Kilimanjaro Safaris has been the crown jewel attraction — certainly from a live animal standpoint — since Animal Kingdom opened in 1998. The experience includes unique-for-Disney elements, including animals like lions, elephants, rhinos, and more, as well as narration from a live guide driver!

Speaking of those drivers, like any Disney Cast Member, there are often things they wish they could say to guests that they keep inside!

Let’s begin with a quick cheat, though. There may have been a time when “Remain Seated at All Times (Even Kids)” wasn’t said that often, since it was laid out pretty clearly on ride signs and should be common sense. However, these days we hear it directly from drivers A LOT, which arguably may be a testament to a decline in guests following posted rules, or could simply be a case of Disney putting a stricter emphasis on the rule. Either way, please stay in your seats on the ride.

“Don’t Talk Over the Narration”

Beyond being drivers, the Cast Members onboard Kilimanjaro Safaris are an essential part of the story. They deliver narration that informs guests about the real animals featured on the ride and keeps things grounded in the fictional reality of an African Savanna in Harambe. Hence why guests shouldn’t loudly talk over them, ignore what they say, or distract other riders from being able to keep track of things.

“Don’t Ruin the Magic by Pointing Out the Invisible Animal Barriers to Others”

In the same vein, drivers likely have to bite their tongues from stopping guests from ruining the illusion. See, while Kilimanjaro Safaris looks like a wide-open African savannah where all of the animal species live together, in actuality it’s a series of crafted animal habitats where species are separated both from each other and from guests via hidden barriers, fences, and other obstacles disguised as natural outcroppings. While this isn’t “secret” knowledge, loudly discussing it on the ride is a theme-breaking experience.

“No, You Can’t Get Out to Get Closer to Any of the Animals”

This may seem like “common sense,” but there really are guests who believe they’ll be able to leave the ride vehicle and get up close and personal with the animals. To be clear, this is not and has never been part of the attraction, even for encounters with “less dangerous” animals. This WILL be a point when your safari driver will tell you to sit down, and they WILL.

“Don’t Ask About Big Red and Little Red”

The main draw of Kilimanjaro Safaris has always been — and will always be — the live animals, which is why it may surprise many to learn that during the ride’s early years it also featured a storyline involving two fictional elephants. In the ride’s original theme, riders would not only be touring the savanna, but they would also be on the lookout for poachers who had abducted baby elephant Little Red and murdered his mother, Big Red. Both elephants — including the corpse of the latter — were represented by animatronics. Yes, really. Suffice to say that storyline was dropped and is no longer mentioned, though Little Red was displayed at D23 a few years ago. 

Next time you’re riding Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safaris, keep in mind everything your driver likely wishes they could say! Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World’s most popular rides.

Speaking of Animal Kingdom, if you’re heading to the park for the first time — or the first time in a long time — you should brush up on everything you need to know about the park.

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