Trekking Adventure Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Reservations Now Open

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10/25/10: Full list of Guest Restrictions

Per tour reservationists:

Guests experiencing this tour must be:

~Ages 9 and Above
~Accompanied by an Adult if Ages 9-17
~Between 60 lbs – 310 lbs
~ Taller than 48"
~Wearing hiking boots or closed-toe shoes with a back strap.

Guests experiencing the tour may not :

~Bring a camera
~Bring a mobile phone
~Wear flip-flops

Guests experiencing the tour are recommended to:

~ Wear shorts or pants.
~Wear a comfortable shirt.



10/16/10: Full Details Announced and Reservations Opened

Unique New ‘Wild Africa Trek’ at Disney's Animal Kingdom Brings Thrills of Faraway Adventure to Walt Disney World Resort

Bookings Begin Oct. 15 for Experience Launching in Early 2011

Walt Disney World Press Release
October 15, 2010

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Navigating a rickety footbridge over a river chasm can be dicey enough for explorers. In an all-new Disney adventure, what lurks below that bridge may quicken their step to get to the other side: Crocodiles!

A ravine of menacing-looking crocs, pools of hippos, bushwalks along untracked terrain and other thrills await guests on Wild Africa Trek, a unique wildlife experience scheduled to launch in early 2011 into the deepest, most-remote reaches of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Reservations can be booked beginning Oct. 15, 2010, for the three-hour, expert-led adventure that will immerse guests in the realms and wildlife thrills of far-off Africa – without leaving Walt Disney World Resort. In small groups, guests on the Wild Africa Trek will enjoy an “up-close-and-personal” experience with African wildlife species that make their home in Pangani Forest as well as other areas of the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve.

As part of the adventure, guests will clip onto a lifeline as they step to the very edge of a cliff to get amazingly close to the hippos and crocs waiting just below. Talk about cliff-hangers!

Adventure-minded guests will have the experience of a lifetime as they get immersed in an authentic African safari experience that only Disney can deliver,” said Michael Colglazier, vice president of Disney's Animal Kingdom. “We are thrilled to be offering this unique outdoor adventure aimed at active vacationers, taking interactions with the incredible animals that inhabit the Harambe Reserve to the next level and literally blazing new trails in our park.”

Highlights of what’s in store for guests on this add-on adventure:

* Trekking with experienced guides through areas of Harambe Wildlife Reserve that aren’t explored during regular Disney’s Animal Kingdom experiences.
* Navigating through fern and vine forests on a bushwalk that sets a course for adventure.
* Clipping into a harness attached to a safety line, crossing a seemingly precarious rope bridge over the Safi River and cliff-hanging at the edge of gullies that are home to hippos and crocodiles.
* Experiencing the thrill of “over-landing” in customized open-air vehicles following the edge of a magnificent, wide-open savanna.
* Unwinding from an unforgettable adventure at a private safari camp for wildlife viewing. At this station elevated above the savanna, guests savor sample tastes of Africa as their adventure draws to a relaxing and satisfying close.

Wild Africa Trek will be offered several times daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Groups will be kept small, consisting of no more than 12 trekkers per safari.

Reservations for Wild Africa Trek can be arranged by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). Pricing for this unique adventure will vary seasonally. Guests who reserve a booking from Jan. 16-Feb. 26, 2011, may take advantage of an introductory offer starting at $129. Park admission is required for participants. Guests must be at least 9 years old.

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Reservations Open for Wild Africa Trek Adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

by Thomas Smith | Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Disney Parks Official Blog
October 15, 2010

... Wildlife thrills are part of the upcoming Wild Africa Trek experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and we’ve just opened reservations. It’s the same adventure we told you about in July but now we can share more details.

Wild Africa Trek will be a three-hour, expert-led adventure offering up-close-and-personal experiences with wildlife species that make their home in Pangani Forest as well as other areas of the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve. As part of the adventure, you’ll clip onto a lifeline and step to the edge of a cliff to get amazingly close to the hippos and crocs. Here are a few highlights for curious explorers:

* Trekking with experienced guides through areas of Harambe Wildlife Reserve that aren’t explored during regular Disney’s Animal Kingdom experiences.
* Navigating through fern and vine forests on a bushwalk.
* Clipping into a harness attached to a safety line, crossing a rope bridge over the Safi River and cliff-hanging at the edge of gullies that are home to hippos and crocodiles.
* Experiencing the thrill of “over-landing” in customized open-air vehicles following the edge of a wide-open savanna.
* Unwinding from an unforgettable adventure at a private safari camp for wildlife viewing. At this station elevated above the savanna, guests will savor sample tastes of Africa.

