Walking through the deep jungles of Discovery Island, we continue north until we arrive at a wooden bridge, embedded with stone features. The sounds of distant drumming could be heard just over the bridge. Guests enter into the village of Harambe. Harambe depicts a real place, facing real environmental challenges. The Africa that Disney's Animal Kingdom depicts does not focus on one sort of area, but many different areas that could be found in Africa. Harambe is Swahili, meaning "working together". When guests enter into the village of Harambe, they have become a part of the story. When the guests walk the streets of this village, they are greeted by the residents, as though they are tourists exploring the city.
After crossing over the bridge, guests find themselves in the village just on the outskirts of a dense jungle and the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The buildings are somewhat worn, showing both their age of construction and the natural, simple way that the buildings were constructed. The buildings are inspired from a form of Swahili architecture, a common form of architecture found throughout many parts of Africa. It was researched by the group of Imagineers that had designed the Africa section of Disney's Animal Kingdom that many of the architectural qualities of Africa that they had researched were unpractical work spaces and not conducive for theme park operations. It is all a part of the storytelling aspect of Africa, even just using legitimate building architecture that works for a functioning theme park, but is also a legitimate African architectural style.
In the pavement of Harambe, guests will find stone linings, depicting the remnants of old city walls. The only remainder of these walls are the footprints that still lie cemented into the ground. Plastered along the somewhat dilapidated buildings are worn advertisements and tourist attraction signs that help better introduce the sense of story into Africa. On the right side of Africa, there is a path, leading along the back end of the park, traveling along Discovery Lake, leading towards the next land in the park. The pathway features a cluster of drums, as their rhythms sound throughout the entire land. Just on the right of the land is Tamu Tamu Refreshments, a quick-service location, offering drinks and a few food options. The location also features an outdoor seating area, which has seemingly fallen into disrepair, sheltered by worn rooftops and crumbled walls.
Just across from Tamu Tamu is Tusker House, a sit-down restaurant located alongside Discovery Lake. The exterior of the building is made up of stone and brick accents, inspired by the architectural styles of Kenya. It is a top-notch dining experience featuring a greatly inspired African menu. The restaurant also features carved wooden features on the interior and an outdoor seating area under a thatched roof. The outdoor seating area is also a common location for a local live drum and performance troupe to perform. Nearby the restaurant is Dawa Bar, offering African beers.
Off to the right of the Tusker House, guests will find the Harambe Theatre. Ever since Camp Minnie-Mickey closed to make way for Pandora, this has been the home of Festival of the Lion King.
The show will remain virtually unchanged other than its' new location. The show features the animals and creatures of the kingdom, led by a troupe of four singers--Kiume, Nakawa, Kibibi and Zawadi--welcoming the audience to this celebration of song and dance, hosted by Simba. Performers and puppetry are integrated in the show, as the cast performs the film's classics, "Circle of Life", "I Just Can't Wait to Be King", "Hakuna Matata", "Be Prepared" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?", as well as a tumbling act by Timon and his tumbling monkeys, fire-dancers, aerialists and audience participation.
Continuing into the heart of Harambe, on the right, adjacent to Tamu Tamu, guests will find Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders, an African marketplace and trading company, featuring many safaris merchandise, clothes, African wood carvings, a selection of fine wines, pottery, masks and musical instruments. Opposite of the store, guests will find the Kusafiri Coffee and Bake Shoppe, a perfect location to grab a pastry and a cup of coffee in the morning, in this quiet, tucked away corner of Harambe. Located to the right of the bakery, continuing to the back of the village, guests will find Duka La Filmu, a location for guests to film equipment.
Next, we continue to the back end of Harambe Village, where guests come across Kilimanjaro Safaris, the staple attraction of Africa and one of the most popular in the entire park. It is one of the central elements to Africa, both story-wise and theme park-wise. In the attraction, the Harambe Wildlife Reserve welcomes the tourists of Africa to explore their preservation zones, where animals live their lives as they ordinarily would. The intent of Kilimanjaro Safaris is for guests to enter into a natural environment with animals living in their own world, not on display. The entire attraction is about 110 acres, about the same size of the Magic Kingdom.
