New ‘Caring For Giants’ tour gets guests closer to Disney’s Animal Kingdom elephants
If the perspective you get on pachyderms during Kilimanjaro Safaris isn’t personal enough for you, the new Caring For Giants experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom can get you closer than ever to the park’s majestic elephants, for a price.
Guests can get a closer look at the majestic African elephants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and learn what it takes to care for them. Caring for Giants is a unique, family-friendly backstage viewing experience of our African elephants.
During this 60-minute tour, guests will see the elephant herd from a newly created viewing area on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna, and can meet with dedicated animal care specialists who provide for the care and wellness of Walt Disney World’s elephant herd. African cultural representatives will also be on hand to share stories of Disney’s conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of wild populations throughout their homeland. Throughout this experience, guests will be able to observe the elephants from approximately 80 to 100 feet away – so they’ll enjoy a closer encounter with the elephants than they would during other in-park experiences.
Caring for Giants will be offered several times daily beginning March 12, 2017. Groups depart throughout the day between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and each experience lasts approximately one hour. Guests must be 4 years of age or older to participate. Reservations can be made by calling 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529). Cost is $30 per person (tax included). Admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is required and is not included with the cost of Caring for Giants.
This is an outdoor experience, so be sure to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately, including wearing comfortable shoes. No cameras, video equipment or cell phones may be used while backstage. However, photography is allowed and encouraged in non-backstage areas. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older). Guests must be 4 years of age or older to participate. Check in 15 minutes prior to start of experience at the Animal Experiences booth, located across from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction entrance. Late arrivals may not be able to join the experience. Itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice. You will forfeit the entire price of this experience if you no-show or cancel within 2 days of your reservation.
For information about service animal policies for this experience, please call the Guest Animal Experience team directly at (407) 938-1487. Non-transferrable wheelchair guests may remain in their wheelchair throughout this experience; however due to limited capacity onboard the backstage transport vehicle, all accommodation requests should be confirmed by calling (407) 938-1487.
Guests using an ECV must leave their mobility device onstage where they will retrieve them upon conclusion of the experience. Guests must walk by themselves, or be assisted by a member(s) of their party in a courtesy wheelchair to participate in this experience. This experience visits outdoor areas containing common allergens such as dust and hay, as well as biting/stinging insects.
For more information about Caring for Giants visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/caring-for-giants/, and watch this video for a full POV of the nighttime Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction:
