With the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room coming up this Sunday, June 23, I wanted to take a few minutes for you to meet some friends of mine. I’ve spent many an afternoon sharing a Dole Whip and friendly conversation with these wooden residents of the garden outside the Enchanted Tiki Room, watching them come to life and introduce themselves. Let’s meet the Tiki gods of the Enchanted Tiki Garden:
Pele: This Hawaiian fire goddess lives in the Kilauea volcano and likes to torment her neighbor …
Ngendei: from Fiji, he is the creator of all the gods. He’s also got a big job as balancer of the whole world. That pressure combined with the torment he suffers from Pele – it’s no wonder there’s an earthquake every time he moves.
Maui: The Polynesian trickster who gave people time and roped the playful Sun.
Rongo: The Polynesian god of agriculture, also known as Lono in Hawai`i, is also the provider of food. He also discovered electricity, naturally.
Koro: The Midnight Dancer, under whose spell all ladies and men learned to dance.
Tangaroa-ru: Also known as Mapui-Kaufanga in Maori tales, she is goddess of the east winds, which bring rain.
Hina Kaluua: This Hawaiian mistress of rain, from Hilo, Hawai`i, keeps it in the family – her daughter, Hina, is the mother of the trickster, Maui.
Tangaroa: The father of all gods and goddesses, he took the form of a tree (a tree that no one ever did see).
While these Tiki carvings were based on legends of the South Pacific, a few of our own Disney Legends worked on the Tiki gods you find in the Enchanted Tiki Garden. They were primarily designed by Imagineers Marc Davis and Rolly Crump. The plaques and dialogue were written by Marty Sklar, who went on to become vice chairman and principal creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering.
I think my favorite Tiki god is poor Ngendei – I mean, who hasn’t felt like you were “just hanging on”? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog over the next few days, as we bring you even more features in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room!
For more from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disney Parks, read the posts below:
This sign in the Storybook Circus section of New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park promotes “The World’s Most Amazing Circus.” Underneath, there are listed a few of the “daring feats” you may see inside.
But one is blurred out. Do you recall what it is? If so, place it in the “Comments” section below. We’ll update the post later today with the answer!
Today, we’re celebrating the 15th anniversary of the 1998 Disney animated film “Mulan,” so I traveled to the China Pavilion at Epcot this morning to photograph Fa Mulan in the shadow of the Temple of Heaven. She is a complex character, displaying balance between bringing honor to her family and staying true to herself. Her determination inspires others to have courage and believe in themselves.
Mulan comes from a time of dragons and a land of tradition, and lives on today to bring great joy and inspiration to guests from the world over. As I walked away, I captured two young admirers sharing their own excitement with the beautiful heroine.
The China Pavilion is an enchanted place to meet an enchanting princess, seven days a week.
A little birdie told me the votes have been tallied … and the newest wallpaper to be added to the Disney Parks Blog is from artist David Mitchell celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, coming up this Sunday, June 23!
“Mickey and the Magical Map” is now open in the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland park, and thousands of guests have already fallen under its spell. The new show features live performers, beloved Disney characters and a huge magical map – all interacting with each other to bring to life the story of Mickey Mouse’s journey to become one of Yen Sid’s mapmakers.
Earlier today, we officially reopened the Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom Park – a favorite stop for many Disney Parks Blog readers. And on the menu for the first time at Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll now find Starbucks drinks and food along with delicious Disney house-made treats.
In my last post, I told you about how excited I was when I found out Disney Cruise Line is going to Jamaica, a destination full of history, flavor and nature-filled experiences!
Although it’s still under construction, Senses – a Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is accepting reservations as of today for treatments beginning July 25.
Five years ago today, Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang set up their carnival games on Paradise Pier at Toy Story Mania! in Disney California Adventure park. Just a few weeks earlier, Toy Story Mania opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and since, guests from all over the world have come to compete with friends and family for the highest score. You probably have your favorite game, but do you know the story behind this attraction? Let’s get started before Andy gets back!
Just back from a whirlwind trip through Napa Valley and Sonoma Vineyards, California Grill Chef Brian Piasecki and general manager Michael Scheifler went in search of the best of the best for the soon-to-open California Grill.
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