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Kilimanjaro Safaris
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Kilimanjaro Safaris is a safari attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom on the Walt Disney World Resort property in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It is an open-sided safari ride through the savanna of East Africa.

Story
The ride originally begins as a two-week safari aboard Simba 1 through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in Harambe, East Africa. It is 800 square miles of natural terrain, including (Ituri forest, wetlands [Safi River valley] and open bush country (the Serengeti Savanna). During most of the ride you view the common African animals including elephants, giraffe, antelope, gazelle, crocodiles, hippos, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, flamingos and okapis. The tour guide points out animals and provides entertainment. During the journey, your driver is in radio contact with reserve warden Wilson Matua, who is flying over the reserve on his daily routine. It all takes a turn when poachers are spotted in the reserve, and it's up to Simba 1 and the guests, with support from the air and other rangers, to stop them.

History
In 2004, much of the savanna's drainage system had to be replaced. The attraction remained open during the rehab, with green tarps covering the construction sites to keep the animals out.

The ride originally featured a cast member in the role of a gun-toting reserve warden who captured the poachers and saved Big Red and Little Red. This element of the attraction was eventually eliminated. During soft openings, there was a "Dark Ending" where it showed a slaughtred Little Red. But this scene was replaced due to complaints.

Construction

  • The attraction features custom-built GMC trucks riding washed-out, rutted roads and a tilting bridge. The roadbed is actually constructed of dark brown-colored concrete embedded with permanent tire ruts.
  • The flamingo island is a huge Hidden Mickey.
  • Between each ecosystem includes both chain road sensors and bars to prevent animals from venturing between sections. The vehicles drive directly on these obstacles.
  • The entire Magic Kingdom park could fit comfortably inside of this single attraction.

The article text above is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kilimanjaro Safaris".

   

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