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Kilimanjaro Safaris The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros is an attraction located in the [[Disney's Animal KingdomMexico]] pavilion at [[Epcot]].{{Infobox Disney ride || image=Safarientrancemexicoupdate2.jpg| caption='''The Entrance Sign for Kilimanjaro Safaris.entrance to the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros'''.| land=AfricaWorld Showcase| opened=April 226, 19982007| vehicle_names= Mexico Cruiser| park= Disney's Animal KingdomEpcot| themeguests_per_vehicle= African Safari16| host= The Three Caballeros| duration=228:00| type= Boat Ride| custom_label_1 = Formally Known As| custom_value_1 = El Rio Del Tiempo (1982-2008)|custom_label_2= FastPass +| custom_value_1custom_value_2= YesNo}} 

The concept for Kilimanjaro Safari actually began when Walt Disney began planning Disneyland in the 1950s. Walt originally envisioned the [[Jungle Cruise]] with premise attraction that real animals would one day be featured in the ride. Eventuallyknown as The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, experts convinced Walt that real animals would be too unpredictable to use in began as a planned attraction for the attraction and Audio Animatronic animals were used instead <ref name= Mexico pavilion titled "spenceLas Tres Culturas de Mexico"(The Three Cultures of Mexico) <ref> http://landwww.allearslostepcot.netcom/blogs/jackspence/2011/01/kilimanjaro_safaris_at_animal_1worldshowcase.html </ref>. When Disney Imagineers began planning their newest parkThe ride was going to be an indoor/outdoor boat ride, Disneywhich took guests through the history of Mexico, showcasing its diverse culture. Las Tres Culturas de Mexico took its ride structure from [["it's Animal Kingdom in 1989a small world"]], they decided that an attraction using real animals was now and even used a real possibilitysimilar, repetitive theme song. Taking inspiration The attraction’s storyline came from this ideaa Mayan myth which told about the Gods taking the gift of music from the jealous sun, they designed Kilimanjaro Safaris and giving it to the songless Earth. The myth concludes with the idea that it would be the "E ticket" attraction Life was all music from that the park neededtime on”.

Imagineer Joe Rhode oversaw the creation of Although Las Tres Culturas de Mexico was fully designed in time for EPCOT Center’s opening day, Disney initially wanted to push the attractionattraction’s construction back until EPCOT Center's Phase II <ref name= "Martinvid"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?cat=10&paged=3 </ref>. According to these plans, the attraction’s lagoon and in July of 1990 he and other Imagineers went load area were to Kenya and Tanzania be built first, with space left open for the boat ride itself to study be constructed at the wildlife there later date <ref name= "spenceMartinvid"/>. After their trip, Imagineers decided that besides just showcasing the animals When other World Showcase attractions were put on hold (including the safariplanned Japan attraction and Germany's Rhine River cruise) however, Disney realized that they did not have enough attractions for the attraction would also need a storyparks expected capacity. Eventually, Disney CEO Michael Eisner demanded decided that Disney's Animal Kingdom should promote they would need to construct the idea of conservation Mexico attraction, which was now called El Rio Del Tiempo, in order to help meet capacity <ref name= "spenceMartinvid"/>. As With both time and money running out, various cuts were made to stay clear of any political problems, Imagineers set the Safari in the fictional village of Harambe (which is Swahili original designs for "working together") El Rio Del Tiempo. The whole attraction was moved indoors <ref name= "spenceMartinvid"/>. Like real villages in Eastern Africa, Harambe is themed to serve as a gateway for guests into and it was decided that the African Savannahride’s track would need to be shortened by 40%.

In order to get the environment right for the animalsFollowing a very quick construction, Disney planters asked for two growing seasons prior to El Rio Del Tiempo opened with the animals' arrival <ref name="spence"/>rest of EPCOT Center on October 1, 1982. With Although the foliage being planted in attraction had been quite popular at the spring time of 1996its opening, Disney attendance began collecting trees from all around the country <ref name= "spence"/>. Furthermore, Imagineers had to determine what animals were going to be showcased in drop during the exhibit1990s. To do During thistime, Imagineers evaluated how active rumors were prevalent that the animals attraction would bereplaced by a new Donald Duck attraction; however when El Rio Del Tiempo closed for refurbishment in 1999 no such change took place <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/el-rio-del-tiempo/news/27jul1999-el-rio-del-tiempo-refurbishment-update.htm </ref>. Instead, how easily they could be moved backstage, whether they could interact with other animals, at this time the attraction was cleaned up and what they would eatgiven new paint, just in time for Epcot’s Millennium Celebration.

After the animals were selectedOn January 2, Disney needed to figure out how much space the animals needed and how they could be contained in their area2007, El Rio Del Tiempo was closed for a major refurbishment <ref> http://www. Moats, water features, electric fences, "hawdwmagic.com/attractions/el-rio-has", and wires and chains were placed on the ground in order to keep animals within their areadel-tiempo. In order to make the animals more visible to guests on the safari, Disney implemented "tricks" to encourage the animals to stay in certain spots htm </ref name= "spence"/>. Hidden foodWhen the ride reopened on April 6, air condition rocks, cooling it featured a brand new storyline and warming waters, and cool breezes are all used to keep animals within view was renamed The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros <ref name= "facts"> httphttps://www.disneyfanaticmouseplanet.com/16-amazing-facts-about-kilimanjaro-safaris-in-disneys-animal-kingdom10926/ Remembering_the_Magic_El_Rio_del_Tiempo__Gran_Fiesta_Tour_Starring_The_Three_Caballeros </ref>. During Kilimanjaro Safaris' developmentTrue to its name, the Disney also decided that they did not want characters José Carioca, Panchito Pistoles, and Donald Duck, from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros were added to acquire the animals attraction and the plot was changed so that Jose and Panchito now searched throughout Mexico for Donald. In order to tell the park from their natural habitat. Insteadnew story, they HD screens were brought in from other zoos or reputable breeders <ref name= "facts"/>. Finally, backstage, state added to many of the art animal homes were constructed attraction’s scenes and a new soundtrack was given to shelter the animals when they were not "on stage" ride <ref> httphttps://disneyparkswww.disney.gomouseplanet.com/blog10926/2013Remembering_the_Magic_El_Rio_del_Tiempo__Gran_Fiesta_Tour_Starring_The_Three_Caballeros </11/sign-up-for-a-chance-ref>. At this time the San Angel Inn was expanded into an area that was previously part of El Rio Del Tiempo <Ref name= "epcotbook">The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia: A Guide to-tour-backstage-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-theme-park/ Walt Disney World's Greatest Theme Park </ref>.

[[ImageOn December 4, 2015 Animatronics of the Three Caballeros were added to The Gran Fiesta Tour's finale <ref name= "D23"> https:BigRed//d23.com/after-35-years-historic-three-caballeros-figures-return-to-walt-disney-world-resort/ </ref>.jpg|300px|thumb|The corpse of Big Red was removed from figures had previously appeared in the former [[Magic Kingdom]] attraction prior to opening.the [[Mickey Mouse Revue]]. The figures had been absent from Walt Disney World for 35 years <ref name= "D23"/>.

The original story that Imagineers created for Kilimanjaro Safaris, involved guests racing after poachers while trying to rescue a mother and child elephant named Big Red and Little Red ==Plot=====El Rio Del Tiempo <ref name= "hillepcotbook"/> http===[[Image://jimhillmediaElDancersskel.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2001/01/01/282jpg|300px|thumb|The mariachi skeletons in Festival of the Children scene in El Rio Del Tiempo]]El Rio Del Tiempo began with guests boarding their boats and heading off towards a large Mayan pyramid.aspx#The boats then entered ancient ruins.UK7NfIeCmSo </ref>. In the original plans for the attractionHere, guests would be involved in a high speed chase for the last third statue of the ride. Along the way, they a Mayan High Priest would pass come to life and speak to the bloodied corpse of Big Red who was killed by poachers for her tuskspassing boats. This was done in order to stress the conservation message The attraction’s narrator also told guests that Michael Eisner long ago a great civilization had championed for flourished in Mexico. All around the parkroom, guests could see various natives performing different rituals. Unfortunately, Cast Member previews proved The first ritual that the sight of the dead elephant guests saw was too much for kids (an elaborate dance titled "Nature and some adults) <ref name= Science"hill"/>. After receiving a lot of complaints, Imagineers removed This dance spoke to the elephant and instead implied Big Rednative's death in understanding of man's relationship with the scriptuniverse. The elephant corpse second ritual performed was no longer a part of the attraction when it opened on April 22, 1998 <ref name= titled "hillMathematics and Astronomy"/>. ===Changes Since Opening===During This dance highlighted the holiday season advanced understanding that the people had about these subjects (including their understanding of 1998absolute zero). Finally, Disney decided to allow the safaris to remain open at night <ref name= third ritual shown was titled "jambo"> http://wwwQuetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca.jamboeveryone.com/2015/04/coming-soon-nighttime-kilimanjaro.html </ref>. The "new" attractionThis dance spoke of the native's views on the never ending struggle between good and evil, known as Kilimanjaro Night Safaris featured animal sounds, reflectors meant to represent animal eyes, personified in a battle between the feathered serpent of light and an African dance troupe who performed around a bonfire <ref name= "jambo"/>the tiger god of darkness. Following the holiday season howeverBefore exiting ancient Mexico, it was decided that the attraction guests would be discontinued due see Aztec King Moctezuma II (who would lose his kingdom to guest complaints about not being able to see Spain) predicting the animals, as well as the additional costs subjugation of keeping the attraction openhis people. <ref name= "jambo"/>

[[Image:Lions2After passing through ancient times, guests arrived a scene titled Festival of the Children, which represented Mexico’s period of colonization.jpg|300px|thumb|A lion on Kilimanjaro SafarisIn the this scene, Audio Animatronic dolls danced and celebrated, as the narrator told guests that Mexico’s ancient culture still thrived.During the Festival, the dolls sang [[Vistas De Mexico]], a song written by X Atencio and Armando Corral. After exiting the colonization scene, guests entered modern times. Screens in this room featured:

On top of the hills, guests are shown the baobab or "upside-down tree". These trees produce fruit which is known as monkey bread, and 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 largest species of monkeys in the world. Other animals that can be found in the Savannah include elephants, ostriches, * A white rhinoceros, cheetahs and finally lions. After passing the lions, guests can see the attraction’s newest animal the Plains 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 elephant section of the safari, 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 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.sand beach

==List of Animals==Animals that can be found on Kilimanjaro Safaris include:[[Image:Okapi.jpg|300px|thumb|An Okapi eating on Kilimanjaro Safaris.]]{| style="padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px;"|-| * Addax| * 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|* 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|}A scuba diver

==Fun Facts and Trivia==* Throughout the attractionFollowing these sights, guests will see black vultures which are native entered a city where two rival merchants attempted to Floridasell their goods. The vultures are not mentioned by merchants would follow guests along the tour guides because they are not supposed to be river, until the boats reached the attractions finale. The end of El Rio Del Tiempo featured a large fiesta inside the city. On their left, guests could see marionettes riding a carousel, as fireworks went off in the attractionnight sky. The dolls in this room sang [[Fiestas De Mexico]] which carried on until guests reached the unloading area. Before disembarking the narrator would tell guests.

* Kilimanjaro Safaris is the largest attraction ever created by Disney{{Quotation| “Goodbye. We will meet again, until then, may you always be delighted with the beauty of Mexico"}}

* ===The entire Magic Kingdom could fit inside Kilimanjaro SafarisGran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros===[[Image:ThreeCaballerosfinale2.jpg|350px|thumb|The Three Caballeros reunited at the end of the Gran Fiesta Tour. Photo: D23]]The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros also begins with guests boarding longboats and sailing of towards a Mayan pyramid. As guests progress past the pyramid, they come across a screen which shows Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca -two members of the famous Three Caballeros. Guests learn that the trio is supposed to perform a concert in Mexico City, but unfortunately, Donald Duck (the third member of the group) is nowhere to be found. In order to reunite the trio in time for the concert, Jose and Panchito board their magic carpet Pepe and set off to find Donald. As Panchito and Jose fly high above Mexico, Donald Duck is shown below wearing souvenirs and taking photos. As guests enter the next scene, they see that Panchito and Jose are still searching for Donald. Other screens in the room show points of interest in Mexico, including a Mayan pyramid and a gondola.

* To create Kilimanjaro SafarisAt this point in the attraction, Imagineers had guests enter the Mexico’s Colonization scene. Similar to move 1[[it’s a small world]] the scene features various dolls dancing and singing.5 million cubic yards The colonization is essentially the same as it was when the ride was known as El Rio Del Tiempo, with the only change to the scene being the addition of dirta Donald Duck piñata and changes to the attraction's soundtrack.

* Imagineers had Continuing on, guests enter the next room where they see Donald chasing after a parasailing boat, that is driving away with his swimsuit. Overhead, Jose and Panchito leave a smoke message for Donald, which reads, “donde esta Donald?” (where is Donald). Moving forward, guests see that Jose and Panchito are now looking for Donald in a Mexican restaurant. When they ask a waiter if he has seen a duck, the man humorously shows them a roasted duck, causing them to place over 2flee.3 million plants when creating Kilimanjaro SafarisMeanwhile, across the room, Donald is shown attempting to rock dive, with predictably disastrous results.

* Zebras were found As dusk sets on Mexico, Panchito and Jose continue to search for Donald in the attraction’s savannah when Kilimanjaro Safaris first openedair. The animals Unknown to them however, Donald is actually scuba diving below. Exasperated, Jose proclaims that the show is about to start. As guests enter the next room, they see a mariachi band playing as women dance. Jose and Panchito are now featured at finally able to find Donald, and although they need to pull him away from the women, the trio is eventually able to make it to their concert. The attraction’s finale then takes place in Mexico City, as fireworks shoot overhead and Jose, Panchito, and Donald perform their signature song, “The Three Caballeros”. After witnessing the end of concert, guests return to the attractionloading dock.

==References==http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal'''Panchito Pistoles'''-kingdom/attractions/kilimanjaro-safaris/Carlos Alazraqui

http://ultimateorlando==See the Attraction!==To see The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros or El Rio Del Tiempo, click play below.blogspot.com/2012/05/kilimanjaro-safaris-new-ending-pics.html

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http{{#ev://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/walt_disney_world/theme_parks/animal_kingdom/kilimanjaro_safaris/youtube|NrQDKY9LVmQ|420}}

* Animator Eric Goldberg was responsible for animating The Three Caballeros for the Gran Fiesta Tour <ref> http://attractionsmagazinewww.chuckjones.com/blogartists/2012eric-goldberg/02</10ref> <ref> http:/changes/www.mainstgazette.com/2012/03/el-comingrio-todel-the-kilimanjaro-safaris-ride-at-disneys-animal-kingdomtiempo.html </ref>.

* X Atencio and Armando Corral wrote the music for El Rio Del Tiempo, some of which is reused in The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros <ref> http://www.jamboeveryonedisboards.com/2013threads/07/theel-returnrio-ofdel-zebrastiempo-song-got-the-lyrics.637690/ </ref>.html

http* In the scene where all of the Audio Animatronic dolls are singing, guests can catch a glimpse of a Donald Duck piñata <ref>https://disneyparksc2.disney.gostaticflickr.com/blog4/20133445/10/first-look-avatar-to-come-to-life-at-disneys-animal-kingdom3268057872_c50253fff1.jpg </ref>.

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