Enchanted Tiki Room Review
Somebody even taught these birds how to sing the classic Snow White song
Do you like birds? No, not the traditional birds like you see in Animal Kingdom’s Feathered Friends in Flight. I am talking about robot-birds. Yep, completely animatronic animals that also talk, sing to you and sometimes even come up with a German or an Irish accent. Do you like the sound of that? Then maybe you will have a good time in Magic Kingdom’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
This attraction is a theater presentation that has existed in Magic Kingdom since the park opened its doors in 1971, although it used a different name back then: Tropical serenade. The idea, however, is the same. You enter a theater, take a seat and then it’s time to relax and look up.
The entire presentation takes place above you, with animatronic birds joining plants, tiki totem poles and other creatures in a simple show where they throw jokes and sing for about fifteen minutes. It’s a similar atmosphere to what you see in another Magic Kingdom classic - Carousel of Progress - from a time where animatronics were starting to shine and ready to take theme parks by storm.
The Good
Enchanted Tiki Room is for those that want to see a piece of Disney history. The original Disneyland attraction dates back to 1963 and it was the first ever ride to use audio-animatronics. The Disney World version is basically the same, even if it came out almost a decade later.
This attraction is also pretty comfy for a variety of reasons. One, queue times are almost non-existent. Two, the theater is a very good place to rest your legs and enjoy one of the best ACs in Disney World, which is extra nice during the Florida summer. There is also something special about watching those classic animatronic birds harmonizing together. It feels like stepping back in time and experiencing a piece of Disney history.
Some of the songs can also be pretty catchy. Did you know, by the way, that the same people that worked on the music for It’s a Small World also did the theme song for Tiki Room? No wonder that was going to be good and find a way to get inside your head for the rest of the week. The song in question is "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room", and just writing it down makes me want to sing it out loud. Thanks, birds. The animatronics also sing the classic Snow White "Heigh-Ho" song at the end, as a form to say goodbye to the audience. I'd say that they have pretty good vocal cords.
The Bad
The Tiki Room is a rather standard presentation and may feel a bit dated in 2024. While the songs are cute and the animatronics charming, it doesn’t offer much beyond that. There are a few visual and sound effects on the walls, but nothing that will truly impress you. However, that's perfectly fine. The Tiki Room serves primarily as a nostalgic reminder of an earlier era in theme park history, when attractions were still evolving into what we have today.
Would I recommend the Tiki Room? Not really. Personally, I'd prioritize the Carousel of Progress over the Tiki Room. It has an even classier feel and bears Walt Disney's personal touch during production. The Tiki Room is for those that really want to see everything that Magic Kingdom has to offer.
Will Kids enjoy it?
Probably not. In the Magic Kingdom, there are far better options for toddlers and young children, including dark rides and meet & greets, among others. The Tiki Room might not be engaging enough for them, especially considering that most of the show takes place above the audience. Teenagers might have an even worse experience, finding the show boring and too long from start to finish.
