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VIDEO: Disney’s Wild Africa Trek-A Passage to Africa

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Wild Africa Trek rope bridgeCorrespondent Nicole Siscaretti rounds out her coverage for us with a personal tour of the Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As you may recall, I was able to preview this trek before it opened to the general public, and shared the Wild Africa Trek Facts and Figures. It remains one of my favorite things to do at Walt Disney World, because it is simply so unique. It is worth every penny, and the experience is one you will remember for a lifetime.

I never shared the video I took that day, but it’s good I didn’t because the tour has been improved since I saw it. You now get to hang by a harnessed cable over crocodiles as well as hippos, and the safari truck tour at the end is covered. I feel like the tour narration was much more in-depth on Nicole’s video and you learn so much about the animals on the trek!

Let’s go on safari with Nicole:

 

 

To recap from the Facts & Figures post, the Wild Africa Trek is a 3-hour group tour held at various times throughout the morning and afternoon at Animal Kingdom. You are also served an African-inspired breakfast or lunch, depending on the time of your tour, and given a PhotoPass CD of the experience. Pricing varies seasonally but right now you can save $50 on tours at or after 11:45 a.m. from 5/29/12 – 8/25/12. Call Disney for pricing details and to book at (407) WDW-TOUR or (407) 939-8687.

I would like to take a moment and thank Nicole for her amazing coverage here on the site and twitter and facebook, giving Zannaland readers all the latest with great photos and videos. Nicole has a new site she’s creating as we speak so keep an eye out for her magical new venture! Asante sana Nicole!

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Behind The Seeds Tour: The Best Value at Walt Disney World!

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The Behind the Seeds Tour is one of those things I’d see at Epcot, each time we went on Living With the Land (back to when it was Listen to the Land) and always wanted to do, but never got around to it. Finally, last September, my newly local friends and I decided to fix that and I finally got to experience this wonderful tour first hand.

Most of the special tours Walt Disney World offers are well into the $50+ range, and the backstage ones can get up to over $200 per person. Having three children, that adds up quickly. Also, many tours are for ages 16 and up, so as not to ruin the magic for any younger visitors.

Family Magic Tour: at $27 for adults and children, this is another great value. We last went in 2006 and I think my little guy is almost old enough to take the tour himself. I cannot recommend the Family Magic Tour enough, it’s just perfect for families with little ones. I’d say ages 4-9 will enjoy this the most. It’s a family scavenger hunt style tour with some surprise visitors along the way. When we take our youngest, I’ll be sure to report on it in-depth!

Back to Behind the Seeds; this tour is $18 per adult and $14 per child, and 15% annual passholder, DVC, Disney Visa, and military discounts are offered. If you have even a slight interest in gardening or horticulture, you will love Behind the Seeds. I had no idea that the cast members that give the tour are actually members of the Epcot Science Team, and really knowledgeable on the topics at hand. I just assumed all these years that they were just regular cast members, so that was a pleasant surprise. The tour groups are kept small, up to I believe 10 or 12 people, but it is still an undiscovered treasure, and our tour only had 5 people, including my friends and me.

The first stop is the Biological Control area. I feel like there should be a warning here for anyone squeamish about bugs, that there are some very icky videos shown of bugs in action, bugs that live inside other bugs and nest and all sorts of gross stuff like that. I’m not really a fan, but it was over relatively quick. Circle of life and all that. The point of this area is to teach guests about good bugs and bad bugs. Of course we all know ladybugs and dragonflies are good bugs, eating aphids and mosquitoes respectively, but there are many others out there, which can control pests that destroy crops and offer a natural alternative to toxic pesticides. It was great to learn that that is the preferred method in the Land greenhouses. At this time, we were all handed a test tube full of frozen ladybugs to hold on to. We were told we would get to release them later in the tour.

We then walk by the Biotechnology Lab, which is really just a look into the window where they are growing crops with different techniques. It’s also where they grow all of those little “Mickey’s Mini Garden” trees they sell out front.

Next, was one of my favorite parts of the tour. There is a plant which is touch-sensitive – it’s scientific name is Mimosa Purdica. We were told to touch the leaves of the plant, which instantly folded up! It was the coolest thing, until our tour guide bumped the pot the plant was in and ALL the leaves folded in. That was the coolest thing.

We then saw the hydroponic methods, elevated growing methods – which yields more fruit or vegetables, aquaculture, and then growing tea and spice gardens. It was such a wonderful tour – completely interactive – we got to touch things, feed fish, release ladybugs, try a hydroponic cucumber (yum!), and identify spice origins. You can also see how they make the Mickey-shaped pumpkins, watermelons, etc. but during our tour they did not have any on display that were big enough to look like Mickey yet. I always feel kind of bad for those veggies, forced to squeeze themselves into Mickey. But then, I’m silly that way, having grown up with Kitchen Kabaret and attaching feelings and emotions to my food groups. 😉 Check out some photos of what we did see on our tour in this gallery below:

I would recommend this tour in a heartbeat. You can bring children 3 and over too, just make sure they are well-attended as there are parts where you go near the water on the boat ride. Strollers are provided if you need them too. Most of all, it’s just really amazing to see the amount of time and effort Disney makes with these greenhouses. The fruits and vegetables are used in many Walt Disney World restaurants, which is even better!

