Friday, December 13, 2013

Dancers - Tahitian Terrace, August 1963

It's time for some Polynesian fun at the Tahitian Terrace! The Terrace opened in 1962, pre-dating the Enchanted Tiki Room by about a year. It was a popular restaurant that is fondly remembered for the fantastic dinner show, featuring singing, fire dancers, and lovely hula dancers.

Here's one of the dancers; you can just tell that she is telling a story with her graceful gestures. I like the long strands of tiny seashells that she wears around her neck. "Pearly shells, from the ocean…"


Why would you eat anywhere else in Disneyland?? I'll bet that all of the young male cast members liked to head over here on their breaks. I wonder if that flowered fabric is the official United Airlines pattern that occasionally shows up on ebay?


I don't understand the significance of the flaming coconuts, but on the other hand, who is even looking at them! Oh Tahitian Terrace, why can't you come back?


13 comments:

TokyoMagic! said...

Does anyone know if they tore down the concrete "Disneydendron" behind the dancers, or is it still standing?

Alonzo P Hawk said...

These pics are great thanks.
I really miss this place. My parents used to love to eat here and I can remember the show more than the food. It wouldn't work today though. Cal Osha would have to put safety rails around the dancers and it would impede their movements.

BTW; "flaming coconuts" is what Hawaiian kids say when they are not allowed to curse.

Melissa said...

Oh, Major, there’s nothing I need more than to be transported to Tahiti via Southern California on this icy New York morning. I’m inspired to write a Tahitian Terrace Musical about the whole thing.

1.
(to the tune of Simon And Garfunkel’s “I Am A Rock”)
A winter's day
In a warm and bright December;
I am alone,
Dancing on my boulder in my cute sarong.
For a friendly, teriyaki-sated throng.
I’m on a rock,
I’m from an i- i- i- island.

I've danced for Walt,
A mogul kind but mighty,
That none may imitate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship's everywhere.
It's laughter and it's loving that I radiate.
I’m on a rock,
I’m from an i- i- i- island.

I have my pearls
And my flowers to adorn me me;
I am shielded by my arms, or,
Covered by my bra, never feeling blah.
I touch everyone and everyone touches me.
I’m on a rock,
I’m from an i- i- i- island.

Melissa said...

2.
(Prelude, tempo di valse)
We are so entrancing,
We realize then when you
Are watching us dancing,
You can't read the menu.
Your waiters will bring it,
But then, while they do,
Allow us to sing it
And dance it for you.

(Patter song, cut time)
My name is Iwalani, and my florist is my hatter.
Perhaps you'd like the Polynesian Combination Platter?
Ribs and shrimp and chicken, rice and vegetables, and more -
Last night we had to grease a guy to get him out the door!

I'm the lady in the middle; I'm the one they call Aoloa;
Barbecued Pineapple Ribs is what I've come to show ya.
I had a plate for lunch today, and more again tonight -
When I got up this morning, my sarong was lily-white!

Blue Leilani never would go dancing in a disco
Instead of telling you about the Sandwich Monte Cristo.
They look and smell delicious, and I hope you'll order two,
I'll never wear this dress again if I do more than chew!

Melissa said...

3.
(To the tune of Baha Men's "Put The Lime In The Coconut")

Turpentine in the coconut and light it all up,
Turpentine in the coconut and light it all up.
I said, Doctor! Is there nothing I can take,
I said, Doctor! to relieve this noggin-ache?

Oh, Mr. Doctor man, think I'm goin' insane.
My guy's eatin’ tuna pot pie and it’s fillin’ me with pain.
Now I can't sleep, ain’t well, can't stop that funky smell,
Can't you smell it from the ship next to the whale?
Baby, you really drive me coconuts,
Tell me, what am I gonna do?

Turpentine in the coconut and light it all up,
Turpentine in the coconut and light it all up.
I said, Doctor! Is there nothing I can take,
I said, Doctor! to relieve this noggin-ache?

