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Theme Parks: Bavarian Themes? |
ikitnrev
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Jul 27, 2002
Posts: 1298
From: D.C. / Virginia
|  Posted: 2004-11-25 10:10 am Permalink
I grew up in a heavily German/Polish part of Wisconsin. Lots of polka music and dancing, beer drinking, bratwurst and sausages, and all that stuff. I always associate the Bavarian architecture trimmings with the festive reception halls where the polka music would be played.
Polka music had its peak cultural impact in the U.S. during the early/mid 1950's, so perhaps for a certain generation (those born in the 1920's-30's) the Bavarian theme was the wild, partying theme of the day. The people who seem to have the fondest views of the touristy Bavarian themed towns (Solvang, Leavenworth)are the older generation who experienced that time period firsthand.
My theory is that when this generation got tired from too much polka dancing, they slid into the more quiet and sedate Polynesian/tiki culture, where they only had to swing their hips to an occasional hula dance, rather than sustain long, fast, amd mostly sweaty polkas on the dance floor.
Vern
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ZebraTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 01, 2004
Posts: 530
From: Enchanted Bay Area, CA
| Posted: 2004-11-25 11:38 am Permalink
Dutch Sinterklaas references? Was he in the tiki rehab too?
For the best explanation of Dutch Sinterklaas traditions, read David Sedaris' essay, "Six To Eight Black Men" in his newest book, "Dress Your Family In Corduroy."
The real story is very, very strange. Highlights: Sinterklaas currently lives in Spain, yes, Spain, semi-retired, and not Spanish speaking, in his former career, he was the Bishop of Turkey, which is where he gets his wardrobe influences. On December 5th, he arrives in the Netherlands via a boat fron Spain, astride his white horse, along with 6 to 8 Moorish 'helpers', Schwarte Piet being the lead helper. Supposedly, Dutch children are told that if they are bad, Sinterklaas will hit them with a switch, and throw them into a large burlap sack & send them to live in Spain for a year...
or the referbished tiki rehab center.
Now back to Bavarian Amusements... Dahcshund Races anyone?
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BarkerBird
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 20, 2004
Posts: 168 | Posted: 2004-11-26 10:21 am Permalink
Alpine Village still exists in Torrance California.
They used to have some rides and a petting zoo. Now it's just a few shops still run by the economic stragglers that haven't realized it's on its way out.
They still have an Oktoberfest every year in a beergarten.
But the parkinglot is still the economic powerhouse. Swap meet there every weekend.
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BarkerBird
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 20, 2004
Posts: 168 | Posted: 2004-11-26 10:24 am Permalink
http://www.alpinevillage.net/index.html
Found a website.
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atomictonytiki
Grand Member (8 years)
Joined: May 14, 2002
Posts: 1272
From: Bangkok
| Posted: 2004-11-26 5:46 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2004-11-25 11:38, ZebraTiki wrote:
Sinterklaas currently lives in Spain, yes, Spain, semi-retired, and not Spanish speaking, in his former career, he was the Bishop of Turkey, which is where he gets his wardrobe influences. On December 5th, he arrives in the Netherlands via a boat fron Spain, astride his white horse, along with 6 to 8 Moorish 'helpers', Schwarte Piet being the lead helper.
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I was living in Holland a few years back and the Main News actually has as a headline the arrival of Sinterklaas as the top news item, then every until (i think) the 10th it reprts which part of holland he is visting.
Schwarte Piet is Sinterklaas top spy he goes around checking all the kids, and what kids have to do is put their clog by the fire each night from the 5th until the 10th and if there is a sweet in it in the morning it means old piets been checking up.
The black helpers of santa are common through out europe in the Czech Republic Schwarte Piet is a little black devil.
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Philot
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 04, 2003
Posts: 190
From: The armpit of Florida
| Posted: 2004-11-29 08:33 am Permalink
Der Schlitterbahn! Never personally been there. Yet.
Also, Bush Gardens in Tampa has some bits that that are German themed.
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freddiefreelance
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 15, 2003
Posts: 2983
From: San Diego, Ca.
| Posted: 2004-11-29 12:24 pm Permalink
Hey, why don't you take this over to Bavarian Central, huh? I'm sure you'll find lots to talk about there...
On another note, there're a bunch of houses in the next neighborhood over from me that have A-Frame roofs that look like a cross between Bali Hai & Heidi. Some of the places have gingerbread on the A-Frames, some have a polynesian up-sweep to them, very strange.
_________________
Rev. Dr. Frederick J. Freelance, Ph.D., Th.D., D.F.S
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