Post #687264 by tikijim30 on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 7:58 PM

Hopefully you'll see this before your trip, sorry, I just joined the forum today or I would have told you this much earlier. I don't know a lot about Ft. Lauderdale aside from the Mai Kai (a Tiki Mecca that I'm sure needs no mention). I'm local to Orlando though, so I'll tell you about the Disney area. In Disney, you have to see Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, but that's not the only Tiki thing in WDW. Across from Aladdin's Flying Carpets, you will find a set of Tiki statues that play music and spray water at guests. These are updated versions of the Marc Davis originals (once made of wood, these are now fiberglass, much more suitable to Florida humidity). Also check out the Jungle Cruise (left of Tiki Room if you're facing it directly). This is another classic attraction that has a great exotica vibe and a few Tiki carvings along the way. There are also Tiki masks and carvings scattered all over Adventureland, so spend some time looking around there.
When you are done at Magic Kingdom, take the Resort Monorail to the Polynesian resort. Grab a Mai Tai at the upstairs bar, Try the 'Ohana buffet (pricey, but wonderful) there are also some great Tiki carvings there and some Modern Hawaiian artworks to be seen in the lobby. The giftshop also sells the same Tiki mug that they serve their Pina Colada in. After browsing the lobby, (be sure to see the colorful Tikis playing hide and seek in the front window of the giftshop) go out the back door and stroll down to the pool. Here you will see several Tiki carvings hidden in the bushes and forming the base of the pool showers, even more Tikis await if you venture over to the quiet pool area to the right of the main pool if you are facing it from the back door. These are the same Tikis that you see in the Enchanted Garden show at the Tiki Room in Disneyland. After passing the quiet pool, follow the path toward the Neverland Club. Just before you reach the club (which is basically a daycare for small kids), you will see a giant Tiki carving in front of the area known as "Tongaroa Terrace" there is nothing in this building now, however it is occasionally used for wedding receptions. If you wander to the left of the main pool (facing it from the back door) that will take you toward the Luau show and a giant Tiki head carving set beside the pathway. There are other carvings to see all around the resort, and the beach area is a great place to watch the evening fireworks without the massive crowds at the park. Enjoy.