Tiki Birds and Pirates of the Caribbean

[seminole_kev]

Two different rides, but since I'm talking about two remakes of rides, I thought I'd lump them together. (Yes I know the Tiki Room was redone years ago, but finally saw it for the first time a couple of days ago)

First, let me say that I'm not one to just not like newer remakes of rides by default, but I finally got around to riding the newer version of the Tiki birds and man did they ruin that attraction. I can understand how some people though the old one was boring, but it was still a good show (at least to me). This newer version is kind of annoying and didn't really care for it.

I realize this is probably old news to most of you since it has been out this way for years, but yuk. Was disapointed.

(***potentially a really small spoiler or two below for Pirates)***

Upside though, new Pirates with Jack Sparrow was pretty cool. I like that update. I really thought, for a split second, that they had a live actor playing the first Jack Sparrow that you see. Really an impressive AA. Also, glad that they've improved the sounds of the cannons of the ship (unless I imagined it) they sounded much better. One part of the old version that I didn't like is it just sounded like compressed air. Seemed like the cannons firing sounded much better. Good show all around on that one.

[MMouse6937]

I am excited about the update to POTC but I have to say that I also feel a little bit like we are missing some of the old magic by updating these original rides. I also liked the Enchanted Tiki Room update, but again feel like the old one was such a part of Walt that it's sad to see it go. I think that this is a necessary evil of progress. Things have to be more fun for future generations and so things have to be changed. We will always have the memories of the way they used to be!!

[Earnhardt321]

I am glad to hear that POTC only got better!!
I have to waite a whole year to see it.

I have not gone on the Tiki Room since they changed it. I think it will stay that way. The old one was so good.

[kakn7294]

I'm anxious to see POTC, as it is one of my favorite rides (and ironically the last one we rode in Sept). I'm not sure if I will like the changes or not. I hate the Tiki room changes. No offense to Iago or Zazu, I think they are great characters, but they just aren't a good addition to the Tiki room IMO. It may have been old and needing a rehab, but the old show was a classic. I wish they had just updated and not changed it.

[2Epcot]

I only get to Disneyland about 8 times a year, but I did go just two weeks before my recent trip to WDW. Knowing I was going to see the new version of Tiki at WDW I wanted to make sure I saw Walt's original version. After seeing the "new managment" version a few weeks ago, there is no comparison. I put the new Tiki only a few notches about the Stitch remake for Alien Encounter.

I wish Disney would concentrate on new attractions rather the messing up current ones. Granted, not all upgrades have been bad .... the new Space Mountain at Disneyland, is great. I think they just need to be careful about some of these changes.

[Grace]

Since Disney has added to POC to accomodate Captain Jack, but retained much of the original vintage scenario, I have to wonder why they couldn't do the same with Tiki Birds. A minor role for Iago might have been worked in while keeping the Tiki show as it was.

[AnnetteFan]

I was actually ok with the new Tiki Birds. The Tiki Room was always a big joke in my family, we always went to watch just to giggle the whole time even though it was long and boring. The new version still makes me giggle and I think it's better for families and little kids.

[Lauretta]

I have to wait to see the new POC. I'm not sure when I'll get back yet.
I loved the old "Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki...Tiki Room"! But I have to say I also enjoy the revised show. Iago is a little annoying but that's just how he is....right?!

[Katie_Armstrong]

Since Disney has added to POC to accomodate Captain Jack, but retained much of the original vintage scenario, I have to wonder why they couldn't do the same with Tiki Birds. A minor role for Iago might have been worked in while keeping the Tiki show as it was.

This was well put. Some things need to be updated but they need to keep some things the same. I have not seem Tiki Room yet, but I think we're going to skip it like we did last time.


3 days for us!

[SpectroTrumpeteer]

I'm a fan of the old Tiki Room. However, I do like the "new management". My daughters relate better to the attraction because of Zazu and Iago.

As far as the Pirates update, here is my defintion of torture. The new update of my favorite ride in the park opened this past Saturday, our last day in the park was Friday. I have to wait until the next time. OOHHHH the agony!