The Kilimanjaro Safaris takes guests through vast jungles, where life animals roam and anything can happen. The jungle vehicles travel through lagoons inhabited by hippos, crocodile bayous, an African savannah, where giraffes, gazelles, ostriches and other types of non-carnivorous animals call their home, a lion's den, an elephant plain and a watering hole located by a set of zebras. Now, I love the addition of zebras but I do not like how it came at the expense of Warden Wilson, Big and Little Red, and the poachers storyline. Nearly every Disney attraction is based on the premise of having a strong story and now I believe that Kilimanjaro Safaris is lacking this. Therefore, I would restore Warden Wilson and the Big Red/Little Red storyline along with an abbreviated poacher scene at the end. This just helps to give the attraction a more cohesive and feel with a beginning, middle, and end.
At the exit of the attraction, towards the path leading south back down towards Harambe Village, guests will find the Pagani Forest Exploration Trail right at the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris. The attraction is a walking trail, taking guests through a research training facility, where researchers and scientists are taught conservation techniques. It is a learning experience for the guests, learning more about the animals, the world and the way that they can make a difference. The trail features a gorilla exhibit, located throughout a series of cliffs. The exhibit can be seen from many different vantage points throughout the trail.
Back outside, leading back up the trail towards Harambe Village, on the left guests WOULD have found the Wildlife Express Train, taking guests from Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch. However, the Wildlife Express has since been removed. Its' purpose is to transport guests from Point A to Point B, with very little to be seen in-between. With this being the case, I would rather expand Africa outward, as well as add in a new land, to connect Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch by different means. Now, instead of finding the worn Harambe Village Train Station, guests will find a dense jungle forest, filled with bamboo thickets and dangling vines. Cascading waterfalls flow into pools of water nearby.
The trail then empties out into the Jungle Camp settlement. Although Tarzan Rocks! had been removed from Disney's Animal Kingdom years ago, Tarzan will again make a new home in the park. (Besides, Tarzan recently started meeting guests again). The camp settlement is the one seen from the film and more-so, inspired by the "Trashin' the Camp" scene, as the entire campground is filled with tons of interactive elements, instrumental clotheslines, spouting teapots, spinning globes, books, pots and pans, old record players, maps, projection slides and the like. Right nearby is Tarzan's Treehouse, a replica of the treehouse Tarzan was found in. Here kids would be able to climb, explore, and swing from vines in the tree.
The area also serves as a meet & greet location for Tarzan, with Jane and Terk also making appearances. In addition to the many interactive elements and the character greetings, the campgrounds is also the entrance to Tarzan's Jungle Vines.
Tarzan's Jungle Vines is a very different attraction experience, altogether. Guests make their way upwards a slope jungle hilltop, surrounded by vast, dense jungles. Guests are then given special harness equipment, which Cast Members specifically fasten to the guests' requirements because this attraction is actually a ZIP-LINING experience, where guests fly through the beautiful, majestic African jungles, as though they are actually soaring from vine to vine, along with Tarzan, in a truly remarkable attraction experience.
There are five individual zip-lines. For those who might not like the experience after giving it a try, don't worry, there are trails that lead make to the exit of the attraction. Each zip-line hosts a different theme, from traveling through a bamboo thicket, to rough cliff tops, to a waterfall cavern, to the nesting grounds of the gorillas. It is a beautifully breath-taking experience, having the wind brush against your face, as you soar through these beautiful environments.
