I visited 25 tiki bars in 2017, which is a mix of luck and effort. I was fortunate to visit some new cities, where I was able to visit some great tiki bars. In particular, the tiki bars in San Diego and Portland were highlights. Some bars below I was able to visit several times.
Surprises? Tiki-Ko in Bakersfield is amazing and well worth going out of your way to visit. I had suuuuuper high expectations for False Idol and Hale Pale and in both cases all the expectations were exceeded. Superb places!
The Jungle Bird in Sacramento
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (Orlando)
Trader Vic’s Emeryville
Smuggler’s Cove (SF)
Forbidden Island (Alameda)
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar (Anaheim)
The Jungle Bird (Sacramento)
Longitude (Oakland, RIP)
Kona Club (Oakland)
Pagan Idol (SF)
Hukilau (San Jose)
Cat Eye Club (San Diego)
Bali Hai Restaurant (San Diego)
False Idol (San Diego)
Trad’r Sam (SF)
The Alibi (Portland)
Hale Pele (Portland)
The Shameful Tiki Room (Vancouver, B.C.)
Tiki-Ko (Bakersfield)
Bamboo Hut (SF)
The Royal Hawaiian (Laguna Beach)
Aku Aku (Orlando)
Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Room (Santa Cruz)
The Kon-Tiki (Oakland)
The Tonga Room (SF)
Luau Lounge (SF)
Thanks to Julie Crossman who was my partner in crime for most of these visits.
Also thanks to Jim and Richelle for the fun SF Tiki Bar Crawl on the hottest day in San Francisco history. It was too hot but still lots of fun. We visited three bars in one night (Smuggler’s Cove, Bamboo Hut, and Pagan Idol).
As has been previously chronicled, I’m a big fan of attraction posters from Disney theme parks. So, it was with wonder that I saw this week’s blog post from the Disney Parks Blog detailing some tidbits from the upcoming holiday overlay for the Jungle Cruise. There was a preview of some of the decorations for “The Jingle Cruise” but the attraction poster that was released truly got me excited to experience the attraction with the new elements.
You can compare this poster with the original from back in the 1950’s (the original Jungle Cruise attraction poster was #3 on my list of all-time attraction posters). I love how this new poster riffs on elements from the original, like the kid with a candy cane instead of a 1950’s cap pistol.
The Jingle Cruise is coming to both the Magic Kingdom in Florida as well as Disneyland in California. We’re heading down just before Thanksgiving and this is already the top of my “must do” list.
Some fun photos from our recent trip to Disneyland. We ended up only getting a day and a half in the parks, since it was raining on the Sunday getaway day and we wanted to avoid the snow on the Grapevine. For this trip we purchased a PhotoPass+, which includes photos in the parks and restaurants along with some stock photos. It also includes ride photos, which we took advantage of.
For Space Mountain, Quinn was the one who came up with the two poses. Thanks to Julie’s parents for playing along and everyone had lots of fun.
Nobody in our family likes to ride Splash Mountain except for me, so I took a solo trip. It’s actually really fast and easy for solo riders to get onto the ride. Just walk up the exit and enter the single-rider line where I waited all of one minute before boarding. They usually seat you in the back seat, which is nice because it’s the driest. In this case, I moved up a spot so a mom and daughter (who you can’t really see) could ride together.
You’ll also notice that the front seat gets the most wet… so if you don’t like getting wet then get seated in the back.
Lastly, here are a couple photos from Disney California Adventure. Julie and I rode Radiator Springs Racers in the single-rider line but we still got to be in the same car. This was something we would have done on Sunday with the entire family, oh well. Â The Tower of Terror is a ride I’ve enjoyed more and more each year, though I do always like to “hang on for dear life.”
5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Disneyland Paris
Big Thunder features an excellent use of hiding the track and incorporating the coaster cars into the storyline for the attraction, with the cars being part of a mine train. The track is similar in the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom variants, but the Disneyland Paris version by far the best. Taking the place of Tom Sawyer Island within Disneyland Paris’ Frontierland, the guests board the coaster and go under the river to travel on an island in the middle of the river. There are some great experiences when you coast on track hanging over the water. The finale takes you back under the river through a dark and thrilling tunnel.
4. Space Mountain – Disneyland
Far smoother than the version at Walt Disney World, this version also has 2×2 seating that is more friendly to families. The twists and turns in the dark are thrilling as is the energetic musical score by Michael Giacchino.
