Tuesday morning DW and I made our way over to the Animal Kingdom to take the Caring for Giants tour. Quick summary: it was great! If you are interested in getting a special view of the elephants and learn a lot more about them from one of the animal specialists this tour is for you.
We met CM Gabe and signed in at the table located off to the left just before the entrance to the Safari. We were handed lanyards with our names which were our passes to go backstage. While waiting for the tour to start we chatted with another couple taking the tour. All together there were just 7 of us which made the CM interaction very personable. Right at the appointed time Gabe walked us backstage and introduced us to our driver, whose name I am embarrassed to say I have forgotten, who walked us through the backstage area to the parking lot and the bus that was to drive us to the back of the Safari. He kept up a constant stream of interesting backstage facts while we walked through the parking lot. Like the incredibly large number of dump truck loads it took to build the earthen berm that surrounds the Safari.
Spoiler Warning! For those who have never been backstage, it can be a bit of a shock. It is industrial. Well kept and organized but definitely off stage. No pictures allowed!
As he drove our driver continued his stream of information with frequent pauses to ask if we had any questions. I now know that Disney has three separate zoos, the AK, the AK Lodge, and the aquarium. He was very knowledgable and answered all the questions that came up. We passed a number of the barns used to house the animals.
When we arrived we were introduced to CM Conner who is one of the elephant caregivers. He walked us up the ramp to the viewing area located right behind the elephant area you see on the Safari. And there were the elephants! Including baby Stella. Conner introduced the elephants and told us about their histories and personalities. He also explained how the elephants are cared for and trained. It was clear from his words that Conner takes good care of them.
We also met CM Missy from South Africa who added an interesting story about an experiment using the sound of bees to keep elephants away from a watermelon farm. She also handed out the Disney Conservation Fund buttons. All profits from the tour go to elephant conservation.
It was very nice having the “quiet time” to talk with the CM’s and view the animals. And to watch the Safari trucks cruise by with everyone trying to get a glimpse of the elephants. Having taken the Safari many times we now know where the elephants are when they seem to be hiding.
The time went by quickly and our driver showed up to takes us back. We said our goodbyes and thanks to Connor and Missy and boarded our bus. Along the way he continued to tell us more about Disney and answer any questions. Once we got back to the entry into the AK we were again met by CM Gabe. He collected our lanyards but we got to keep the paper nameteags which were actually elephant “poop paper”.
All four of the CM’s we met were energetic and obviously interested in making our tour successful. The tour was $30 per person ($51 for two with the AP discount) for the one hour experience. I had signed up for the tour over the phone about two weeks ago but it was clear that there were open slots available that day. The tour runs many times during the day. We both thought it was well worth the price.
We met CM Gabe and signed in at the table located off to the left just before the entrance to the Safari. We were handed lanyards with our names which were our passes to go backstage. While waiting for the tour to start we chatted with another couple taking the tour. All together there were just 7 of us which made the CM interaction very personable. Right at the appointed time Gabe walked us backstage and introduced us to our driver, whose name I am embarrassed to say I have forgotten, who walked us through the backstage area to the parking lot and the bus that was to drive us to the back of the Safari. He kept up a constant stream of interesting backstage facts while we walked through the parking lot. Like the incredibly large number of dump truck loads it took to build the earthen berm that surrounds the Safari.
Spoiler Warning! For those who have never been backstage, it can be a bit of a shock. It is industrial. Well kept and organized but definitely off stage. No pictures allowed!
As he drove our driver continued his stream of information with frequent pauses to ask if we had any questions. I now know that Disney has three separate zoos, the AK, the AK Lodge, and the aquarium. He was very knowledgable and answered all the questions that came up. We passed a number of the barns used to house the animals.
When we arrived we were introduced to CM Conner who is one of the elephant caregivers. He walked us up the ramp to the viewing area located right behind the elephant area you see on the Safari. And there were the elephants! Including baby Stella. Conner introduced the elephants and told us about their histories and personalities. He also explained how the elephants are cared for and trained. It was clear from his words that Conner takes good care of them.
We also met CM Missy from South Africa who added an interesting story about an experiment using the sound of bees to keep elephants away from a watermelon farm. She also handed out the Disney Conservation Fund buttons. All profits from the tour go to elephant conservation.
It was very nice having the “quiet time” to talk with the CM’s and view the animals. And to watch the Safari trucks cruise by with everyone trying to get a glimpse of the elephants. Having taken the Safari many times we now know where the elephants are when they seem to be hiding.
The time went by quickly and our driver showed up to takes us back. We said our goodbyes and thanks to Connor and Missy and boarded our bus. Along the way he continued to tell us more about Disney and answer any questions. Once we got back to the entry into the AK we were again met by CM Gabe. He collected our lanyards but we got to keep the paper nameteags which were actually elephant “poop paper”.
All four of the CM’s we met were energetic and obviously interested in making our tour successful. The tour was $30 per person ($51 for two with the AP discount) for the one hour experience. I had signed up for the tour over the phone about two weeks ago but it was clear that there were open slots available that day. The tour runs many times during the day. We both thought it was well worth the price.
Did the CMs mention any difference in a morning tour vs an afternoon tour? Might the elephants be more active in the morning?
tour!
