Kilimanjaro Safaris is an attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is also an attraction filled with secrets and fascinating facts. Learn 13 secrets of Kilimanjaro Safaris today.
- Lions may appear closer then they seem, however rest easy as the lions are separated by a hidden moat. This moat reaches 18 feet deep, separating lions and guests.
- To help the Lions in the Florida heat, Disney Imagineers installed a series of air conditioning systems at their high-grounds.
- Disney entices animals with treats to come out into sight, throughout the day. This is one of many tricks used to get the animals to be more active. Concrete feeders are used as well, such as hidden as a broken tree limb.
- Kilimanjaro Safaris opened in 1998 (with the Animal Kingdom park opening). Originally this attraction had a story line involving guests in the middle of an anti-poacher scenario, this is no longer part of the Safari Tour.
- Walt Disney himself originally wanted to use live animals in his parks, however it did not come to light then, therefore when Kilimanjaro Safaris opened in 1998, it was like Walt Disney’s Dream coming true.
- Flat-top Acacia trees can be seen while riding the attraction, Kilimanjaro Safari. These trees grow native in Africa. However, they are not native to Florida where Animal Kingdom is located. To overcome this, Disney uses Oak trees and trims them to replicate a Flat-Top Acacia Tree.
- When the animals sleep, Cast Members get to work. In the evening is when their space is spruced up, including gardeners re-planting.
- The island that the Flamingos lounge on is a Hidden Mickey!
- It may seem like an actual wide open savanna during your safari ride, however each species is divided. Disney works hard to keep these separations as hidden as possible.
- The enormous Baobab trees are replicas made out of concrete.
- Animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom do not spend the evenings outdoors. They are all called in each night with a unique calling system. Every animal (by species) has been trained to a different sound (such as bell, drum etc.) when it is time to go in for the night.
- The Safari Trucks used are custom built Ford & GMC trucks. These are checked and serviced nightly. The trucks are free-roam (not on a set- track but general trails instead), however their speed does not go very high. This ensures Cast Members driving are able to get around animals if need be.
- Thanks to Kilimanjaro Safaris (which is Disney World’s largest attraction) , Animal Kingdom is the largest theme park at Disney in size (by Square footage). Kilimanjaro Safaris contributes over 100 acres to the 500 acre park (Animal Kingdom).
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