3. Space Mountain: Mission 2 – Disneyland Paris
This version shares little in common with the domestic predecessors. The guests “take off” via linear induction launch and then you plunge into the darkness of the mountain. This version is wilder than the other Space Mountains too, with three three inversions. Also features music by Michael Giacchino.
2. Calif Screamin’ – Disney California Adventure
Whereas most Disney coasters try to hide the track with rock work or darkness, the exposed structure of California Screamin’ sets a wonderful backdrop for Paradise Pier. The design follows the wooden coasters of the era it celebrates, but thanks to steel track technology, this is a smooth and thrilling coaster. Over 6000 feet, by far the longest Disney coaster (by over 1000 feet), this is the only coaster at the Disneyland Resort with an inversion.
1. Expedition Everest – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
For the summit of our list, this one seems to be the Disney coaster that everyone can agree on (it ranked at the peak coaster by each member of our family). Plenty of thrills with a g-force inducing backwards section as well as a gigantic drop. But it also appeals to those who avoid inversions. It also includes the pinnacle of Disney place-making, as they’ve created an entire Hymalayan town of Serka Zong surrounding the attraction. The queue tells the story of past expeditions who experienced the mythical Yeti and is quite beautiful too. While it’s disappointing that the attractions animatronic Yeti has been motionless for many years, it’s still a thrilling encounter on one of Disney’s best attractions ever.
One of the things about the Disney Parks that I love are the attraction posters. These were important in the early days of Disneyland, used as a way to promote attractions throughout the park. To this day, there are still attraction posters in the tunnels under the railroad tracks leading to Town Square on Main Street USA. This is my list of favorite attraction posters, and you’ll definitely notice there’s an aethetic that I like. In fact, there’s only one in the entire list that departs from the original 1950s style.
A great place to see many of these posters is in the Pizza Port restaurant in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. It’s actually kind of an ironic decorating choice; what says “tomorrow” better than posters from the 1950s?
Disney has released an incredible coffee table book about attraction posters called Poster Art of the Disney Parks. It’s a large sized book and focuses on presenting the posters in a way that speaks for themselves, rather than a whole lot of text describing the process. Well worth getting.
16. Autopia – 1955 (Bjorn Aronson)
The promise of the open road with dad and son. Too bad the actual ride has the car riding on a track so you can’t really steer off the road. The 1950’s design is pronounced in this poster and does set the tone for many future classic posters.
15. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – 2008 (Danny Handke)
Several nods to the “cult appeal” of this Fantasyland classic, especially since it was produced so recently. Why are Mr. Toad’s eyes like that? Hmm… There are absolutely no drug references in this poster.
14. Skyway – 1956(Bjorn Aronson)
If there’s a single ride I could bring back to Disneyland this is it. I love the bucket ride! I want to see Disneyland from the air, too! Sadly, it’s no longer available. But, we do have this great poster from pioneering artist Bjorn Aronson.
13. Soarin’ Over California – 2010 (Greg Maletic)
The first of the “retro” posters that Disney put together to relaunch Disney California Adventure earlier this year. Â The flat color style fits in fabulously with some of the classic posters from the 1950s. It’s clear Maletic has studied from Disney poster pioneers Aronson and Hartley.
12. Silly Sympony Swings – 2010 (Greg Maletic)
I like the red color on the skin of the riders in this one, which creates a nice contrast with the blue sky and the color of the attraction. Mickey’s treatment is quite nice here, too.
11. People Mover – 1967 (Ken Chapman)
Kudos to Goodyear for sponsoring the centerpiece of 1967’s New Tomorrowland. Of course, there’s nothing “new” about this poster style, which looks like it would fit in place if the attraction launched a decade earlier.
10. Mickey’s Fun Wheel– 2010 (Greg Maletic)
I like how many of the new DCA posters include a tagline. The mimicking of the lights in the letters of FUN WHEEL is also a great design choice.
9. Monorail – 1961 (Paul Hartley)
This design was later used at Walt Disney World where they replaced the Matterhorn with the Contemporary Hotel.
8. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room – 1963 (Paul Hartley)
Is the show supposed to be funny or is it maybe a little bit dangerous? This poster perfectly sets up the tension of the attraction.
7. Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – 1962 (Paul Hartley)
Proving I’m not including just my favorite attractions in this list. I never much cared for this attraction, and much prefer the Tarzan’s Treehouse remodel, but this incredible poster simply must be included. Great nod to the Jungle Cruise too.
6. Grizzly River Run – 2010 (Greg Maletic)
The saddest part of DCA’s relaunch was a deemphasis of the park’s former icon, Grizzly Peak. Fortunately, this poster restores it’s prominence.