Harambe Wildlife Reserve will be offered several times daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Groups will be kept small, consisting of no more than 12 trekkers per safari.

Reservations for Wild Africa Trek can be arranged by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). Pricing for this unique adventure will vary seasonally. Guests who reserve a booking from Jan. 16-Feb. 26, 2011, may take advantage of an introductory offer starting at $129. Park admission is required for participants.

9/24/10: Few Details Announced & Concept Images

It was announced as part of the on-going press confrence that the name of this activity will be the "Wild Africa Trek".

It was also announced that the program will begin January 2011 and booking will open in "Late 2010".

Concept Images



8/12/10: Speculation & Rumours


An official opening date has yet to be announced, but some Animal Kingdom Cast are reporting that the experience is planned to start December 2010.

Rumours regarding the experience have started to circulate through several reputable channels. On the whole, the experience is rumoured to include a walking portion and a safari vehicle portion; both portions are expected to be in areas currently not viewed by Kilimanjaro Safari attraction. It has also been rumorued that this experience may not be for suitable young children or senior adults due to the terrain during the walking portion and some of the physical activities included in the tour.

An official description of the tour is expected to be released this Fall.




7/16/10: First Press Releases

Safari, So Good
New, immersive guest experience being created for Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park

Walt Disney World Press Release
July 16, 2010

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.--Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park has announced it is developing a new, immersive experience that will take small groups of guests on personalized, guided treks through some of the savannah areas of the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition attraction. Reservations for this specially priced tour are scheduled to begin later this year, with more details to come as Walt Disney Imagineers continue to develop the experience.

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New Adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will have Guests Trekking into the Savannah

by Thomas Smith | Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Disney Parks Official Blog
July 15, 2010

If you’ve ever wanted to venture off the beaten path and farther into the Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition savannah, you’ll have a chance later this year. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will be offering a new, immersive experience that’ll take a small group of Guests on personalized, guided treks along some unexplored areas of the Harambe Reserve.

During the excursions, you’ll be able to spend more time observing the wildlife on the savannah and have a chance to learn about the animals and their behaviors from one of our Disney guides. Adventurers will also trek through an undeveloped forest area of the Harambe Reserve and then board a unique vehicle specially designed for the rest of the quest.

Walt Disney Imagineers are still working on many of the details but we wanted to share the news with you first. Reservations for this specially priced tour won’t begin until later this year ...

[badkitty]

Thanks for the information. Sounds really cool! I hope it is available in November!

[Zawadi]

I hoping for the end of September but that's probably being too optimistic

[JPL]

I can't wait to try this I loved the Backstage Safari and this sounds even better

[mouseketeer mom]

This doesn't interest me very much at all. I enjoyed the backstage safari when we did it, but I didn't love it. So I don't know that I'd love this one.

[hoop de do]

Thanks Jason
Can't wait to hear the details.

[luvdiznee]

Will be looking forward to this since we are hoping to stay here April 2011.

[Magic Smiles]

This will definitely be added to our next visit, whenever that may be

[DisneyHoneymooners]

After doing the sunrise safari, I am very interested to hear the detail. I think it sounds like something we'd be very interested in.

[Snickerdoodle]

Sounds Great!!

[lioness8978]

Wow! That's really cool.

[Mushu11756]

Im there! Cant wait!

[FriendsofMickey]

This sounds like something we would definately be interested in. Any mention to any age restrictions?

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**Update**

[Joannelet]

This sounds like fun Can't wait!

[pdrlkr]

Thanks Jason!

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**Update**

[Imagineer1981]

Definitely sounds interesting, but i think its much more then just a backstage tour. Seems like you should be in decent shape and able to do more physical things. Much more like a true safari then just a ride. Plus you can't take a phone or camera

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**Update**

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Concept Images