Changes

Kilimajaro {{Infobox Disney ride || image=Safarientrance.jpg| caption='''The Entrance Sign for Kilimanjaro Safaris.'''| land=Africa| opened=April 22, 1998| park= Disney's Animal Kingdom| theme= African Safari| duration=22:00| custom_label_1=Disney Genie +| custom_value_1= Yes}}Kilimanjaro Safaris is an attraction located in the [[Africa]] section of [[Disney's Animal Kingdom]].

The concept for the Kilimanjaro Safari, actually began when Walt Disney began started planning Disneylandin the 1950s. Walt originally designed envisioned the [[Jungle Cruise ]] with premise that real animals would be featured in the ride. Eventually, experts convinced Walt that real animals would be too unpredictable to use in the attraction, and Audio Animatronic animals were eventually used instead<ref name= "spence"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/01/kilimanjaro_safaris_at_animal_1.html </ref>. When Disney Imagineers began planning their newest park, Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1989, however, they decided that an attraction using real animals was now a real possibility. They then Taking inspiration from this idea, they designed the Kilimanjaro Safaris with the idea that it would be the "E ticket" attraction that the park needed.

Imagineer Joe Rhode oversaw the creation of the attractionSafaris, and in July of 1990 he and other Imagineers went to Kenya and Tanzania to study the wildlife there<ref name= "spence"/>. After their trip, Imagineers decided that besides just showcasing the animals on the safari, the attraction would also need a story. Disney CEO Michael Eisner demanded that Disney's Animal Kingdom should promote the ideas idea of conservation<ref name= "spence"/>. So as to To stay clear of any political problems, Imagineer Imagineers set the Safari Safaris in the fictional village of Harambe (which is Swahili for "working together")<ref name= "spence"/>. Like real villages in Eastern Africa, Harambe is themed to serve as a gateway for guests into the African Savannah. [[Image:BigRed2.jpg|350px|thumb|The corpse of Big Red was removed from the attraction prior to opening.]]In order to get the environment right for the animals, Disney planters asked for two growing seasons prior to their the animals' arrival<ref name="spence"/>. With the foliage being planted in the spring of 1996, Disney began collecting trees from all around the country<ref name= "spence"/>. NextFurthermore, Imagineers had to determine what animals were going to be showcased in the exhibit. To do this, Imagineers evaluated how active the animals would be, how easily could they could be moved back sagebackstage, could whether they could interact with other animals, and what would they would eat.

After the animals were selected, it was determined Disney needed to figure out how much space the animals needed and how they could be contained in their area. Imagineers used moatsMoats, water features, electric fences and , "ha-has", and wires and chains were placed on the ground in order to keep animals within their area. In order to make the animals more visible to guests on the safari, Disney implemented "tricks" to encourage staying the animals to stay in certain spots<ref name= "spence"/>. Hidden food, air condition rocks, cooling and warming waters, and cool breezes are all used to keep animals within view<ref name= "facts"> http://www. disneyfanatic.com/16-amazing-facts-about-kilimanjaro-safaris-in-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>. During Kilimanjaro Safaris' development, Disney also decided that they did not want to acquire the animals for the park from their natural habitathabitats. Instead, they were brought in from other zoo's zoos or reputable breeders<ref name= "facts"/>. BackstageFinally, backstage, state of the art animal homes were constructed to shelter the animals when they were not "on stage"<ref> http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/11/sign-up-for-a-chance-to-tour-backstage-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-theme-park/ </ref>.

The original story that Imagineers created for the Kilimanjaro Safaris, involved guests racing after poachers, while trying to rescue a mother and child elephant named Big Red and Little Red<ref name= "hill"> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2001/01/01/282.aspx#.UK7NfIeCmSo </ref>. In the original plans for the attraction, guests would be involved in a high speed chase for the last third of the ride. Along the way, they would pass the bloodied corpse of Big Red who was killed by poachers for her tusks. This was done, in order to stress the conservation message that Michael Eisner had championed for the park. Unfortunately, Cast Member previews proved that the sight of the dead elephant was too much for kids (and some adults)<ref name= "hill"/>. After getting receiving a lot of complaints, Imagineers removed the elephant and instead implied Big Red's death in the script. When The elephant corpse was no longer a part of the attraction when it opened on April 22, 1998, the corpse was no longer a part of it<ref name= "hill"/>.

