FROM: Disney P.I. Published Thursdays

Tales at the Tambu Lounge

Two theme park titans - Walter Octavius March and Disney P.I. - meet for drinks and detective work at the Polynesian's Tambu Lounge, where Wally grills the P.I. about the identity of his stalker, and the P.I. listens to Wally's oft-told adventures.

- by Debra Peterson, June 23, 2011

After weeks of shadowing Wally, the explorer whose exploits at Walt Disney World have become the stuff of legend, I've finally revealed myself to him.

He invited me for a drink at Tambu Lounge in Disney's Polynesian Resort, the Poly as he called it, where he promised to help me in my investigation. Hopefully, our conversation will shed some light on the mystery surrounding the closing of the Adventurers Club.

We agreed to arrive separately at the lounge, since I prefer to keep a low profile when on a case. I knew from previous experiences with fellow adventurers that it would be impossible not to attract attention, what with the stories and drinks and toasts to each other's fortunes. Luckily, an accidental meeting between old friends is the perfect cover for covert affairs.

As I left Cith Hall in the Magic Kingdom, I noticed Wally lingered on Main Street, talking to Mayor Weaver with an easy familiarity. I filed that bit of information away for future use; Wally has friends on the inside who may be of use in future Disney mysteries.

Polynesian's Tambu Lounge: Not Your Average Dive Bar

I took my time casing the Poly's Great Ceremonial House before heading to Tambu Lounge. I was familiar with the place, having staked out the Poly on a previous case. The Lounge hasn't changed much since 1971, when it was part of the Papeete Bay Verandah and the resort was called Polynesian Village. Now the lounge is adjacent to 'Ohana, the resort's family restaurant.

By the time I arrived, there were already several guests at Tambu Lounge and a couple inspecting its tiki decor. It location - near the Ceremonial House's second-floor open seating area - and intimate size make it a convenient place for seemingly casual encounters. It's no dive bar, but a friendly and festive meeting place.

Wally was in his element, entertaining the bartender with stories inspired by the Poly:

"The Volcano Pool reminds me of the time I was in Tonga spear fishing off a barrier reef when an undersea volcano erupted. I knew I was in an area I shouldn't have been in when I caught sight of spectacular columns of volcanic debris spewing out of the sea west of the islands of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha'apai. That region, of course, is home to 36 undersea volcanoes (and one day I shall tell you the tale of how I counted them!). I swam quickly to shore where I sat watching the amazing sight, wondering if the other volcanoes would also erupt."

In listening to the story, I was struck by how much Wally sounds like Commander McBragg from Tennessee Tuxedo and The Bullwinkle Show. Strange, I hadn't noticed it before. Maybe it was the change of scenery, which reminds me of mid-20th century American 'Tiki Culture', or perhaps it was the Poly's lively atmosphere, but Wally seemed much more animated than I remembered.

The Appeal of the Lapu Lapu is No Mystery

Wally had wasted no time bringing the energy of the Adventurers Club to the occasion. He'd even taught the bartender to make a Kungaloosh. Fond, if fuzzy, memories of the drink tempted me to join him, but I wanted to keep my cover as a regular guest.

I played it cool, approaching the bar and - surprise! - running into my old friend Wally as if by chance.

Before the bartender could get suspicious, I ordered a Lapu Lapu. A bourbon would have been safer, certainly more within my P.I. image, but the Lapu Lapu is one of the bar's popular signature drink and unique to the joint.

What could be more natural and touristy than drinking out of a hollowed-out pineapple bigger than my hand, what drink less likely to attract undue attention? I just had to be careful not to let that sweet but potent mix of Myer's Original Dark Rum, Bacardi 151 Rum, and tropical fruit juices muddy my thinking.

We then retired to the bar's wicker seating to talk about Adventurers Club. We were initially careful in our confidences. Our first exchanges danced around the topic as I asked Wally about his Disney World wanderings. His answers were vintage Wally:

"I've been keeping busy! I have had to save some fellow explorers from a charging rhino. And I also had an incident at the Hollywood Tower Hotel in the past few months, but my one jaw-dropping wander was when I found my likeness at the Haunted Mansion, only to discover it was not me but rather my Cousin Bertie immortalized in stone."

