Experience what Disney has to offer behind the scenes
With things slowly returning to normal at Walt Disney World, we thought it might be entertaining to start a series of articles around other things to do at Walt Disney World.
Other things to do at Disney World? Are you saying there are different things to do besides the rides and attractions in each of the four parks?
Yes, that’s precisely what I’m saying. Disney also offers many guided tours across the Walt Disney World property.
If you frequent the parks, you may find yourself searching for other experiences to extend the Disney magic. We hope that this series will inform you of some of your choices when you plan your next visit.
I’m keeping my reviews spoiler-free, not to rob you of the experience when you take part.
Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Lions, and tigers and bears…Oh my! Well, maybe I’m a bit dramatic, but the Wild Africa Trek encounter at Disney’s Animal Kingdom does indeed get the heart pumping.
This 3-hour private guide lead tour was one of our highlights from a pre-COVID trip to Disney World. The adventure is open to anyone eight and up who is at least 48 inches tall. It also requires admission to Animal Kingdom, plus a separate ticket for this event.
The tour prohibits any loose articles on you. Disney supplies a locker for those extra items, and they also provide some amenities such as a water bottle, sunglass straps, bug spray, and sunscreen.
The guides even act as your photographers for the trek. If you want to take your own pictures, you can, but you need to make sure to tether phones and cameras to your body.
As is typical with Disney from the moment we met our guides, their excitement was contagious. The cast members are often the unsung heroes of the tours. Their dedication and energy add to the enjoyment of the experience.
For example, we had eleven family members in our party, and within minutes, the cast members remembered our names and our relationships with each other. They go above and beyond to make everyone feel part of something bigger, and it shows in the work they do.
Once we stowed our gear, it was time to get harnessed up. A few times during the tour, you will leave the ground and be required to wear a safety harness.
But don’t worry, you will be on a suspended walkway above the animals. Imagineers have done their best to make it look and feel old and rickety. However, I can assure you it is quite safe.
Now that you’re in a harness, the guides lead you out on a trail to the “African Savana.”
Without giving too much away, over the next several hours, you’ll get close-up views of Hippos.
Then, walk a swinging bridge across perilous crocodile-infested waters to hop aboard a private jeep with a ring-side look at the animals on the savanna.
Finally, finishing the tour with some delicious African-inspired snacks.
Overall this tour was exactly what you would expect from Disney, fun, engaging, interactive, and well worth the time out of the day we took to do it. However, as I said before, it requires a daily admission to the park, so I don’t know if I would recommend this for first-time visitors.
But if you are a frequent Disney guest and are looking for something new and exciting to do, I would highly recommend the Wild Africa Trek.
Matt Inman is a columnist for Boardwalk Times