During the holiday season In February of 19982012, Disney decided to allow announced that beginning in the safaris to remain open at night. The "new" attractionfall, known as the Kilimanjaro Night Safaris Little Red story would no longer be featured in the attraction <ref> http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-02-14/the-daily-disney/os-disney-aniimal-kingdom-safari-changes-20120214_1_disney-s-animal sounds-kingdom-theme-park-zebras </ref>. On April 29th, reflectors meant to represent animal eyesthe Little Red Audio Animatronic was removed, and an African dance troupe who performed around a bonfireconstruction began on the attractions final scene <ref> http://exploringwdw. Following com/disney-info/kilimanjaro-safaris-update/ </ref>. On October 23, 2012, Plains Zebras were added to the holiday season howeverattraction <ref> http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/10/guests-are-seeing-stripes-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-zebras-out-on-new-kilimanjaro-safaris-savanna/ </ref>and all mentions of Little Red or the poachers were now completely removed. Four months after their addition, it was decided that the Plains Zebras were removed from the attraction would be discontinued (due to guest complaints about not being able to see “acclimation issues” and replaced with the animals, as well as addax <ref> http://wdwnt.com/blog/2013/03/zebras-removed-permanently-after-4-months-from-kilimanjaro-safaris/ </ref>. The zebras were subsequently returned in June 2013 <ref> http://www.jamboeveryone.com/2013/07/the additional costs -return-of keeping the ride open)-zebras.html </ref>.

