On 12th January 2011, The Enchanted Tiki Room closed due to a fire in the roof of the show building. Luckily, there was very little damage to the building and it components and Disney said they would need to check for water damage and any other issues surrounding the show and would re-open on 26th March.
Fast forward a few weeks and, without any warning or explanation, Disney announced that the attraction would no longer re-open on 26th March but would be closed for an extended period, reopening on 1st June. A 5 month closure to repair any minor damage was unheard of, DIsney often kept attraction open while they fixed some problem (I love the Disco Yeti, don’t you?) Only recently, Dudley Doo Right Ripsaw Fall had a major fire and the attraction is up and running again so why would a small fire cause a closure for 5 months? Is it a bigger rehab? Have they brought it forward in the rehab calendar and got ahead of the game? That was what the Disney community seemed to think. It certainly wouldn’t have been the first time it had happened. But, imagine the surprise when Disney cancelled that re-opening and are now saying the attraction will remain closed until 1st July!
This has begun to fuel a few rumours. Are Disney repairing damage or are we getting a new show, maybe even the original returning? There was a mixed response when The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management opened in April 1998. Some were thrilled to see the addition of the new characters from Aladdin and The Lion King where as other were appalled that the Imagineers dare touch an attraction that was inspired by Walt Disney.
But, if the rumours are to be believed, the original Enchated Tiki Room could be making a comeback. Although this is pure speculation, we could find the original show back in July. Many Disney purists would be elated by the news just as they were with Captain EO but on watching the film they realised just how “80s” it was. A great nostalgic move by the company but not something a newer Disney fan would understand. Could this be the same for the return of an original attraction from 1971? On the other hand, could they be bringing the version found in Tokyo featuring Stitch? Or, maybe, just maybe, they are fixing the problems the fire caused.
We will find out in July (unless Disney push the date back that is!)