5. Monorail Mark VII – 2008 (Scot Drake)
The only poster with a different design style. Though, at its heart, there’s still a strong sentimental quality to this poster that was created when the very retro designed Mark VII monorail cars debuted. Plus, a nice inclusion of Space Mountain and the Submarine rides, too.
4. Fantasyland / Dumbo – 1955 (Bjorn Aronson)
Strong and robust color choices from this classic. Technically a nod to three attractions, it’s clear Dumbo gets top billing. Pink Elephant… get it?
3. Jungle River / Adventureland – 1955 (Bjorn Aronson)
I’m not sure if the Jungle Cruise attraction was ever called the “Jungle River,” but this is a classic nonetheless. Â Spot the kid with the cowboy hat shooting at the hippo.
2. Matterhorn Bobsleds – 1959 (Paul Hartley)
Very strong design with 1959’s E-ticket attraction. Bold use of darker colors are a contrast with the more typical pastel colors normally used in the posters. And doesn’t it look like an exciting ride?
1. Red Car Trolley – 2010 (Greg Maletic)
I simply love this poster, since it tells you everthing you need to know about the new Disney California Adventure. A great sense of nostalgia for the park’s “main street” entrance area, Buena Vista Street. The Red Car Trolley isn’t really a great mode of transportation (you can walk faster than it moves), but the use of this vehicle gives the street a kinetic energy. You could easily see a Disneyland poster that replaces the trolley with a train and the Carthay Circle Theater with a castle.
We had a great time on our last trip to Disneyland earlier this month, mostly because we finally got to experience the “reimagined” Disney California Adventure (DCA) park that has been under construction in one fashion or another since 2007. The improvements in the park are truly spectacular and now the resort truly has two destination parks worthy of the Disney name. We visited the park over the course of our five-day / four night trip to Southern California, and we enjoyed numerous sights and sounds including the breathtaking Buena Vista Street entrance area to DCA and our favorite attractions across the esplanade at Disneyland park.
This post highlights a fortunate set of events that allowed us to ride nearly all of DCA’s E-Ticket attractions in quick succession before lunchtime on a single day.
At around 7:45, Julie and the boys entered the park and handed me their tickets so I could get FastPasses for the entire party. Meanwhile, they waited at “rope drop” to ride Soarin’ Over California. At 8:00 the park opened and the “hotel guest” FastPass line and the “general admission” FastPass line for Radiator Springs Racers merged. Shortly after 8:15 am I approached the FastPass machines to get our passes.
In addition to FastPasses for Radiator Springs Racers at 10:30 am I also was presented with two “surprise FastPasses” for California Screamin’, DCA’s thrilling roller coaster. Earlier in the trip we got surprise FastPasses for the Little Mermaid ride but that attraction never has much of a line so getting FastPasses for Screamin‘ was really a score. Even better, we received two of these and each one was good for “up to six people”. So we could all ride twice (well, Riley didn’t ride because he doesn’t like coasters with inversions).
We immediately walked over to Paradise Pier and entered the shorter-than-average 20 minute line for Toy Story Midway Mania, then used our FastPasses to ride California Screamin’ twice. It was already getting hot so we walked over to Cars Land and rode Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree before getting some refreshments at the Cozy Cone Hotel.
It was almost time for our Radiator Springs Racers FastPasses and were hanging out in Cars Land when my iPhone buzzed. It was a push notification from Twitter that the DCA Today account had tweeted: “Are you feeling bug sized today? First 10 Guests in the park to find us will receive a special surprise!” This was surely a reference to A Bug’s Land, the themed area right next to where we were standing. So, we rushed over and met the DCA Today people right outside the gates of A Bug’s Land – mere steps from where we started. We presented ourselves and as a reward for finding the team we were presented with four FastPasses for any ride in the park (except for Radiator Springs Racers). After signing some paperwork and getting our photo taken we were on our way.
We headed straight for Radiator Springs Racers, and experienced what is perhaps the greatest theme park attraction ever built (at $200m it’s likely the most expensive). Such a great, fun ride! It’s even fun just hanging out and watching the other riders and gazing at the spectacular rock work. Everything you’ve heard about Cars Land is true – it’s maybe the best themed area of any Disney park.
At this point we decided to use our free FastPasses before lunch. Quinn wanted to ride Goofy’s Sky School, a wild-mouse coaster, so I took him to ride it. Julie and Riley decided to ride Soarin‘ instead. Â We met back at our favorite restaurant location in either park, the Paradise Garden area of Paradise Pier that features the Paradise Garden Grille (love the kabobs!) and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta (love the flatbread pizza!).
