Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing
Written: Mar 28 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: calm, soothing, charming, endearing, all ages, bursting with Disney magic
Cons: impossible to recreate at home with just a "rainforest sounds" CD and a plush parrot
The Bottom Line: The Enchanted Tiki Room is a wholly pleasant experience that will give you songs to hum and memories to reflect upon for the rest of your life.
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| Liffey's Full Review: Enchanted Tiki Room - Disneyland |
After another pleasurable visit to the Tiki Room last week, I realize that I gave one of my favourite attractions short-shrift in my review here. Hopefully this revised epinion will better reflect my love for the most charming attraction in all of the Disney parks, the Enchanted Tiki Room!
Veterans of Walt Disney World come to Disneyland with expectations. It can't be helped. Sometimes these expectations are a little high. (Okay, so Disneyland isn't as big as the Magic Kingdom. Sorry.) In the case of the Enchanted Tiki Room, expectations might be a little low. Way low. Like, lying-on-the-ground low. Walt Disney World's "Enchanted Tiki Room - UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT," with its shrill Iago, might cause you to walk right past the Disneyland counterpart.
For the love of Walt, don't do this!
The ETR at Disneyland is an original. Take that any way you want it. It's original to Disneyland, it's original to Walt's vision, and - when you step out grinning after the 16 minute show - you'll know that it's just so... original!
But first, you must start the experience properly by whisking yourself through the turnstile by the torches into the 10-minute preshow area. This is just by the Adventureland entrance.
You may notice a string of people back on the other side of the turnstile, queueing up for a Dole Whip. Dole has been the sponsor for this attraction almost since the opening of the attraction in 1963. (United Airlines was first, but we don't talk about that. After you taste the Dole Whip, you'll understand.)
Now look closer at the Dole Whip stand. Do you see where people in ETR pre-show area get their own, special, often empty queue for Dole Whips? Oh yes!
Unless you're allergic to pineapple, give a Dole Whip a go. You're not only telling Dole, yes, please, thank you for sponsoring the cutest attraction ever, but you're setting the mood for what's to come. Plus, if it's a hot day, the pineapple soft-serve will be a delicious treat. (If you're like me, upgrade to the Dole Whip Float - pineapple soft serve in pineapple juice with a maraschino cherry.)
You have your DW, now find a nice bench in this shady, pleasant area (that everyone hustles past on their way to the bigger rides), perhaps watching the brief Dole movie (which I always seem to miss), and wait for the drums to start.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
"My name is Maui. Natives call me "The Mighty One." I tamed the playful sun and gave my people time. Now they set their clocks by mine, for I am tropic standard time!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
All around you, the tikis come to life and make introductions - Maui, Koro, Tangaroa-ru, Hina, Pele, Ngendi, Rongo, and...
GONG!
"I am Tangaroa, father of all gods and goddesses. Here in this land of enchantment, I appear before you as a mighty tree. Stand back!"
GONG!
"Oh, mystic powers, hear my call. From my limbs, let new life fall!"
Now everyone files into the hut behind the gods, where there are always plenty of seats. And yes, you can take your DW or any food and drink in with you. All they ask is that you don't leave it behind. An honor system! In 2008! That alone has me smiling already.
My husband and I like to take seats in the back, so we can see as much of the decor as possible, but every seat has its merits and not one of them is bad. One plus about the seats in the back is that you can lean against padded cushions - nice to know if you're looking for some downtime.
After a warning about flash photography and LCD screens - and folks, this really does means all of us, not just everyone but you - a cast member will wake up the birds.
Within 30 seconds you'll have four new BPFFs (best parrot friends forever): Jose, Pierre, Fritz, and Michael. (Can you guess their nationalities? I hope you aren't the over-sensitive type. I hope you're the type who can chuckle when Jose drops the Speedy Gonzalez accent to start crooning like Bing Crosby. C'mon, the attraction is 45 years old. It's innocent and sweet, not a diorama of verisimilitude.)
I don't want to replay the whole show for you in words - I couldn't possibly do it justice. The jokes are a little corny, which I suppose is why Walt Disney World gave theirs the much-lamented makeover, but I've never seen anyone look bored. Instead, I always look around and see faces turned up, mouths open and smiling, and people nudging each other as they point around the room. Sometimes, my husband and I enjoy picking out first timers and watching them enjoy the show - it's just that heartwarming to be in there.
Jokes soon segue into delightful musical numbers. There is the catchy "In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" by the ever-wonderous Sherman Brothers. (So wonderous that we named our hamster after them. Yes, we call him "Brothers." Sorry. Bad Jungle Cruise ripoff joke there.)
Then a snowy chorus of six French cockatoos - Yvette, Collette, Mimi, Gigi, Suzette, and Fifi - descend from above the fountain to bring on "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing." (Beware of sugar crystals forming in your mouth, it's just that sweet.)
After that, hanging boats of orchids begin to mmmmm-la-la-LA! The bird of paradise plants join in. (Can't you just picture their orange "jaws" flapping?)
And then: AHHHH OOOO AHHHH! boomboomboomboom boomboomboomboom AHHHH OOOO AHHHH! It's time for the most rousing portion of the Hawaiian War Chant! Tiki totem poles come to passionate life, rolling their round eyes and snapping their wooden mouths, and alligator-like creatures in every corner bang their drums. WOMP-WOMP-WOMP! WOMP-WOMP-WOMP!
(Do the little kids get scared at all the noise? I've only ever seen them staring in amazement, myself.)
Oh, but those Tiki Gods are feisty ones, and soon the party ends with a THUNDER CRASH as sheets of rain surround the hut. Despite having raised the ire of Tangaroa, I feel like I could sleep forever in the sound of that rain. Forget the Disney Dream Suite, Disney could make the big bucks by putting a cot in the Enchanted Tiki Room and letting a lucky guest listen to the downpour all night.)
Jose, Michael, Fritz, Pierre, and all the gang sing you out. See you next time! (Unless your heart is a cold brass button, you'll be back.)
Thank you Disneyland management, for completely refurbishing this attraction in 2005. I sleep better at night, even without the thunderstorm, knowing that we agree that the Enchanted Tiki Room is a keeper.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
Liffey
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Reviews written: 79
Trusted by: 71 members
About Me:
I like thinking.
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