We Took Our Tots On a Safari in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Within Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Situated on more than 100 acres, the Reserve is home to a wide variety of species, including: giraffes, lions, zebras, hippos, gorillas, and so many more!
Kilimanjaro Safari is an attraction that takes guests on an open-aired vehicle tour around the Reserve. You’ll have the chance to encounter many of these amazing animals closer than you ever thought possible!
Let’s explore everything this ride has to offer and why my little ones absolutely love it!
Wait Times and Queue
As one of the most popular attractions in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the wait time is typically quite long, often over an hour. The queue is entirely outside, however it is covered so you’re in the shade and there are fans to help circulate air. Open containers or cups are prohibited and cast members will ask you to throw them out prior to riding. Strollers are only allowed for the first portion of the queue, until you arrive at stroller parking, at which point your little ones must disembark. A cast member will park your stroller for you and you will be able to retrieve it at the end of the ride.
Ride Vehicle
Guests will board an open-aired truck with bench style seating. There is plenty of space on the floor to place your bags. Little ones are allowed to sit on their own or on your lap. It is worth noting that the ride is quite bumpy. Ensure that if your little one is sitting on the end of the row, that they will have no problem staying seated.
The open-air design of the vehicles allows for a fairly seamless viewing experience regardless of your seat location within the truck. Spotting guides are conveniently located above each row of seats that my toddler really enjoys looking at.
The Ride Experience
With an average ride length at just under 20 minutes, this is definitely one of the longer experiences within Walt Disney World. The Disney Cast Member serving as your guide for your tour will be extremely knowledgeable about all the animals you will encounter throughout the ride. They will share interesting animal facts, stories and other fascinating details about all those who call the Harambe Wildlife Reserve home. They speak using a microphone that can be heard, even if you’re in the back row of the vehicle and there is some light chatter amongst the other guests. When possible, they will slow down and stop so that you can get a better view of the animals and take pictures.
One of the amazing, and also unique, qualities about the Kilimanjaro Safari is that no two ride experiences will be the same. Even if you were to ride back to back, you will still likely see different animals in different positions throughout the Reserve. Many of the animals roam freely throughout the Reserve, and as a result they sometimes will come within mere feet of your ride vehicle!
Final Thoughts and Rating
Kilimanjaro Safari is one of my toddler’s favorite rides within Walt Disney World. The environment that Disney has created for these animals is nothing short of amazing and your little ones will get to enjoy an experience unlike anything they’ve likely seen before. The ride vehicles were expertly designed to provide the optimal experience for guests, and with an average ride time of just under 20 minutes, it is definitely a worthwhile experience!
There is no height requirement, so both my toddler and baby were able to ride. With my smaller tot, we are currently using a baby carrier, which I cannot recommend enough. As previously mentioned, it is a rather long ride that is quite bumpy. My husband and I like having him in a secure and comfortable carrier that still allows him to look around and see everything.
My almost 4 year old toddler loves animals. Being able to go on this ride and see all of his favorite animals in person is like a dream come true for him. After we ride, he immediately asks to go on again and talks about it for days afterwards. I love being able to create these core memories with him. Your little ones will definitely love this ride, and so will you! This is an easily rated 5 out of 5 for our family and a must-do whenever we visit the park!