Tangaroa Terrace is back!
Well the Tangaroa Terrace at the Polynesian is not back or I should say open but a tribute to all things tiki is opening up in California’s Disneyland Hotel as part of an extensive renovation of the parks and hotel. Along with the new pool area and the Dream Tower (opening back up in 2010 as the Adventure Tower) a new tiki-inspired restaurant will open. It is sort of a collection of Disney past so let’s celebrate its creation with a walk down memory lane.
The new restaurant is called Tangaroa Terrace so of course the Polynesian faithful will think of the restaurant at the Polynesian Resort with the same name. For those of you who don’t remember it I will give you a brief history lesson. The Tangaroa Terrace is located in the center of the resort. It is the same building that houses the Neverland Club and laundry room that is 
between the bus stop, Tokelau, Rarotonga and Rapa Nui. It opened during the expansion year of 1978 that brought the first new buildings to the resort since its opening in 1971. The East Pool (aka quiet pool) and Oahu (now called Tokelau) were added where the old putting green use to be located. At that time the building housed the Snack Isle and Moana Mickey’s Fun Hut (arcade). Room service was also moved into this building to use the Tangaroa Terrace’s kitchen instead of back at the Great Ceremonial House.
With there only being the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary close by when it came to grabbing something to eat, many visitors would monorail over to the Polynesian and found the Tangaroa Terrace to be a favorite way to get out of the busy park and relax in a tropical oasis. This was the location you could first experience Tonga Toast.
Even with its popularity it ended up closing in October 1991 but reopened in 1992. It eventually closed for good in 1997 to become a meeting facility. Even the Snack Isle closed in 1996 and the arcade moved into the GCH in 2006, the same year that Captain Cook’s closed to be redone and expanded. They moved Captain Cook’s over into the old Snack Isle location. Since then the building remains mostly empty but is one of the more interesting buildings to look at.
The new restaurant brings along a new bar area called Trader Sam. The reference there is to the “head” salesmen found at the end of the Jungle Cruise ride. The name Tangaroa also comes from one of the tiki gods in the Enchanted Tikiroom.
The theme and feel of the place was inspired by the Tahitian Terrace that use to be located next to Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise. It was a Polynesian themed show and menu that was one of my favorite things growing up as a kid. The feeling I got when I knew I was going to eat there was like how I feal when I know I am going to stay at the Polynesian. You really felt like you got away from the crowds of the park and were taken away to some tropical place. For more information on the Tahitian Terrace, check out Yesterland’s page http://www.yesterland.com/tahitianterrace.html
New Club Level Departure gift
Many of you might remember getting a departure gift from the Polynesian. In the past it was a chocolate postcard that later changed to a smaller square one. I thought I remember getting this even outside Club Level and as of this week it has changed to a new item. This new change seems to be for King Kamehameha Club only. That means the Club Level guests. The new items consist of a little bag with Hawaiian red salt next to some chocolates and a card explaining the meaning of the gift.
“This traditional red Hawaiian salt has been used for centuries to protect natives on their journeys. May this sample of ‘Alaea keep you safe on your journey home and preserve your memories at Disney’s Polynesian Resort”
East Pool Redesign
As I mentioned in the earlier history lesson, the East Pool (beter known as the quiet pool) was put in place of a putting green in the late 70s. The reson if earned the name quiet pool was because the pool at the beach was always more popular because of its 
location to the beach and bar as well as it having a slide. The kids were mostly over at the main pool while many adults found a nice and quiet place to relax at the East Pool. When the new Volcano pool was being constructed they installed a temporary slide at the East Pool but once the 
new pool opened it was a better destination for kids (especially smaller ones) because of the zero entry, the 
slide and it not being deep. The East Pool also does not have life guards.
Well the East Pool is going to change for the first time since it opened in 1978. I was told it is getting a complete makeover and it will include a zero entry section. The dates kept on changing for when the work would start 
but as of last week construction is in full swing. It is scheduled to finish April 8th but just like the dates changing for it to start work, don’t be surprised if the finish date changes. If you see that it is completed and open, let me know and photos are always appreciated.
