Backstage Safari-my review

[Simba's Mom]

Recently I took the Backstage Safari tour at AK and thought I'd post my review if anyone else was considering it. There were about 15 on the tour (it was Thanksgiving week, so maybe there aren't usually so many). We all got little headsets and name tags when we checked in at 8:15. First we saw several animal houses, and got an up-close visit with a White Rhino. Then we toured the building where the food was prepared (lots of food for lots of different kinds of animals). I found that very interesting-boy, they eat well! During break we got water, granola bars, cookies, etc. while we watched a short film on endangered animals, how they're cared for, and we got an up-close visit with a type of lizard. We went to the ARC (Avian Research Center), which, since I'm a birder, was the highlight of my tour. It's a big building with cage after cage of different birds being kept "backstage", either new to AK, nesting, on "observation", etc. Last we took the KS without the Little Red spiel. We each got a pin at the end. I loved it, but I'm a huge fan of AK anyways. I thought the tour was very well paced (neither too fast nor too boring, slow) and would recommend it to anyone who loves AK. Next tour I want to do-"Wild by Design". Any questions?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Is this something that you have to stay at AKL to qualify for? I had to cancel the Segway tour and wonder if this could be a substitute.

Bobbi

 

[Simba's Mom]

Definitely not necessary to stay at AKL. It's just like any other tour WDW offers-Keys to the Kingdom, Gardens of the World, etc.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Thanks for the reviews, sounds really fun AND educational. Glad you enjoyed it.

 

[smt218]

Hi,
Thinking of taking this tour my next trip. How long was the tour? Do you get breaks? Bathroom? Snack?

Thanks

 

[Simba's Mom]

We met outside AK about 8:15 for registration, went thru the turnstiles at 8:30. One participant asked about making a quick, "last-minute" stop at the rest rooms and by the time we all got thru the turnstiles it was only a few seconds before he caught up. Then we had a break for snacks (bottled water from a fridge and breakfast snacks) indoors, about 10:00, with ample time for rest room stops then (which everyone took). The tour itself ended about 11:45 in the courtyard area across from Tusker House. If you remember, there are rest rooms next to the courtyard. I swear, I know where every rest room is in WDW and have stopped in every one numerous times!

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

We've taken this tour twice (so far). The safari ride was not part of the tour the first time. Instead, I think we spent more time back by the animal pens, including watching a young giraffe going through some training exercises. I like the addition of the safari without the Little Red storyline. The last time we took the tour, our up-close animal was a screech owl (so cute!). The headsets must have been added since we took the tour; we did not use them. Thanks for the review. I also highly recommend this tour. We hope to do the Wild by Design tour some day, too.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I thought that the only tours like this were if you stayed at AKL concierge! Where do you sign up for one, how far in advance do you need to do it, what are the age limits, how much does it cost, is this considered a "run on" sentence??????? PLEASE answer!

 

[ekmdisney]

Here are some links that will tell you about all the backstage tours given at WDW:

Official AK:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkListing?id=AKToursListingPage

Official EPCOT:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkListing?id=EPToursListingPage

Official MK:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkListing?id=MKToursListingPage

These two are fan sites, some of the info may be out of date:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

http://www.wdwplanner.com/tours.htm

 

[LukenDC]

Is the safari portion of the backstage tour more substantial than Kilamanjaro Safari?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Is the safari portion of the backstage tour more substantial than Kilamanjaro Safari?

The safari portion is a little more substantial than KS, but not much. I signed up by calling WDW-Tour, like for any other tour, about 2 months in advance. I don't know the age limits, but there were only adults on our tour, leading me to think that maybe you had to be over 16. If I remember, I think they asked for a photo ID when we got there. It cost $65, with a 20% discount for Disney Visa members. I think there are other discounts (AP, DVC) too.

 

[Disney Fool]

I took this tour a year ago and at the time, a baby elephant had been born recently. Everyone on the tour was hoping to get a glimpse of her. Well, when we went on the safari, there she was, out on the savannah with her mom. Too cute. The CM's explained that they had to separate her from the boy elephant because he teased her too much! I loved that tour. I got the chance to "pet" the rhino. For show and tell, they brought in a snake, and I, being deathly afraid of snakes, left the room--which was okay, they all understood my fears. I found the CM's very, very helpful and more than willing to teach us all about the animals. If you have an AP, you get a 15% discount.

 

[Robindianne]

Wahoooooooo! I just booked DH and I on this for May. 16 is indeed the minimum age limit. I'm so excited. Thanks OP and others for this thread! aw: