Three Adults & a Toddler – 6/7-13/09 - UPDATED 11/20 About This Page:

[scdisneyfan]

ohhhh i cant wait for this update...its the one i've been waiting for Take your time but I cannot believe we are in for another PTR how awesome is that????

[OhToodles!]

I'm hoping to watch the video tonight of the Safari and take notes while watching.

And yes, Crissy - another PTR. I'm closing in on 30 days, which will be 11/8. So I may have 2 going at once for a bit or this one will be a race to the finish.

[Hugmonster]

Looking forward to more.

[BeckiO5]

More Please

[OhToodles!]

6/11/09

WARNING!!! If you DO NOT want to know about the Sunrise Safari, DO NOT read this post!!!!

Ok, now on with the show:

We had to get up early today as today was the day for the Sunrise Safari!! I was SO excited about this day. Easily one of the best reasons to stay concierge at AKL. We met in the lobby and waited for everyone to arrive. I believe we headed out to the buses (2) around 7:30am to head for the lodge. Our ‘tour guide’ was the animal curator for the lodge. His name fails me, maybe Shelley can help me out. Oh! That reminds me Shelley (the Pooh) from the boards was also staying concierge and would be on the Sunrise Safari with us – we had tried to meet up earlier, but our schedules just didn’t work out, so we finally got to meet her and her daughter. They were also on the bus with us. Anyway, our guide was fantastic!! He really knew a lot and made some jokes, so it wasn’t all just cramming information down our throats.

We were taken in thru the back entrance (CM) of AK, so no pictures there. We saw the parking lot – across the street, far, far away that the CMs have to park. Further along we saw a little building with bicycles, where we were told another location by the parking lot for the CMs to use to travel back and forth so they don’t have to walk such a long distance. Very interesting. We also learned about a cell tower that was designed to look like a tree to blend in with the rest of the park while you’re in it. Once we got to the entrance we unloaded the buses, our tickets were scanned and we made our way into a back entrance of AK.

It was a short walk and then we were at Kilimanjaro Safaris. We loaded the safari vehicles and we were off! We still had our guide from the bus ride over and he was very informative. This safari was similar to the ones you take when the park is open, only this time you have someone explaining everything to you, giving you tidbits along the way, the ability to ask questions – and get them answered, and the vehicle makes stops and you could stand to get a better view and picture.


I'm excited and ready to go!!

The first animal we came to was the Greater Kudo. We were told that these animals were also over at the lodge, but there was a difference between those here at the safari and those back at the lodge. What’s the difference? Horns. Females are on the safari and males are at the lodge. If I remember correctly it was because they were a little too successful at breeding. Speaking of breeding we were told that Disney does a very good job managing the breeding of all the animals and they are able to track them genetically.



We then saw a Yellow Backed Duiker way back in the foliage (therefore no good pic of one) and learned they were great swimmers.
Next up was a Black Rhino. We were told the main different between Black and White Rhinos were the shape of their lips. The Black Rhino has a triangular shaped lip and uses it to pull leaves off trees and bushes to eat. (The White Rhino has a square shaped lip.)
There were some Black Vultures and Yellow Bill Storks in the area of the Black Rhinos. The vultures feed by sight – so when they see food they eat it – so Disney has to be very creative about feeding animals otherwise the vultures would eat it all. The Yellow Bill Stork feeds by tactile location; the animal keepers created a device the storks could feed out of – a bucket with a plastic ball (like from a ball pit) that floats in order to ‘plug’ the hole where the food is; the storks bills are long enough to get the food out.





Next we saw and heard about another type of antelope, which I’m pretty sure was a Bongo (it was hard to understand on the video). We were informed that they are called the “Ghosts of the Forest” (with a quick stop at Wikipedia saying that they are nocturnal and live deep in the forest) and are an endangered species. This is where zoos come in for conservation. Our guide stated zoos are very controversial, but are good in ways that they preserve animals too. He said no zoo keeper wants to see a caged animal. He said they’ll take an endangered species and rehabilitate them on a reserve where they will have offspring and hopefully the offspring can return to the wild to procreate.

Next up: the Saddle Bill Stork, which gets it name from the markings/color on its bill, Pelicans, and Hippos. The Hippos were another animal that were successful at their breeding and the one, yes one, male had to be separated from the females. Hippos are one of the most dangerous animals, but they don’t eat meat – they’re vegetarians. I believe they are dangerous because people think they’re going to be nice, but they’re very protective animals.









Next we were informed of just how many animal keepers there are. The West Savannah has about 20, the rest of the Savannah has another 20, plus there are keepers covering from 5am to 9/10am (before park opening) and a night crew. Overall there are 200-230 keepers for the animals at AK and AKL/V.

