Kilimanjaro Safari question...

[hulagirl87]

I was wondering what everyone's favorite time to ride is. I've heard conflicting preferences. that morning is good, but then sometimes there aren't a lot of animals out. I've heard to wait until afternoon, but then sometimes a lot of the animals aren't out then because it is too hot... so I'm just asking around to see what others prefer. thanks!!!

 

[handicap18]

The 3 different times I've gone have all been in the morning and we always saw plenty of animals. Disney does try to have the animals available all day by placing food in stratigic locations and other tactics, but with the heat it does make it harder. I know the lions like their shade and the hippo's like to hang out in the water when its hot though.

 

[TheDoctor]

I like the first thing in the morning. Before EE opened, this was the normal traffic pattern. The animals seem to be more active before it gets too hot.

 

[bsmcneil]

i've only done in the AM (coming from a place with a large zoo, you know when animals are out). i'd like to try it at a different time if it's as good (if folks know).

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Our driver or tour guide told us that the animals are roaming the most first thing in the morning. Once it gets too hot the animals just like to find the shade.

 

[ShellyMouse]

The 3 different times I've gone have all been in the morning and we always saw plenty of animals. Disney does try to have the animals available all day by placing food in stratigic locations and other tactics, but with the heat it does make it harder. I know the lions like their shade and the hippo's like to hang out in the water when its hot though.

do you know the lions on the safari aren't real?
yep, it's true, just a little more magic

 

[cougar4camping]

do you know the lions on the safari aren't real?
yep, it's true, just a little more magic

Is this really true?

 

[ShellyMouse]

sorry, but yes

 

[Timon_n_Pumba]

do you know the lions on the safari aren't real?
yep, it's true, just a little more magic

C'mon, you're kidding, right? As in, you don't really believe this, do you?


Scott in MO

 

[DebbieTN]

Most of the time I don't get there till after 9 and a lot of the animals are out except for the Lions and Hippos because it's getting to warm. But, last year I went EE one morning and 3 of the Hippos were walking around and the Lion was standing on the hill and actually roaring. It was great. Well, guess what...it was the only day I haven't taken my camera to AK. I'll know better next time.

 

[slbeaute]

C'mon, you're kidding, right? As in, you don't really believe this, do you?


Scott in MO

I was actually going to post on this topic! The last three times we have ridden, the lion has been in exactly the same spot, moving his tail exactly the same way. The cheetah has been in his same spot too...laying just out of focus, looking like a house cat lays in the shade of trees. We've ridden at different times of the day, one year apart and then 5 years fromt he last and they are exactly the same. I'm sorry, but they can't be real. The location of the cheetah is one that would be way to close to the vehicles for safety reasons. Afew quick movements and a real cheetah would be right on the vehicle...Disney would never chance that! In consolation, I'm sure there are some real ones back there somewhere..we just don't get to see those due to safety.

Also, the baobob tree can't be real either, right? They even tell you on the ride that they are at least hundreds of years old or maybe more. I don't think there is a way they could just transport that from Africa to Florida, could they?

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Seriously, are the lions not real? I read that there were cleverly hidden ditches in the lion area, so that there is no chance a dangerous animal could get near the truck?

 

[Robo]

do you know the lions on the safari aren't real?
yep, it's true, just a little more magic

DON'T BE ABSURD!

The lions are REAL LIVE LIONS!

Take a look HERE: (scroll down and see the lion pic)

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ak/ak_kjs.htm

We have ridden KS dozens of times. I've seen the lions up and strolling, and they are always in different spots, even when relaxing.

Same with the cheetahs... we've seen them pacing and RUNNING.

All of the animals "in the preserve" are REAL (That does not include "outside the preserve"... in the "back of the truck"... "Little Red", of course.)

(The Baobob Trees are NOT, the Ostritch Eggs are NOT, the Ant Mounds are NOT, but the ANIMALS ARE.)

If the lions were animatronic, Disney would position them so you could SEE them better... or what would be the POINT?

Use a little common sense, people!

Don't make me start a thread on the "Silliest things seen posted on the DISboards".

 

[SueM in MN]

(If they were animatronic, they would position them so you could SEE them better... or what would be the POINT?) Use a little common sense, people!)

