LukenDC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2004
- Messages
- 4,938
On October 2 I took the Animal Kingdom's Backstage Safari. The tour lasted three hours and was led by Ismael.
After the group convened just outside of the Animal Kingdom turnstiles, Ismael led us into the park. We still had to have a valid park admission and stand in line with everyone else waiting to enter AK, but the line moved quickly. Once inside, Ismael briefly explained how the park is divided into "on stage" and "backstage" areas and a few minutes later we entered our first backstage area.
AK is lushly landscaped and it appears that trees and plants have been growing for decades at the park. Once backstage, the landscaping immediately gives way to open fields with a native treeline in the distance. Ismael noted that Disney does not waste any decorative resources on areas of its land that is beyond the view of guests.
We hopped into a couple of vans for a drive to the animal holding pens, which are adjacent to the animal savannahs and cleverly hidden from guest view by foliage and a large berm. The first pen that we visited was the home of the white rhinos. We listened to a keeper talk about caring for the rhinos and even had the opportunity to pet one. We then walked to the elephant house and watched the keepers bathe an elephant. All the while Ismael kept us entertained with anecdotes about Disney, AK, and zoology in general.
From the large animal holding pens, we went to the aviary. We were able to view several endangered birds and learned how Disney is assisting with bird conservation. We also observed the incubators.
The next stop was the veterinary hospital and surgical facility. Part of this facility can be viewed at Conservation Station, which is open to all park guests. We spent several minutes chatting with a veterinary tech about the types of injuries and health conditions that she encounters at AK. She described some particularly gruesome injuries that she has observed that resulted from animals fighting with each other.
A quick walk from the veterinary facility was the nutrition center. We watched veterinary nutritionists preparing meals for both herbivores and carnivores. Lots of frozen mice on the menu! In deference to Mickey, Ismael noted that they were rodents, not mice.
As we approached the halfway mark of the tour, it was time for a snack and rest. We entered a classroom and enjoyed bottles of water and snacks (cookies, brownies, chips, granola bars, etc.). As we relaxed, an AK employee discussed the problems that FL is facing from the introduction of non-native species. She also brought a lizard native to the Middle East and allowed us to pet it. Some people on the tour were content with simply looking at the lizard and the AK staff members present were respectful of that decision.
The final stop on the tour was the safari. This was the standard safari without the usual storyline. Instead, Ismael gave us the inside scoop on the animals and the design of the savannah.
The Backstage Safari was informative and worth its $60 cost. Be sure to ask about AAA and other discounts when making reservations. People interested in the tour should note that cameras may not be used in backstage areas. Anyone who enters an animal holding pen must step into a pan of disinfectant, so closed toe durable shoes are a must.
After the group convened just outside of the Animal Kingdom turnstiles, Ismael led us into the park. We still had to have a valid park admission and stand in line with everyone else waiting to enter AK, but the line moved quickly. Once inside, Ismael briefly explained how the park is divided into "on stage" and "backstage" areas and a few minutes later we entered our first backstage area.
AK is lushly landscaped and it appears that trees and plants have been growing for decades at the park. Once backstage, the landscaping immediately gives way to open fields with a native treeline in the distance. Ismael noted that Disney does not waste any decorative resources on areas of its land that is beyond the view of guests.
We hopped into a couple of vans for a drive to the animal holding pens, which are adjacent to the animal savannahs and cleverly hidden from guest view by foliage and a large berm. The first pen that we visited was the home of the white rhinos. We listened to a keeper talk about caring for the rhinos and even had the opportunity to pet one. We then walked to the elephant house and watched the keepers bathe an elephant. All the while Ismael kept us entertained with anecdotes about Disney, AK, and zoology in general.
From the large animal holding pens, we went to the aviary. We were able to view several endangered birds and learned how Disney is assisting with bird conservation. We also observed the incubators.
The next stop was the veterinary hospital and surgical facility. Part of this facility can be viewed at Conservation Station, which is open to all park guests. We spent several minutes chatting with a veterinary tech about the types of injuries and health conditions that she encounters at AK. She described some particularly gruesome injuries that she has observed that resulted from animals fighting with each other.
A quick walk from the veterinary facility was the nutrition center. We watched veterinary nutritionists preparing meals for both herbivores and carnivores. Lots of frozen mice on the menu! In deference to Mickey, Ismael noted that they were rodents, not mice.
As we approached the halfway mark of the tour, it was time for a snack and rest. We entered a classroom and enjoyed bottles of water and snacks (cookies, brownies, chips, granola bars, etc.). As we relaxed, an AK employee discussed the problems that FL is facing from the introduction of non-native species. She also brought a lizard native to the Middle East and allowed us to pet it. Some people on the tour were content with simply looking at the lizard and the AK staff members present were respectful of that decision.
The final stop on the tour was the safari. This was the standard safari without the usual storyline. Instead, Ismael gave us the inside scoop on the animals and the design of the savannah.
The Backstage Safari was informative and worth its $60 cost. Be sure to ask about AAA and other discounts when making reservations. People interested in the tour should note that cameras may not be used in backstage areas. Anyone who enters an animal holding pen must step into a pan of disinfectant, so closed toe durable shoes are a must.