Photos thanks to Darrin Demshar and Denise Fales Preskitt (Mousesteps.com)
Healthy Eating at Kona Sushi Bar
Eating healthy is not easy at Disney World. Sometimes you have to venture outside the parks to eat something good for you. There are a few choices but one of my favorites is Kona Sushi Bar. The bar located next to Kona Café switches over to serving sushi at 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM every day.
Sushi can be a healthy choice as well as a tasty one. I do understand that sushi is not something everyone can stomach. I know because I was one of them. Now I really enjoy good sushi and after my heart attack in December 2010 I am looking for healthy choices.
Now not all sushi is healthy. The traditional Japanese stuff is a good way to go but when you start getting into Americanized sushi you start getting stuff that is deep fried and topped with maoy based sauces. Does Philadelphia roll even sound good for you?
The best way to go is with the sashimi. The fish is full of Omega 3 fats that protect the nervous system, provide vitiman D, lower cholesterol and even keep your blood sugars at healthy levels.
Some places will offer brown rice instead of the white rice that will really reduce the calories in your roll.
Even the stuff that comes with sushi can be beneficial to you. The ginger relieves sinus congestion and can help reduce stomach aches and nausea by neutralizing the stomach acids. It also lowers cholesterol and limits blood clots much like aspirin does.
Wasabi can be good for you too if you can handle it. Wasabi can help protect against food poisoning from its antimicrobial properties. It can also prevent blood clots, asthma and cavities.
So what are some good choices at Kona? Well I like them all but the Sashimi, Nigiri, cucumber roll and Tuna Poke (although higher in salt) can be good choices. I like the California Luau Roll myself.
These can be enjoyed at the bar, up at the window watching the monorail go by or even when dining at Kona Café.
Scam
With the prices of rooms and park passes going up and up, more of us are looking for the best deal. Most places are going to have access to the same discounts with a few exceptions where travel agencies work out a deal with Disney. When you see a great deal but you have never heard of the place and you don’t know anyone who has used them, you should approach with caution.
Nancy Alvarez was arrested for posting discounted Disney packages on Craigslist and even had a real enough looking web site for her fake company “A Fairytale Event”. These packages were bogus and she took the money with nothing in return. These packages included packages to the Polynesian Resort.
She has been ordered to return up to $31,000 and if she does she will not be charged and will be free.
Don’t let this scare you from using places other than Disney because there are many out there that are great and will do the hard work to find you the best deal. Just make sure you know people that have used them and find out what their experience was like when they used them.
To read more about the scam, check out the article from the Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/15/2067882/miami-disney-scammer-agrees-to.html
New things on the site
There are some new things coming to the site including a new page for things that are gone from the Polynesian. If you remember some things and better yet, have photos of it then send them to me to add to the new page.
Speaking of things that are gone, affordable rooms!! I updated the room rates for all room catagories. All I can say is if we keep paying it they will keep raising it which is why we have changed our trip plans to not include Disney World this year. Can you say over $1000 a night for the room we had 2 years ago at $400 a night? Maybe you would like a suite at $3100 a night or maybe you would rather pay your mortgage. Don’t forget to add on the tax per night on that suite of $372.
Email me at tikimanpages@gmail.com
I really do enjoy getting emails from my readers. The more questions and involvement I get from the readers, the more I am motivated to do for the site. I also enjoy helping to answer questions or help with planning.
As always I enjoy the trip reports and if you want it posted just let me know. I won’t do it without your permission. Also photos or observations from around the resort are always welcome. This site has grown with the help of all its readers. I especially enjoy old photos of the resort showing what it use to look like.
Sometimes when I reply I get my email kicked back and a message that it could not be delivered. I also know that sometimes my emails go into Spam or Bulk email folders so if you wrote me and did not hear back it might be because it did not get delivered or it is in your Spam folder. If you do get my email than just let me know or if you asked me a questions and I did not get a response from me let me know. I want to make sure you get my reply.
