Kilimanjaro Safaris After Dark - night safari

[Jwhee]

Define "poor condition." There's a decent amount of prep work being done to get ready for Night Safaris if that's what you're referring to.

And if anyone has been recently, there is very obviously a large chunk under construction as part of work for a new exhibit.

There was metal wrapped around the trees that I've never noticed before. It also seemed like there was much more visible fencing around the perimeter and such. Maybe another factor in the ride not feeling as good was due to the somewhat cold weather

 

[YodaMan]

There was metal wrapped around the trees that I've never noticed before. It also seemed like there was much more visible fencing around the perimeter and such. Maybe another factor in the ride not feeling as good was due to the somewhat cold weather

Well, I'm not going to touch the comment about the cold weather since that literally has nothing to do with the condition of the ride and can't be controlled in any way. As for the metal around the trees, that has always been there and always will be and you probably just never noticed. It's there to make sure the giraffes don't eat the bark of the trees and then get sick and hurt themselves. And as for the fencing, it's kind of hit or miss. A lot of vegetation has been removed to improve sightlines on the savannah as well as by cheetahs, elephants, and lions. So, yes, fencing is somewhat more visible, but so are the animals as well. So it's going to be a personal preference as to whether or not that's a good change.

 

[YodaMan]

Where is the new exhibit going?

Not the best photos, but hopefully this gives an idea of what's going on right now. Huge area closed off at the start of the west savannah. If it's not a new exhibit, I don't know what it is.

West Savannah Construction

• YodaMan
• Feb 5, 2015

2/4/15

West Savannah Construction

• YodaMan
• Feb 5, 2015

2/4/15

 

[samosaurus]

Just came across this on the Disney Careers website:

"Disney’s Animal Kingdom® is currently undergoing an expansion of its Kilimanjaro Safaris® attraction and is looking to fill multiple hourly and salaried keeper roles over the next twelve months. These keeper positions are focused primarily on the care of large mammals (African elephants, rhinos, hoofed stock and carnivores) in a largely mixed-species setting. The positions will be for the Safari Night experience and will entail working at night ( 7 pm to 6am, 4 days a week. Weekends are not guaranteed)."

If roles are to be filled "over the next twelve months," does this mean the night safari could be open by April/May 2016?

 

[Bolt]

Just came across this on the Disney Careers website:

"Disney’s Animal Kingdom® is currently undergoing an expansion of its Kilimanjaro Safaris® attraction and is looking to fill multiple hourly and salaried keeper roles over the next twelve months. These keeper positions are focused primarily on the care of large mammals (African elephants, rhinos, hoofed stock and carnivores) in a largely mixed-species setting. The positions will be for the Safari Night experience and will entail working at night ( 7 pm to 6am, 4 days a week. Weekends are not guaranteed)."

If roles are to be filled "over the next twelve months," does this mean the night safari could be open by April/May 2016?

Sounds intentionally vague.

 

[ToTBellHop]

It is expected to open with RoL, which has a planned premiere of March 2016, so this would make sense.

 

[twebber55]

It is expected to open with RoL, which has a planned premiere of March 2016, so this would make sense.

Sounds like It

 

[ToTBellHop]

The more I think about this, the more terrifying the job sounds given the animals cared for and the hours. I imagine being told at 3 am "go feed this to the cheetahs" and walking into the enclosure with a bucket of dead ferrets in one hand and a flashlight in the other, saying, "here, cheetah, cheetah, cheetah." I know it's not actually quite as exciting.

Now that DAKs November hours are out, we know Disney isn't planning on nighttime safaris until at least December. Wonder how the safaris will be on chilly winter evenings.

 

[Siren]

I personally think DAKs attendance will boom in three years

OMG! I'm totally excited for this. AK is my second favorite park, and that's only because of the short hours. We only visit AK on departure day -- when Avatarland, RoL, and the night time safari open, AK will be tied with MK for me. And, I predict AK's attendance will go on to surpass overrated Epcot.

 

[Bolt]

OMG! I'm totally excited for this. AK is my second favorite park, and that's only because of the short hours. We only visit AK on departure day -- when Avatarland, RoL, and the night time safari open, AK will be tied with MK for me. And, I predict AK's attendance will go on to surpass overrated Epcot.

It won't pass Epcots, but it'll be a nice boost. Epcot brings in more guests than you think.

 

[Siren]

It won't pass Epcots, but it'll be a nice boost. Epcot brings in more guests than you think.

Okay, I'll take your word for it. I guess that's just wishful thinking on my part. I totally *love* the parks on hot summer nights and I have never been to AK after dark. I bet it will feel like being transported to a remote exotic jungle somewhere! AK pictures look so beautiful at night, especially Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids will be so scary to ride at night, too -- so, I really can't wait for this.

 

[LieutLaww]

AK at night looks amazing.

 

[tmthomas52]

This may be a poor comparison but I love the feel of Adventureland at night in both Magic Kingdom and especially in Disneyland. Have the feeling Animal Kingdom at night will surpass both of those feelings with the Night Safaris. As previously said I think Kali River Rapids will be enhanced more than people realize similar to Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain.

 

[Bolt]

This may be a poor comparison but I love the feel of Adventureland at night in both Magic Kingdom and especially in Disneyland. Have the feeling Animal Kingdom at night will surpass both of those feelings with the Night Safaris. As previously said I think Kali River Rapids will be enhanced more than people realize similar to Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain.

Is the Kali thing real? Never heard that.

 

[tmthomas52]

Is the Kali thing real? Never heard that.

There are rumors of a Kali enhancement but I was simply alluding to me preferring those attractions at night and being a completely different experience imo.

 

[flyerjab]

Is the Kali thing real? Never heard that.

I've never heard of any Kali enhancements, but there should be. That ride could be amazing. So much potential there.

 

[jrlbc06]

I've ridden Kali after dark before.....AK used to be open till 9 PM once a week or so. It was pretty awesome.

 

[marni1971]

For Kali, the only way is up. It's lost so much.

Riding at night with full fire effects was awesome.

 

[ToTBellHop]

For Kali, the only way is up. It's lost so much.

Riding at night with full fire effects was awesome.

Yeah, at night you don't notice that they deforested a ride about the dangers of deforestation.

 

[djkidkaz]

Does Kali have a "not so wet" option similar to Splash Mountain? Im just thinking if its open in the evenings people might not want to get as wet once the sun goes down.