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Interview with the head decorator of Trader Sam's |
TikiTacky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 23, 2010
Posts: 1319 |  Posted: 2014-05-07 09:22 am Permalink
Here's a fun article with the Head Decorator at Trader Sam's, Brandon Kleyla: http://www.endorexpress.net/special-features/trader-sam’s-enchanted-tiki-bar/
[ This Message was edited by: TikiTacky 2014-05-09 09:17 ]
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bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 11549
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2014-05-07 09:52 am Permalink
Ha! Brandon made it into one big Disney commercial, referencing all Disney this and that, and just a brief, vague mention of the real LA. Tiki bars. The Disney fans will eat it up! 
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scottxwl
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Feb 18, 2014
Posts: 32
From: Byfield, MA
| Posted: 2014-05-07 10:46 am Permalink
Thanks for sharing this!
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arriano
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1404
From: Dog Patch - San Diego
| Posted: 2014-05-07 1:49 pm Permalink
What!? No references to "Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N."?
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MissClaireTiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Mar 11, 2014
Posts: 24 | Posted: 2014-05-07 2:18 pm Permalink
This is a really interesting article, thanks for sharing
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Kilaueakyd
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 20, 2012
Posts: 120
From: The active crater
| Posted: 2014-05-09 12:23 am Permalink
Thanks for the article. There is so much more to say about Trader Sam's. It is really special in many more ways. Starting with the beautiful doors carved by Leroy Schmaltz to the tasty Tiki drinks served in really decent mugs. Yeah its Disney but they dont miss much and it is soooo much fun.
I have met some of the best people there too.
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bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 11549
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2014-05-09 07:11 am Permalink
I agree. I just think it's sad that in the interview there is no true reference to real Tiki culture, and the fact that it is those concepts that really informed Trader Sam's. Just one example: Diorama windows were used in Tiki bars before Disneyland ever existed. Instead it all revolves around Disney history (which, yes, certainly played its part) as if existing in a self-contained little universe.
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 4859
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2014-05-09 07:24 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2014-05-09 07:11, bigbrotiki wrote:
I agree. I just think it's sad that in the interview there is no true reference to real Tiki culture, and the fact that it is those concepts that really informed Trader Sam's. Just one example: Diorama windows were used in Tiki bars before Disneyland ever existed. Instead it all revolves around Disney history (which, yes, certainly played its part) as if existing in a self-contained little universe.
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Particularly valid when one considers that Walt was inspired by the Tiki Room at the Royal Hawaiian in Anaheim, as discussed here Walt and the Tiki Room
DC
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bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 11549
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2014-05-09 07:53 am Permalink
DC, don't bother people with all that HISTORY!
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/cliftons-brookdale-cafeteria/
"….Clifton’s over-the-top interiors also had influential admirers. “Welton Beckett, who designed the original Brookdale, was best friends with Walt Disney,” says Meieran. “Several people who knew him said that Disney went to Clifton’s and was inspired by the design. There had already been fantasy architecture, but Clifton’s took it to a new level.” Disneyland, the pinnacle of fantasy environments, wouldn’t open for another two decades."
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tikilongbeach
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 05, 2011
Posts: 1610
From: Long Beach, CA via Dallas, TX
| Posted: 2014-05-09 08:37 am Permalink
Dustycajun, Big Bro and many, many others, thank you for the history lessons! I, for one, really enjoy them.
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-Lori
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kkocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2013
Posts: 697 | Posted: 2014-05-09 09:04 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2014-05-09 07:11, bigbrotiki wrote:
I agree. I just think it's sad that in the interview there is no true reference to real Tiki culture, and the fact that it is those concepts that really informed Trader Sam's. Just one example: Diorama windows were used in Tiki bars before Disneyland ever existed. Instead it all revolves around Disney history (which, yes, certainly played its part) as if existing in a self-contained little universe.
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You're talking about a Disneyland-themed tiki bar at the Disneyland Hotel here. Of course it revolves around Disney history! You'll see a little homage to other tiki bars, like on the mug shelf you'll see various mugs from other joints like Tiki Bob, the Goof/Bali Hai, etc.
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chrisandsarahb
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 22, 2009
Posts: 578
From: Cucamonga, CA
| Posted: 2014-05-09 10:14 am Permalink
lol Sven, the article was for a website called "Endor Express", your source for all things Star Tours, so I don't blame Brandon for referencing all Disney this and that  Not the most ideal place for a Tiki history lesson. I think the mention of visiting good LA Tiki bars for Trader Sam's inspiration was a great plug that should motivate noobs to venture out if anything, out of curiosity.
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SoCal Savage
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 20, 2013
Posts: 195
From: Los Angeles via Brooklyn NYC
| Posted: 2014-05-09 11:00 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2014-05-09 08:37, tikilongbeach wrote:
Dustycajun, Big Bro and many, many others, thank you for the history lessons! I, for one, really enjoy them.
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Agreed!
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EPCOTExplorer
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 13, 2014
Posts: 298
From: Miami, FL
| Posted: 2014-05-13 06:52 am Permalink
I'm interested to see what they have in store for the Grog Grotto... The concept art seems to spell out that we're getting an audio animatronic squid arm!
Any idea if Tiki Farm is on board for the mugs?
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kkocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2013
Posts: 697 | Posted: 2014-05-13 11:32 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2014-05-13 06:52, EPCOTExplorer wrote:Any idea if Tiki Farm is on board for the mugs?
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I think it goes w/o saying that they'll continue the relationship with Disney.
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