When we reached the Thompson (Tommy) Gazelles, we were about 1 mile from the lodge. Pretty far, but doesn’t feel like it would be that far really. We were informed that the Cheetah was the fastest animal on the savannah with top speeds reaching 65mph, where as the Tommies can reach speeds up to 55mph. You do the math. BUT, the cheetah can only sustain that speed for 3-400 yards where the Tommies can keep their 55mph for a longer time, so in reality the cheetah only succeeds at catching his prey 33% of the time.



The Elands were in the same area as the Tommies. We were informed of that the clicking noise that they make is all about dominance. But it’s caused by muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the joints of their legs, so it’s not like they can really do much of anything about it.



Someone at this point asked about the chain mesh on the trees. This is on the trees to protect the bark, not the animals. Some of the animals rub on the trees and therefore rub the bark off the trees.

Wildebeasts were next, but I don’t think we learned much except for that it was Scar’s fault not the Wildebeasts.



And now for my favorite animal!! The Giraffe!!! There apparently is a debate about whether or not the different markings on giraffes are because they’re different species or what. Our guide told us that he believes it’s more about location than species on why the markings are different. We were informed that giraffes don’t really eat palm trees, but they do. Several palm trees had been planted the day before and the guide was sure that the giraffes would be in that spot the rest of the day eating them – you could see where other trees had been – meaning not much was left but the trunk.


See the palm trees that have already been destroyed by the giraffes?



Next up: the Mandril Monkey. They use color in their face and uh, … bottoms to communicate. When a female is in heat her blood supply increases and therefore makes her derrière more colorful.


We passed a ‘Disney’ Baobob tree, meaning Disney made it as real baobob trees take 800-1000 years to get as big as the ones seen on the safari. These trees are very slow growing and get leaves for a short time. They are very good at preserving water though. Elephants will rub on the trunk for moisture.

Speaking of Elephants, they were up next. There are 3 Elephant exhibits. We didn’t learn too much else about them. I think we were running behind a bit and kind of had to hurry through the end. Oh well.

We also saw the Ankole Cattle. We were told that they were the oldest domesticated animals and the only ones domesticated animals at AK. Someone asked about the Ankole at the lodge that tilts his head. We were told that he had a bad ear infection and now has equilibrium problems and that’s why his head is tilted. Poor guy – I know how he feels –probably like I do after flying. But our guide said other than his head tilt he has no other side effects.



We quickly went by the Hidden Mickey / Flamingo Island and then saw the White Rhinos – where one trotted right by our vehicle. We learned that the reason the lions are almost always asleep is because that’s pretty much what they do – even in the wild. They mainly wake to hunt, but since they don’t have to do that, they sleep.









After our safari we got off, which are strollers were right there. Very nice valet service!!! I only wish it was like that all the time. And headed to Pizzafari for our buffet breakfast through a now open and getting full park.

We made it to Pizzafari together were seated at our table – they were assigned for us, and then the chef came out to explain what we’d be having. Sorry, I forgot to take pics, but it was DELICIOUS. I think this was the first time I had plantains and they were quite good.



Once Dylan was done eating he made friends with Shelley and her daughter Stephanie who were at a table near us. He was very friendly that day and just went right up to them and I think even sat in one or both of their laps. Soon we were all done and decide to go about our day. I stopped to give our guide one of the CM appreciation cards and I think he was very happy with it.

Up next… the rest of our day

[disneydreamer33]

The Sunrise Safari sounded amazing. I would love to get all that extra information.
Can't wait for more.

[BeckiO5]

Kelly, the Sunrise Safari sounds like so much fun! Thank you so much for sharing the info about it. I never knew Hippos were dangerous animals. I can't believe you had never had a plantain before that breakfast. We love them, and are frequently consumed in our household.

[mcc0313]

What a great update, the Sunrise Safari sounds like a wonderful experience, definitely an excuse for myself to get a stay in at the AKL (not that I really need one ). Wonderful pictures, looks like you had great weather for your tour.

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great time on the sunrise safari! Love the pics!

[DawnK]

What a great safari-the animals are awesome.

[KMB733]

Sounds like a great time on the safari! I never realized just how many keepers they had working at the AK and AKL. Great pictures too!

[chezp]

Thanks for sharing the details of the Sunrise Safari - it looks amazing.

[lauriep]

The safari looks amazing. Gotta do it some day!

[OhToodles!]

Thanks everyone! The Sunrise Safari was excellent! The weather was probably the best we had - of course we were done by 9am on the tour so it hadn't gotten too hot yet.

[Hugmonster]

Great update on the Safari. It was beautiful.