American Heritage has a great article about how South Pacific "Tiki Culture" took off in the post World War II era, beginning with the rum drinks invented by "Don the Beachcomber", to Trader Vics, with a healthy boost by James Michener, Thor Heyerdahl, Rogers and Hammerstein, and Elvis. Tiki artifacts, old and new, are making a big comeback. The article states:
"Disneyland [then] opened in 1955, and among its first rides was a Jungle Cruise", in which boats drifted through tropical scenes; a few years later the park's creator presented an attraction called the Enchanted Tiki Room, where 225 birds chattered and danced among "tiki gods" named Kor, Maui, Pele, Rongo, Tangaroa and Tangaroa-Ru (this was Disney's first use of "Audio Animatronic" figures.) ..."
Great article, and reminds all of us that Tiki culture, like the Swiss and other European influences of Fantasyland, and the westerns that inspired Frontierland, was very much a product of the 1950s and the culture shock(s) of the decade just before it.
"Disneyland [then] opened in 1955, and among its first rides was a Jungle Cruise", in which boats drifted through tropical scenes; a few years later the park's creator presented an attraction called the Enchanted Tiki Room, where 225 birds chattered and danced among "tiki gods" named Kor, Maui, Pele, Rongo, Tangaroa and Tangaroa-Ru (this was Disney's first use of "Audio Animatronic" figures.) ..."
Great article, and reminds all of us that Tiki culture, like the Swiss and other European influences of Fantasyland, and the westerns that inspired Frontierland, was very much a product of the 1950s and the culture shock(s) of the decade just before it.
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