Big Kilimanjaro Safaris Changes on the Horizons?

[CaptainWinter]

I'm in complete agreement that they should just get rid of the "story" altogether, and simply say, "it's a safari".

I agree with this. I think "You're in Africa...on a safari!" is *plenty* of story for this attraction. It's already enough. There's kind of a zen to this. What KS needs is somewhat less than what it has now, in order to have more.

IMO, being surrounded by exotic wildlife with a guide who knows lots of interesting information about that wildlife, and can impart it to me, is a fabulous treat and all I need or want.

 

[hallowboy11]

Not really sure what all the complaining about having a storyline for an attraction is all about. That's what Disney does best - it immerses you in the story!

As a former KSR CM, I have to say that the story helped create an incredibly immersive experience for guests - particularly those who had never ridden and for children. Was the poacher chase a little cheesy? Yes. However, was it was a lot of fun when the poacher's jeep was actually working, as well as the animatronic of Little Red? Absolutely!

As far as the complaints that the drivers "don't slow down so I could take pictures" - the drivers do their best, people! There can be 25 or so trucks on show at a time and every second you lag behind adds more back ups and more time guests have to wait in line. Plus, there are policies about keeping up with the truck in front of you. If you do a poor job keeping time, then you won't drive anymore.

I love how so many Disney fans only care about themselves and their experience. These are the same people who raise a stink when their old Fast Passes aren't accepted or they don't get preferential treatment with their Annual Pass. There are PLENTY of guests who love the story and experience - AND who give the drivers a little grace for a very, very difficult job.

I, for one, think they could update the experience and tweak the storyline for a better flow. Plus, they could spend the money to fix the always-broken poacher's jeep. Everything else can stay the same

 

[HMF]

Not really sure what all the complaining about having a storyline for an attraction is all about. That's what Disney does best - it immerses you in the story!

As a former KSR CM, I have to say that the story helped create an incredibly immersive experience for guests - particularly those who had never ridden and for children. Was the poacher chase a little cheesy? Yes. However, was it was a lot of fun when the poacher's jeep was actually working, as well as the animatronic of Little Red? Absolutely!

As far as the complaints that the drivers "don't slow down so I could take pictures" - the drivers do their best, people! There can be 25 or so trucks on show at a time and every second you lag behind adds more back ups and more time guests have to wait in line. Plus, there are policies about keeping up with the truck in front of you. If you do a poor job keeping time, then you won't drive anymore.

I love how so many Disney fans only care about themselves and their experience. These are the same people who raise a stink when their old Fast Passes aren't accepted or they don't get preferential treatment with their Annual Pass. There are PLENTY of guests who love the story and experience - AND who give the drivers a little grace for a very, very difficult job.

I, for one, think they could update the experience and tweak the storyline for a better flow. Plus, they could spend the money to fix the always-broken poacher's jeep. Everything else can stay the same

Here we go again.
http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/2006/11/myth-of-story.html

 

[CaptainWinter]

Here we go again.
http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/2006/11/myth-of-story.html

Nice piece. Reminds me of the following from Marc Davis, speaking about the amusement park ride as a medium:

"Rides [don't] have a lot to do with continuity of story...Walt knew that we were not telling stories...he and I discussed it many times. And he said very definitely, 'You can't tell a story in this medium.'"

quoted in Barrier, _The Animated Man_, p. 289

 

[Captain Hank]

I guess I'm kind of in the minority here, but I think the poacher storyline is beneficial to the experience, as long as it's performed properly.

Pretty much everything at DAK is meant to foster a greater appreciation and concern for the world around you--as Wilson says in the queue video: "What you see with your eyes, you value with your heart." Africa's over-arching conservation theme is "human encroachment into the wild." It's subtle, but it's there. (for the record, Asia's is habitat destruction and Dinoland USA's is "extinction is forever") KSR, in particular, was created to spotlight a then-and-still relevant major conservation issue of animal poaching.

I'm a little confused over the angst about the poacher storyline. While it was originally much more pervasive throughout the entire attraction, almost all of the Wilson radio dialog now occurs in non-animal areas, and thus shouldn't intrude at all on animal viewing. The only major exceptions to this are the "I see you at the junction" puck near cheetahs (which, IMO, is a completely unnecessary puck) and the "there are poachers in the reserve" puck just before smashed gates. In my experience, the only animal sighting that is typically affected by the smashed gate puck is ostriches, which, annoyingly, like to hang out right there. Occasionally, white rhinos will wander over there, but even then, the driver can work them into the story line by slowing down/stopping to "make sure they're okay" and haven't been attacked by the poachers.

Is it totally necessary to the experience? No, not really--the animals (and, dare I say, drivers) provide an excellent show by themselves. However, I see the poacher storyline as an added value to the experience. When it's played right, the guests find themselves in the middle of an exciting adventure to cap off the (hopefully) fantastic animal sightings. It should be something unexpected for the first-timer, and is hopefully satisfying and sets KSR apart from other, similar experiences. For the record, Guests seem more enthusiastic at the end of the ride if all of the poacher scene elements (at least, those that remain) are working and the poacher gun timing works out properly.

