Random Thread & The Interchangeable Inside Joke

[AmandaSparks730]

Timon!!! Yes, also in this area are Meerkats which delight children and adults with their sentinel behaviors. Meerkats are found in Southern Africa and the Kalahari Desert. They are 12 inches tall and have tails that can grow 8 inches long. They are very territorial and can often be found standing erect, guarding their space. Meerkats have an interesting diet which includes scorpions (they are immune to their venom) beetles, spiders, centipedes, worms, crickets, small mammals,small reptiles, birds, eggs, and roots.



Another member of the antelope family is found in this Savannah is Gunther's Dik-dik. They are found in the dry brush country of Tanzania and Kenya. Fully grown, they weigh about 12 pounds and will stand 12 inches tall at the shoulder. They are able to survive on the moisture from the vegetation they eat and sometimes go for long periods without drinking.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Following the leafy trail is the Gorilla Research Camp. As you enter, you'll find everyone pressed up against the glass viewing the gorilla family. Two young females and a silverback (adult) male and a baby or two may come into view. Gino, the silverback, is the head of the family troop and came from the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Gino's family as of July 2007 now is a 12-year old male, 9-year old male, and 6-year old female along with the breeding female. Cast members in this area will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Exit this area to come to an open air viewing area of the gorillas.

Stand on the swaying suspension bridge for a wonderful view of the more gorillas. On the left side is a bachelor group of 4 males.

Trail walkers catch a final glimpse of the gorillas through a "bamboo" fence before heading to the end of Pangani Forest Exploration Trail near the Harambe station of the Wildlife Express trains.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTERESTING FACTS

The hippos are actually the same ones you will sometimes see on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride in the savannah. The hippo barn resides in between Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and the savannah river.

When Animal Kingdom opened in April 1998, this trail was named Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail -- it was renamed a few months later.

Duikers are small antelopes and can dive quickly to hide.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Colobus Monkey
Gorilla
Kenyan Sand Boa
Kori Bustard
Meerkat
Naked Mole Rat
Nile Hippopotamus
Okapi
Spiney Tailed Lizard
Stanley Crane
Tarantula
Yellow-backed Duiker

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Africa - Pangani Forest Exploration Trail - Aviary
African Grey Parrot
African Hoopoe
African Jacana
African White-backed Duck
Amethyst Starling
Bearded Barbet
Black Crake
Brimstone Canary
Carmine Bee-eater
Emerald Starling
Golden-breasted Starling
Hadada Ibis
Hammerkop
Hottentot Teal
Lake Victoria Cichlids
Magpie Shrike
Marbled Teal
Olive Pigeon
Pygmy Goose
Snowy-headed Robin Chat
Superb Starling
Taveta Golden Weaver
White-backed Duck
White-bellied Go-away Bird
White-collared Kingfisher

 

[AmandaSparks730]

TOURING TIPS

The Gorilla Exhibit is a QUIET Zone! I have this bolded because during my last 2 visits guests ignored the Cast Member's requests to be quiet. They warned that excessive noise and waving arms are seen as threats by the goriallas. Indeed, the gorillas who were out became agitated and left. Please have respect for the animals when you visit!

Your journey through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail takes about 20-30 minutes. It is a natural flow along the path as you exit the Kilimanjaro Safari. If you are interested in the gorillas, be sure to check out the research training station at Rafiki's Planet Watch where you can learn about Disney's behavior gorilla training program.
Be sure to ask the Guides any questions you might have about the animals you encounter during your trek. Many of the guides are native to Africa.

There are plenty of viewing areas for kids and lots of educational opportunities too.

