark explosion of smoke, the loud-mouthed parrot is gone. Uh-Oa laughs evilly, then, in a cloud of smoke, disappears back into the fountain.
The Tiki Birds and Zazu feel that they should let the Tiki Gods have their say and Zazu introduces the one and only musical sensation: The Tiki Gods. The Tiki Poles begin to sing "In the Still of the Night" by The Five Satins, then the flowers join in by singing a rap song using lyrics from the original Tiki Room show and some of the birds begin singing along. At this point, over the exit doors, a small compartment on the wall opens. And who should emerge but Iago. Iago is burnt, smoking, carrying a crutch and has bandages all over his body. He tells them all how the Tiki Gods are the greatest act he's ever heard and that they're going to make a gold mine on this show, no more worries.
Zazu tells Iago that where he comes from, no worries is "Hakuna Matata," which Iago misinterprets as "Hunky-Tuna Tostada". However, he seems to like it, declaring that Zazu is now his friend and that they should party. All the birds start to sing their own rendition of "Conga" as the Bird Mobile descends from the ceiling. Zazu sings about how Iago learned his lesson and will no doubt be more discreet in the future. Iago decides to show Zazu that he won't be discreet, telling everybody to get on their feet and exit.
The Tiki Birds and Zazu feel that they should let the Tiki Gods have their say and Zazu introduces the one and only musical sensation: The Tiki Gods. The Tiki Poles begin to sing "In the Still of the Night" by The Five Satins, then the flowers join in by singing a rap song using lyrics from the original Tiki Room show and some of the birds begin singing along. At this point, over the exit doors, a small compartment on the wall opens. And who should emerge but Iago. Iago is burnt, smoking, carrying a crutch and has bandages all over his body. He tells them all how the Tiki Gods are the greatest act he's ever heard and that they're going to make a gold mine on this show, no more worries.
Zazu tells Iago that where he comes from, no worries is "Hakuna Matata," which Iago misinterprets as "Hunky-Tuna Tostada". However, he seems to like it, declaring that Zazu is now his friend and that they should party. All the birds start to sing their own rendition of "Conga" as the Bird Mobile descends from the ceiling. Zazu sings about how Iago learned his lesson and will no doubt be more discreet in the future. Iago decides to show Zazu that he won't be discreet, telling everybody to get on their feet and exit.
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Unfortunately, some of the best lines were at the end of the show, after most guest have already left the theater. |
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In 2011, "Under New Management" had run its course. It was time for a change. In January 2011, a small fire broke out in the attic of the attraction. No one was hurt and the blaze was quickly brought under control by the Reedy Creek Fire Department. However, the Iago AudioAnimatronics figure was badly damaged by the fire and other portions of the attraction sustained water damage. So this gave the Imagineers the opportunity to make a change. The Imagineers didn't have to look too far for a new idea or possibly an old idea. At Disneyland, the Enchanted Tiki Room had experienced increased attendance after it was upgraded for the park's 50th anniversary. So why not do the same thing for the Magic Kingdom's upcoming 40th anniversary and bring back the original. The attraction officially reopens in August 2011. Enchanted Tiki Room - Under New Management had been retired, along with Iago and ZaZu. The Magic Kingdom's new show is called "Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room" (which was the original name at Disneyland), this show is a close approximation the original "Tropical Serenade" as seen on opening day of the Magic Kingdom. Along with the new show Imagineers added a new pre-show. |
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The preshow featuring two toucans named Clyde and Claude voiced by Dallas McKennon and Sebastian Cabot. After introducing themselves, they begin telling a story of how they found the Sunshine Pavilion and Tiki Room within when escaping from various animals on the Jungle Cruise. |
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The new Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room show is 11 minutes in length rather than the original 17. Several changes were made to the original production, the slow moving Offenbach musical number was cut and the column of water rising up to meet the Bird-Mobile was eliminated and some of the unessential dialogue was removed. Overall, the Tiki Room received an updated version of the technology called Autonomatronics and among the enhancements that were being hyped were state-of-the-art show-control system, remastered audio and a new lighting system.
Disney had even restored the original "nationality" feather colors on Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz.
Disney had even restored the original "nationality" feather colors on Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz.
Reference Links to check out:
Notes:
- History of the Enchanted Tiki Room!
- http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/walt_disney_world/theme_parks/magic_kingdom/adventureland/
Notes:
- Ginny Tyler is the voice of the Tiki Goddess in the pre-show at the Enchanted Tiki Room. She is also a Disney Legend who did voice works for dozens pf Disney cartoons. She was also one of the original Mouseketeers from the Mickey Mouse Club.
- According to the book Disneyland Detective by Kendra Trahan, the "cast list" breaks down as follows:
54 singing orchids
4 totem poles
12 Tiki drummers
24 singing masks
7 birds of paradise (the plant variety)
8 macaws
12 toucans
9 forktail birds
6 cockatoos
20 assorted tropical birds
- For you true lovers of Disney trivia, a version of "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" can be heard in the Pizzafari Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
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A new clam shell prop sits adjacent to the entrance of the Enchanted Tiki Room as part of the Pirates Adventure interactive game.
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Adventureland Food Carts
Throughout the Magic Kingdom you’ll find Snack and Food Carts.
In the area between the Jungle Cruise, Enchanted Tiki Room and toward the Pirates of the Caribbean are the Adventureland Snack/Food Carts.
Even in Adventureland there is a Popcorn/Pretzel Cart and Ice Cream Cart. But Adventureland does have something unique, an Egg Roll Cart. This Snack Cart serves Vegetable Egg Roll, and hold for it, a Cheeseburger Egg Roll. This cart has have several changes over the years, it has served Corn Dogs, and Pork Egg Roll.
The menus for the Carts will always be changing.
In the area between the Jungle Cruise, Enchanted Tiki Room and toward the Pirates of the Caribbean are the Adventureland Snack/Food Carts.
Even in Adventureland there is a Popcorn/Pretzel Cart and Ice Cream Cart. But Adventureland does have something unique, an Egg Roll Cart. This Snack Cart serves Vegetable Egg Roll, and hold for it, a Cheeseburger Egg Roll. This cart has have several changes over the years, it has served Corn Dogs, and Pork Egg Roll.
The menus for the Carts will always be changing.
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To get an idea as to what the Food Carts offer go to:
That was the Enchanted Tiki Room. A lot of heart and soul, and of course Imagineering, was put into it by Walt Disney and his Imagineers.
It’s time to move on to the final Chapter in Adventureland. Chapter 11 is the third part of this series. There we will tour one of the most popular attractions in Walt Disney World – The Pirates of the Caribbean.
It’s time to move on to the final Chapter in Adventureland. Chapter 11 is the third part of this series. There we will tour one of the most popular attractions in Walt Disney World – The Pirates of the Caribbean.
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