The West Side of the Kingdom
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Now if you’ll indulge me, let me drag out one last soapbox here. I just want to say that we were absolutely horrified by what’s been done to the Magic Kingdom’s Enchanted Tiki Room. The new show, billed as “Under New Management,” is a slap in the face to Walt Disney, the WED pioneers involved in its creation and all of the fans that have grown up with and have loved the show for decades at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. I knew there was a serious problem when during the pre-show outside of the Tiki Room, the birds were joking about how much money the guests had spent to get into the park. In my days at Disneyland, that kind of humor would have found us being escorted to our lockers for the last time. The show deteriorates from that point on, and is a complete mockery of the beautiful experience that is Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. I cannot imagine being involved with this project in any way and being able to face the original Imagineers such as Marc Davis. It is my sincere hope that someone involved with the show is reading this article. Please, take the time to e-mail me and explain just what you were thinking as a team going into this. Shame on you - all of you - for ruining this special piece of Disney tradition and history. You’re only cutting your own throats in the long run. Let alone the history of the show you’ve desecrated - do you really think that junk is what Disney guests want to be entertained with?
Our overall experience at Walt Disney World was magical and despite a few thorns here and there, we can’t wait to return next December with my wife’s little sisters, to share the magic of Walt Disney World with them!
Before returning to San Francisco, we had a brief moment at Disneyland with our friends. We both laughed at how impossibly small our Castle looks compared to Florida’s, but agree completely that no matter how big Walt Disney World or how many parks they build there, nothing holds a candle to the pure magic that is embodied by Disneyland.
And I reflect on my time as a Cast Member at the Park, which is something I often do. It’s now Christmas time; a very beautiful and special time at Disneyland. The music is in the air, the decorations are tremendous (as usual, the changes to It’s a Small World is phenomenal) and Cast Members go that extra mile to give guests a wonderful time. While those Cast Members are working hard to keep you happy, remember that while being there to take care of you, they are missing out on celebrating the holiday with their friends, family and loved ones. Take a moment and wish those Cast Members a very Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings. It makes all the difference in the world, believe me.
While working the Haunted Mansion one Christmas Eve, I remember that we all broke the strict dress code and wore red ties with our costume. To top it all off, we all wore buttons on the outside of our jackets that read, “Get Even… Give Fruitcake.”
Merry Christmas, everyone! Happy Chanukah and Season’s Greetings to you all. May the coming Century bring you much success, joy and happiness. We’ll see you in 2000!
-- Rick West (December 10, 1999)
Rick West is the publisher/editor-in-chief of Theme Park Adventure Magazine. Through his involvement with that he has been able to meet and interview some of the biggest names - past and present - in Walt Disney Imagineering. Rick draws on those experiences, and his experience in the theme park industry, for The West Side of the Kingdom.
The West Side of the Kingdom is published the second Wednesday of each month. Rick was busy, this one was two days late.
The opinions expressed by Rick West, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future of Disneyland and the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
©1999 Theme Park Adventure Magazine and LaughingPlace.com. All rights reserved.