It's one of those construction walls you see all over WDW. WDI just made it more magical by making it look like something while something new is being built inside.
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News Structure built in Kilimanjaro Safaris?
- Thread starter Notes from Neverland
- Start date
The poacher story had its issues, and I also feel the attraction is better in its absence... but one thing it did well was give the Safari a true finale. There was a sense of urgency created and the bit of chase added some small thrill to the experience. Now, things kind of just putter out as you pull into unload without anything to look at.
Without a story to hang itself on, the Safari is also perhaps the most inconsistent experience at WDW. Guest satisfaction varies greatly, and a first timer pulling a ride at 8:30 in the morning with a enthusiastic driver is going to have a much different impression and experience then one on a sunny afternoon with a driver having an off day. The former might call it the best experience on property... the later might have not seen much and now feels vaguely queasy from being jostled around in the heat for 20 minutes. Adding some story framework back in, especially in the last few moments where you need to deliver a good final impression, could help elevate a bad Safari experience.
This shack doesn’t look quite capable of that kind of magic though, does it?
Without a story to hang itself on, the Safari is also perhaps the most inconsistent experience at WDW. Guest satisfaction varies greatly, and a first timer pulling a ride at 8:30 in the morning with a enthusiastic driver is going to have a much different impression and experience then one on a sunny afternoon with a driver having an off day. The former might call it the best experience on property... the later might have not seen much and now feels vaguely queasy from being jostled around in the heat for 20 minutes. Adding some story framework back in, especially in the last few moments where you need to deliver a good final impression, could help elevate a bad Safari experience.
This shack doesn’t look quite capable of that kind of magic though, does it?
ewensell3
Well-Known Member
Field vet shack?
Story adjusted to revolve around injured animal on the safari. Throughout we get reports of search and capture. At end we see the animal has been brought to a field station to be stabilized before being transported to the main facility. From here the story could be extended into the vet facility over at Conservation Station.
Edit - Afterthought. The injured animal is a lion that fell into a ravine and and may have been trampled by a herd of wildebeests.
Story adjusted to revolve around injured animal on the safari. Throughout we get reports of search and capture. At end we see the animal has been brought to a field station to be stabilized before being transported to the main facility. From here the story could be extended into the vet facility over at Conservation Station.
Edit - Afterthought. The injured animal is a lion that fell into a ravine and and may have been trampled by a herd of wildebeests.
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JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
With aromatics
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
The closest experience from an animal roster would be the San Diego Safari Park but Kilimanjaro Safaris is much better done from an environment standpoint. Most others are more functional than thematically appropriate. If you're on a Disney message board, that absolutely matters.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
Anyone else remember the full finale experience? You’d see the poachers Jeep race “ahead of you” see the geysers react to the gunshots, see the fire smoking at the poachers camp and be greeted by a real life “warden” next to little red.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
And the music would swell........
matt9112
Well-Known Member
Just remember the only reason epcot gets any funding....
Disneyson
Well-Known Member
I agree. Especially because the Zebra enclosure, to my knowledge, has issues in terms of health standards for the Zebras (I believe they were/are getting sick?), effectively keeping the ending of the Safari consistently animal-free from entry into the glen till unload. The ride was designed for the lions to be the “finale animal”, as they really ought to be. The downer of a long stretch of road at the end of the attraction with very few (if any) animal sightings likely does affect guest satisfaction. Something really has to be done with the ending to make it pop once more.
I think people are now used to seeing immersive zoo environments, and have experienced drive-through zoo experiences. There are even “similar” experiences in Florida, including at Busch Gardens. While the experiences are different enough in terms of quality and immersion, the average guest sees the theming, not necessarily the things that are designed to be unseen. A boost to the ending would be very beneficial to the ride and would be a perfect “50 for the 50th” thing, if that were actually happening.
I think people are now used to seeing immersive zoo environments, and have experienced drive-through zoo experiences. There are even “similar” experiences in Florida, including at Busch Gardens. While the experiences are different enough in terms of quality and immersion, the average guest sees the theming, not necessarily the things that are designed to be unseen. A boost to the ending would be very beneficial to the ride and would be a perfect “50 for the 50th” thing, if that were actually happening.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
I too revere the safari!
And I've been on quite a few on trips to five African countries.
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
With a fully themed drive through.....?
During the Safari....?
Perfect fit for DAK.
Disney will make all the money they lost over the three months of closures from just this kiosk!
The lions want lattes, too.
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bdearl41
Well-Known Member
Go State! Sorry. Had to.
DVCakaCarlF
Well-Known Member
And bar...
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
I'd list the Night Safari in Singapore as a comparison, too. The tram ride is on pavement, but the vibe is similar to Kilimanjaro and the animal enclosures are well designed with natural barriers rather than obvious fencing in many cases.