The Animal Kingdom Safari Story - what happened?

[BandontheRun]

When AK opened in 1998- there was a story about poachers and the conquest of finding the poachers and ensuring the security of "Big Red"- a baby elephant.
As time went on the story seems to have dissolved.
Does anyone have any insight or memories of this transformation that you would like to share?

 

[ashleighbass06]

I know they recently took our the (fake) elephants to make room for zebras. Then, they realized zebras are aggressive and they took them away. Now, I believe, they brought the zebras back.

Personally, the last time I rode it, in 2010, I was surprised that storyline was still around. They took out most of it, so it seemed kind of farfetched and unnecessary. I, personally am glad it's just about the animals now.

 

[MightyGitis]

When AK opened in 1998- there was a story about poachers and the conquest of finding the poachers and ensuring the security of "Big Red"- a baby elephant. As time went on the story seems to have dissolved. Does anyone have any insight or memories of this transformation that you would like to share?

Big Red was the mother. Little Red was the one you saved. And I clearly remember the end with the animatronic elephant in the truck. As the years go by less and less CMs even remember Little Red. But occasionally we will say we are going to save Little Red to a CM and they will remember.

 

[disnut8]

Warden Wilson and the entire Big Red Little Red storyline is gone now. The Safari features only animals in their environment (or as much of an environment as they will get in Florida).

Personally, after riding this in March, I found the change refreshing as the message is with the animals and how they and we can survive and hopefully grow. There still is a message about protecting animals but the focus now is on helping the animals, not how they have to face all the nasty stuff out there. I like it.

 

[ponyboy]

They probably had some poachers complain.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

I remember reading (maybe here) that the portion that had the Jeep that drove through the woods (on hidden rails) and the automatic weapons firing was a little too intense for some children.

 

[ashleighbass06]

I remember reading (maybe here) that the portion that had the Jeep that drove through the woods (on hidden rails) and the automatic weapons firing was a little too intense for some children.

I heard that during soft openings, you actually saw a dead Big Red and it made kids cry so they changed that quick.

 

[QueenofPrideRock]

I heard that during soft openings, you actually saw a dead Big Red and it made kids cry so they changed that quick.

This is true! I was a safari CM in 2011 and even then it had been toned WAY down (no more gunfire, less focus on poachers throughout). Then they removed the poachers camp/Little Red scene for zebras, as a PP said, since zebras are aggressive so they aren't usually seen in the "main" savannas.

 

[Delirium]

I personally found the story annoying and am glad it's gone.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I personally found the story annoying and am glad it's gone.

This. It was the only "cheesy" thing about that ride (and the park) in '98. Much better without it.

 

[Sven]

i hate the poacher bit. i am glad that it is gone for the most part.

 

[wench]

It was still part of the story when I went in December 2011, but was gone on my last trip October 2013. I enjoy it more without. Although they were trying to convey a important message, I felt the actual presentation of the storyline was kind of corny.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

When AK opened in 1998- there was a story about poachers and the conquest of finding the poachers and ensuring the security of "Big Red"- a baby elephant.
As time went on the story seems to have dissolved.
Does anyone have any insight or memories of this transformation that you would like to share?

~Awww, the poaching scene was removed because parents complained that the scene was too frightening for children.

~I have such fond memories of the grand opening of Animal Kingdom in 1998! AK didn't have much in terms of attractions, so the safari was *the* ride everyone had to see. I was so scared because my parents kept telling us, that all the lions and tigers were loose and could easily catch us if the jeep got stuck in the mud, lol!

~Anyway, I remember the rocking bridge, "Big Red", & the poachers -- it was a total surprise and we all *loved* it! The drivers were superb, like real actors. I admit I was young but it felt real, lol. There was a shoot out and the jeep went really fast! I was totally wowed by the experience and there were no zebras back then.

~With that said, on all of our subsequent trips -- the safari "scripted" scene was a bit of a let down for me. I've never seen it performed with that level of intensity and enthusiasm again. There were a lot of times where the bridge didn't sway at all -- when it did happen to sway, it was nowhere as intense as it used to be. And, the jeep did not go anywhere near as fast and the shootouts became random.