ITA

I was actually going to post on this topic! The last three times we have ridden, the lion has been in exactly the same spot, moving his tail exactly the same way. The cheetah has been in his same spot too...laying just out of focus, looking like a house cat lays in the shade of trees. We've ridden at different times of the day, one year apart and then 5 years fromt he last and they are exactly the same. I'm sorry, but they can't be real. The location of the cheetah is one that would be way to close to the vehicles for safety reasons. Afew quick movements and a real cheetah would be right on the vehicle

I would guess that you have never lived with a house cat.
Any member of the cat family from lion to house cat spends about 20 out of 24 hours sleeping. Actually if you came to out house on 3 days (any 3 days), you would probably find our cat sleeping in the same place in the same position each time. She just has her spots that are comfortable and doesn't have any reason to move.

We have been on the Safari on many different trips at different times of the year. When the grass/plants are fully grown, you can't see any traces of the things like wide, deep pits that keep the dangerous animals from coming to the safari trucks. During the season when the grasses have died down, you can see a little of some of those things if you know where to look. Some are still mostly hidden by mounds and hills, but they are more visible at that time of year.

For time of day; we have been on the Safari at various times from early morning to late afternoon. Some of the animals are more active in the morning, some are more active later in the day. We have actually seen more animals later than we saw on our early morning trips. They do a good job of putting food/treats/resting areas in view of the trucks. One problem we have had on some early mornings is mist and fog. The CM was pointing out things that I'm sure he could see because he was used to the animals, but we sure had a hard time seeing them in the fog that was thick in the more wooded areas of the savannah.

 

[Yellow_Stitch]

We went the last day of our trip this May and it was pouring rain all the way over to AK and didn't really let up till the park opened. We went straight to the safari and had the best ride ever. All the animals were out and VERY active. The white rhinos were chasing after the antelopes at high speed-very cool, and the cheetahs were running around too (no, not at 70 mph, but still cool.) And the lions were up and about. The lioness was on the rock nearest the road and watching us with great interest. We ended up riding 3 times and will never forget that morning. So don't fear the rain, since the animals don't!

 

[Robo]

The location of the cheetah is one that would be way to close to the vehicles for safety reasons. Afew quick movements and a real cheetah would be right on the vehicle...Disney would never chance that!

And THAT is the REAL MAGIC and charm of the Kilamanjaro Sarfari!

The fact that the animal containment (when necessary) is totally invisible to the guests. And that the animals are allowed (encouraged) to wander as close to the ride vehicles as possible.

Its amazing that after all this time, and all the discussion of how many "silly guests" have commented about the "mechanical animals" on the Safari...
we are actually seriously having THIS discussion, NOW!

 

[MagicMe]

The animals are real!!! Especially the lions. I read a post from someone that went on a backstage door of AK and they were told that the reason you probably see the lion on that rock all the time when it is so hot is that the rock is air conditioned!!!

Smart lion!!!!

 

[ShellyMouse]

i am not absurd! maybe a little , but never absurd!

i will go dig out my book, and be back...................

 

[Oreo Cookie]

DON'T BE ABSURD!

The lions are REAL LIVE LIONS!

Take a look HERE: (scroll down and see the lion pic)

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ak/ak_kjs.htm

We have ridden KS dozens of times. I've seen the lions up and strolling, and they are always in different spots, even when relaxing.

Same with the cheetahs... we've seen them pacing and RUNNING.

All of the animals "in the preserve" are REAL (That does not include "outside the preserve"... in the "back of the truck"... "Little Red", of course.)

(The Baobob Trees are NOT, the Ostritch Eggs are NOT, the Ant Mounds are NOT, but the ANIMALS ARE.)

If the lions were animatronic, Disney would position them so you could SEE them better... or what would be the POINT?

Use a little common sense, people!

Don't make me start a thread on the "Silliest things seen posted on the DISboards".

I too have been on the safari several times and have seen the lions and cheetahs up and about. The animals are real.

I have to say I did get a chuckle from this thread.

As far as seeing animals on the safari, I've seen more in the mornings than in the afternoons, so I would suggest to the OP to go first thing in the morning.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

To return this thread to its original topic - we usually try to go once first thing in the morning, and then again at the very end of the day. The animals know that it is almost time to go to their overnight quarters, and often they are up and walking around more than usual. Also, if you can get on the last or nearly last truck to go out, the driver will often go quite slowly and give you more chances to see and photograph the animals.

And we did the Backstage Safari tour so I KNOW the animals are all real!! (Not to mention that I've seen them all up and moving around at various times.)

Teresa