Wilderness Explorers?

[mshanson3121]

How does this work and did your children enjoy it? I see Touring Plans gives it 30 minutes, I'm assuming this is to get it set up? Is it like the World Showcase Agent P thing that you have to keep going back to do more missions (thereby taking tonnes of time)?

 

[kaybird]

How does this work and did your children enjoy it? I see Touring Plans gives it 30 minutes, I'm assuming this is to get it set up? Is it like the World Showcase Agent P thing that you have to keep going back to do more missions (thereby taking tonnes of time)?

We did it ourselves when it first started, later with the kids and grands. Lots of fun, really cute, no way you will get through the whole book. Gives the AK a kind of scavenger hunt feel, and the CMs are great! You can do as much or as little of it as you like.

 

[5kidsmommy]

It's awesome. My teens did it last year and loved it. They really learned a lot too and had fun. But it does take time. Here is the thing you won't be able to do everything at Disney so you have to pick what you want and be happy with it, don't feel like you missed out because you'll never be able to do everything on every trip.

 

[Shmily01]

My daughter loved it! She was 7 when we went last. Like the PP said, you can do as little or as much as you like. I think we only did about a 1/4 of the book. She was bummed we couldn't do more. I highly recommend it!

 

[Pfau]

My children LOVED it. We spent two FULL days at AK and didn't finish the book. They want to return so badly!

 

[Delirium]

My 7 and 9 year olds loved it. The 30 minute time is laughable though. It's not something that you simply carve out 30 minutes and go do. It's something you progress and collect badges throughout the day. You can't really measure it in time. But, I'm afraid adding it to a touring plan is going to knock everything else off the timeline.

 

[mshanson3121]

My 7 and 9 year olds loved it. The 30 minute time is laughable though. It's not something that you simply carve out 30 minutes and go do. It's something you progress and collect badges throughout the day. You can't really measure it in time. But, I'm afraid adding it to a touring plan is going to knock everything else off the timeline.

So how long does it actually take to just go get your stuff and head off?

 

[bumbershoot]

The 30 minute time is laughable though. It's not something that you simply carve out 30 minutes and go do. It's something you progress and collect badges throughout the day.

Yes.

We have used it (and it's precursor) as a way to explore AK. Just like we use Agent P/Kimpossible as a way to see parts of Epcot we hadn't really seen.

So how long does it actually take to just go get your stuff and head off?

You can't just get your stuff. It's a learning experience. The CMs will spend a bit of time with the kids, helping them learn things about their station, and at the end of that you get the stickers (or stamps? can't remember).

Even doing WE at Disneyland it rook at least an hour, and their version is in a very small place.

 

[sweetnjmom]

My son wants to bring his old book back "one day" (he doesn't know we're going next month) to get more stickers. It's completely falling apart.

We'll be at AK for half a day on 5/5 and a full day on 5/7 since my son LOVES the park and the Wilderness Explorer book, so hopefully he'll manage to fill up most of a new book in that time frame.

 

[mshanson3121]

Yes.

We have used it (and it's precursor) as a way to explore AK. Just like we use Agent P/Kimpossible as a way to see parts of Epcot we hadn't really seen.



You can't just get your stuff. It's a learning experience. The CMs will spend a bit of time with the kids, helping them learn things about their station, and at the end of that you get the stickers (or stamps? can't remember).

Even doing WE at Disneyland it rook at least an hour, and their version is in a very small place.

So then how does it work? Where do you go to get signed up, or get your book etc? Where do you find out where to go to the next station etc?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

So then how does it work? Where do you go to get signed up, or get your book etc? Where do you find out where to go to the next station etc?

There's a signup station right on the bridge to Discovery Island (and I think one at Rafiki's Planet watch as well? But the one on the bridge is the best one to sign up at because it's closest to the front of the park. That's where they give you your "orientation" and the kids take an oath to be good stewards of the world, etc. It's where they get their book and their first sticker. From there it's self-guided. You use the book to find the rest of the stations that are all around the park. There's not any particular order you need to follow. Also, it's never taken us more than 5 minutes to get our books and get going so I think Touring Plans' estimate is way, way off for how much time it takes, if that's sign up time only. But in general, the more time you spend at the stations, the more your kids get out of it. The CMs are typically really good, spend a lot of time with the kids, etc. If you use it as only a sticker ("badge") collecting experience it won't be as fun or educational, IMHO.

