Fire at WDW Tiki Room

[kakn7294]

I have seen the original and I much prefer that show to the obnoxious one they have now. I want to see the Tiki Room birds and flowers, not Iago and Zazu.

[faline]

Reading all the hate on the New Management makes me wonder: Did you guys ever see the original show?

I've seen both versions and still stop in to see the new version when I'm in Disney World. Personally, I prefer the original version.

[GrumpyFan]

I don't hate the new version, but I can't say that I loved the old version either. I hope they take this opportunity to re-do this attraction and give a new story, perhaps replace Iago, and maybe even Zazu.

[Stu29573]

Yep, I saw the original several times and I would say that on a "thrills" level they are about the same. However, at least the original has tradition going for it. The new one is just obnoxious.

[badkitty]

I guess everyone has their attractions they like and ones they don't. The new version is okay but I adore the original having grown-up seeing it at DL. I don't find it boring at all. My nana loved the original and it always reminds me of her every time I see it. (I used to think that the tikis actually made it rain!)

[MOJoe]

Put me down as a hater. I loved the original. It was my favorite animatronic show, hands down. Enchanting, yes. Boring, no. And the new version just leaves me irritated.
I have to say i tried to like the New Management. Saw it twice. But after the 2nd visit, when it was over, my wife turned to me and said, "we never have to see this again." I agreed.
I understand that adding Iago et.al. makes sense from a marketing perspective. But the additions could have been done with some subtlety. Instead, the marketing guys ruined a classic attraction.

I hope the fire was hot enough to get rid of the current management.

[TracyL]

Add my vote to "restore the original or re-imagine the whole thing." I think Walt would want to see a cool and clever update -- and NOT what we got with the "New Management." Disney can make fun of itself effectively (witness Zazu singing "It's a Small World" in Lion King, or the entire movie "Enchanted"), but when it takes the cynical approach, it trashes the magic in a way that is not funny or clever.

I would love to see that attraction re-imagined from scratch, with the spirit and inspiration that gave birth to it originally and all the great tricks and technology we've learned since then.

[Mufasa]

As was mentioned in some of the news reports, the fire was contained mainly to the attic portion and was contained by the fire suppression systems by the time crews responded.

The main Iago animatronic was the most damaged by the fire (and is pretty much unsalvageable at this point)- ironically, the charred Iago figure in the finale escaped without any damage.

Zazu and the birdmobile also had some collateral damage- mostly from the fire suppression system but at least those could be repaired and restored.

[Ian]

Reading all the hate on the New Management makes me wonder: Did you guys ever see the original show? I did, and it's BOOOOORRiiiiiinnnnngg.

Wow ... I couldn't disagree more! I find the old version charming and entertaining. The new version is just obnoxious, loud, and one of those horrible attempts by Disney to be "hip" and "edgy" that always falls so flat. This attraction was built during what I consider the dark ages of Imagineering, when every ride they came up with almost seemed to go out of its way to annoy and irritate the guests (a la the nasty skunk smell on Figment or the bee stings/stink bugs on It's Tough To Be a Bug).

I see the original every time I go to DL, but I haven't seen the New Management version in ... I don't know how long. In fact, I'm pretty sure DD8 has never seen it and she's been to WDW over 20 times.

The main Iago animatronic was the most damaged by the fire (and is pretty much unsalvageable at this point) ...

[Melanie]

Reading all the hate on the New Management makes me wonder: Did you guys ever see the original show? I did, and it's BOOOOORRiiiiiinnnnngg. Saw it at DL. Then saw the new version at WDW and thought it was great. It actually had entertainment value from a Disney perspective. Then went back to DL where the original still exists. Guess what - still boring and dull and not entertaining. Still a bunch of birds that kids don't care about.

Love the DL version, and see it every time I'm in California. It's more of an experience there, with the queue outside and the Dole stand at the entrance. MMMM...enjoying a Dole Whip while in an attraction. Doesn't get much better than that!

The WDW version. Haven't seen it in who knows when, and I'm there a lot.

Interestingly enough, the Tokyo version was recently converted to a Stitch theme. We saw it only once, but I don't remember it being at all obnoxious like the WDW version.

[anneo]

Is anyone hearing anything as to when it should be up and running again? We're going at the beginning of March, and my almost 2 year old likes the show, and he tries his hardest to sing along with with the opening number.

[Jasper]

Add me to the list of those hoping this causes a change in management again. Even though the original had no big name characters it was no where near as annoying as the present show.

[Gator]

I guess if more little kids posted, they'd say keep it the way it is. I saw the New Management as an adult and cracked up the whole time. Iago was hilarious. My kids love it, and think Iago is great.

If they bring the original version back, I'll never darken the doors again. I hit attractions to be entertained - not to think "How quaint" and slowly nod off like I did at the DL version. If I need a nap, I'll head over to Universe of Energy.

[MOJoe]

The main Iago animatronic was the most damaged by the fire (and is pretty much unsalvageable at this point)- ironically, the charred Iago figure in the finale escaped without any damage.

I hope the fire was hot enough to get rid of the current management.

YES! YES! WAHOOOO!

[Victor Kelly]

Ding dong Iagos dead rub your eyes get out of bed, ding dong Iagos really dead.


Sorry Wizard of OZ the Wicked Witch is dead popped into my brain.

The original was the best. When I was in MK in 05 I cringed at the new version wanting to claw my ears off. And when I heard Iago was a crispy critter I lemented the fact that Thanksgiving dinner was over.

Let us all hope that this trainwreck that came about during the time of Eisner will be renewed and put back to its former and very classic incarnation. I just say no Stitch, because that is one of the few Disney characters that annoy me besides Iago.

Sorry but the parrot is cooked, and hopefully no spares are available.

And let us all think.................maybe the place catching fire really is an act of a higher being, making their statement about what they think of the new management.

[Ian]

You know it occurred to me ... the more likely scenario here is that the ride just closes and stays dark. I mean, it's not exactly a hugely popular attraction. It wouldn't at all shock me if it just sits there vacant.

Despite the fact that I can't stand the current version, I'd hate to see that happen.

[TracyL]

I can't imagine they'd do that, especially with compromised capacity during the Fantasyland expansion. In the summer, that thing fills to overflowing; people need the air conditioning break.

[mook3y]

Hopefully the NEW MANAGEMENT was destroyed and the bring back the original tiki room.

[Ian]

I can't imagine they'd do that, especially with compromised capacity during the Fantasyland expansion. In the summer, that thing fills to overflowing; people need the air conditioning break.

Actually you're probably right and it occurred to me that duh ... they most likely have insurance?

Or maybe not ... dunno ... maybe they self-insure? Do big companies like this carry insurance?

[TheRustyScupper]

I have it on good authority that Walt is trying to tell Iger something about changing his ideas.