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Review of Wild by Design Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Review of Wild by Design Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

If you are looking for a Disney tour that will enable you to learn more about how the Disney Imagineers shaped  this 500 acre piece of Florida wetlands into the different lands to discover more about animals, conservation, and even some Disney magic, you will probably enjoy this tour.  I did.

The tour begins at the entrance to Animal Kingdom prior to park opening in the mornings.  First you check-in, then guests are grouped with a Tour Guide and you are given a headset so you can hear the guide as you move through the park.  I wasn’t sure if I would like the headset but it was fine.  Wear comfortable shoes and clothing as you will be walking for three hours with only a brief time to sit down about half-way through.  We entered the park and our guide talked to us about the purposeful design of Animal Kingdom which is the largest animal-themed park in the world.  I don’t want to give away all the secrets but I really enjoyed learning more about the details behind so many elements in this park.  You do not go “behind the scenes” on this tour, but you may be surprised on just HOW much you have not noticed before.  Once you see it, you won’t forget it.  You will also hear the back-stories of areas of the park that is very interesting and I don’t know how you would learn it because I had not heard it before.  I have a great appreciation of DinoLand and the Chester & Hester attractions.

Halfway through the tour you enter Pizzafari where a special snack/breakfast is waiting for you.  You have your choice of beverage, and then the group is given a basket of cinnamon rolls, cheese Danish, coffee-cake type muffins and a bowl of fresh fruit. It was delicious and we all enjoyed the time to talk with our guide and each other for a few minutes.   Another gift for those on the tour is a collectible pin specially designed for the tour guests that bears a gorilla and a dangler that says “Wild by Design”. It includes a donation, in your name, to the Disney Conservation Fund.

The storytelling behind everything in Animal Kingdom is very interesting to me, but learning more about the animals was my favorite part. We walked all over the park, so be prepared for that. We were able to meet with two animal handlers who were both very excited about their jobs and were very knowledgeable and great communicators. We met with a handler who works with the White Cheeked Gibbons and learned so much about them and how the zoos work together in matching and finding homes for animals when they are the right age. The parents of the family you see today have been very good parents according to our animal handler. She shared some humorous stories and it really made me appreciate this exhibit and the work being done there so much more.  We walked through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and learned extra details about the animals and the design of the area that you won’t learn any other way. We were treated to another animal handler, in the bird aviary.  He taught us many things about the birds, about identifying them, their behavior, feeding and was very entertaining and informative at the same time.

For a no obligation, FREE Quote with new bookings contact our sponsor Magical Vacation Planner by calling: 1(407)442-0289 Or for a free no obligation quote with new bookings you can fill out the form by Clicking HERE!

 I highly recommend this tour for people who would like to know more about what went into designing and building Animal Kingdom, more information on some of the animals, and a better understanding of the story behind the design elements of the park. Our tour guide and the animal handlers were very good at sharing interesting information in easy-to-understand and entertaining ways. This tour is for teens and adults and the price is $60.00, valid park admission required.  For more information or to book the tour call 407-WDW-TOUR.

By Cassie

About Cassie

Cassie L. I am a lifelong Disney fan. I attended Walt Disney World in 1971, and was there during the opening week of EPCOT, and have visited the Disney Parks for than 30 times. I have had the privilege of visiting Disneyland as a child, and then again with my children. My family recently moved from the northeastern United States to the Walt Disney World area. I now have cast members in my family and enjoy hearing the magical stories at the end of a shift. I love visiting all of the parks and getting to try more Disney food and being able to share it with you to help you plan your own magical day at Disney.