Post #586189 by Tiki Shaker on Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:57 AM

First off, I do have to agree that California is the true origin of tiki culture.

I also think it has continued to be the the source of the general publics awareness of "tiki".

Something I think is sometimes overlooked when we have these discussions about tiki (I don't think it has been brought up yet in this thread), is the importance Disneyland has had, and continues to have on the publics perception of tiki.

Tahitian Terrace opened in the early sixties and lasted until the mid nineties I think? The Enchanted Tiki Room opened in the mid sixties and continues to operate in most of its (thankfully) original glory?

To think of how many people, from all around the world have visited Disneyland since the mid sixties and got to experience The Enchanted Tiki Room. I can't even fathom what that number would be. People from parts of the US where tiki restaurants didn't/don't exist, visited Disneyland and went to the TIki Room. People from all around the world... the same is true. Think of how many people in the world have experienced either The Enchanted Tiki Room or, back in its day, The Tahitian Terrace.

I wonder what percentage of the worlds population has heard the term "tiki". And out of those, how many would associate it with a memory of Disneyland?