Kilimanjaro Safaris (Walt's Dream at Disney's Animal Kingdom)

Imagination Skyway

Matthew Krul

History, Society & Culture, Places & Travel, Kids & Family

5 • 830 Ratings

🗓️ 20 March 2021

⏱️ 96 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Kilimanjaro Safaris opened at Walt Disney World on Earth Day 1998 (after a soft opening that spring). As the signature attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Kilimanjaro Safaris is Walt Disney's dream come to life. As a lover of animals and nature, Walt originally intended for Disneyland's Jungle Cruise to feature live animals, but it just wasn't possible at the time. Kilimanjaro Safaris might have been Walt's favorite attraction. With about three dozen unique species of African animals who are free to roam within a handful of ecosystems, authentic safari trucks that have been converted into eco-friendly vehicles, a rich storyline that continues into Harambe Village, live Cast Member narratives, conservation messages, cultural motifs, and a land size greater than Magic Kingdom Park, Kilimanjaro Safaris might just be the most impressive attraction at any Disney Park. As a former Cast Member on this attraction, I know Kilimanjaro Safaris better than any other and am incredibly excited to share this knowledge with you. In today's episode, we'll explore the history of this attraction, including its rich backstory (along with Harambe Village's backstory), history, detail, safety considerations, and fun facts. We'll also discuss its ties to Walt Disney, and I'll take you with me for a binaural audio ride-through of the attraction (recorded in 2019). What do you love most about Kilimanjaro Safaris? Send me your feedback via email or through direct or public message at any of the following and [with your permission] I'll include your message in a future show: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineerPodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/ImagineerPodcast Twitter: www.twitter.com/ImagineerNews Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imagineerpodcast/ Email: [email protected] Be sure to check out our sponsor WDW Magazine, the premier magazine focused on Walt Disney World, available in print or digital. Thanks to Share a Dream Come True YouTube channel for letting us borrow the audio from their Kilimanjaro Safaris video (be sure to watch the full video to see the original storyline). Disney news and travel tips: Be sure to visit our Disney news partner, The Kingdom Insider: Website: https://thekingdominsider.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/KingdomInsider Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekingdominsider/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tkidisneynews YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNy6LP8uPSjsktoPBr5JTQ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TKIDisneyNews/ Vacation Planning: Planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, or another Disney destination? Visit our trusted partner, Academy Travel: Walt Disney World: https://apps.itams.com/AcademyCRM/form/waltdisney/IP Disneyland: https://apps.itams.com/AcademyCRM/form/disneyland/IP Disney Cruise Line: https://apps.itams.com/AcademyCRM/form/disneycruise/IP Aulani: https://apps.itams.com/AcademyCRM/form/Aulani/IP Adventures by Disney: https://apps.itams.com/AcademyCRM/form/DisneyAdventure/IP How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join the Imagineer Society - https://www.patreon.com/imagineerpodcast Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Download Imagineer Tours - http://imagineertours.com Special thanks to our Hero Patreon members! Crystal W Thomas N Enjoy the show!

Transcript

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0:00.0	I'm Hello and welcome to the Imagineer podcast, your unofficial guide to All Things Disney.
0:48.6	I'm your host, Matthew Krull, and you're listening to episode number 100 of the Imagineer podcast.
0:57.0	Because it's our 100th episode, I of course had to select a topic that is very near and dear to my heart,
1:03.0	and one that is really fitting for this milestone episode.
1:08.0	And so our discussion today is going to be about Kilimanjaro
1:11.9	safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The reason I selected this attraction is because it's, first
1:17.7	of all, one of the most intricate at Walt Disney World and, of course, as the signature
1:22.7	attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom. And the other reason is because if you haven't listened to the show before,
1:29.1	I used to work at Kilimanjaro Safaris as a cast member on the Disney College program
1:34.0	and as a seasonal cast member between 2007 and 2010.
1:39.1	So I have a rich history with this attraction,
1:42.7	and because of that, it's one that I feel passionate about.
1:46.0	And because I know quite a lot about the attraction's backstory and all the details you might not know,
1:52.0	I want to share some of that information with you today.
1:55.0	It's going to be, and I have to say already is, our most detailed attraction episode to date. It includes so much information,
2:04.6	a lot that you might not have known before, and I know will help you to gain an even
2:09.3	deeper appreciation and understanding for this classic Walt Disney World attraction.
2:16.6	I'll include not only information, but also a binaural audio
2:19.8	recording of Kilimanjaro Safari so we can virtually be transported together to this attraction
2:26.8	at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Of course, at the end of the episode, I'll come back and tell you a little
2:31.7	bit more about how you can connect with Imagineer
2:34.3	podcast on all your favorite social media channels and how you can help to inspire and create
	...

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