The Enchanted Tiki Room opened in Disneyland on June 23, 1963, and is generally considered the first Disney attraction to use sophisticated Audio-Animatronics in this way. Walt became fascinated with the idea after seeing a mechanical bird on a trip to New Orleans. At first he envisioned the attraction as a dinner show before later changing the concept to a higher-capacity seated attraction.
This version, here in Walt Disney World, dates back to Magic Kingdom’s opening day in 1971, though in Florida it originally operated as Tropical Serenade in the Sunshine Pavilion rather than under the exact Disneyland name since it was meant to be more of a Florida counterpart to the original.
Simple as it seems today, it set the stage for later, more complicated Audio-Animatronic applications, from Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean all the way up to the Shaman of Songs on Na’vi River Journey and beyond.
My dad used to love this attraction and would drag us all inside whenever we were in Magic Kingdom. These days, I go willingly whenever I can. I’ve gained an appreciation for the history and the simplicity of it.
Taken at 100mm, 1/50 second, f/2.8, ISO 1250. The vintage-style black and white treatment seemed appropriate.