I was very pleased to see the news on the Disney Parks Blog this morning that Disney World will be removing the "Little Red" animatronic toward the end of the Kilimanjaro Safaris in favor of an expanded savanna area watering hole. I've always found the fake poacher storyline tiresome after repeated rides, but endure it in order to be able to see the animals and savanna. It's great that they will be expanding the real stuff in place of the fake.
Hey, that's great! It's past time for that to go bye-bye.
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This is a great change. I always thought the poacher story was kind of lame and it got more so after multiple rides.
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From an adult perspective I agree. But my daughter has loved this age 5, 7 and 9....... She will ask where Little Red is next August!
If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)
Ha ha! I can hear the looped track over and over..."Simba 1, come in Simba 1"....I'm glad it's going to be updated, it's time for something new.
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Stephanie
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I did notice on our last visit that the cars were actually stopping in places so that pictures could be taken without the effect of the bumpy ride. Most passengers thanked the driver for those stops. Maybe there should be a separate kids version, but most people we talked to would greatly appreciate a longer ride with more real animals. That park is just too fantastic a place to waste it on Little Red and the like.
Stan
It makes me if the whole "watch out for poachers" backstory is going to have to be changed or removed because of this change as well. And if so, how will it be changed?
Personally, I think this sort of change is good... not minding it at all.
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^ Yes, hopefully they will expand the themed stories beyond the investigation & enforcement "poacher" story. Perhaps they could rotate an information & education themed story, an inspection & monitoring story, etc. you know - like that. All very low-key of course (remember how intrusive the Big Red story was when it was first introduced?)
As long as it's not a cowboy and a gangster story...they've already done that.
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That is funny!
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I agree that this is a very positive change. I didn't like the whole poacher story the first time I went to AK, or the many times I've been back since. I look forward to seeing the new watering hole for the zebras!
I enjoy just hearing Simba 1! My fianc always says that to get my attention when we are in WDW.
I am excited for the change though. I secretly hope they keep Simba 1 somehow...
Kristin
Sorry if this was already posted, but I just saw where Disney is making changes to Kilimanjaro Safari. I'll like seeing the extra animals, but I did kinda like the whole catch the poachers thing.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
-1 Corinthians 9:24
While I didn't mind the toned down version of the poacher storyline they've run in recent years, seeing the fake baby elephant in the truck at the end of a great 'safari' was always jarring. I do believe that it confused some of the younger children.
Anyhow as a tradeoff, there will still apparently be a conservation theme and we'll now get to see live zebras. More animals are always a good thing.
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney
Has it started yet? I don't care much for seeing Zebra's as we have tons at our zoo but a toned down storyline and one that focuses more on conservation would be nice.
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Do you? I think it was perfect for younger children. Did zero for me but I have taken younger children for the last 5 years and they were not at all confused by this. I'm not sure why you would think it confused them. It was designed for them. JMHO of course.
If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)
Rode today. Poacher storyline is gone and that area is being turned into savannah. Our driver talked about a re-introduction project and said the new animals were migrating and would arrive by August.
Is there absolutely no storyline now? Just a tour thing talking about the animals we see? Thanks for the answer.
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You don't have to walk on water, it's how you walk on land.
I hated the poacher storyline. After hearing it over 30 times it gets to be a bit much.
Cool, so by the time I go in September, hopefully the new story line will be in place
Cristabel
From what I've read online you're one of the few that liked the poachers element of the ride. I didn't mind it, but I'm not really sad to see it gone.
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
My kids liked the poacher storyline and "saving Little Red." I didn't have strong feelings about it either way, but I did think it was a good reminder that these amazing animals are still in danger from poachers and more needs to be done to protect them.
And part of why I thought it was "good" was that it was well integrated into the ride and not too heavy-handed.
The problem I had with the ride was that they would rush us through the animal viewing areas - most of the time not stopping long enough to get a picture or even a good look, and then dwell on the "poacher" story. Quite frankly, most of the people to come to the animal viewing areas come to, well, view the animals (DUH!!). But the last two times we went they made a switch and began to stop for a while at each animal area so we could see, and take pictures of, the animals! What a welcome change! And now this - dropping the story line in favor of more animal viewing. BRAVO!!!!
Stan
We went on the ride a couple days ago. I get what they were trying for with the poacher storyline and I didn't mind it, but I prefer it without it. And I disagree that it needs a story. Yes, Disney is about theming, but that's the theme here - these are live animals. It's not a zoo so there's no guarantee you'll see any particular animal. Even with the rest of the park, they generally have enclosures, not cages, which isn't as good for the paying guests but much better for the animals, which I prefer.
There is one section where the driver finds a local radio station and the music plays for a bit but that's really the only radio interaction.
The savannah story is that it's land they recently got back from farmers who had pushed the animals out. No animals were there yet, but they said maybe in a few more weeks.
We had pretty good luck with seeing quite a few giraffes and rhinos and elephants. The lions were scarce - we only saw the head of one lionness. I did see 2 cheetahs, so I was happy about that.
Now different is nice, but it sure isn't pretty, pretty is what it's about
I never met anyone who was different who couldn't figure that out
But beautiful, I'd never live to see
But it was clear, if not to her, well, then to me.
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