Walt Disney World to replace Audio-Animatronics with live animals in Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

in Disney, Entertainment, Theme Parks

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Credit: Disney

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.

Though Little Red will be going away, Kilimanjaro Safaris will still have a story, though likely a different one. When I asked if the “scare off the poachers” story will still be intact, Disney Parks Blog author Jennifer Fickley-Baker replied that “the attraction will still have a very strong and prominent conservation message.” She did not (or could not) elaborate further.

The changes are said to be completed by fall 2012, with the ride remaining open throughout.

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