Paradise, in the eyes of many, meant a tropical oasis populated by exotic blooms (plastic flowers would do in a pinch), fierce wooden tikis that guarded kidney-shaped swimming pools and flaming tiki torches.
Today people love the campiness of tiki, but in its heyday tiki appealed to mainlanders because they wanted to alleviate the sameness of suburbia with something exotic. They decorated their houses with shell lamps, bamboo and rattan furniture (usually made in New Jersey), coconut ashtrays, shell curtains and plastic pineapples. They could go to pottery shops and buy huge tiki totems for the yard.
Disneyland Tiki Torches
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We decorated by sourcing tiki-inspired items from our local dollar store, including tiki torches, little paper lanterns, a tablecloth, and the glassware for our drinks and the serving plate for the dumplings.
Another example of Disney's cultural knowledge is their choice not to use the classic tiki torch. I was completely amazed when I learned, on a press tour, that the concept of a tiki torch was actually from other Polynesian Islands, not Hawaii. You will see these torches at every other resort, but not at Disney.
The grounds of this resort are so lovely, especially in the evening when the tiki torches are lit. What? You didn't know they hold a torch lighting ceremony most nights at the Polynesian? It's a short Polynesian ritual that welcomes the night, with an authentic Polynesian dancer performing a traditional fire-knife dance, and lighting the torches leading into the resort's Great Ceremonial House. Check with the Guest Services desk for the time.
There are actually 150 different animatronics that are used throughout the attraction. Many of these are birds and each of these birds have their own movements and are synced perfectly to the soundtrack. The birds vary in their colors, breeds, sizes, etc. to give a true blend of different tropical birds you may see out in the wild. You also have the tiki drummers, tiki gods and other animatronics that are used to complete the entire experience.
With everything from a tiki bar to a safari available with no park ticket required, the suggestions below may make you want to tack an extra day onto your Orlando getaway just to explore without a ticket.
My favorite viewing spot is from the Polynesian's soft sand beach amidst the palm trees and the tiki torches. Order a cult favorite pineapple whip at the Pineapple Lanai stand for a sweet treat while you watch the show.
We dined on the lower verandah in the most picture perfect seat I ever could have imagined! Not only is the building itself striking, but it is set amidst a glorious, palm-lined beach overlooking Florida Bay, with walking paths thru tropical flowers, tiki torches and twinkle lights. 2ff7e9595c
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