The Tahitian Terrace was a Polynesian-themed dinner theater restaurant in Disneyland’s Adventureland, operating from June 16, 1962, to April 17, 1993. Replacing the Pavilion Restaurant, it was Disneyland’s first dinner show, featuring Polynesian dancers, musicians, and a fire-knife performance under a 35-foot artificial tree. Sponsored by Stouffer’s (1962–1980s) and later Kikkoman (1980s–1993), it served exotic South Seas cuisine and evolved from a seasonal, upscale dining experience to a more accessible format before closing for Aladdin’s Oasis.
Below are 10 fun facts about the original concept of the Tahitian Terrace (1962) at Disneyland:
- Dinner Theater Pioneer: Opening in 1962, it was Disneyland’s first dinner show, blending outdoor dining with a Polynesian revue, featuring dancers and musicians on a stage framed by a waterfall curtain.
- Exotic Menu: The original menu offered “sizzling teriyaki steak,” shrimp tempura, chicken almond, and a Polynesian combination platter with barbecued ribs and Cantonese rice, priced at $1.85–$3.50.
- Signature Drink: The non-alcoholic Planter’s Punch, a tropical fruit juice blend, was served in a tall frosted glass with a faux flower garnish, costing 50¢, enhancing the South Seas vibe.
- Disneydendron Tree: A 35-foot artificial tree, dubbed a “Disneydendron,” loomed over the dining area, crafted with 14,075 hand-grafted leaves and fiery flowers, grown in under a year via Imagineering techniques.
- Stouffer’s Sponsorship: Stouffer’s backed the restaurant from 1962, influencing the menu’s upscale Polynesian dishes, like raisin ice cream with flaming caramel sauce, until Kikkoman took over in the 1980s.
- Free Leis for Guests: Diners received complimentary leis upon arrival, adding to the immersive Polynesian experience, with vibrant floral decor lining the outdoor seating area.
- Seasonal Operation: The restaurant ran daily in summer, Christmas, and spring break, but closed or operated weekends-only from New Year’s to spring and post-summer to Thanksgiving for refurbishments.
- Polynesian Revue Show: The Tahitian Terrace Polynesian Revue, described on menus as a “travelogue journey,” featured authentic dances, fire-walking, and a fire-knife performance, with performers in sarongs and grass skirts.
- Shared Kitchen Design: Connected to the Plaza Pavilion and Enchanted Tiki Room (originally planned as a restaurant), it shared kitchen facilities, streamlining operations for Adventureland’s dining hub. The original Tahitian Terrace emphasized upscale Polynesian dining and cultural performances, differing from its later quick-service iterations.
- Television Showcase: Featured in a July 14, 1962, KTTV episode of Meet Me at Disneyland, the restaurant debuted its Royal Tahitians dancers and Annette Funicello, boosting its early popularity.
