jedimaster1227
Active Member
This same concerned stopped me from walking up the path earlier today... Plus the first stream is overly flooded, so the stepping stones are underwater.
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Animal Kingdom "secret path"
- Thread starter Jerm
- Start date
This same concerned stopped me from walking up the path earlier today... Plus the first stream is overly flooded, so the stepping stones are underwater.
Rob562
Well-Known Member
True, it was designed and built with the park. And I first walked it about 8 months after the park opened. Originally, it was very obvious (at least if you were walking slow enough and actually looked around you) that there was a "dirt" path (it was really very tiny pebbles) that led off the paved pathway.
But then Disney had problems of some Guests going back there and doing some very "un-Disney-like" things. That led them to at least *try* to close it off by planting bushes at either end. When they first planted them, the path *really* looked closed off. I remember walking by it about 6 months after they'd been planted.
But then, those on the smoking area end didn't really take hold (or were trampled by kids running around while their parents smoked), though the ones on the other end grew in more.
So, given that Disney made the *attempt* to close off the "secret" path leaves it in a grey area as to whether it's OK to actually go back there.
-Rob
MGMBoy
Well-Known Member
Congratulations! That's the story of the Tree! The idea is just that, that it gave life to everything surrounding it. That same waterway also runs down to the water area by where the flamingos are found.
Also, for those of you concerned with getting caught on the trail, I say don't worry about it. PM me if you're gonna attempt the trail and we can look for it together some day.
bigtotoro
Member
That was actually the first thing I thought of for a "secret" area at Disney.
UltimtMickeyFan
Member
How could people miss this pathway entrance?
This is the entrance that Mickey uses every morning to get up to the tree of life to do show for the rope drop for the park. <when he pops up out of the tree tops>
This is the entrance that Mickey uses every morning to get up to the tree of life to do show for the rope drop for the park. <when he pops up out of the tree tops>
fillerup
Well-Known Member
Here's an interesting map that shows two paths though that area. The south path is the "normal" route and looks like the secret one is just above it. It even shows the "secret" one traversing some water. Very cool.
The south path, yes, is the "normal" path. The upper path is also paved - it's the smoking area - not the secret path
being discussed here.
There's a small hut in the smoking area and this is the natural entrance to the hidden trail. Most of the time for the last couple
of years, you had to get your feet wet to cross the streams.
As far as CMs objecting - I sort of view this like the grassy areas in Epcot - no fences, no signs - tromp all over it.
Numerous times, I've walked in this area going over the hill and right down to the chain link fence next to the train tracks.
Try it - you might like it.
DAKSafariAlum
New Member
It's there on the pathway to Asia. Just keep to the left. It's been there since park open. There even used to be a couple of areas that looked like the nest of gorillas. Something like they show you on Ituri Forest Trail (aka Gorilla falls).
Pocamahontas
New Member
I'm terribly excited about this new path I've never heard of. As a regular at WDW I love when I hear about things I've never seen before. I can't waittt to look for it!
Rob562
Well-Known Member
OK, I came across a few more pics I took back in June of the area near the "secret path".
As you leave Africa, headed for Asia, just after the backstage gate there's a smaller *paved* path that veers off to your left. (This is the one that is shown on the maps)
This is what the smaller path looks like as you're standing at the junction, with the main walkway off to the right of this photo:
Along this path, you will come across a pair of bridges that cross two streams (actually the same stream, just split in two in this section). The bridges look like this:
The African end of the secret path is out of frame to the left of this photo. I don't think it's *immediately* next to the bridge but is a short distance before it. (So if you reach the first bridge, you've gone too far)
The path goes back, away from the paved walkway, and then crosses the two parts of the stream, each with their own stepping stones.
The path then comes out at the smoking area structure/gazebo on the Asian end. Standing in the smoking area and looking into the woods, this is what the secret path looks like:
Obviosuly it's much easier to find from the Asia end of the path...
And while we're in the area, there's another little spot along here that's often overlooked. Back on the African end of the main walkway, there's a small path on the river side:
It leads down to an open area along the river that gives a great angle of the back side of the Tree of Life:
It's a great photo spot for family photos. (When I was taking these photos, I actually volunteered to take a family's photo so they all could be in the shot)
There are great little nooks like this hidden all around the park, if you just take the time to explore and find them. (Joe knew what he was doing...)
-Rob
As you leave Africa, headed for Asia, just after the backstage gate there's a smaller *paved* path that veers off to your left. (This is the one that is shown on the maps)
This is what the smaller path looks like as you're standing at the junction, with the main walkway off to the right of this photo:
Along this path, you will come across a pair of bridges that cross two streams (actually the same stream, just split in two in this section). The bridges look like this:
The African end of the secret path is out of frame to the left of this photo. I don't think it's *immediately* next to the bridge but is a short distance before it. (So if you reach the first bridge, you've gone too far)
The path goes back, away from the paved walkway, and then crosses the two parts of the stream, each with their own stepping stones.
The path then comes out at the smoking area structure/gazebo on the Asian end. Standing in the smoking area and looking into the woods, this is what the secret path looks like:
Obviosuly it's much easier to find from the Asia end of the path...
And while we're in the area, there's another little spot along here that's often overlooked. Back on the African end of the main walkway, there's a small path on the river side:
It leads down to an open area along the river that gives a great angle of the back side of the Tree of Life:
It's a great photo spot for family photos. (When I was taking these photos, I actually volunteered to take a family's photo so they all could be in the shot)
There are great little nooks like this hidden all around the park, if you just take the time to explore and find them. (Joe knew what he was doing...)
-Rob
EPCOTPluto
Well-Known Member
You know, the last time I went there, a giant tree was blocking the path behind the bamboo. Then I discovered the Picnic in the Park maps feature that seating area as one of them, discouraging anyone to venture back there without someone spotting you. And then moving the characters to the Asia walkway...
In other words, NO, not really.
It was so cool to venture over the stepping stones while a unsuspecting group was 6 feet away to your side not knowing you are there.
P.S. 150 Posts!! :sohappy: :sohappy::sohappy:
raven
Well-Known Member
When I visited in Feb you could not get onto the old path unless you really wanted to climb over some brush. The path up and over the water is still there, but getting in and out of it was nothing I could see. I am looking forward to the photos, I can't wait to check it out in December!