“All the birds sing words and the flowers croon in the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room,” but did you know these 5 facts about Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room?


1. This attraction was the first to use Audio-Animatronics. While the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland was the first to use Animatronics, this was the next major step in the development of that technology. The technology used here went on to pave the way for marvels like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more.


2. When Imagineer Harriet Burns was looking for the best material to use to make the “skin” of the birds, she found it in the most unlikely of places: Walt’s sweater. In a meeting one day, she noticed his cashmere sweater had just the right movement when he bent his elbows that she could use it for the birds!


3. The Tiki Room is the only attraction in Disneyland Park that has its own restroom. The attraction was originally planned to be a dinner show, and by the time the plans were changed, the restrooms had already been installed.


4. The Sherman Brothers wrote the title song for the Encahanted Tiki Room. This was their first composition for the park, though they would go one to provide many more…not least of which is the classic “it’s a small world (after all)”. (You’re singing it in your head now, aren’t you?)


5. The original sponsor of the attraction was United Airlines. After several years it changed to Dole Foods–which is why guests can purchase those delectable Dole Whips right there next to the attraction’s entrance. 



For you to discover: The four parrot “hosts” of the show are named Jose, Michael, Fritz, and Pierre. You may not recognize their voices, but the first three get their voices courtesy of performers who also did work for elsewhere in Disneyland. Who are they and what did they do? 


You can read more from Randy on his blog, Faith and the Magic Kingdom and listen to his unofficial Disney podcast, Stories of the Magic. Find him on Twitter (@Belgarion42) and on Facebook.