Kilamanjaro Safari question

[escapetodisney]

I have two tender hearted children, DD5 and DS3, who love animals. Does the story line for this attraction involve any animals being shot or dying?

I know they'd love to see the animals but I don't want to risk them being upset on the ride.

BTW do they still shoot at the hippo on the Jungle Cruise?

Thanks!

 

[wdwguide]

Yes, the storyline does involve poaching and an elephant being shot - but there's a happy ending. As for the Jungle Cruise, they don't shoot the poor hippos any more.

 

[nonnymouse]

The beginning of the safari trip, and the majority of it, is spent driving among all the animals, in different areas, some animals able to be viewed quite closely. The guide tells guests about the animals as they see each variety. Only towards the end does the truck you are in give chase to the poachers. I think you can explain, as the chase begins, that the actors are putting on a show, it's not real, and is simply done to show how some people try to hurt animals. IMHO, the thrill of close up views of all the real animals is well worth this ride. Try to go first thing when the park opens to avoid long lines and the heat. Hope it works out!

 

[jaysue]

Your kids will be ok on the Safaris Ride - there is no violence and the chase at the end can be "chasing the bad guys out of the animals park - hooray!". My 3 1/2 DS loved this ride - we rode it 6 times over 2 days !!!!

Thanks
jaysue

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

My 7 yr old grand daughter is real tender hearted too and the ride bothered her even though she KNEW that it was all fake.

She came off the ride with a tummy ache from "worry"......we did take the safari a second time and it was a bit better, but she still felt nervous on the ride waiting for the chase scene. LOL

For what it's worth, she's a very outgoing, NON shy child...and I thought that might be a personality that would enjoy a good romp of chasing the bad guys, but nope, she didn't like it at all.

 

[MrShiny]

Note that when the ride was in previews before the official park opening, it wasclear that the poachers had killed the mother elephant "Big Red." That changed afterwards and now you chase the poachers, see them caught with "Little Red" safe and sound in their jeep and hear that "Big Red" is fine too.

 

[Uncle Scar]

You get to catch the bad guys before they are able to do anything. Your kids will be part of the group (everyone in your truck) that chases the bad guys away and rescues Little Red.

 

[MzCohen]

The only thing that scared my DS 10 on the ride was when the bridge feels like it is going to collaspe. All in all he enjoyed it and I think he learned what poaching was all about.

 

[Paris]

MrShiny is right. The ride's shock factor has been reduced dramatically. During the previews back in 1998 they literally had a bloodied Big Red carcass (well, I realize that "bloodied" and "carcass" are rough words -- it was still Disneyfied simple -- but you did SEE that Big Red was dead).

The carcass was removed quickly but the storyline remained with references to Big Red not making it, despite the rescue of Little Red (which was always a part of the story -- ala Bambi).

Now the story has a happy ending all the way around. You catch the poachers and as you approach Little Red the warden says he is going to reunite the elephant with its mother. However, the abandoned poacher camp does have ivory tusks and the pre-ride video does indicate that poachers are killing the animals (no video of any killing -- though they do show a leapord or cheetah skin).

So the message is more animal-humane, than, say Flame Tree Barbecue, but they do expose you to the situation.

 

[escapetodisney]

Thank you all for the details! The wealth of information on these Boards is amazing!

I am still a bit worried about this ride. DS loves elephants (has one for a "lovey") and could not stand to see an elephant hurt or killed. As Disney nuts as we are, the kids have not even seen Dumbo or Bambi because of the sad/scary scenes. Is there any other way to see the elephants in AK other than doing the safari?

I'm glad to know that we can try the Jungle Cruise at least.

 

[LAinSEA]

but wish they'd just lose the story line all together!

We like to take the ride early and then again really late in the day - usually very little wait and the CM's sorta run through the story a little off-the-cuff the later in the day it is. One afternoon, we were on the second to last jeep of the day. The CM slowed down, took her time (as did the jeep behind us) and we were so behind the story by the time we got to the poaching scene - but boy did we see animals. The animals know exactly what time it is and all were making their way to their places for the evening. It was exciting to see and hear the male lion demanding to be let into his "cave".

Do a little pre-loading with your children while in line - the videos shown in the cue will help you explain the storyline prior to riding. Then make sure the kids have the outside seats and are ready to spot animals!

 

[Kerlynne]

Just like LaInSea, said, we too, were in the back, and were never caught up to the story. Which was fine, because I wasn't paying attention, since I was video taping the animals. I have to say too, with being in the back, we could bearably hear what the guy was saying. He was muffled.

 

[coli]

GOOD MORNING! And happy 4th of JULY!! to all you Americans.

i have to agree with the - it's time to dump the story line. It's cute the first coupple of times - but you can see that the cast members - who are all so knowledgeable about the animals just seem to cringe when they have to go into their 'script'. it's such a unique experience to understand and view all these animals and you end up either trying to listen to the story or ignoring the story and trying to focus completely on the animals. I still love this ride though!

Have a great day

 

[fklhou]

I also wish that they would drop the story line.

 

[Poohbear123]

Me TOO!

 

[wdwguide]

And I wish they'd bring back the African cast members. It's just not the same when Bob from Kentucky is your guide.

 

[escapetodisney]

Thank you everyone for your tips about this ride and softening the experience for my kids. DD5 really wants to do this ride. Only three weeks to go till our trip!

 

[erikthewise]

I think nobody wants the story line dropped more than the CMs. I'm sure many of them have done it several hundred times, and it usually shows in their delivery. As yes, it is SO much better when they are African!