Kilimanjaro Safari in the past

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Reading the recent gator threads just reminded me of something from the past. I seem to remember a time when I went on the safari and the bridge portion was different. Did the bridge used to rumble/tip while the vehicle was on it? There were gators (real? Fake? I don't know.) under the bridge and as the vehicle came across the bridge, it made creaking noises like it was going to collapse and the driver made a rushed effort to get off of the falling bridge.

Did I make this up in my head or was this how it used to be? In the past few years, I know it wasn't like this. But in trips past, I feel like it was different. Was it?

 

[jcjen519]

That used to happen for sure. Did they totally stop it for some reason or does it happen sometimes?

 

[saskdw]

They didn't use that effect on our last trip in Dec. 2014.

So yes you aren't imagining that, but it has be gone for quite some time I believe. It doesn't have anything to do with the recent incident.

 

[Amelia :)]

I remember something like this happening on Rhino Rally at Busch Gardens? Could you be thinking of that? Or is it me getting confused lol

 

[melana]

It wasn't part of the safari in October of last year either. But it used to be.

It was over the crocodile area.

 

[verleniahall]

they did it when we were there last November - maybe it depends on the bus driver or bus that you have?

 

[g-dad66]

Check out this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/safari-and-the-creaky-bridge.3497515/

 

[lennyd]

They did it March 2015

 

[bigbabyblues]

The "rickety" bridge was working when we rode on June 5.

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Okay, so I'm not imagining it. Now I'm going to feel compelled to ride it ten times on our upcoming trip to see if we get a ride with the cool bridge effects. Hah

 

[Robo]

There are TWO bridges.
One is over the crocodile pit (yes, 'real' crocs.)
And, the other bridge is over, well, not much.

It's the bridge NOT over the crocs that is mechanically and audio enhanced to shake and creak.

It still works, but it has never been used for "all" safari treks.
It is just used on certain of the trips, so many don't know that it is still in operation.

 

[AngiTN]

I was thinking the crocs were under a stationary bridge, not a bridge that moved. I've studied it since the post about the lights and that does line up with what we've experienced. We've even had the bridge work and not work on the same day

 

[melana]

Well LOL.. i am sorry for saying it was over the croc part. It was 2009 when we rode it the first time so my memory is not as good as it used to be. Now that PP's have mentioned it, it was not over that area..helped my memory. But i know on the last 2 times i have been there..it didnt happen at all.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We were on the safari on June 14 (about an hour before the alligator attack). The bridge almost "fell" but it wasn't over the crocs. When we were there in December, it didn't do that effect. I think it just depends. But I do know I have never heard jokes about falling into the croc pit on the safari.

 

[Robo]

We were on the safari on June 14 (about an hour before the alligator attack). The bridge almost "fell" but it wasn't over the crocs. When we were there in December, it didn't do that effect. I think it just depends. But I do know I have never heard jokes about falling into the croc pit on the safari.

Actually, I've been on many, many Safari rides when the driver states in words similar to these: "I need to remind you to please stay seated and make sure your kids stay seated, too. Those crocs are smiling... and hungry!"

 

[joelkfla]

The bridge over the crocs never moved, but in my memory it did make noise as the safari vehicle went over it. I don't know whether it was an audio effect or a physical effect designed to react to the weight of the vehicle. I recall it as more of a clickety-clack than a squeaking noise. But I'm getting old, and my memory may be getting jumbled.

 

[Robo]

The bridge over the crocs never moved, but in my memory it did make noise as the safari vehicle went over it. I don't know whether it was an audio effect or a physical effect designed to react to the weight of the vehicle. I recall it as more of a clickety-clack than a squeaking noise. But I'm getting old, and my memory may be getting jumbled.

Yup. "Clickety-clack" it is.

Or, even more of a wooden "clckity-clickity-clickity-clickity..." kind of like a wooden roller-coaster ratchet sound.

If you look at THIS YouTube at 11:10, you can hear it.
(And, the driver also mentions the "hungry" crocodiles.)

Also, on THIS video, the driver says the caution about staying seated because of "hungry crocodiles" (6:24) and you can hear the clickity-clickity of the croc's bridge at 6:44.
And, starting about 14:15 we experience the "shaky bridge."

 

[Accident]

In feb 2016 we got the shaking bridge but it was a walk on no fp day. perhaps its crowd based and if time they do it.

 

[DebbieB]

I took the Wild Africa Trek in May. We had a stop above the croc pit (with safety restraints). They are definitely real. In fact, one of the crocs had a foot missing, we asked the guide about it and she said it got into a fight with another one. They just allowed it to heal itself.

 

[linzbear]

It depends how far you're behind the next truck is if it's done or not - It's timed and truly random because if the animals hold you up but not the truck in front of you, you won't get the effect because you need to catch up to the next truck. It prevents gaps and overflow in the unloading/loading area.