By the way, those of you concerned about being able to stop for photo opportunities should know that over the past months, trucks have been able to stop a certain number of times in certain places when particular animals are seen. In addition to allowing for great photos, this has added about a minute or two on the reserve to the average ride time.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Not really sure what all the complaining about having a storyline for an attraction is all about. That's what Disney does best - it immerses you in the story!

As a former KSR CM, I have to say that the story helped create an incredibly immersive experience for guests - particularly those who had never ridden and for children. Was the poacher chase a little cheesy? Yes. However, was it was a lot of fun when the poacher's jeep was actually working, as well as the animatronic of Little Red? Absolutely!

As far as the complaints that the drivers "don't slow down so I could take pictures" - the drivers do their best, people! There can be 25 or so trucks on show at a time and every second you lag behind adds more back ups and more time guests have to wait in line. Plus, there are policies about keeping up with the truck in front of you. If you do a poor job keeping time, then you won't drive anymore.

I love how so many Disney fans only care about themselves and their experience. These are the same people who raise a stink when their old Fast Passes aren't accepted or they don't get preferential treatment with their Annual Pass. There are PLENTY of guests who love the story and experience - AND who give the drivers a little grace for a very, very difficult job.

I, for one, think they could update the experience and tweak the storyline for a better flow. Plus, they could spend the money to fix the always-broken poacher's jeep. Everything else can stay the same

Chill out. No one is "blaming" the drivers. The over-arching point is that the drivers are stifled by the need to work in the tacked on poacher story. I'd venture a guess that just about everyone here would agree the KS drivers are highly knowledgeable, interesting, and entertaining people. Unfortunately, they're often not allowed to do what they do best (telling us about the animals) because we have to go off and help Wilson.

It brings to mind one fun trip I took on KS, when the guide asked our jeep (filled with mostly Disney veterans), "You guys want to help Wilson catch some poachers?" This question was met with a resounding no from the jeep, to which the guide responded, "Me either, but what are you gonna do?" And off we went. This driver, by the way, was one of my all-time favorites, in that he deftly combined knowledge of the animals with a wicked sense of humor.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I sympathize with the complaint that the storyline causes the drivers to zoom past real animal encounters, but have the feeling that the same thing would happen without the storyline...only without any narrative justification for why it was happening. They have to keep those jeeps moving in order to keep the queue cycling, after all.

 

[Omnimover]

My $0.02...

I don't actually have a problem with the poacher storyline, simply how the finale is executed. I'm not complaining about the decreased number of effects, simply saying that there need to be new ones. The ending of the ride is essentially animal-free as we race to cut off the poachers, but there's not that much of a sense of urgency more than being told that we're trying to catch criminals. It's just a marginally faster ride over rough terrain, then we get a vague happy ending.

If money is going to be spent to refurb the ride, maybe make it so that we have something to chase, or that we're in serious danger by deciding to pursue the poachers. Do they shoot at us? Try to run us off the road? Just give us more of a "chase" and I think people will really engage.

 

[mp2bill]

I've heard some rumors of Hyenas being added towards the end of the ride. Obviously, they would be in their own exhibit; I would assume it would be moated. It will be interesting to see what this refurbishment will entail.

Oooooooooooh, that'd be cool!

 

[jakeman]

So most folks here seem to be insinuating that the safari is cut short by the need to save the poachers.

You guys do know that the safari would be ending anyways right?

The ride path is linear. There aren't branches of roads that the trucks are ignoring in order to propel you through the story. The only speed up of the trucks should be happening in the last 50 feet of the safari right before the smashed gates.

Once you cross those gates you are in an animal free area. It is also an area that most likely is not suitable for animal habitats. The ride path on either site is buffetted by infrastructure or guest areas.

With regard to the drivers being "stifled" because of the storyline, most story elements now take place where there are no animals. Even when they did take place in view of animals there wasn't much story to be waded through (only place I remember a bottleneck where you had to rush through was right around the mandrils).

The story has nothing to do with the need to keep the trucks moving. The ride itself needs to keep moving.

While I can't verify what Captain Hank has said regarding allowing trucks to stop (which I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case), in the past trucks weren't allowed to stop because not only would it back up the safari, but we had a cycle time that we had to meet. Neither one had to do with intergration with the storyline.

With all that said, this is a pretty interesting discussion to watch. It shows that Disney has done a really good job on KSR, to the point that people think there is much more to the little world they created than there really is.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Could not agree more. We hit up KS just as a massive storm was ending - best safari we have done (and we have done this many times). Well, I could have done without the attacking ostrich, but that's another story

I will be quite disappointed if they go automated. It would take so much away from the experience, IMO.

Ostriches are some of the most vile, irritating and dumb creatures kept in captivity.

 

[MiklCraw4d]

Yea I find it pretty annoying also. I was riding one time and everyone had a great picture op for an elephant and a newborn and just as everyone put their cameras up, myself included, the driver said "Hold on, everyone! We gotta go meet up with the Warden!" and floored it.

