Are there any cool "behind the scenes" tours @ AK...

[TuckandStuiesMom]

for those who are not staying @ the AK lodge?

 

[graygables]

YES! I took one last year and it was wonderful. It was the Backstage Safari and we got to see the elephant/rhino barns up close, watch a trainer work w/a rhino (then got to touch it!), see food prep areas, had a break, went through Rafiki's from behind, then got to ride the safari without the schtick and got lots of good info there, too. I highly recommend this tour and can't wait for my DDs to be old enough for it!

 

[betterlatethannever]

We took the tour also. It was great.

There is also another tour called "Wild by Design". Haven't taken that one yet but it is in the plans.

Ed

 

[Lancer]

There are two. Both are excellent and are highly recommended. I have taken both.

If you want a more animal oriented tour, take Back Stage Safari. You get to go and see when the animals stay when not on stage, and how they are cared for and fed. There were lots of animals back stage at the time of our tour including giraffe and elephants. You also met many of the animal handlers, vets, and care takers.

Wild by Design on the other hand is geared more towards trivia, and little known facts and things. Things like how and why they designed the park the way they did.You learn the significance of things you see in the park for example the details in just the que lines. You learn how the imagineers traveled around the world to incorporate actual artifacts and culture in the park. I was amazed at how much I have overlooked in the past years walking through the park. You do get to met a couple of animal handlers on stage. A small breakfast is included.

 

[Safari Queen]

We've done both and loved them. Lancer's descriptions are excellent.

 

[poohlover]

How old do kids need to be to take the Back Stage Tour?? We will be going after Christmas this year & are looking for "new" things to do...my 15 yr old DS wants to be a vet, he'd LOVE this tour...but we have 6 kids 19 - 7 yrs...maybe we could split up for a while!

 

[stm61]

I think they have to be 16. I've read other posts where people have taken kids much younger then the posted age on a MK tour. Wondering how strict they are with this one?

 

[twojo21]

we did the backstage safari tour in 2003 & it was very interesting & neat to see the animals up close & personal. i dont want to give away to much but you visit the nighttime housing, see a number of animals, go to the vet center, get a vip safari & keepsake. were doing the tour again this march with my fils.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I also did the "Backstage Safari" tour in November, 2005, and loved it. I'd love to do the "Wild by Design" tour, but presently it's only offered on Thursday and Friday, which I haven't been able to do yet.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We also did the Backstage Safari and loved it. We wished it was a little longer because we loved seeing the animals and how they take care of them. Although the mousecicles for the animals could have been avoided according to DW.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Eeww! Mousesicles! I'd completely forgotten about those until you reminded me. But I was really impressed with how spotless the animal feed facility was.

 

[travelgoddess]

Are these tours done before the parks opens? I would love to do one, but I don't want to lose alot of park time...

 

[Lancer]

I am not sure about "Wild by design" but I do know that in Feb with "backstage Safari" they ask you to meet at Guest Relations at 8:15am, with the tour starting at 8:30 and goes to approximately 11:30am. The park opens to everyone else at 9:00am and closes at 5:00pm. Disney resort buses should be running no latter than 8:00am so that should not be a problem as long as you take the first bus. Some tours run only on certain days while some may have two tour times on each day. Not sure about these two.

Hope this helps!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Looks like the Safari for us!

 

[hb2000]

Does the BackStage Safari require park admission as well?? I lnow some of the epcot tours Meet you outside the park and drop you off after the tour outside the park.

Also if I got the chance to touch or pet a rhino I would definately want a picture of that. Anyone know if any photography is allowed during instances such as that??

Thanks
HB2000

 

[diswedwish]

Yes, Backstage Safari and Wild by Design both require park admission.

You are not allowed to take pictures backstage, so no pictures of you petting the rhino unfortunately But when you go on the Safari with your guide, they will stop for pictures more so than when you just ride normally.

I've been on Backstage Safari twice, and just booked it for my mother and I for this May. I didn't book the tours before this time, so I don't know whether this is new or not, but they do mention that there will be no touching of the animals. So I'm hoping that the rhino touching is still in there

 

[jeannie1962]

Can you give me a rough idea about how much the tour costs? Is there a place online that you can find the tours and prices? Thanks!

 

[DeterminedOne]

Can someone tell me what time on Thursdays & Fridays Wild by Design is offered? Thanks!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

165.60 for three of us (DS was a year too young but I bet he finds something to do with himself) after a 15% AAA discount so per person = $55.20. Without the discount I'm guessing about $65.00. The CM that took my reservation was very specific about the lower age limit AND no animal touching. It still sounds cool though.

 

[Lancer]

Sorry, cant tell you the times of the top of my head but if you go to Disney's web site, go to the Animal Kingdom park page, click on the word "tours" and it will give you days, times, and costs.