The area that would become the Tahitian Terrace was originally occupied by the Pavilion Restaurant—a facility straddling Main Street, U.S.A. and Adventureland with a bifurcated theme (Victorian architecture on one side, thatched roof on the other).
[4] Not long after Disneyland opened, a live tropical-themed musical quartet was placed on the Pavilion's dining patio to entertain guests.
In 1957, Disneyland expanded its live entertainment offerings and hired an authentic Hawaiian trio with a hula dancer for the patio and also constructed a semi-permanent stage.
In April 1962, the Royal Tahitians were featured in an episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color called "Disneyland After Dark" (the show was filmed the previous September).
The same year, Disneyland began a $7 million expansion of Adventureland, which started with the opening of the Tahitian Terrace in the former location of the Pavillion Restaurant in June.
Served at outdoor tables, guests could sample exotic South Seas foods, including "sizzling teriyaki steak, savory shrimp tempura, fried almonds in rich egg batter, and raisin ice cream topped with flaming caramel sauce.
"[2] The signature drink was the non-alcoholic Planter's Punch, served in a tall frosted glass with faux flower garnish.
[7] The back of the menu described the show, the Tahitian Terrace Polynesian Revue, a "travelogue journey" through the traditions of the featured Pacific island cultures.
For your summer evening entertainment, the falls magically draw aside...and out from behind the waters, sarong-clad natives appear to perform the swaying rhythms and amazing rituals of the islands...the hypnotic bare-foot fire walk and thrilling fire-knife dance, and the traditional grass-skirted hula of Samoa, Tahiti and Hawaii.
[7] Disneyland horticulturalist Morgan "Bill" Evans originally intended to use a real coral tree as the central feature in the dining patio, but Walt Disney said it wasn't big enough.
But between New Year's and the spring break weeks as well as from the end of summer to Thanksgiving, the restaurant was either completely closed for refurbishment or on a weekend-only schedule.
The waterfalls and rockwork of the performing area were replaced with a replica of the huge tiger head that formed the entrance of the Cave of Wonders from the film, but the coral tree remained—though the stage was now almost completely separated from the Jungle Cruise.
[7] In 2014, the restaurant and seating portion of Aladdin's Oasis re-opened for "On the Go" dining packages for Fantasmic!,Paint the Night in 2015, and the Main Street Electrical Parade in 2016.
On December 21, 2018, Aladdin's Oasis was completely replaced by a new Polynesian-themed food service area called the Tropical Hideaway.