Yeah this seems to happen almost every time I'm on there. For some reason, I have a knack for seeing really interesting things right there are the end of the show.

Our KS driver this past June was awesome! She was slowing down for just about every exhibit and we even got a little bit longer of a ride because a rhino was blocking our path for about 5 minutes.

I will say that the KS drivers are typically among the very best of the ride-bound CMs in any of the parks. I've had a few who weren't into it, but mostly they're really enthusiastic, personable and knowledgeable. And sometimes they're hilarious. And I love the ladies with the South African accents...

Here we go again.
http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/2006/11/myth-of-story.html

This is still one of the greatest bits of theme park-related writing ever, and it's so true. It's the perfect retort to this knee-jerk mindset that has slowly become self-sustaining.

I'm a little confused over the angst about the poacher storyline. While it was originally much more pervasive throughout the entire attraction, almost all of the Wilson radio dialog now occurs in non-animal areas, and thus shouldn't intrude at all on animal viewing. The only major exceptions to this are the "I see you at the junction" puck near cheetahs (which, IMO, is a completely unnecessary puck) and the "there are poachers in the reserve" puck just before smashed gates. In my experience, the only animal sighting that is typically affected by the smashed gate puck is ostriches, which, annoyingly, like to hang out right there. Occasionally, white rhinos will wander over there, but even then, the driver can work them into the story line by slowing down/stopping to "make sure they're okay" and haven't been attacked by the poachers.

I don't really mind any of the elements in the majority of the ride, especially now that they've been toned down so as to seem less forced. The goofy contributions of Warden Wilson help create the sense of a bigger world around the preserve, and that's fine. A lot of this is perceptive - of course the vehicles have to cycle through in a certain amount of time, but when the story was heavier it was *pushing* you through the ride, which made it seem a lot more rushed. Now that only really happens at the end, but now everything that happens after you pass that gate seems so far detached from the experience of the ride.

Chill out. No one is "blaming" the drivers. The over-arching point is that the drivers are stifled by the need to work in the tacked on poacher story. I'd venture a guess that just about everyone here would agree the KS drivers are highly knowledgeable, interesting, and entertaining people. Unfortunately, they're often not allowed to do what they do best (telling us about the animals) because we have to go off and help Wilson.

It brings to mind one fun trip I took on KS, when the guide asked our jeep (filled with mostly Disney veterans), "You guys want to help Wilson catch some poachers?" This question was met with a resounding no from the jeep, to which the guide responded, "Me either, but what are you gonna do?" And off we went. This driver, by the way, was one of my all-time favorites, in that he deftly combined knowledge of the animals with a wicked sense of humor.

That's hilarious - I've had variations of that happen before myself. I've always been irritated by the ending, but it really started to crack me up (and amaze me) when big groups of people would respond like that at the end of the ride! There's just something about all these people being really put out by having to help Warden Wilson that amuses me.

And you're right - no one here is blaming the CMs! We know they can't pull over and let us play with the animals. Like the man said, lots of times they seem as averse to rushing from the savannah as everyone else.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

But taste nice BBQd

 

[imagineer boy]

One time we had a driver who was a little late on his queues. It was like,

"Wilson, have you seen-"
*static*
"No Simba one! I have not seen little red lately."

:lol:

I think the poacher story line is nexessary because it adds excitment to the ride. I think it simply needs to be tweaked. Like someone else suggested, have the Wilson communications happen in areas where there are no animals.

And I agree that the guides tend to be fantastic. One time we had a girl who was just so enthusiastic when the animals appeared.

 

[sshindel]

I like the "rough and quick" end to the ride, when the pace picks up and the truck bounces all over the place. It does add some excitement. Does it NEED to be a poacher story, for me it doesn't. I just kind of enjoy the race through the end. I think they could just tweak the current story to make it better executed and I'd be happy.

Of course, I'd enjoy spending all day out on the land as well, and when it is completed and my DW and I have time, I'm totally doing the walking safari!

 

[jakeman]

Like someone else suggested, have the Wilson communications happen in areas where there are no animals.

They already do.

You might not know that you are in an animal free area, but 80% of the spiel now is between animal habitats.

Again, the assumptions surrounding what people think is happening on safari is a testament of how well the attraction is designed and themed.

 

[_Scar]

They already do.

You might not know that you are in an animal free area, but 80% of the spiel now is between animal habitats.

Again, the assumptions surrounding what people think is happening on safari is a testament of how well the attraction is designed and themed.

Exactly. KJS, no matter what story is paired with it, is one of WDI's greatest (if not the greatest) achievements.

 

[jt04]

Exactly. KJS, no matter what story is paired with it, is one of WDI's greatest (if not the greatest) achievements.

Agreed.


However it could be even better.

 

[NoChesterHester]

Exactly. KJS, no matter what story is paired with it, is one of WDI's greatest (if not the greatest) achievements.

Agreed.

 

[Random Vids Inc]

I've heard some rumors of Hyenas being added towards the end of the ride. Obviously, they would be in their own exhibit; I would assume it would be moated. It will be interesting to see what this refurbishment will entail.

Hyenas! Yes!! :sohappy: