1. Tahitian Terrace

Name of a Polynesian themed dinner theater, located in Adventureland, in Disneyland.

Disneyland launched their journey into Tiki with the opening of the Tahitian Terrace, in 1962. The Tahitian Terrace would be joined by The Enchanted Tiki Room the following year.

The facility was located under a 35 feet high artificial tree, covered in over 4000 fake leaves and tropical flowers. There was also a large, lava rock waterfall to further the feeling of being in a tropical paradise.

Park visitors would be seated, and then select from a wide selection of South Pacific dishes. Tropical drinks were available, but as with all other Disneyland attractions, no alcohol was served.

During the course of their meal, visitors would be entertained with a musical show. A stage was situated behind the waterfall, which would part like a curtain and let the band play Polynesian-inspired music. Dancers, wearing appropriately themed attire, would do hula routines. Occassionally, a fire dancer would make an appearance.

Starting in the early 1990s, the confluence of trends spelled the end of the Tahitian Terrace. Disneyland became more aggressive with commercial tie-ins. The Tahitian Terrace, not affiliated with any Disney film or character. It has also been theorized that Disneyland wanted to move away from operating from more expensive restaurants to cheaper and more profitable food carts. Since the Tahitian Terrace was not pulling its commercial weight, it was demolished in 1993, after more than thirty years of operation.

The Tahitian Terrace was replaced with a Middle Eastern-themed restaurant called Aladdin's Oasis. This was a tie-in to Disney's 1992 film Aladdin

Aladdin's Oasis remained open for two seasons, before it was closed down and converted into a theater. There was a rumor that when the Enchanted Tiki Room was completely refurbished for Disneyland's 50 Anniversary, Aladdin's Oasis would be reconverted back into the Tahitian Terrace. However, this did not come to pass.

It is reported that Hong Kong Disneyland will have a resurrected Tahitian Terrace, serving South Asian dishes.


Links:
The Tahitian Terrace
Hong Kong Disneyland



Updated July 2, 2005