[Bear Lee]

The original Tiki Room show was the best.

[Lauretta]

This was well put. Some things need to be updated but they need to keep some things the same. I have not seem Tiki Room yet, but I think we're going to skip it like we did last time.


3 days for us!

The new Tiki room still has some of the same characters. Pierre and some of the other familiar birds remain.

[KAJUNKING]

i enjoyed under new management and cant wait to see the updated poc

[Jodi]

We leave in 48 days and I cannot wait !!! We've been to the old version of the Tiki Room and found it enjoyable and we will go to the new version as well. We have 2 DD's, 14 and 11 who enjoy it too. How can you not like anything Disney? Can't wait to ride the new POTC too. We go to see the movie on Friday.

July 2002 All Star Movies
Sept. 2003 All Star Music
Sept. 2004 Pop Century
Sept. 2005 Pop Century
Aug. 2006 Pop Century

[Lizzie]

Some days I like the upgrades and somedays I miss the old ones. But on the Tiki room I miss the old one. I am still unsure of Pirates, but they already messed with the original one. I wish they would have kept the same story line and script with Tiki Room and maybe just upgrade the birds.

[cuteandfluffy]

I definitely miss the old Tiki Room. It's just not the same anymore... I don't know if I'll even go next time we are there. It just makes me sad. I'll have to eat an extra dole whip to make me feel better.

[skylardad]

I recently purchased the original "Enchanted Tiki Room" CD at MK at an on-demand kiosk in the old theatre on Mian Street. Listening to it reminded me how original the original attraction was.

The concept was fresh, the music original, and it had some good songs and humor to it. Granted, it runs a bit long; however, perhaps that is where they could have updated the attraction - re-record the score while mixing in the original voice actors (they are classic and the best) and trim the length of the songs a bit to get the show in under 15 minutes. Sometimes less is more.

I once saw an interview with Steven Spielberg where he wanted to extend a couple of scenes in Raiders of the Lost Ark but George Lucas suggested to cut them shorter and tighten up the picture. Reason being, it will make the audience want more (i.e. repeat viewings and higher ticket revenue).

Back to the Tiki Room...

I can see why Iago and Zazu were brought in - for the current relativity to identify with the next generation of audiences; however, when the Tiki Room first opened in Disneyland they didn't need to have characters from a film to bring relevance to the attraction. Disney had Saludos Amigos to borrow from but they never made it into the attraction.

I think what we keep coming back to in these debates of updating classic attraction is that they opened as original attractions with original stories, music, technology, effects, etc. They didn't need a movie character tie-in.

If they want to bring in characters from recent films and projects, by all means do so, but do an original attraction involving the characters. When Disneyland and WDW opened, very few attractions were based on Disney films - Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, Snow White, Alice In Wonderland, and 20K Leagues are the only ones that come to mind right now. Everything else - an original story or concept.

Although Splash Mtn. was a later addition based on Song of the South, they told a great story in an all-encompassing ride. They didn't stick Brer Fox and Brer Bear in the Country Bears. And they created the ride without the intention of selling Song of the South DVDs (which will likely never happen anyway).

That is where WDW and the other parks need to go back to - original thinking and ideas. And, if an update like POTC makes sense and is done for the sake of storytelling and not marketing, then I'm for the change.

[prttynpnk]

Taped file clip from a secret Disney Imagineer planning meeting....
"We can't change the ride- it'll be anarchy!Rioting and burning of decroative mouse shaped retail products"
"Ok, then just take out that silly parrot- I'm sure no one will notice"

[FenwayGirl]

We actually enjoy the 'new' Tiki room...

[DisneyNut2005]

We actually enjoy the 'new' Tiki room...

Me too.

It sickens me that so many people around here hate change.

Besides, Walt never ever set foot in WDW anyway, since it was okay to change WDW's Tiki Room.

By criticising the new Tiki Room, you're doing a great injustice to the Imagineers that created the new version, who are big fans of the old Tiki Room, and worked really hard to save the Room and keep it from getting torn out completely.

Oh, well. Lots of people are just never satisfied, never happy.