Caring for Giants

[aviva5675]

I did this yesterday, 11am tour. Cobbler lays it out pretty well above. There were 7 of us in the group, nice and small. One person was in a folding wheelchair. She was able to get on the little bus transport on her own, and they folded her wheelchair and lifted it onto the bus. We all went backstage near the Safari entrance. The backstage part was cool, the leader/bus driver gave us interesting facts as we drove to the tour area. There is a switchback ramp to get up to the 'berm' where you watch from. We had done the Safari just before and when we passed the elephant area we could see people standing back there- on one of the Caring tours. There were about 5-6 elephants pretty close to us most of the time, including Stella, the baby. She sure is cute!!! There were 2 African cast members giving conservation information and info in general, as well as a Disney animal carer who worked specifically with the elephants. We were up there about 1/2 hour-40 minutes?? They took time to answer all our questions and show some interesting stuff including what their foot looks like from the inside, and actual tail hairs, which are really wiry!

Anyway, it was very fun and interesting, and like others have mentioned= something different for not a lot of money. Highly recommend.

 

[aviva5675]

never mind

cannot figure out another way to add a photo, so this will have to do...anyway, cute Stella with her mom

 

[IndianaRRT]

We plan on booking this for our upcoming trip. I love this option, and while some WDW "extras" are a little out of our price range, this seems pretty reasonable. The whole family is looking forward to it.

 

[Best Aunt]

i was at animal kingdom park today. I did the safari ride immediately after rope drop. There is a tour table very close to the safari entrance. After the safari ride I went to the table and I asked if there were any openings today for the caring for giants (elephant) tour. She said there were, and it only took a few minutes to sign me up for one.

I have not read the reviews, and i don't want to be repetitive. My thought is that it's fun only because of the baby elephant. I took a bunch of pictures of her with mom, so you can see the size difference. If she were not so small, it would not have been much fun. You aren't very close.

 

[hedge333]

Are there any souvenirs like elephant bracelets, magnets, etc, that are associated with the tour? We're going on the tour and that morning my girls are getting a little fun money($10 apiece) to spend (from a grandparent). I thought I might direct them to something to remind them of the tour.

 

[yulilin3]

Are there any souvenirs like elephant bracelets, magnets, etc, that are associated with the tour? We're going on the tour and that morning my girls are getting a little fun money($10 apiece) to spend (from a grandparent). I thought I might direct them to something to remind them of the tour.

I didn't see anything with the tour logo or name on it. You do get your name tag, it is made from 85% elephant poop fibers, also there are general elephant souvenirs in the stores. And you can get a button that will help Disney's conservation program

 

[Ava]

i was at animal kingdom park today. I did the safari ride immediately after rope drop. There is a tour table very close to the safari entrance. After the safari ride I went to the table and I asked if there were any openings today for the caring for giants (elephant) tour. She said there were, and it only took a few minutes to sign me up for one.

I have not read the reviews, and i don't want to be repetitive. My thought is that it's fun only because of the baby elephant. I took a bunch of pictures of her with mom, so you can see the size difference. If she were not so small, it would not have been much fun. You aren't very close.

That's good to know that you can sign up day of if there are openings. I always hesitate to book upcharge things in advance since the weather can be so variable and most of them run "rain or shine" and will not give a refund even if it's pouring rain.

 

[beesly]

I didn't see anything with the tour logo or name on it. You do get your name tag, it is made from 85% elephant poop fibers, also there are general elephant souvenirs in the stores. And you can get a button that will help Disney's conservation program

Well if this didn't seal the deal for me!

I'm thinking of doing this tour the day I'll be at AK for the AP Pandora preview. That is a hilarious souvenir!

 

[yulilin3]

Well if this didn't seal the deal for me!

I'm thinking of doing this tour the day I'll be at AK for the AP Pandora preview. That is a hilarious souvenir!

yep, the CM were very proud to inform us of this "magical" souvenir
I mean where else can you have your name written on poop paper

 

[Simba's Mom]

yep, the CM were very proud to inform us of this "magical" souvenir
I mean where else can you have your name written on poop paper

Sounds like the bakery should reconsider the "poop" looking candies-wasn't it the bakery by the Harambe Marketplace. Some of us would get a kick out of that.

 

[yulilin3]

Sounds like the bakery should reconsider the "poop" looking candies-wasn't it the bakery by the Harambe Marketplace. Some of us would get a kick out of that.

yes, I never got to try it because they took them away I wish they would reconsider but so many complained about it, ugh

 

[Best Aunt]

At the end of the tour, slip your poop-paper name tag out of the plastic pouch on the lanyard, and then give back the lanyard. I watched the group before us return, and they all turned in their lanyards with the name tag still inside. The cast member forgot to tell them they could keep it.

They gave us all free buttons with a picture of an elephant on them.

There wasn't anyplace to buy a souvenir associated with the tour. You check in at a table where the cast members have a laptop and clipboards so you can sign a waiver. Kids would have to look in gift shops for souvenirs.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

yep, the CM were very proud to inform us of this "magical" souvenir
I mean where else can you have your name written on poop paper

Zoo gift shops in San Diego and DC! San Diego is where I first became aware of this... they were selling pads of paper like this!

 

[Ferrentinos]

Hi! We have this booked for next weekend. Was there any clothing requirements? What you have to wear on your feet or anything like that? I just don't want to be turned away if we are dressed inappropriately! Thanks!

 

[Best Aunt]

Hi! We have this booked for next weekend. Was there any clothing requirements? What you have to wear on your feet or anything like that? I just don't want to be turned away if we are dressed inappropriately! Thanks!

Just wear whatever you would normally wear in the park. Definitely confortable shoes. They tell you to check in (at a table near the Safari entrance) 15 minutes early, but there is nowhere to sit unless you are happy sitting on the ground. You walk backstage to get to a van. Basically you are on your feet the whole time except for a short ride in the van.

 

[Ferrentinos]

Just wear whatever you would normally wear in the park. Definitely confortable shoes. They tell you to check in (at a table near the Safari entrance) 15 minutes early, but there is nowhere to sit unless you are happy sitting on the ground. You walk backstage to get to a van. Basically you are on your feet the whole time except for a short ride in the van.

Thanks! When we called Disney to check on footwear they said that they prefer closed toe shoes for the tour. I just wasn't sure how strict this policy is! We are flying down for such a short weekend that I was planning to just wear my normal olukai flip flops because sneakers take up precious luggage space - lol!

 

[Best Aunt]

Thanks! When we called Disney to check on footwear they said that they prefer closed toe shoes for the tour. I just wasn't sure how strict this policy is! We are flying down for such a short weekend that I was planning to just wear my normal olukai flip flops because sneakers take up precious luggage space - lol!

You walk from the road to where you view the elephants. I can't remember if that area, and the area where you see the elephants, is paved or not. I always wear sneakers in the parks, so I didn't pay attention.

 

[Best Aunt]

Someone mentioned that Disney said they prefer people to wear closed-toe shoes on this tour. This photo shows the ground. You might not want to be walking through this in flip-flops.

 

[maryj11]

Can you book this the day of or does it have to be advance reservations?

 

[Best Aunt]

When I was there at the end of March, I walked up to the tour table (near the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safari) and was able to book for same day. During a busier time of year, maybe that wouldn't work.