Of course, the gorilla exhibit is a big draw, but it was very crowded at the observation window. After about 15 minutes of jockeying for a good view, we decided to move on. Well, just as we rounded the next turn, we were on a bridge overlooking the gorillas from the right-hand side. We had a perfect view of the male silverback, and also of a couple of females and youths. Now we know that if the viewing area is crowded, keep moving along and good (if not better) viewing opportunities await! (Kathy Coppola )

EDITOR'S NOTE: Though just past the glass viewing area gives you a view of the Family Troop section of the exhibit, if the gorillas are extremely close to the glass, it's difficult to see them from that point. Also, the bridge and the area beyond are the only spots from which you can view the Bachelor Troop.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTRODUCTION

Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY! Feel transported half way around the world to a 100 acre African savannah as you board Disney's Kilimanjaro Safari jeeps! Oh, and you won't see any tigers or bears, but if you're lucky, you will see the lions!

 

[AmandaSparks730]

ATTRACTION

Walking through the queue area you find yourself in the Harambe Reserve. Overhead TVs explain that poaching has killed many animals.

Soon you arrive at the boarding platform, enter your jeep and head into the animal reserve. Your driver begins radio contact with a pilot....and off you and your jeep goes, down the bumpy dirt trail and into Africa!

Your driver will point out the various wildlife for you -- but don't count on them to stop for your photo op, most barely pause especially during busy times.


Bongos are hiding around the first bend - look quickly or you might miss these shy creatures.

Passing the local watering hole you might see the Black Rhino. On the right, the rare Okapi.

Hippos are at the base of cascading waterfalls.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

The Vehicle emerges from thick vegetation into the vast savannah grasslands. In this area you might see Giraffes, Sable Antelope, Thomson's Gazelle and Ostriches. The land is very different here and is accented by termite mounds up to 20 feet high.


On the left is a huge rock formation where the Mandrill Baboon family lives. Around the next bend are the Elephants.

The radio contact picks back up as the pilot searches for Big Red and Little Red (elephants). The ancient baobab trees can be found in this area....

Pink Flamingoes inhabit a tiny island that legend says is in the form of a "Hidden Mickey".

More watering holes, you might see the white rhinos wallowing in the mud. There are other hoofed animals: the kudu, scimitar-horned oryx and the long-horned eland along with sharp-eyed cheetahs up there among the rocks.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Coming around the last bend, your attention will quickly be drawn to the high rock formation on your left, where the King and Queen of the Savanaah reside...the Kopje Lions. Lions do spend the majority of their day sleeping; so don't expect to see much activity.

The warthogs start to ramble across the field when the radio comes on again to alert your driver to poachers in the area.

The jeep takes off, you hear gunshots and smoldering campfires. Finally, the poachers are in custody! The pilot waves to you and you'll find that Little Red is safe!

This is when your safari comes to an end, as the vehicle rejoins the main roads and the Park Ranger Station comes into view.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTERESTING FACTS

When building the savannah, landscapers asked that the plants and trees be in place for 2 years before moving in the animals.

The details of the savanah were carefully crafted to give the illusion that it had "always been there", right down to the ruts in the road that make the jeep jolt and bump!

Early plans called for a moonlit savannah so that nighttime safari rides could take place. This never came to be, but was created for Disney's Animal Kindom Lodge!

The hippos are actually the same ones you will sometimes see on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. The hippo barn resides in between Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and the savannah river.

In 2007, the ride vehicles were modified to add an additional row in the back. Also, the narrated story line was changed a bit.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

AFRICAN FOREST
Black Rhinoceros
Bongo
Egyptian Goose
Helmeted Guineafowl
Northern Pintail
Nyala
Okapi
Pink-backed Pelican
Saddle-billed Stork
Yellow-backed Duiker
Yellow-billed Stork

 

[AmandaSparks730]

SAVANNAH WEST
Gerenuk
Grant's Zebra
Greater Kudu
Greater Flamingo
Impala - Photo taken at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Mandrill
Mhorr's Gazelle
Nile Crocodile
Nile Hippopotamus
Reticulated Giraffe
Sable Antelope
Thomson's Gazelle
White-bearded Wildebeest

 

[AmandaSparks730]

SAVANNAH EAST
African Elephant
African Lion
Cheetah
Eland
Ostrich
Scimitar-horned Oryx
Warthog
White Rhinoceros

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTRODUCTION


"Open Your Eyes to the World Around You!"

