New Animal Encounters at Animal Kingdom

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.disneydining.com/new-ani...il&utm_term=0_585957dd1b-d31c53a442-305209005

New animal experiences are in testing phases at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with the support of Natural Encounters, Inc. Guests are being told that they may see various animals moving freely throughout the various locations in the park. The testing is currently happening in Discovery Island, Africa and Dinoland, USA. The animals are being monitored and observed very closely to determine if these kinds of experiences will be safe for guests to enjoy. If the testing goes well, this means that we may begin to see more animals roaming around the park. This means more up close sightings and observations.



Disney is known for creating immersive experiences unlike anything you would be able to find anywhere else. Creating more experiences with animals helps to provide animal education for guests and allow them to get up close and personal with animals that they can’t see anywhere else. We will keep you posted as we learn more about the animals in these new encounters and when they will officially be open to guests.

 

[MamaBelle4]

I don't want the animals to be within reach of guests. I hope that that isn't what this indicates, though it kind of seems to to me.

Some people are horrible and some children don't know better. I would hate for an animal (or guest) get hurt.

Or frighten the animal.

 

[melana]

hmmm. not sure how I feel about this. On one hand I love animals and think "free roaming" could be fun. On the other hand, I love animals and can see somthing going wrong, not on the part of the animal but on the part of the human.

 

[HopperFan]

I don't want the animals to be within reach of guests. I hope that that isn't what this indicates, though it kind of seems to to me.

Some people are horrible and some children don't know better. I would hate for an animal (or guest) get hurt.

Or frighten the animal.

YES. My first thought. If it is what it sounds like, I object. THAT is not an animal in it's natural environment. That is a petting zoo. That is kids chasing animals. That is guests trying to bribe them with human food. That is a lawsuit in the making since these are Disney owned and not wild interactions.

So has anyone heard what animals are "roaming freely"?

 

[Farro]

Brookfield Zoo has peacocks, peahens and peachicks roaming freely, it's wonderful. No children were chasing them any of the times we've been there.

Perhaps this is what they have in mind.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Natural Encounters is based in FL and it looks like it's mostly birds. It reminds me of the people on the sidewalks in Maui asking if you want to hold a bird and have your photo taken. This is probably a more professional experience.

https://www.facebook.com/NEItrainers/

 

[yulilin3]

I read this yesterday, they are calling itt "animal activation", they are doing it in partnership with Natural Encounters, Inc. (NEI) and the ASE team, the animals that you might see are birds, small mammals and reptiles....
I hope that CM are monitoring these encounters very closely

 

[HopperFan]

Natural Encounters is based in FL and it looks like it's mostly birds. It reminds me of the people on the sidewalks in Maui asking if you want to hold a bird and have your photo taken. This is probably a more professional experience.

https://www.facebook.com/NEItrainers/

Hmmm, I've been around peacocks often and seen plenty of kids bothering them. They've had birds for pictures at Busch and other places and even AK kinda with the loose bird show and the owl they bring out.

This just reads weird maybe with "more animals roaming around the park" as that doesn't sound like birds held by keepers to share with you or even animals shared like they do at zoos. It implies the animals will be free to wander on their own. I guess we will see.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Pretty sure it will be like the Rafiki Planet Watch 'pet a snake' (that a CM is holding).

 

[HopperFan]

Pretty sure it will be like the Rafiki Planet Watch 'pet a snake' (that a CM is holding).

Why?
Why is this necessary?
Build some more natural habitats and leave the poor critters alone and away the guests.

Wait ... is there an upcharge?

 

[Jennasis]

The kids bother the birds roaming the aviary NOW over at the Maharajah Jungle Trek. This idea is TERRIBLE.

 

[Dan Murphy]

This is the company mentioned in the OP.

http://naturalencounters.com/

 

[hiroMYhero]

Why?
Why is this necessary?
Build some more natural habitats and leave the poor critters alone and away the guests.

Wait ... is there an upcharge?

Natural Encounters, Inc. oversees, consults, and possibly runs Flights of Wonder so they should be well aware of Guest behavior. Their specialty appears to be behavioral training but that wouldn't apply to guests who are wandering around the parks and they'd have to protect the animals from strollers and other vehicles.

Perhaps roaming is another word for "carried around" by a trainer/facilitator.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't care for this. Kids even chase the ducks.

 

[Farro]

This is the company mentioned in the OP.

http://naturalencounters.com/

Looks like a monitored "roaming".

I will keep an open mind. I would imagine a company like this knows the risks more than we do.

If it works out, hope to see it in October!

 

[elaine amj]

Our zoo has always had free-roaming peacocks. Its a delight

I will be very interested to see how this unfolds.

 

[AngiTN]

Pretty sure it will be like the Rafiki Planet Watch 'pet a snake' (that a CM is holding).

Exactly.

Folks, they aren't going to release critters in the parks and let them fend for themselves, or let the guests fend off the animals. This will be 100% controlled by professionals. The Tennessee Aquarium has many activities like this with snakes, turtles, lizards, etc and it goes very well, animals are not abused, guests are not abused and lots is learned about the animals. I think it's wonderful

 

[AngiTN]

Our zoo has always had free-roaming peacocks. Its a delight

I will be very interested to see how this unfolds.

Don't all zoos? It suits the habitat that peacocks like. It's rather neat how they will roam and naturally contain themselves in a small area. It's something I'd have never learned if they didn't offer them at our zoo

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

A pick your own farm near us even has a free roaming goat. He's great, loves to be pet, and fed, and have never seen an issue.

This wasn't intended by the farm. He's just an escape artist from the goat pen.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Considering all the outdoor seating at AK restaurants, these new "encounters" could get interesting . On our first WDW trip, the birds got a little too close for comfort during our lunch at Flame Tree and it freaked our youngest DS out.