Backstage Tours of AK

[LukenDC]

I would like to take a behind the scenes tour of Animal Kingdom, but I do not know which one to take. I would appreciate feedback from people who have taken a backstage tour of AK.

 

[Johnfish]

If you like animals you will love the Backstage safari tour at animal kingdom.

we went the day before labor day.... We were the only ones on the tour (my son and myself)! Which was really cool as we had 3 guides all to our selves.

The tour started at 8:30 and we checked in at guest services. They told us where to wait for the guides. The guides then took us backstage. We got to see where they keep the elephants and the rhinos. They even got one of the rhinos to come over near where we were standing (there were bars between us) and we actually got to pet him.

Then they took us over to an aviary. They showed us lots of different birds and talked about thier conservation program. They have special breeding programs to help restore endagered species. One of the species thay are trying to save is a kingfisher from the island of Guam. These birds had been almost completely wiped out by snakes that had made it onto the island. Disney went in and rescued the few remainig birds (about 20) and started a breeding program. There are about 80 now in captivity and the number is continuing to grow. We got to see the breeding pairs and even a chick they had in a special incubator.

After the aviary we were shown where all the food for the animals was prepared. It was interesting to note that the fresh produce supplier that supplies all the Disney restaurants also supplies Animal kingdom! The animals do eat well!!

The next part of the tour took us to a conferance room. We were shown a video about how the animals are trained. After the video a keeper came in with an animal for a close up visit. Our guides seemed relieved that it wasnt a snake this time! Our animal was a 7 year old screech owl. I was amazed at how small he was (about 5 inches tall) We learned alot about what they eat and their behaviour. The keeper also told us we could make owl houses that would attract these little guys to our yard.

The last part of the tour was the Safari. We got on our own tour truck (just my son, myself and the 3 guides). We got to ride through the safari with out the little red story and the guides gave us all sorts of details about the animals and how they are transported in and out of the safari etc. They also pointed out several hidden mickeys (next time you ride check out the shape of the island the flamingos are standing on ).


I think the thing that impressed me most was the conservation efforts that Disney is constantly supporting. I had no idea how involved Disney was in these types of programs. From the bird breeding all the way up to breeding elephants and other large mammals.

The other great thing about the Back Stage Safari tour is that some of the money for the tour is contributed to the Disney Wildlife Fund that funds these program.

My son and I really enjoyed this program and recommend it highly.

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.

John

 

[Dan Murphy]

For backstage, there really is only one, the one mentioned by John above. The other, Wild by Design, is onstage. I have done both, and both are great. John covered it well in his reply. I have done 9 of the tours and am starting to repeat. I will do the Backstage Safari again.

Here is good info on all the tours. Make sure to get any discounts appropriate to you. Enjoy.

http://allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm

 

[LukenDC]

Thanks, guys! That is exactly what I am looking for.