Rafiki's Planet Watch is a quasi-backstage peek at how the park's animals are kept happy and healthy. Rafiki's Planet Watch features: Animal Cam, with a peek into animal care areas; hands-on displays for the opportunity to participate in conservation and species-survival efforts; and The Affection Section, where guests can meet and pet small domestic animals.

Rafiki's Planet Watch is not a new area to Animal Kingdom, rather a refined one. Originally this area was simply called Conservation Station.

Rafiki's Planet Watch is made up of several areas which are focused on the environment, conservation and animal well-being. The only way to reach Rafiki's Planet Watch is to take the Wildlife Express Train ride. This area opens at 9:30 a.m.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

ATTRACTION

Wildlife Express - the unique railway transportation from Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch. To get to Rafiki's Planet Watch, you must take the Wildlife Express train. The Wildlife Express is unique in that all the seats face outward. There are 2 rows of seats and room for one wheelchair per car. There are 2 trains that run, so your wait should not be longer than 10 minutes for the next train. (Be sure to look at the roof of the train as it pulls into the station.)

As you journey behind the African Savannah, there is a small animal viewing area, as well as an opportunity to see a couple of the Animal Kingdom animal buildings. Mostly, though, it's just a nice gentle ride.

Once exiting the train, you have a 5-7 minute walk to arrive at Rafiki's Planet Watch. You'll know you have arrived once you see the animal collage on the top of the building.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Habitat Habit! - Exhibits for all ages teaching us to share our world with animals. Special area features cotton-top tamarins.


Affection Section is a gentle animal petting area for kids. Sheep and goats are among the featured animals.

Reader Lori Wedeking writes: I just looked at the Rafiki Watch part of the website and noticed a bit about Affection Section. When I took the Backstage Safari I learned about the animals there. The goats, for example, are San Clemente goats, a species just about bombed into extinction at their native home on San Clemente Island. The sheep are descendants of those dropped off by early European explorers, to grow and reproduce in North America and be a source of fresh meat when the explorers came back. These sheep evolved to having less wool, and just about became extinct when they were needed for food and didn't have any wool that was available for sale. I think people would appreciate the Affection Section more and not dismiss it as a "petting zoo" if they knew why the animals were there.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Conservation Station - exhibits pertaining to animal training, feeding, veterinary medicine and animal conservation.

As you enter the front door, you are face to face with 600 larger than life animals in a most colorful mural. The atrium of Conservation Station is bright and full of vegetation.

There are several areas to explore including the Sounds of the Rainforest, and the Veterinary and Training Exhibits.

 

[MickeyisBeast]

Ahhh, me and Eimear are dumb xD
We e-mailed each other and our last names showed up... but now somebody knows my super amazinnnnnnng Italian last name, and I've got proof that is it super cool.

OH AND EIMEAR FOUND RSF ON FACEBOOK. But she said he looks like a chav xD He does, in his profile picture. He's trying to act like a gangster. SMH!

 

[AmandaSparks730]

In Song of the Rainforest you experience a variety of sound effects, all drawing from their origins in the Rainforest. The program is narrated by Grandmother Willow, of the Disney movie "Pocahontas." The program takes place in a dimly lit booth which seats 6 people, very similar to the Sounds Dangerous Sound Booths at the Disney-MGM Studios.Once the sounds begin, the room darkens more. It is a cool place to relax for a few minutes.

Live Animal Cams are set up so you can observe the animals in their backstage homes. There are exhibits on animal research, veterinary care and food preparation.



While the concept of Conservation Station is admirable, it is not someplace I would visit during each trip to Animal Kingdom. Perhaps I went on a slow afternoon, or perhaps more needs to be going on there!