-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
The Zoo at Animal Kingdom
- Thread starter jl3283
- Start date
NiarrNDisney
Well-Known Member
I believe what you are talking about is Pangani Forest Exploration Trail which is located between Kilimanjaro Safaris and the Wildlife Express Train.
The Duck
Well-Known Member
He probably meant the walking tours. In Africa, there's the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail which has gorillas, meerkats, okapis and a walk through aviary. Asia has the Maharajah Jungle Trek with tigers, komodo dragons fruit bats and another walk through aviary. There's also The Oasis which is right at the entrance of the park. It has birds, anteaters and other small mammals. Discovery Island (Tree of Life) has otters, kangaroos, flamingos and more. DAK has a lot more to offer than rides and shows, you just have to explore a bit more. A friend went there at least 7 times (once with a CM friend giving a personal tour) and he never saw any of these animals until I showed him around so you're not alone. Next time, get a park map at the gate and you should see all of this and more.
PhilharMagician
Well-Known Member
Take some time and enjoy the walking trails.
The one you are speaking of is right ay the exit of the Safari. After you exit your Safari vehicle you can go either left or right. Right heads back into Africa and left will take you into the Pangani forest trail. The gorillas can be quite animated on cooler days and the meerkats are always fun to watch.
jlevis
Well-Known Member
I'm always surprised by people who miss these trails then complain there in nothing to do at AK. Yeah, I know you can go to a zoo at home, so can I, but that's not the point. The animals at AK are a small but important part of the experience just as the rides are a small part of the experience. However, to just take one part and ignore the rest diminishes the whole. Everyone experiences Disney in their own way as they should but I can ride roller coasters at Cedar Point that doesn't mean I can skip Tmorrow Land.
britdaw
Well-Known Member
I was just reading about these walking tours in the Birnbaum's guide last night. I'm so glad I read about them, 'cause otherwise I would have thought we weren't going to do much in Animal Kingdom. 
I originally thought we'd go do Expedition Everest, the Kilimanjaro Safari, and then walk around for a little bit looking at the shops and things before leaving. Now I know we'll have a lot more to do, so I can plan our time there a little better.
I originally thought we'd go do Expedition Everest, the Kilimanjaro Safari, and then walk around for a little bit looking at the shops and things before leaving. Now I know we'll have a lot more to do, so I can plan our time there a little better. 
MaxsDad
Well-Known Member
Another neat animal viewing area we've seen that many miss:
When exiting your safari vehicle onto the loading dock, when you leave the cover of the loading dock, go straight across the pathway, into this little "asphalt alcove". I believe this area views the backside of the Gorilla habitat area, and there are often gorillas hanging out here, playing in the little stream, etc. Here, there is no 12 inch thick glass between you and them like on the trail. I have spent more than 15 minutes just watching them, taking pictures, and video.
PhilharMagician
Well-Known Member
The ruins are amazing. There apparently is a story being tols by all of the pictures in that area. I have not done ant research on this, but I saw Joe Rhode talking in some documentary where he was extremely proud of the work the jungle trek. There are also many hidden Mickey's in the artwork.
Yeah, many times you have on gorilla hanging out there since they appear to feed them in that area. On our last trip I watch one gorilla eating what appeard to be food off of a plate. About 2 minutes later he vomited onto the plate and ate it again. This repeated 4 - 5 times and we finally left, but it was interesting (and disgusting) watching him do this.
Like you said, there is no glass between you and the gorilla and nobody really stops and watches. They get off the ride and move on.
MickeyPeace
Well-Known Member
I was just reading about these walking tours in the Birnbaum's guide last night. I'm so glad I read about them, 'cause otherwise I would have thought we weren't going to do much in Animal Kingdom.
Also go to Rifikis Planet watch. It is fascinating. Cast members will tell you stories about what Disney is doing to help wild life if you just ask a question. There is so much to see there. There is also a petting area with goats, etc.
MickeyPeace
Well-Known Member
The story is about all of the maharajahs who have lived in this space and how they evolved it from a hunting ground into a reserve. Ask a cast member. It's a great story told through the murals and details.
Also look for the prayer tree with the ribbons and bells. Another great detail. It's a place to pray for something and if it is answered the bell will ring in the wind.
PhilharMagician
Well-Known Member
Get to Rafiki's Planet watch early in the morning and they perform medical proceedures live on differant animals. The could be doing routine physicals to surgery and they explain what is being done. It can be very interesting and every day is differant.
sublimesting
Well-Known Member
It's called Nahtazu
wolf359
Well-Known Member
The Pangani Forest, Maharaja Jungle, and Rifiki's Planet Watch are all integral to appreciating all that Animal Kingdom has to offer and it is really a shame so many people bypass them. I know it can be hard switching gears but Animal Kingdom is really nice when you take the time to slow down and just explore.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
I love the two trails! Especially Pangani. I also love the Oasis and the Discovery exhibits. I can spend a day just watching the animals.
Come on DAK, don't be ashamed of being a zoo! We love you for it!
Come on DAK, don't be ashamed of being a zoo! We love you for it!
lighteningqueen
Well-Known Member
The thing is they dont look like a zoo. The surroundings are fantastic and the trails are wonderful.. Its lush and feels so good to walk thru all the trails. I cannot remember but we were on lour way out of the park at closing and stopped by a trail near the front. There were 3 cm's working there and each had one gorilla apiece. They tell you all about them while they toss food to them. This is how they get them put up. Its a really neet place to watch them. They are giving a hand signal when they are to go into their overnight cages. They have to go one at a time as they will fight each other as they know the good stuff is inside.. Ask the CM' ?? They love it and have so much knowledge where at a the Zoo rarely do you see them out like this and learn something.. Rafiki planet is also interesting be sure and go into the little rooms and listen to the sounds and feels of rain forest. Very relaxing and cool in there if its warm outside. I hate it when people call it a half day park. they don't give it a chance. I always said.. when kids get out of school to go to Disney it is a PURE learning experience . So So much and the kids tend to learn more because its not in a classroom environment and boring... Please people give the park a good chance and see it all ALL of it you will fall in love with that park. OH be SURE to go into the tree of life trail to the left after you come out of the Bug Show..and see the carved animals up close. You will stand there for ever looking for different animals and everytime you look you see something else. There are alot along the trail eye level... LOVE it..
Even Epcot in the American Adventure is a learning attraction and I love the floating scenes and the animatronics. So is the Hall of Presidents.. Just think of how much Disney has that is learning and it never occurs to you until you think and talk at the end of the day about all you saw and learned about
Even Epcot in the American Adventure is a learning attraction and I love the floating scenes and the animatronics. So is the Hall of Presidents.. Just think of how much Disney has that is learning and it never occurs to you until you think and talk at the end of the day about all you saw and learned about