Continuing on from the camp grounds, we will now come across the next big addition in the northern most part of the park, the Mystic River Mountain. You continue down the pathway approaching the mountain. Tall trees and plants surround the area, truly immersing the guests in a jungle environment. At the top of the mountain, you can make out what appears to be some sort of temple, sheltered within the rocky texture of the mountain. On the side of the mountain that faces the guests, a large crater is formed, a curved waterfall cascading down, into the crater. The mountain is on an abandoned island, surrounded by water. You can make out carved Mayan symbols on the rocky texture of the mountain. At the end of the large plateau, you can make out what appears to be some sort of docking building, made out of wood, which appears to be years old. You approach the building, getting a better look and seeing more of the surrounding details. The wooden lodge building appears to be splintered and worn. Several lanterns are suspended from the inside of the building. Above the entrance, a sign reads, “The Mystic River Mountain”.
Once you enter the building, you’ll immediately enter the queue. The queue is outdoors, but is completely covered by the roof of the building. Tall wooden supports hold the roof up, each adorned with a lantern and various equipment. As you make your way through the queue, you’ll notice several crates and pieces of equipment, which reads “Discovery Island River Cruises”. From what you can make out of the surrounding area, it appears that a group of adventurers have just settled in the surrounding area and are operating an excursion along the river.
It turns out that passing guests are allowed to join the excursion abroad the river and have an adventure, themselves! After making your way through the queue, the guests board large, dark brown cruise boats, suspended under a wooden awning. The boats feature eight rows, capable of containing six people in each row. A Cast Member at the end of the queue assigns you to the row you’ll be sitting in. Ahead of each seat is a pouch, where you can store any loose items. Above each pouch is a horizontal hand bar, something you can hold on to, just in case the waters get a little rough. When the guests are ready to go, the boat travels out of the docking station and proceeds across the water, towards the steep mountain.
While approaching the mountain, the boat enters into the rushing current of a river, which circles around the front side of the mountain. The segment lets guests have a batter view of the mountain. The rushing current of the river takes guests around a curve. Large boulders and rock work, covered in moss and plants surround the area, making the guests feel as though they were traveling down a narrow alleyway of a mountain. The sunlight stretches through the tall tree branches above. The sounds of animals off in the distant jungle could be heard. The boat continues down the river, following the trail of the water. Curving around the trail, the guests see a dark cavern, ahead. As the vehicles approach, they get a last glance at civilization; a small glance of the Caribbean Plaza. The guests enter into the dark cavern, into complete darkness. The sound of an approaching waterfall is heard. As some would expect, there is a sudden drop and the guests proceed down a waterfall.
The guests proceed through the dark cavern. Rays of sunlight peek through small cracks in the rocky walls. Moss covers the sides of the walls. The faint light offers a glimpse at the rock walls. Along the rocky texture, guests can make out Mayan symbols and lithographs, hand carved into the rocky wall. On both side of the rocky cavern, the symbols depict some sort of story. The first panel the guests come across is a panel of a shining sun, rising high above a mountain. The next picture shows the sun, as several wandering animals encircle the circular orb. The third lithograph shows the sun descending behind the mountain. The final inscribed picture shows the moon hovering over the mountain, as several unbelievable, unforeseen, yet familiar creatures encircle the moon.
The guests make their way out of the cavern and into the lush surrounding of a tropical jungle. A low mist settles across the floor, as the boat travels down the narrow rivers of the mountain. Tall, rocky walls stretch around the area, as trees and plants block the vehicle from sight. To your right, a large elephant is seen, raising his trunk, as if he was going to spray you. The boat continues down the river, letting the current lead the way. The boat rounds a bend until it passes a grassland, where zebras and giraffes are grazing. There is a single lion figure atop a rocky cliff.
The boat continues around a bend. A section of the river separates and travels into a large watering hole. Surrounding the watering hole are gazelles, warthogs, several different types of birds, rhinoceroses and hippos, living out the usual schedules of their lives. The boat continues down the current of the river. The guests can make out another cavern in the distance, surrounded by dangling moss and plants. The vehicle enters the dark cavern, before proceeding up a lift hill.
