Wilderness Explorer badges

[hops&dreams]

Has anyone done this?
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/07/becoming-a-wilderness-explorer-is-a-walk-in-the-park/

Is it worth the time? AK is our least favorite park, and it's a half day for us, a t best. Usually coincides with our sleep-in day and at "home" resort dinner/laundry/swim evening, since they close so early.

Is it anything like the national parks system's Junior Ranger program? DD loved doing those on our road trip last year and earning the shiny gold badges.

 

[ratlenhum]

It's fun. It's basically a sticker book. Some of the badges are more interesting to get than others because you interact more with cast members. We only missed a few last trip.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

My kids loved it, but we didn't have time to finish it when we were on our trip. Randomly a few weeks ago, my 7 year old informed me that we need to spend more time at AK on our next trip so she can finish her book. Our last trip was in October 2013, and we're not going back until December! LOL. But it was enjoyable.

 

[SunnyDey]

My daughter would love to do this. She will be turning 5 during our trip in September. Is it too challenging for someone her age or could she do it with our help?

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

My 5 year old did it in January and enjoyed it. Most are not really "hard"- more interesting and learning.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Many of the activities to earn a "badge" are like or exactly the same as the old Kid stops they had at AK. As already mentioned, the badges are really stickers that you get for participating in an activity or finding an answer to something on a specific trail. CMs are there to interact and help, so I would expect any age to be able to do this.
You start by getting your "troop badge" which looks to all like a Wilderness Explorer sticker - the whole family/"troop" can have one but you'll get one "badge" book. To earn your "troop badge" you will be instructed how to say the Wilderness Explorers motto/call - whatever it is. Then you are off to earn "badges" in whatever order you so desire. If you complete all badges, then you earn your "Senior Wilderness Explorer" "badge" which is a bigger shield shaped sticker with the same logo as the smaller "troop badge" stickers.
It may have changed since we did it in January, but there was no metal shield or pin. I think whether you enjoy it or not depends on whether you like the activities. It will require exploring the entire park including Maharaja Jungle Trek, Pangani Forest Trail, and going to Rafiki's area. It also involved some interaction with CMs to learn about their native land and culture. I don't think the ages for which this was likely designed (elementary school?) would complete it in a few hours. DS (15) and I, however, decided to get all badges in a few hours as a quest and ran around like crazy people doing it. We are Senior Wilderness Explorers - Whoooot! (We are also familiar with the park and had done the kid areas when the kids were younger so found answers/activities easier to complete than some people would. Still, CMs are there to give out sticker "badges" and we saw them helping those who needed it - so it's not difficult.) There are about (I'm not pulling out the book to count) 30 "badges" to earn. Have fun - the wilderness MUST be explored!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

My daughter would love to do this. She will be turning 5 during our trip in September. Is it too challenging for someone her age or could she do it with our help?

It's actually a nice little break for parents! There are CMs at every station that guide the children through the activity. There were a couple where they did need our help (finding certain hidden symbols), but not too many.