A few drinks later, however, and we were ready to share our stories.

Final Hoopla for the Adventurers Club

I quickly realized, despite my original suspicions, that Wally was no party to the Adventurers Club's demise. So I asked him where I could find our fellow adventurers.

"The problem is that I haven't seen any of the old gang since before I left for Casablanca. I went there because the last time I was in the Adventurers Club, my ex-friend and fellow Adventurer Emil Bleehall told me about a gem that had been found in the deserts of Morocco."

I didn't interrupt Wally's full recounting, although I'd heard some of it before.

"When I got back, everyone was gone and the Adventurers Club was closed down. I hear rumors every now and then about what is going to happen with the new Pleasure Island - I'm sorry, Hyperion Wharf - but I don't know anything definite. I did hear that Otis T. Wren was seen a few months ago in the Animal Kingdom, but by the time I got there he was gone."

Wally Ponders Hyperion Wharf

At this point, my shamus sense perked up. Other informants had told me Pleasure Island is slated to become Hyperion Wharf. In my experience, wharves are filled with dark alleys, dangerous characters, and lowdown dirty rats. But Hyperion Wharf is shaping up to be bright and sunny, with lots of green grass and not much else.

I felt comfortable asking: "Wally, what do you know about Hyperion Wharf and the future of the Adventurers Club?"

"Well, Hyperion was the 'god of light' in Greek mythology, so I think the brightness is a take on that. But more important to Disney history is that 2719 Hyperion Avenue was where the original Disney animation studio was located," Wally mused. "I keep going to the construction site and seeing what is happening, but as of now, not much."

I mulled this over as I ordered us another round, both Kungaloosh drinks this time. Wally waited patiently, exhibiting a comfortable stillness for so active an explorer.

"You helped me once, Wally. You encouraged me to explore the Adventurers Club, where strangers enter and leave as friends. I won't forget it. You'll always have a P.I. in your pocket if you need help getting out of a scrape or two."

I paused, not quite sure how to proceed.

"Thank you for that, Debra," he said. "I need all the friends I can get!"

"But I need your help," I admitted. "Without the Adventurers Club, I'm a bit lost. Where do I go when I need to move out of the shadows, be among fellow adventurers?"

"Debra, this is why I am still wandering Disney's wonderful resort. I haven't found a replacement for the club I found so dear, but I have found many great places in Disney World to wander and enjoy. I know there will never be another Adventurers Club. Even if they do re-open it, it will never be the same. The people who were in that place can never be in that time again, but the memories of them will last with those of us who were there."

"You have to look for (Disney) Adventure every day in your life"

His words struck me. What I missed simply wasn't the Adventurers Club, but its people, its atmosphere, the sense of new adventures, and the unexpected. The very things that drew me to Disney in the first place.

What I sought, then, was what Wally treated as adventures and what I thought of as mysteries. That's what I was looking for - Disney mysteries to solve, and people to share them with. That's why I am a Disney P.I.

As if sensing the end of the case, Wally raised his glass. I followed suit.

He said, "You have to live life as the Adventurers Club Song says:

Marching Along
We're Adventurers
Singing the Song
of Adventurers
Up or Down
North, South,
East or West
An Adventurer's
Life is Best!

"I truly believe being an Adventurer is the only way to live, so you have to look for Adventure every day in your life!"

"And remember," he said, "'Some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you, but always dress for the hunt!' Because civility is ever appreciated."

With that, we toasted the Adventurers Club and all our experiences one last time.

Disney P.I.: On the Case!

We closed down the Tambu Lounge that night, with stories, laughter, and promises we'd keep in touch. Mayor Weaver, that eagle-eyed Disney Cast Member, would serve as a point of contact should our paths need to cross again.

Bob's Three Cents: And for a small fee, knowing Weaver...

Finally, I wobbled off into that dark Disney night, alone with my thoughts. They were filled with memories of the Adventurers Club, but I was already looking forward to new mysteries to solve.

Until next time, consider me on the case.

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