AK- "hidden" trail and others

[crazymomof4]

Years back I remember reading about a "hidden" trail off the main path between Asia and Africa. I believe it was used as a smoking area (?) You had to go on stepping stones across a small creek. We never did this bc we always had a stroller or w/c (my mom). Now I've also read that it's overgrown and neglected and barely passable, but this was on older internet pages. Anyone check recently? Still overgrown?

Additionally, we've never done the trails around the base of Tree of Life. Any comments/tips on what there is to see there?

 

[wench]

I'm not familiar with the hidden trail your asking about, but always do the trails around the Tree of Life. There is Galapagos tortoise in there that I always get a thrill out of seeing. Even though, it just kind of sits there, I'm always in awe of it. I would definitely recommend strolling through those trails.

 

[OKW Lover]

The hidden trail is no more. It was a nice little diversion when the park first opened but has long since overgrown to the point of being impassable.

 

[LibertyTree]

So I heard that AK is the only park with doors on the restrooms, evidently to serve as a shelter in case an animal escapes. Anyone know if that is true, or if its just a good story.

 

[OKW Lover]

So I heard that AK is the only park with doors on the restrooms, evidently to serve as a shelter in case an animal escapes. Anyone know if that is true, or if its just a good story.

I can confirm that at least some (most?) of the restrooms have doors. Can't comment on the reason.

 

[Dan Murphy]

So I heard that AK is the only park with doors on the restrooms, evidently to serve as a shelter in case an animal escapes. Anyone know if that is true, or if its just a good story.

Not an official statement, but.......

http://blog.touringplans.com/2009/11/24/bathroom-blog-iv-animal-kingdom/

Last response.

 

[crazymomof4]

So I heard that AK is the only park with doors on the restrooms, evidently to serve as a shelter in case an animal escapes. Anyone know if that is true, or if its just a good story.

True! It was told on a DIS unplugged podcast by "Dustin" who was an AK employee. That podcast is my favorite! Well worth watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MGlBhRFsFg (cont in part 2)

 

[crazymomof4]

The hidden trail is no more. It was a nice little diversion when the park first opened but has long since overgrown to the point of being impassable.

OK thanks. It's still on the park map. I had hope that maybe it was "cleaned up".

 

[crazymomof4]

I'm not familiar with the hidden trail your asking about, but always do the trails around the Tree of Life. There is Galapagos tortoise in there that I always get a thrill out of seeing. Even though, it just kind of sits there, I'm always in awe of it. I would definitely recommend strolling through those trails.

I wonder if this is the same Tortoise that used to be on the old "Discovery Island" near the Ft Wilderness beach. ?? This is going way back now, but there used to be a nice nature trail on that island with various types of wildlife including a big Tortoise. I know they live a long time so maybe they just transported the old fella over to AK?

 

[jerlove]

I wonder if this is the same Tortoise that used to be on the old "Discovery Island" near the Ft Wilderness beach. ?? This is going way back now, but there used to be a nice nature trail on that island with various types of wildlife including a big Tortoise. I know they live a long time so maybe they just transported the old fella over to AK?

I know I have read that the animals that were on Discovery Island were moved to AK when the park opened.

Knowing that these tortoises can live to be well over a 100 years old I would think it is a safe bet that it is the same one.

 

[Robo]

Years back I remember reading about a "hidden" trail off the main path between Asia and Africa. I believe it was used as a smoking area (?) You had to go on stepping stones across a small creek. We never did this bc we always had a stroller or w/c (my mom). Now I've also read that it's overgrown and neglected and barely passable, but this was on older internet pages. Anyone check recently? Still overgrown?

Additionally, we've never done the trails around the base of Tree of Life. Any comments/tips on what there is to see there?

The first path mentioned above is not available,
however there are a couple of other paths (shown on the map below) that ARE still there.

 

[crazymomof4]

I know I have read that the animals that were on Discovery Island were moved to AK when the park opened.

Knowing that these tortoises can live to be well over a 100 years old I would think it is a safe bet that it is the same one.

With so much having changed since my first trips to WDW, it's very cool to think that the same Tortoise that we "visited with" when I was a young bride, is still "doing his Disney job" as I enjoy middle age!!

 

[OKW Lover]

The two "secret" paths in Robo's excellent map are not the ones that the OP was asking about. Just didn't want to confuse people.