I know it seems pretty out of sorts to have a lift hill in the middle of a mountain, especially for a boat ride and it doesn’t really make much sense. However, Disney’s done wit with Splash Mountain and Pirates, even when it environmentally doesn’t make sense. However, if we really think that far into it, a lot of what Disney does with their attractions doesn’t “environmentally make sense”. The boats proceed up a lift hill, in complete darkness. Above, a large breach in the mountain roof shows the sun descending, as the sky fades to nighttime. The effect is a simple projection along the surface. The effects lets guests know that the sun has set and they are now traveling along the rocky perimeter of the mountain at night. It’s also meant to prove as a distraction for when the guests make the ascent up the lift hill.
The boat proceeds at the top of the lift hill and enters into one of the show buildings, hidden inside the mountain. The boat enters a tropical forest, at nighttime. Above, a bright moon lies, illuminated in the sky. Across the ceiling are several fiber optic stars, which twinkle, brightly. Surrounding the river passage are all sorts of exotic plants and trees. Vines and vegetation seem to surround the area, making the entire room seem much larger than it actually is. Ahead, you can hear some movement through the jungle. The boat proceeds down the river, approaching the location of the sound.
The boat curves with the river and the guests see gazelle grazing behind a set of bushes. The gazelle see the boat approaching and began to leap off. As they begin to leap, the guests see that the gazelles have bird-like wings and in mid-leap, begin to fly off into the jungle, out of sight. What strange creatures these are! The boat proceeds down the river. Suddenly, a massive jolt comes from the jungle. Tree branches snap and bend, as an elephant makes its way through. The elephant features a large rhinoceros horn and the body of a hippopotamus. The elephant-rhinoceros-hippo-like being raises his trunk and a jet of water proceeds outwards. The jet of water shoots over the boat, just missing the guests. The roof of the boat may get a little damp, but no need to worry; you’ll come out just fine.
The boat proceeds around the river and past a rocky ledge. At the top of the rocky ledge, large monkey creatures, with large giraffe necks jump up and down, unhappy about the approaching guests in their territory. In the monkeys’ hands are rocks of various sizes. As the boat passes through, it appears as though the monkeys throw the rocks at the boat. Jets of water from within the river burst up, making it seem like the rocks are being thrown towards the boat. The boat makes its way through the dispute, before proceeding further down the river.
In a grassy area to your left, giraffes with black and white zebra stripes are seen grazing. Along with the giraffes are antelope with kangaroo-like bodies and an animal, which looks something like combing a bull and an ox together. The animals are peacefully grazing, not acknowledging the guests whom pass by. The boat rounds a curve and notices a stone arched Mayan temple ahead. The structure isn’t all that intricate; a series of pillars connecting to eachother. Across the stone pillars are several etched drawing and lithographs. The boat continues through the center of the structure, letting guests have a good look at the temple’s architecture. The boat makes their way, ahead they can see another cavern. The guests enter the dark cavern, surrounded by darkness. A moment later, the boat descends down a brief waterfall.
In the next segment of the ride, the boats travel down an area of swampy marshland in the mountain. Tall leaves and moss dangle from the ceiling, adding a swampy feel to the area. Large trees and plants surround the area. In the river, large lily-pads are seen, floating along the surface. On the top of some lily-pads, bright, colorful frogs are seen, with flamingo orange beaks. The frogs “ribbit” as you pass them. All throughout the river are colorful LED lights, which illuminate different colors. An array of blue fireflies sweeps throughout the area. Suspended high from a few of the trees are several parrots, parakeets, tuscans and flamingos, all in a variety of unnatural, unheard of colors. In the far corner, a set of crocodiles, with a leopard pattern are seen. As you pass the creatures, they open their mouths and snap their jaws.
