Kilimanjaro Safaris

Location: Africa

Ride Type:  Safari

Passengers: 5-6 per Row 

Fastpass?  Yes (and recommended)

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  One of the most popular attractions in the park, this safari takes you through acres of simulated African savannas and allows you to view many species of animals in a natural habitat.  The main stroy line concens poaching on the Harambe Wildlife Preserve, where the safari takes place.  You get an educational message about the evils of poaching as you stand in the queue.  After waiting in line you board your ride vehicle - a rugged oversized jeep of sorts, with your tour guide for the safari.  There are quick reference guides to the animals of the preserve throughout the ride vehicle, to help you identify what you are seeing.  As you go through the Harambe Wildlife Preserve, you can see a whole host of live animals - giraffes, zebras, wildebeasts, crocodiles (or are they alligators?), hippos, gazelles, elephants, and the king of the jungle - the African lions.  As you journey from one group of animals to another, the guide keeps the story alive through various radio contacts with the home base.  It seems as if a group of poachers has stolen a baby elephant, and you are off to help save the elephant from the poachers.  The chases add to the excitement of the safari, but the real treasure is seeing all of the animals just like you would on a real African safari.  Mornings are the best times to see the animals out and about.

Comments:  The ride is between 20 and 25 minutes in length once you board the ride vehicle.  Because your are on a simulated safari, the road can get pretty rough, and you may get bounced around on your seat (there are no seat belts!).  Animals may appear on either side of the ride vehicle, making pictures a bit tricky to snap.  Low-funcioning children may not follow the story line, but generally enjoy seeing the animals on the ride.  The chase scene can get pretty intense, but overall the thrills are mild on this ride.

Fun Facts:  In an effort to get the lions to stay on Pride Rock, Disney installed heaters to keep the rocks toasty warm, and the lions in full view of the safari.  To keep other animals out on the savanna, Disney installs hidden feeders to lure the animals out into the open for better viewing.

Hidden Mickeys: COMING SOON

Josh Rating:

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