~As time progressed, the "Big Red" chase scene became so lame -- it was just a half baked effort. While bittersweet, I was glad to see this go. If it can't be performed right, then it's best not to do it at all. At least, I have my memories.

~I have heard several crazy rumors about the zebras. It has been rumored that the zebras are the divas of the African plains. They are said to be incredibly defiant and constantly exhibit bullying, defiance, and other aggressive types of behavior amongst themselves, as well as the other animals.

~Apparently, it got so bad to the point where Disney would have to periodically transport the naughty zebras to a *time out* pen at AKL -- that specifically designed for the zebras to chill out.

~Another rumor, was that some of Disney's Zebra's arrived from a conservation facility in Texas, where visitors could drive their vehicles through and feed the zebras -- and Disney had experience difficulty with integrating this breed of zebras successfully into the safari -- in part, because they would aggressively approach the vehicles for food.

~But yeah.... the new safari is pretty cool. And, I really can't wait to see those zebras again!

 

[designedfordisney]

I have fond memories of little red. I believe this issue is one of those locals vs international visitors things, where I can see how it was a little corny and boring to people who visit often but for first timers and people who visit once every five years it was fun and made it a little bit more of a disney style ride

 

[kitty2kidz]

Does the bridge still shake? We are going back for the first time since 2005...

 

[JimmyV]

Does the bridge still shake? We are going back for the first time since 2005...

Yes it does. But what they do at Busch Gardens is waaaaay cooler!

As for Little Red, I am glad to see it go. On our most recent visit, our "Guide" really was just that. She was very informative and interactive with us pointing out what we were seeing and answering questions. When the guides were required to play along with the silly pre-recorded soundtrack, they could not focus on the guests as they were playing a role. You really only got half of their attention, and, really none of it once the Little Red scenario started to play out. Back then, the guides were more like actors, but now, (at least on our last visit), the guides are more like like Park and Game educators. Our last safari was far more educational and informative since we had the full attention of the guide for the entire ride.

 

[DisneyFive]

We first went on Kilimanjaro Safari Sept 2010. The little red story was still there, but it was almost a side conversation during the ride. It just didn't flow or have any continuity. I'm pretty sure our kids had no idea what they heck they were talking about. I was tying to hear the dialogue, but it was just a screwy mess and very distracting. Glad to have it removed. It was gone last trip in 2013.

BTW, I heard an interesting tidbit regarding the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride. The land area taken up by this single ride alone is larger than the land area of the entire Magic Kingdom Park. (Not sure if this changed now that the new Fantasy Land was opened)

Dan

 

[jtowntoflorida]

As for Little Red, I am glad to see it go. On our most recent visit, our "Guide" really was just that. She was very informative and interactive with us pointing out what we were seeing and answering questions. When the guides were required to play along with the silly pre-recorded soundtrack, they could not focus on the guests as they were playing a role. You really only got half of their attention, and, really none of it once the Little Red scenario started to play out. Back then, the guides were more like actors, but now, (at least on our last visit), the guides are more like like Park and Game educators. Our last safari was far more educational and informative since we had the full attention of the guide for the entire ride.

ITA. On our most recent trip (October 2013), the Little Red storyline was gone and the safari was much more enjoyable than it had been in the past, IMO. Maybe it was just our guide, but the focus seemed to be so much more on the animals than on some cheesy storyline that seemed so scripted. Plus, I always thought it was dumb to have an animatronic elephant in an attraction after you've seen real ones for the last 20 minutes. If I want to see an animatronic elephant, I'll ride the Jungle Cruise. I'm glad that KS now only has real animals.

 

[surferdave]

I heard that during soft openings, you actually saw a dead Big Red and it made kids cry so they changed that quick.

Have they seen any of the movies? There's no Disney tradition more honored than killing off mom and making the star of the show an orphan as early as possible!

 

[GlennN]

Have they seen any of the movies? There's no Disney tradition more honored than killing off mom and making the star of the show an orphan as early as possible!

Yep, that's the running joke in our house - if the mother is killed off in a movie, it must be Disney!