Thanks to some planning and little bit of good luck we had seven ride experiences on some of DCA’s best attractions before 11:30 in the morning! Thank you to Apple and Twitter for high-tech alerting systems! A big thanks to the DCA Today team too. They do giveaways like this it seems nearly every day, so be sure to check in frequently with what I like to call “DCA’s Best Kept Secret” – the DCA Today crew.
Once again we participated in the Mercury News’ road trip scavenger hunt. The idea is to collect all the items and have a photo of a member of your party in the photo with the items of note. We did this back in 2010 but were not successful in finding all the items. This year we got all 20 items, plus the two bonus items (pending judging from the Mercury News judges of course).  Julie and I took most of them on our road-trip up to Seattle before taking the Disney Cruise to Alaska. The only item we didn’t find was the funny mailbox so it was very easy to find one of those at Disneyland last week.
1. Tree with a trunk at least as twice as wide as you (or a member of your traveling party)
Victoria BC, in front of Parliament
2. Fully loaded roof rack
near Kelso WA
3. Church steeple
Ketchikan, AK
4. Town motto printed on a sign or archway
Ketchikan, AK
5. Clown
Medford, OR
6. Funny or elaborate mailbox
Anaheim CA
7. Election sign
Skagway, AK
8. Abandoned building
Skagway, AK
9. Someone (not in your travel group) consulting a paper map
Skagway, AK
10. Train or cable car not on tracks
Skagway, AK
11. Statue made of wood
Redding, CA
12. Hat or headgear worn in the region you’re visiting
Skagway, AK
13. A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny
Weed, CA (this sign is both intentionally AND unintentionally funny)
14. Lion, real or not
Disney Cruise Line – Alaska Inside Passage
15. Member(s) of traveling party in the water
Disney Cruise Line – Alaska Inside Passage
16. Musical instrument
Victoria, BC Street Piano
17. Restaurant sign advertising the “best” whatever
Ketchikan, AK – Best Pizza in Town (at Mexican Restaurant)
18. Motel/hotel ice machine
Seattle, WA
19. Roadside stand
Woodland WA
20. Something unusual that is not on the list
Seattle, CA – Gum wall
21. Foreign Bonus: A building mural that is not graffiti
Victoria BC, Chinatown
22. Foreign Bonus: McDonald’s, Starbucks, or other U.S.-based franchise with a sign or part of menu in a foreign language
Victoria BC, Starbucks (a sign and a menu)
We visited Walt Disney World over the New Year’s break, and very much enjoyed our time there. As a longtime Disneyland visitor I always find the Magic Kingdom to be a disappointment. There are many things to like about the park, to be sure. But as a Disneylander I am left with an unsatisfied feeling. There are some obvious differences in the park, especially with super-headliners like The Matterhorn and Indiana Jones not at the Magic Kingdom. On the other hand, as a newer park there are different/improved things in Florida as well.
Main Street Vehicles at Disneyland
So, I decided to see if I could quantify this. This analysis looks only at attractions and not at shows, character greetings, fireworks, shopping and dining, or other intangibles. Instead, we’re just looking at attractions to experience. Â What I did was compare the attractions in each park. If they were clones (or near clones) of each other, then that would be a wash and even out from a points perspective. If a similar ride was “a little” better in one park or the other, then I would award one point. If it was significantly better then I would award two points.
In terms of attractions unique to one park or the other, 1-3 points are awarded based on value/scope. So, Shunken Ned’s Jungle Boats at the Magic Kingdom only gets a 1, whereas something of larger scope and appeal such as Mickey’s PhilharMagic gets a 3.
In my ratings below, I’ve tried to be as fair as possible. In some cases I actually awarded points to the attraction I actually prefer less, due to historical value or other elements. An example of this is Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise, which I prefer but lacks an extra scene in the Magic Kingdom version (which, therefore, gets the points). I grouped attractions more or less together by land, though this wasn’t completely equivalent due to differences in the parks.
Disneyland
Magic Kingdom
Notes
Main Street USA
Main Street Vehicles
2
Main Street Vehicles
Vehichles rarely run at MK, greater variety at DL too
Disneyland Railroad
1
Walt Disney World Railroad
Primieval World missing at MK
The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
The Hall of Presidents
2
Greater scope and entire land built around this attraction. But DL has the Steve Martin movie.
