Caring for Giants at Animal Kingdom
By Morgan Flaherty
As a kid , I was convinced I was destined to work with animals . Maybe it was due to my early obsession with The Lion King , or simply a normal childhood fascination with pets , but at the age of 5 , I swore I ’ d grow up to be a marine biologist or veterinarian whose primary contact would be with the animal kingdom , not fellow human beings .
Alas , my dream was dashed early on , when I realized the mere sight of blood made me feel faint ( only confirmed by my abysmal grades in science classes throughout middle and high school ). But that love of animals has continued , and is a big reason I consider Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom the best of the four parks at Walt Disney World .
Not only is the park home to the best thrill ride at Disney World ( dance on , Disco Yeti ), but it ’ s also a destination where you ’ ll find some of the most underrated activities in any theme park .
AN ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER In addition to Animal Kingdom ’ s epic Kilimanjaro Safaris , you can sign up for several behind-the-scenes tours for an additional cost . Perhaps the most well-known tour is the Wild Africa Trek , where you can take a privately guided three-hour tour through Kilimanjaro Safaris . However , due to its more strenuous nature , the tour is limited to participants 8 and older .
For younger participants , you can choose Caring for Giants . This hour-long experience takes you backstage for a closer look at the largest members of the savanna : the elephant herd . You ’ ll get a private guided tour in a small group where you can observe the elephants from 80 to 100 feet away , learning more about the day-to-day workings and care for these magnificent creatures .
The experience is open to guests 4 and older , making it a more accessible tour for littles who want to see the animals of Kilimanjaro Safaris up close .
ABOUT CARING FOR GIANTS Caring for Giants is a 60-minute experience for guests 4 years of age or older ( all minors must be accompanied by a participating adult ). Separate theme park admission is required for all participating guests and is not included in the price of the tour .
The experience is available at select times throughout the day , at $ 39 per person ( plus tax ), with a discount for Annual Passholders .
Guests using an ECV must leave their mobility device onstage ; the experience requires guests to walk by themselves or be assisted by members of their party in a courtesy wheelchair during the experience .
The experience takes place outdoors , so wear weatherappropriate clothing and comfortable shoes for your tour .
Helpful Tip : Make your reservation for this experience early , as it can sell out fast ! You can make reservations as early as 60 days before your trip .
Get closer to these gentle giants on the backstage tour . PHOTO BY ANDY JERZEWSKI