The boat leaves the area and enters into a cavern up ahead. The boat proceeds down a drop, which begins to curve, increasing the speed of the incline. As the boat descends, a roar is heard and the boat becomes surrounded in all sorts of blue, beautiful waterfalls. The waterfalls completely surround the boats, sometimes even splashing the roof. The formerly dark cavern is now light with blue and white colors. You feel the mist from the waterfall travel onto your skin. Could this be that huge waterfall crater that we saw on the outside of the mountain? The boat proceeds down the curved descent before it slows down and re-enters a show-building.
Ahead, the guests travel through a dark cavern. There is a rocky barrier to your left, in which the boat curves around. A loud roar is heard. From within the depths of the large river-turned-lagoon, a giant snake, with an iguana body emerges from within the lagoon on your right. The creature lets out a deep roar, before trying to snap at the guests. An orange steam emits from the creature’s mouth. After several close, but failed attempts, the creature proceeds to sink back under the sea. After a moment of silent movement, there is a sudden jolt on the bottom of the boat! The creature is right underneath the boat! A jet of water blasts, surrounding the boat in a plume of water. The guests may get a little wet here. The creature emerges on the left side of the boat. The creature still tries to snap, moving his head in close to the boat. The boat is out of reach however, and the creature proceeds back down into the watery depths of the lagoon.
The guests then proceed around the barrier, crossing into the next section of the cavern. Ahead, just off to your right, you can see the giant snake monster battle it out with a rather heroic lion, with angelic wings. The snake creature raises his head and tries to snap at the lion, but the monarchy of the jungle lets out a huge roar, which echoes throughout the cavern. The guests proceed past the two dueling monsters and enter into a small cavern, the sound of a distant waterfall approaching. The guests leave the two creatures behind, as the lion lets out another loud roar and screams are heard coming from the snake-like creature. As the guests enter the cavern, a shadow seems to fly over the boat.
Once the guests arrive inside the cavern, they see a large waterfall ahead. Above the waterfall, a ledge is located. The winged-lion creature stands before the group and bows to them. Above the lion is an opening, which shows the sun rising into the sky. As it does so, the lion’s wings, seem to sparkle and turn translucent, as if they were disappearing. The lion lets out a roar, as the boat descends down a forty five foot drop.
The boat lands in the waters surrounding the mountain with a huge splash. The boat proceeds back across the waters and into the loading dock, where the guests boarded their boats. The boat pulls into the unload dock, where the guests are released and exit the boats. The guests walk down the exit pathway, completely surrounded in tall trees and plants. The pathway opens up into a circle. In the center of the circle is a stone pillar with a lion atop it. On one side of the stone pillar, an inscription reads:
P U G H N S Z A K B E R F C T D I W Y J M O V L Q X
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
On the opposite side of the pillar, at the base, a meticulously carved inscription reads:
P RNYYTC KY GPYJ PRTCZ JAN ATWKXTC. JAN VPQ VN DNWGNKON TMW RKONY PWN PY HKSSNWNCJ PY CKZAJ PCH HPQ, QNJ PWN TCN.
This attraction is going to be another one of Disney's Animal Kingdom's heavy hitting attractions, from both its' breathtaking and unusual qualities. It is much like Journey to the Center of the Earth in some ways, but entirely different. This attraction also introduces a new boat ride attraction into Disney's Animal Kingdom, a park that has been lacking a boat ride. I also had some reservation on where I wanted to put this. I had originally wanted it to be a part of a Beastly Kingdom, but I ended up scrapping it and Africa seemed like the only other likely choice, aside from Asia. I didn't want to put it in Asia, however, due to its' close proximity to Expedition: Everest. While both of these mountains are visually striking, they are also visually vastly different from each other, which is why some space between them is actually a blessing.
Africa
1) Festival of the Lion King
2) Kilimanjaro Safaris
3) Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
4) Jungle Camp
5) Tarzan's Treehouse
6) Tarzan's Jungle Vines
7) The Mystic River Mountain
Shopping
A) Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders
B) Duka La Filmu
Dining
A) Tamu Tamu Refreshments
B) Tusker House
C) Dawa Bar
D) Kusafiri Coffee and Bake Shoppe