 

[mshanson3121]

There's a signup station right on the bridge to Discovery Island (and I think one at Rafiki's Planet watch as well? But the one on the bridge is the best one to sign up at because it's closest to the front of the park. That's where they give you your "orientation" and the kids take an oath to be good stewards of the world, etc. It's where they get their book and their first sticker. From there it's self-guided. You use the book to find the rest of the stations that are all around the park. There's not any particular order you need to follow. Also, it's never taken us more than 5 minutes to get our books and get going so I think Touring Plans' estimate is way, way off for how much time it takes, if that's sign up time only. But in general, the more time you spend at the stations, the more your kids get out of it. The CMs are typically really good, spend a lot of time with the kids, etc. If you use it as only a sticker ("badge") collecting experience it won't be as fun or educational, IMHO.

My son is such a HUGE animal fan, he just devours animal encyclopedias etc... He wanted to do the Animal Specialist lunch soooo badly. So I think this would be right up his alley. And of course DD would just love whatever her big brother is doing, lol

 

[jtowntoflorida]

My son is such a HUGE animal fan, he just devours animal encyclopedias etc... He wanted to do the Animal Specialist lunch soooo badly. So I think this would be right up his alley. And of course DD would just love whatever her big brother is doing, lol

They'll love it! My daughter spent about 20 minutes discussing tigers with one of the CMs. My husband and I enjoy the game because it allows us to stroll leisurely through AK with some cold adult beverages while the kids are learning all about the great outdoors!

 

[Monykalyn]

My son wants to bring his old book back "one day" (he doesn't know we're going next month) to get more stickers. It's completely falling apart.

We'll be at AK for half a day on 5/5 and a full day on 5/7 since my son LOVES the park and the Wilderness Explorer book, so hopefully he'll manage to fill up most of a new book in that time frame.

I'm in same boat- my son loved this last year and his book is falling apart- he also got Dug and Russell to sign it and got pic with them. When Russell held up his book and was kinda asking why it was so beat up my son told him that means he is a REAL WE lol! Russel and Dug gave him hi fives for that. Easily some of the best character and CM interactions in any of the parks. The 16 year old got a kick out of helping her lil brother too.they also don't know yet we will be back soon...

 

[newestkg06]

Just FYI, it doesn't start until 10AM. I was bummed about this, as I had wanted to get the books on our way in. We're going to start after we see the 10AM FotLK.

 

[Dr Gevil]

My DD 9 just finished getting all 31 badges on our Spring Break trip last month. It took 3 visits/days to complete (June, November, March) in the last year, but she was really proud to become a Senior Wilderness Explorer like Russell - Caw, Caw, Rahr!

It could be done in a day if all you did was the WE activities, but it was fun to knock a few out each time over multiple trips to AK. In fact, it took some time for her to find answers to a couple of the trials in March, as they switched the answers to some since she got her book originally in June 2014.

This really is a great activity for the kids (and adults) even if you only get a few badges. Some of the best CM interactions I've seen/had has been with the CM's that give talks for the WE program activities. And if anything - it gets you to go to Conservation Station to complete it, which is a forgotten/little known jewel of AK.

Have fun!

 

[Dr Gevil]

My son wants to bring his old book back "one day" (he doesn't know we're going next month) to get more stickers. It's completely falling apart.

We'll be at AK for half a day on 5/5 and a full day on 5/7 since my son LOVES the park and the Wilderness Explorer book, so hopefully he'll manage to fill up most of a new book in that time frame.

I'm in same boat- my son loved this last year and his book is falling apart- he also got Dug and Russell to sign it and got pic with them. When Russell held up his book and was kinda asking why it was so beat up my son told him that means he is a REAL WE lol! Russel and Dug gave him hi fives for that. Easily some of the best character and CM interactions in any of the parks. The 16 year old got a kick out of helping her lil brother too.they also don't know yet we will be back soon...

My DD's book was in the same shape - cover falling off, pages bent, etc. But no way was she going to sub with a new book! Only warning is that if you have an older book, they have changed some of the answers on the Gorilla Exploration Trail that don't work with older copies!

 

[nat8199]

What is the youngest that you would recommend kids doing this? My DD will have just turned 6 when we go (2 weeks before) and I think that she and her brothers would really enjoy working together as a team to do something like this. DD can read and write, but on about a 1st grade level.

 

[stormer]

What is the youngest that you would recommend kids doing this? My DD will have just turned 6 when we go (2 weeks before) and I think that she and her brothers would really enjoy working together as a team to do something like this. DD can read and write, but on about a 1st grade level.

Six is fine to do most of the badges. Last trip my boys were 12 and 9 and felt funny because we kept running into really small kids doing it. They felt like they were too old, but have always enjoyed doing it.

 

[switch15foot]

Would anyone recommend it for kids at heart? My mom (55) and myself (30) are going for a trip in November; it will be her 2nd time, my 4th trip. Both enjoy learning new things and I particularly love taking pictures.