In February May of 20122013 Disney announced that a nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris would begin running in the future <ref>http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/10/first-look-avatar-to-come-to-life-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>. As part of this new experience, in 2015 Disney announced that spotted hyenas and African wild dogs are expected to be added to the Little Red story attraction <ref> http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/08/new-details-released-on-rivers-of-light-sunset-kilimanjaro-safaris-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref> which was given a opening date of spring 2016. At this time, Disney announced that the nighttime version of the attraction would no longer be featured called Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris <ref> http://www.jamboeveryone.com/2015/08/sunset-kilimanjaro-safari.html </ref>. The Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris began running in May of 2016 <ref> https://yourfirstvisit.net/2016/08/02/review-sunset-kilimanjaro-safaris/ </ref>. ==Attraction Plot==[[Image:Lions1.jpg|400px|thumb|Lions resting on the attraction beginning Kilimanjaro Safaris. Photo by elpinto007]]After boarding their safari vehicle called Simba One, guests embark into the African wilderness. The first scene in the fallSafari is the Ukungu Forest. Here, guests can see the bongo and the okapi, two animals which are difficult to find in the wild. As the tour continues on, guests come across a watering hole, where black rhinoceros can be found. Further ahead, guests pass by the Safari River where two water holes can be seen. The first hole features a couple of male hippopotami, whereas the female hippos populate the second hole. As the Simba One passes by the second pool, the vehicle tips towards the water, showcasing the rough terrain that guests are riding on. Also located on the Safari River are crocodiles, which guests can see before the pass over the Senkell Bridge and enter the Ndege Hills.  On April 29thtop of the hills, guests are shown the Little Red Audio Animatronic was removedbaobab or "upside-down tree". These trees produce fruit which is known as monkey bread, and construction began their large trunks are used to store water. As guests descend down the Ndege Hills, they can see the African Savannah in front of them. The Savannah features the Thompson Gazelle and the Ankole cattle. Further on , guests see giraffes and Mandrills, one of the attractions final scenelargest species of monkeys in the world. On October 24Other animals that can be found in the Savannah include elephants, ostriches, white rhinoceros, cheetahs and finally lions. After passing the lions, guests can see the attraction’s newest animal the Plains Zebras were added Zebra, before arriving at the unloading area.===Former Ending===The original ending of Kilimanjaro Safaris took guests on a high speed chase after poachers. As guests progressed to the attractionelephant section of the safari, with all mentions Mr. Wilson (the Safari's warden) warned guests that poachers may be present. When guests reached the back gate of the safari, they could see that it had apparently been broken into, and that the elephant Big Red and her son Little Red or were missing. As the driver of the vehicle chased after the poachers , guests were actually shot at by the villains, and it became clear that Big Red had been killed. After narrowly avoiding erupting geysers, guests found out that the poachers had been captured by the preserves' authorities. Here, guests could finally see Little Red, back in the protection of the preserve. ==List of Animals==[[Image:Okapi.jpg|350px|thumb|An Okapi eating on Kilimanjaro Safaris.]]Animals that can be found on Kilimanjaro Safaris include:{| style="padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px;"|-| * Addax| *African Wild Dog|* Ankole Cattle| * Black Rhinoceros|-| * Bongo| * Bontebok| * Cheetah|-| * Egyptian Goose| * Eland| * Elephant|-|* Greater Flamingo| * Helmeted Guineafowl| * Hippopotamus|-| * Lion| * Mandrill| * Masai Giraffe|-| * Nile Crocodile| * Northern Pintail Duck| * Okapi|-| * Ostrich|* Pink-backed Pelican| * Reticulated Giraffe|-| * Red-billed Duck| * Sable Antelope|* Saddle-Billed Stork|-|* Scimitar-horned Oryx|*Spotted Hyenas|* Springbok|* Stanley Crane|-|* Thomson's Gazelle|* Warthog|* White-breasted Cormorant|-|* White-faced Tree Duck|* White Rhinoceros|* Yelled-billed Duck|-|* Yellow-backed Duiker|* Yellow-billed Stork|* Plains Zebra|} ==Fun Facts and Trivia==* Throughout the attraction, guests will see black vultures which are native to Florida. The vultures are not mentioned by the tour guides because they are not supposed to be in the attraction <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/01/kilimanjaro_safaris_at_animal_2.html </ref>.  *The queue for the Kilimanjaro Safaris was inspired by the Mbuyu Camp's check in on the Selous Reserve in Southern Tanzania. This camp was visited by Joe Rohde and his team when they first went to Africa to research <Ref> This information was shared by Joe Rohde on his Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Tf3OUHT7C/ </ref>. * Kilimanjaro Safaris is the largest attraction ever created by Disney <ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/2016/01/need-know-3-accessible-attractions-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>.  * The Kilimanjaro Safari ride vehicles are based on the ones used in South Africa's Krueger National Park <ref> This information was shred by Joe Rohde on his Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Vr0-NH9gO/</ref>  * The entire Magic Kingdom could fit inside Kilimanjaro Safaris <ref> http://www.easywdw.com/easy/animal-kingdom/kilimanjaro-safaris-disney-animal-kingdom-ak-review-info/ </ref>.  * To create Kilimanjaro Safaris, Imagineers had to move 1.5 million cubic yards of dirt <ref> http://www.postbulletin.com/animals-rule-at-new-disney-theme-park/article_9f7bc67e-f7c1-5740-bf7b-17d433e8af03.html </ref>. * Imagineers had to place over 2.3 million plants when creating Kilimanjaro Safaris <ref> http://www.disneyfanatic.com/12-mind-blowing-facts-about-kilimanjaro-safaris-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>. * Zebras were found on the attraction’s savannah when Kilimanjaro Safaris first opened. The animals are now completely featured at the end of the attraction <ref> http://www.jamboeveryone.com/2013/07/the-return-of-zebras.html </ref>. * According to Imagineer Joe Rohde at one time there was a bloody zebra carcass that was used as a carnivore drinker (an object for the animals to drink out of). The drinker was removeddue to numerous complaints from guests who thought the carcass was real <ref> https://twitter.com/search?q=joe%20rohde%20mkpony&src=typd </ref>. ==References==