Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Rescuing “Little Red” the elephant will no longer be the climactic finale of Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom come spring 2012 as Walt Disney World has announced plans to change the attraction. More live zebra will be added to the vast savannah, in the process removing the “Little Red” Audio-Animatronics, truck, and surrounding area. It will all become a new watering hole featuring live animals, instead of the one fake animal the ride has featured since its debut. The changes are said to be completed by fall 2012, with the ride remaining open throughout.>> <a href="http://www.insidethemagic.net/2012/02/walt-disney-world-to-replace-audio-animatronics-with-live-animals-in-kilimanjaro-safaris-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/comment-page-1/#comment-133084" target="_blank">http://www.insidethemagic.net/...t-133084</a> Great change, if you ask me.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Agreed. I rode the attraction during cast preview when, if I'm not mistaken, the poachers actually killed "Little Red". It was so abrupt and I remember some kids (not mine) in our vehicle being very upset and concerned. It always seemed forced, even when it was changed. A watering hole sounds like a perfect addition/change.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I hope this means that they'll tone down the whole poacher storyline. I understand that they felt that the ride needed to be something 'more' than just a ride past animals, but it really works well like that. The AA at the end always seemed out of place (and looks suspiciously like Ellie at the end of the Jungle Cruise...the one who 'has a cold'). And I never saw the original version, but I thought it was Big Red that was lying there in a heap, next to the poachers?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<And I never saw the original version, but I thought it was Big Red that was lying there in a heap, next to the poachers?>> From what I understand, you did indeed see Big Red's corpse in the original version, which didn't last past cast previews.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb This is really good news! It's nice to see positive changes to a successful attraction.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt good news!! I always felt bad for the cast member stuck standing there all day!
Originally Posted By dshyates <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/rare-rhino-killed-conservationists-anti-poaching-demonstration-article-1.1020312" target="_blank">http://www.nydailynews.com/new....1020312</a>
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think it is a GREAT change. And unlike some here, I don't feel that every Disney attraction needs to "tell a story". Sometimes just looking at really cool stuff is enough.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I look forward to the changes. This is one change I am happy to hear.
Originally Posted By danyoung I didn't mind the story so much, but I'll be glad to lose that last mad dash where you're just about beat to death by the bumps in the road!
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 When my family went last fall, we were the 2nd to the last tour of the day. Our guide aked if he had any new guest, we were all returning guest. We had the best tour, he talked just about anything we wanted to know stayed longer at some of the animals. Able to take more pictures and when the time came to save the baby elephant we didn't even notic that we weren't following the script. Everyone was having a great time. I don't think it will be missed, and I think adding more animals is a great idea.
Originally Posted By tashajilek " but I thought it was Big Red that was lying there in a heap, next to the poachers?" Wow, thats pretty aweful.
Originally Posted By danyoung Yup, the first version of the ride showed Big Red dead. They figgered out real quickly what a downer that was and changed the story.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip There already is a "like' button. It just takes four key-strokes. LIKE ;-)