The Disney Gallery
1
none
Not much of an “attraction”
Fantasyland
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Cinderella Castle
1
Much larger castle including a restaurant. But DL has a walk through.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
0
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
0
It’s a Small World
1
It’s a Small World
Larger attraction features Disney characters in DL.
Mad Tea Party
0
Mad Tea Party
1
Can spin the cups much faster at MK
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
1
Better queue and theme and ride at MK
Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight
1
Better animatronics at MK
King Arthur Carrousel
0
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
0
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
1
More focus on Snow White at MK
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
3
Excellent 3D film with Disney music
Casey Jr. Circus Train
2
Mild thrills for kids
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
2
Dark ride with cult following
Alice in Wonderland
2
Used to be a 3 until OSHA forced changes on outdoor portion
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
2
Dark ride
Matterhorn Bobsleds
3
Disney classic
Storybook Land Canal Boats
2
Charming boat ride
Adventureland
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
0
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
0
Essentially similar once again
Pirates of the Caribbean
2
Pirates of the Caribbean
Much longer ride at DL
Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise
1
Longer attraction with extra scenes at MK (but Trader Sam is better at DL)
Tarzan’s Treehouse
0
Swiss Family Treehouse
0
Essentially similar
Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats
1
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
2
Fun Dumbo-like attraction
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye
3
Super-headliner
Frontierland
Splash Mountain
0
Splash Mountain
0
Essentially similar
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
0
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
0
Essentially similar
Frontierland Shooting Exposition
0
Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade
0
Essentially similar
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Tom Sawyer Island
1
Themed better at MK and big plus for Fort you can enter
Mark Twain Riverboat
0
Liberty Belle Riverboat
0
Haunted Mansion
Haunted Mansion
1
Extra scene in MK, but better looking exterior at DL. Edge to MK for elaborate queue and hitchhiking ghosts
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
1
Only runs on weekends and busy season
Sailing Ship Columbia
1
Runs less frequently than Riverboat
Country Bear Jamboree
1
Would be a 2 if animatronics were well maintained
Tomorowland
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
2
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Much better experience with hand-held blasters in DL
Astro Orbitor
0
Astro Orbiter
0
Essentially similar
Space Mountain
2
Space Mountain
Far better track, audio effects, seating in DL
Autopia
0
Tomorrowland Speedway
0
Essentially similar
Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
2
So sad that this isn’t running at DL anymore
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
1
Very very dated animatronic show
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
2
Wish it was funnier
Stitch’s Great Escape!
2
I like it better than the predecessor but nobody would be sad to see this go
Disneyland Monorail
2
Part of Walt’s vision of a world in motion
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
3
Nemo overlay works well and preserves a Disney original
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
3
Super-headliner
Captain EO Tribute
2
Innoventions
1
Not very compelling, but maybe more than Carousel of Progress
ToonTown
Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey
2
Charming fun
Minnie’s House
1
Goofy’s Playhouse
1
Donald’s Boat
1
Chip ‘n Dale’s Treehouse
1
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
3
Immersive dark ride
Gadget’s Go Coaster
2
Short kiddie coaster
Disneyland
51
Magic Kingdom
24
As you can see, Disneyland’s rating was 51 with Magic Kingdom only ranking as 24. That’s twice as many points!
Magic Kingdom currently suffers due to the construction of the new Fantasyland attractions. So, the loss of Mickey’s ToonTown surely hurts. That said, the Magic Kingdom is still far, far behind its cousin in California.
If you have any thoughts on the rationale or my ratings, please leave a comment below.
Here are some of the better photos from our trip to Disneyland last weekend. Notable is that some of these are from my new iPhone 4S and comparing them to my Canon DigitalElf camera they are essentially indistinguishable.
Pumpkin on Main StreetMatterhorn racing (gonna miss these bench seats)Quinn on Big Thunder Mtn RailroadHalloween Tree in FrontierlandQuinn Swinging Alone FinallyJulie SwingingGreat snack place at Grand Californian HotelJulie and I take a break while boys are at Challenge Trail in DCAEasy Entrance to DCARiley Cooling OffLoving Brothers One MinuteKilling each other the nextWalt Disney's Railroad Barn in Griffith Park
There’s something amazing about the joy on a kid’s face when they experience the magic of Disneyland. Here are some of the best shots from our trips in April and August of this year.
Quinn and Riley on Big Thunder Mountain RailroadRiley on Silly Symphony SwingsThumbs Up for Mickey's Fun WheelFrancis' Lady Bug BoogieDole Whip and Enchanted Tiki Room GardenQuinn Going Crazy on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
