Wild Africa Trek.....afraid of heights

[MICKEEP]

My DS is afraid of heights and does not want to do this tour.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

On the Disney tour webpage for Wild Africa Trek....

Know Before You Go
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- You must have physical stamina, comfort with heights, and the surefootedness to negotiate small hills, foliage and unsteady rope bridges on this tour.
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So maybe it's not such a good idea for him..

 

[Princess Mulan]

My DS is afraid of heights and does not want to do this tour.

Please heed the official description provided by LetsTalkWDW. While the tour obviously is safe with harnesses and safety netting, the rope bridges are high. They sway and feature missing slats that add to the authentic nature of the tour. Sometimes WDW's warnings might seem like overkill, but in this case the warning is spot on.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I wouldn't mess with heights and kids if they aren't up for it. Hopefully he will grow out of it one day but you don't want to exacerbate his fear of heights by pushing him too much on this.

 

[georgiesgirl]

The trek offers the option of walking around the rope bridges, we had a aunt who was unable to do the ropes and walked the route around with a tour guide and met us at the truck and we all went on safari and had our snack together. We felt if was a great option for people afraid of heights or unable to walk the bridge. If you are interested please call and get more information. Hope this helps.

 

[DinahInWonderland]

I think it really depends on HOW afraid of heights he is. I tend to be very scared of heights, but like most people it's on a sliding scale. Being 30 feet in the air scares me to death, but I like the window seat when we fly. My husband can drag me to the top of Bay Lake Tower (15 stories high?) to watch fireworks when we stay there, but I refuse to go anywhere that is not right along the back wall against the building 20 feet from the edge and even then that's only because it's dark and hard to see how high you are up when you are not near the edge.

We went on the Wild Africa Trek several years ago and I can honestly say that the heights never bothered me in the slightest. I think I was so distracted by all of the things we could see and were doing to even notice. They do have walk around options for handicap accessible tours that I'm sure you could arrange for. If you are planning more than one day at Animal Kingdom, you could always take a ride on the Safari and keep an eye out for the areas above the hippos to the right of the ride and bridges above the alligator area. They are clearly visible from the ride and would give you an idea of the actual height you would be experiencing.

 

[HopperFan]

My kids did it and I know there is no way I would be able to with my fear of heights.
Here are a couple of their pictures...

 

[izzylovesmickey]

I'm very uncomfortable with heights. I didn't have an problem with the bridge and actually enjoyed it. I think it was because I felt really secure in the harness and you can see that there is a net beneath you. There were 2 other people in our group who were also concerned with the height on the bridge and none of us had a problem. I realize that it can be very different when you are talking about a child (I'm making the assumption that he's younger). If your DS decides to try and succeeds he'll have a great time on the Trek.

 

[disnut8]

I do not like the feeling that there is nothing "sturdy" around me when I am up high. The photo two messages up from my post makes me want to puke and there would be no way in heck I'd be doing that. No freaking way.

And, I didn't used to be this way. I was fearless when I was a kid, a teenager, and a young adult and then....... I had my son. Seeing him fearless just gave me shivers.

OP - you can take your son on the Safari and point out the overhead places for the Tour and see what he thinks. If he doesn't want to go, then don't go. You can also youtube the Tour.

 

[allwritemel]

I so want to do this!!!!!! I'm disabled but if we go in August I know my boyfriend will help me over the tricky bits ... I'm not afraid of heights and neither is he ... we wanted to do it this year but couldn't afford it.

 

[louey]

We did this in July 2013 and I really don't like heights at all. I was actually the first one from our family to cross the bridge I felt very safe and was so glad I persevered it was an awesome experience. I totally recommend this tour

 

[DoingDisney]

I so want to do this!!!!!! I'm disabled but if we go in August I know my boyfriend will help me over the tricky bits ... I'm not afraid of heights and neither is he ... we wanted to do it this year but couldn't afford it.

I really hope there is some way they can accommodate you and your disability, but you should be advised on many of the sections of the course (rope bridges in particular) you can not go in pairs, it is one person at a time. That being said, I would contact them and see what they say, its a great experience everyone should be able to do if at all possible.

 

[happymommy]

If someone is afraid, why would you want to do it? I'm afraid of heights. I wouldn't do it.

 

[Allison]

Then he shouldn't do it.

 

[Hopefully]

If he is afraid, I think this is not the tour for him.
Why would you push it

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We loved this tour but I neared wet myself walking across those rickety road bridges over those the crocs. I'd say bag it.

 

[TwoCortWort]

I have a bad fear of heights, but looking forward to doing this in December. My parents are like "What if you fall...." Like really you aren't going to fall to your death! I have been wanting to do this for years, and can't wait. I try to conquer my fear on occasion, this will be a huge test for me.

 

[allwritemel]

I really hope there is some way they can accommodate you and your disability, but you should be advised on many of the sections of the course (rope bridges in particular) you can not go in pairs, it is one person at a time. That being said, I would contact them and see what they say, its a great experience everyone should be able to do if at all possible.

Thanks - good point! At the end of the day, I KNOW I could do it but I'm a little slow ... great idea to contact them though.