For more photos of the tour, head to my Behind the Seeds flickr set. You can sign up for tours on the same day, at the desk to the left of the Soarin’ entrance. Tours are every 45 minutes, from 10:30 am – 4:30 am. You can also plan in advance by calling 407-WDW-TOUR. Behind the Seeds should definitely be added to your “Must-Do” Disney list, or even your Must-Do-Again list!

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Disney’s Wild Africa Trek Fast Facts & Info

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Wild Africa Trek
Sign for the Wild Africa Trek, near Dawa Bar

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has always had a special place in my heart. I was there opening day and have had many a discussion with those that dismiss it as “boring” or having “nothing to do there”.  To me, Animal Kingdom has always been a magical place of discovery and the best part about that discovery is that you are seeing things that are part of our great planet. It’s fun to get swept up in Fantasyland or old Hollywood but when you see live animals living for the most part as they would in the wild and all the flora that surrounds them, it’s kind of hard not to be amazed that we share this wonderful world with them.

In keeping with that theme of discovery, Disney’s Imagineers have once again crafted a one-of-a-kind experience to dazzle even the most jaded theme park visitor. According to an Imagineer on our tour, this has been in the works for years, knowing that the guests wanted a more immersive experience at that park and they are pleased to see it come to fruition. Disney’s Wild Animal Trek takes guests deep into the story that you first learn about in Harambe, Africa on the Kilimanjaro Safari and puts you right into the story yourself as you learn Swahili, dangle over hippopotamus and navigate a rope bridge over giant Nile crocodiles. In typical Disney fashion, you are also given the royal treatment as you pause two thirds of the way into your adventure to enjoy an African breakfast or lunch on the savanna platform as you gaze out at the majesty before you. Truly breathtaking.

Here are some Fast Facts on Disney’s Wild Africa Trek:

Price: Varies seasonally, starting at $189. Park admission is required but not included in the Trek.

What’s included?

  • complimentary metal water bottle to take in your harness and on your trek and take home with you.
  • a 3-hour walking, hiking, and vehicle tour of previously forbidden areas of Animal Kingdom’s Africa.
  • breakfast or lunch for 30 minutes at the savanna platform.
  • binoculars for use during the safari truck portion of the trek.
  • complimentary PhotoPass CD of the photos taken by your guide that day as well as some stock animal photos for keepsakes.
  • amazing, once-in-a-lifetime views and experiences and memories to bring home with you!

Times: Treks are offered several times daily. Currently that is 8,9,10am and 12,1, and 2pm. According to Animal Kingdom Vice President Michael Colglazier, as park hours increase during the summer, trek times will change.

Requirements: There are a few pre-requisites for this adventure.

  • Weight Limit: 310lbs due to the safety harnesses used. They do weigh you at the outpost station before you get your harness vest on.
  • Carry-on Items: you are permitted to carry a camera or video camera but only if it can attach to the harness via clips provided. Lockers are provided at no cost to store any other items you have brought with you.
  • Age limit: you must be 8 years of age and at least 48 inches tall and 45lbs to join the trek.
  • Clothing: Closed-toed (preferably sneakers or walking/hiking type) shoes are a must. I would definitely recommend pants and long-sleeves, tho in the summer this might not be much fun, you DO traipse through bushes, tree limbs and other foliage that might scrape or scratch you with bare skin exposed.

Trek Size: groups are limited to a maximum of 12 guests. This is a good thing because it keeps the group small and intimate and you don’t have to wait too long for any one part of the trek. You are also all given an ear piece to listen to your guide throughout most of the trek. This comes in handy as you travel through Harambe village at the start of the tour, and as you engage in your bush walk. You never have to worry about not hearing what the guide is saying.

Caveats: this trek does traverse two very high “rope bridges” across a river and some sunning crocodiles. While I am a little scared of heights myself, I had no fear going into this because a) it’s Disney and b) the bridges are completely wrapped with netting at the bottom in the chance that you do misstep on one of the boards, you will not plunge to your death.

Additionally, that is exactly what the harness is for, you are safely clipped in to a powerful cable above with virtually no chance of becoming crocodile brunch. That said, those who are faint of heart should not go if there is any chance you will get on top of the bridge and say, nope, never mind! While there is a way for you to not cross the bridges and re-join your party later, it really is a highlight of the trek and not something I’d want to miss out on.

One last note, the harness vest can be a little heavy and weigh you down after a while. If you have a bad back or doing like being constricted like that, keep that in mind.

Bathrooms: you are given a chance to use the facilities before your trek begins  but once you set out, there are no restrooms for the fist two hours, until you reach the savanna platform. Once there you can also wash up before enjoying your meal.

Weather conditions: the trek takes place rain or shine – ponchos will be provided if it is raining and the safari truck will be covered (it was not yet during our preview trek so pictures will not show a cover) as is the savanna platform. The trek will be canceled with signs of lightening or other severe weather.

Special Dietary Needs: When you call to book your tour, just let the reservation agent know what your needs are – vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut allergy, etc. Chefs will accommodate your needs. Kids meals are provided but still on the adventurous side, so if you know your child is a picky eater, be sure to bring this up at time of booking as well.

How to Book: Call 407-WDW-TOUR (407-939-8687) to book your Wild Africa Trek now. The trek officially opens to the public tomorrow, January 16, 2011.

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