Anyone done Wild Africa Trek?

[foxxxy83]

Just wondered if anyone had done the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom with youngsters (tweens) before? It says on the "know before you go" section that children must be 8 yrs old to participate but just wondered if anyone had ever tried this with a child that young?? I find it hard when booking tours as often things are advertised for what the company perceives a certain age group to be able to do. Are there any other similar tours anyone knows of?? We're nature/environment loving family and have COMPLETELY fallen in love with both Epcot and Animal Kingdom for this very reason. Thanks!

 

[disney2014plan]

I'd also love to know what time the tours go, as well (sorry to hijack thread)

 

[2Tiggies]

Youtube videos.

I don't book things I'm not 100% certain about until much closer to the time. Even then, I've come off second best where interests have changed between booking or planning and arriving there. It's the gamble of life but you can take an educated risk or rash one.

Be careful of wanting to do too much as well. You can end up missing so much by accounting for every moment of your time, especially since you've not really spent much time at Disney.

Often when Disney give a minimum age it has ore to do with the child being able to get something out of the experience, rather than a case of it not being appropriate. Research carefully. It's not small change to book these things

 

[foxxxy83]

Thanks for the advice. I was really just wondering what people's experiences had been as a form of research. I just saw it on the Disney site by accident when looking for something else and it sounded like something we'd enjoy so just wondered how it had been for others. I tend to research a LOT early on and then book things nearer the time. Would be great to hear of others experiences if anyone has done this with a child that young all the same. Thanks!

 

[edinburghlass]

*search this forum* is your friend

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3170255&highlight

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3078250&highlight

 

[2Tiggies]

Fair enough

I've just had a look (not checked that one before so I didn't know much about it) and it looks like the minimum age is 8. I wasn't sure what you meant when you said 'to participate'. The way I read it your son would be too young to do the tour. It's also 3 hours long. Were you planning on putting him into one of the kids clubs when you did it?

ETA: I didn't mean that to sound snarky. The kids clubs at WDW are fantastic! They aren't cheap but the children love them!

 

[2Tiggies]

I'd also love to know what time the tours go, as well (sorry to hijack thread)

These were the times listed on Allears

11:45 AM
12:30 PM
1:15 PM
2:30 PM
3:15 PM

Debs also posted a review from her May excursion which may help you

 

[Elise79]

I am not being funny when I say this but doesn't your DS have issues around waiting in groups?

I haven't done the Trek but know people who have (and i have done several other tours) and there is always a bit of waiting around.

Part if the trek is crossing an "unsafe bridge" over crocs which requires waiting as only one person can cross at once. You also have a break where you get some traditional foods such as edible flowers.

I am not trying to put you off but make you aware of what's involved.

TBH I would wait a bit before starting on the tours - there is so much to explore first

 

[foxxxy83]

Tbh as I said in one of my previous posts, I just came across it by accident and it looked interesting. I just find sometimes tours post age ranges up that aren't really suitable (as in the case of the Florida Adventure Day we booked through Thomson last time) and I wondered if it really was something 8 yr olds could do or if they needed to be older than that and, of course, what it really entailed (the Florida Adventure Day stated "swim, snorkel or interact with a manatee".. what they didn't say was you had to learn to snorkel first then try and find a manatee and if a manatee approached you, you could swim next to it.) I just thought it would be a good idea to research anything that sounded interesting before making any decisions (even if the info only came in handy for future trips).

 

[DarkLady]

Thanks for those links edinbughlass

We discussed the Wild Africa Trek a few months ago. We were also not too sure about taking children on there although my sister's children are a little older than the OP's son. There is a video in a link on one of those threads and if you look at the suspension bridge it looks a bit wonky I don't know that even the 10 year old is going to be too keen. We thought it was a lot of money to spend if there are children who might end up needing constant reassurance.

I thought most of the Disney age limits are quite low for children compared to other parks and experiences and I think it always depends on the child. The rules for one might not fly for another kid.

Will they let you take a younger child on a tour or anything if you tell them that you think they will manage? I didn't think you were allowed but we have never asked

I'm sure you will find something nice that you can all do together

 

[DarkLady]

Yay! My signature is working!

 

[tinks_1989]

Phil Emma and Ben did it and filmed the entire thing. It's during their May 2012 trip.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?p=PLDDEE7F96EA48CFA4&v=NN8C5VYDhjo&feature=plpp

 

[edinburghlass]

Phil Emma and Ben did it and filmed the entire thing. It's during their May 2012 trip.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?p=PLDDEE7F96EA48CFA4&v=NN8C5VYDhjo&feature=plpp

What a great video and it made clear to me that my knees wouldn't cope with it

We tend to do one new experience/adventure/something different each trip that costs extra and the rest of the time spend hours exploring new corners of Disney or favourite little things like standing under the umbrella playing Singing In The Rain at DHS

 

[Tinkerbell1989]

Phil Emma and Ben did it and filmed the entire thing. It's during their May 2012 trip.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?p=PLDDEE7F96EA48CFA4&v=NN8C5VYDhjo&feature=plpp

Well done babe! I was trying to find that, but for some reason I couldn't! Xx