My temperature is up to a hundred and three,
Is there anything you can prescribe for me?
Well the doctor said "Hmmm, now, let me see -
Just light your nuts on fire; that's what works for me."
Baby, you really drive me coconuts,
Tell me, what am I gonna do?

Turpentine in the coconut and dance around tonight,
Turpentine in the coconut and set it all alight.
I said, Doctor! Is there nothing I can take,
I said, Doctor! to relieve this noggin-ache?

I got spots on my tongue and spots in my throat,
Our customers are flockin’ to that stupid tuna boat,
I see flaked fish in front of my eyes,
But you talk about coconuts, and flaming turpentine?

Turpentine in the coconut and light it all up,
Turpentine in the coconut and light it all up,
Turpentine in the coconut and call me in the morning.

Nancy said...

The first year we took Rachel to WDW in 1994, Tim and I went to the Polynesian Luau, one of the favorite things I have ever done there. Rachel and I went again in about 1997 and she participated in the kids' activities, so much fun! I really when I had seen this, the original show, at Disneyland :-)

Nancy said...

sorry, meant to say "wish" I had seen the original show. sheesh :(

Irene said...

Disney is finishing up their Limited Time Magic they ran this year soon - there were some hits and misses, but more misses than hits. One of the hits they did early on was to bring back the Golden Horseshoe Revue with the Can-Can girls. It was great fun and ran for about a month.
So, where am I going with this? I think they missed the mark and should have brought the Tahitian Terrace show back during the Summer for Limited Time Magic. There are plenty of Hawaiian/Polynesian dance groups and show groups in the area they could have hired. It would have been a huge hit. Right now over in DCA they have hired outside Mariachi groups to sing at the Feliz Navidad thing they are doing. Very high energy and a good show. So I know they had the budget to do a Limited Time Magic Tahitian Terrace Show!

K. Martinez said...

The Tahitian Terrace and its Polynesian show is one Disneyland attraction that I never experienced. I suppose because I had seen so many of these types of shows when visiting relatives in Hawaii, that it really didn't interest me at the time it existed. It does look cool though. Thanks for posting.

Anonymous said...

As a JC skipper, it was fun to round the corner past Trader Sam and see the girls walking to and from the dressing area stepping on 'rocks' embedded along the canal. We'd always have a line or two and/or ask the guests to wave to them as we went by. The sounds of the show (in particular the drums) would envelop the area setting a real "adventure' tone to the land.

Major Pepperidge said...

TokyoMagic!, a friend of mine says that the Disneydendron is still there, but I can't be sure. Maybe it can be seen on Google's satellite view?

Alonzo, as a kid I don't know how much I would have enjoyed the Terrace, but NOW… oh man!

Melissa, wow, three whole songs posted less than a minute apart. You put my "writing" to shame! Meanwhile, there is nothing less tropical than Simon and Garfunkel. Extra points for "Put The Lime in the Coconut"!

Nancy, so they did a similar show in Florida? I don't remember hearing about it, but that doesn't mean much.

Irene, I totally agree with you, that would have been awesome, and almost certainly would have been popular. A few years ago, the "Mousetalgia" podcast recreated the old Tahitian Terrace show in the original location, and by all accounts it was a big hit. Tony Baxter attended it too!

K. Martinez, I never saw it either, sad to say.

Anon, I've heard about these mysterious rocks along the canal… are they the same ones that Wally Boag would use to get from his dressing room to the Golden Horseshoe?

K. Martinez said...

I remember those rocks crossing the canel that entered the Jungle Cruise waters next to the Tahitian Terrace. Those were so cool. I always wanted to walk on those, but knew they were off limits to guests. Those stepping stones definitely wouldn't meet the Cal Osha standards today.

MRaymond said...

Loved the Tahitian Terrace. Sadly, family photos of the show have faded to dust. The dancers hauled my grandfather up on stage. He was a card if given an audience. My biggest fear, as a child, was the dancers hauling me up there. I would love to see it come back.