Kilimanjaro Safari, is it worth it?

[gypsy_at_heart]

So I was just booking my fastpasses for my trip to Disney World in October and I'm kind of stuck on if I should bother with Kilimanjaro Safari. I've actually been on safari in Africa before and I'm a bit worried it will just be a kind of watered down version of that.

I was wondering if anyone has been there and can kind of tell me what it's about and if it's worth it?

Thanks!

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Yes, no, maybe so.

It's certainly not as thrilling as an African safari, but it's fun and has the Disney flare to it.

I've been on lots of open air safaris, even ones where the animals (even the dangerous ones) can walk right up to your vehicle and I still enjoyed Kilimanjaro.

Sure it isn't as thrilling as having a cheetah jump on top of the truck, but it's the attitude you take with you that makes it or breaks it.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

So I was just booking my fastpasses for my trip to Disney World in October and I'm kind of stuck on if I should bother with Kilimanjaro Safari. I've actually been on safari in Africa before and I'm a bit worried it will just be a kind of watered down version of that.

I was wondering if anyone has been there and can kind of tell me what it's about and if it's worth it?

Thanks!

I enjoy it, but I don't have a real African safari to compare it to. If you have more pressing things to do while at the Animal Kingdom, you could skip it.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you've been on safari in Africa, I'm going to say no, it's not worth it! We just did a boat tour in Palo Verde Costa Rica and the Kilimanjaro Safari even paled in comparison to that. IMHO, once you've had an authentic experience like that, the Disney version will truly pale in comparison. If you feel like riding in a truck and seeing some animals for 20 minutes, yeah, sure, go for it. As PP said, if you have other attractions you would rather experience, yes, I would skip it.

 

[gap2368]

what FP would you do instead of the it

 

[Klayfish]

I know you probably didn't mean it this way, but the post comes off a bit snobbish. So you've been on a safari in Africa. Great, that's awesome. What does that have to do with going on a ride at WDW? If your expectations are to be on a 2 week trek, you'll be disappointed. But if you go in with the idea that you'll get to see animals and have a good time, it'll be great.

I race cars. But I still enjoy riding Tomorrowland Speedway with my family and still enjoy the banked turn on Test Track.

Not trying to be harsh, but it sounds like you're already setting yourself up for disappointment. It's Disney. They can't have a true African safari for you to go on, but what they offer is pretty darn good.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I've done the Costa Rica river tour mentioned above and I LOVE the Safari ride. For me it's the only must do ride at the park


I've also been to a lot of the countries represented in World Showcase and I still enjoy going to Epcot.

 

[merrick]

i think it depends how much you like seeing the animals. if it interests you and your family, it will still be a thrill... while perhaps not *as* spectacular.

if you are more like "oh look, an elephant... what is next??" - and have another attraction you are trying to work in, then you may wanna skip.

we liked it... there is a lot of walking at animal kingdom. it was nice to enjoy a scenic ride. personally, i would skip kali rapids, it was more "meh" to me.

 

[NeuroCindy]

I'll be the odd man out. I don't find the safari particularly impressive. We have two amazing zoos by my house, so I feel like the safari is basically taking the tram tour through those if that makes sense.

 

[lennyd]

We alway go on it , it's a must in our family when we visit.

 

[ELSA711]

Well first of all you can't compare an African Safari to a ride at WDW, that's your first mistake.
Bottom line is, do you want to see the animals with little to no wait, if so - then use the FP+ for it. Right now, there really isn't much with a long wait at AK that would require a FP+ over the safari ride.

We love animals and we go every time as soon as our Tusker House breakfast is over. Yes we have seen animals in various zoos, wildlife parks, not a safari but still. The thing with animals is that you never get the same experience twice (much like children) We love it.

 

[dreiwhit]

We used a FP on it, and to be quite honest, it wasn't worth it. Our bus driver must have been going off shift as soon as we got back, because she was really flying over the road. If you blinked, you would miss something.

Now, it was nice to see the elephant, giraffe and wildebeast herds, but we didn't get much of a chance to stop and get a good look at them.

 

[BippityBrittany]

It's also a must for my family. We even try to go multiple times during the day since every safari will be different!

 

[Megara5115]

I'd say that it is pretty much exactly a watered down theme park version of an African Safari. If you are holding it to that standard you are obviously going to be disappointed. We thought it was fun.

 

[dominiondad]

If you are expecting it to compare to your African safari, skip it. Likewise, if you have actually been hang gliding over the Great Wall, you will find Soaring a bit disappointing. And again, if you've hiked Everest, EE will seem tame. These are attractions at an amusement park and not meant to replace or even replicate real life experiences. KS is a great way to get off your feet, see some animals you don't see every day, a maybe learn something. Just go. Just enjoy it for what it is.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I've also been to a lot of the countries represented in World Showcase and I still enjoy going to Epcot.

Great comparison! Same here I don't think anyone is going to think they are really in the UK at the Rose & Crown but I still enjoy a pint there!

 

[cdnjason]

I've been to Mexico, Italy, France, England, Canada, Germany and all throughout the US. Doesn't mean I skip the World Showcase at Epcot.

On edit: Darn it! @OrangeCountyCommuter beat me to it!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

So I was just booking my fastpasses for my trip to Disney World in October and I'm kind of stuck on if I should bother with Kilimanjaro Safari. I've actually been on safari in Africa before and I'm a bit worried it will just be a kind of watered down version of that.

I was wondering if anyone has been there and can kind of tell me what it's about and if it's worth it?

Thanks!

Well, it isn't in Africa. And it isn't going to last a week or two.

So, yes, it will be a watered down version of a real African safari.

Of course, if you have been to an amusement park, maybe you shouldn't bother with Disney.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

None of us can say if a ride will be worthwhile for someone else. Some of my favorites are attractions others skip, and we happily kip rides that others enjoy. Some people love chocolate cake, others despise it.

If you think you'd enjoy something else instead, then choose something else. You know your own preferences better than any of us. Mind, we don't even know if you enjoyed your trip to Africa!

On the flip, of all attractions at AK, the safari gets some of the longest waits. You completely have the option of using the standby queue.

 

[may12th]

I think it will just come down to how you want to spend your time. I don't just love the safari and it takes a lot of time. Our AK day is also our Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, for us it is not worth the chunk of time we will need to dedicate to it on a day when we have limited time in the park. Look at your schedule and see what works for you. Is there anything else in the park you would rather use your fp+ on to guarantee you get to ride or do?

All that being said, one of my favorite pictures from our last trip was taken on the safari.