Walt
Disney World
Magic
Kingdom
Epcot
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Animal
Kingdom
The Oasis
Shopping
Dining
Other
Discovery Island
Attractions
Shopping
Dining
Other
Camp Minnie-Mickey
Attractions
Shopping
Dining
Other
Africa
Attractions
Shopping
Dining
Other
Rafiki's Planet Watch
Attractions
Shopping
Dining
Other
Asia
Attractions
Shopping
Dining
Other
Dinoland, USA
Attractions
Shopping
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Other
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Africa opened with Disney's Animal Kingdom on
April 22, 1998 with the parks signature attraction,
Kilimanjaro Safaris.
The story of how this section of the park came into
being actually begins at Epcot. For several years,
Disney was trying to figure out how they could
incorporate an African pavilion in World Showcase,
but due to the size of the great continent, nothing
every came of it.
When Disney gave the go ahead to Disney's Animal
Kingdom, it was decided to have one section of the
park dedicated to the continent of Africa, but
problems still arose. Since there are several
different countries found within Africa, which
country would best represent the continent as a
whole?
The solution came from the minds |
of the Imagineers instead of any specific African region. A
brand new African town was created specifically for the park
and Imagineers named it Harambe, which is Swahili for
working together.
While walking through Africa you can see that Disney didn't
go into creating this section of the park half-heartedly.
While walking around make sure you take a look at the second
stories of the different buildings. You can see beach towels
hanging from windows, doorways that go towards different
houses, and even hear talking from the windows.
Not only is Africa full of detail, but it's full of space as
well. Kilimanjaro Safaris is the size of the entire Magic
Kingdom, which helps make Africa the largest "land" in any
Disney park around the world!
The current attractions in Africa are Kilimanjaro Safaris
and the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. In addition to
these two attractions, you can also catch the Wildlife
Express Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch from the outskirts of
Harambe.
Fun Facts: You can find several references
to the Imagineers that made Disney's Animal Kingdom a
reality around Africa. While searching look for a sign that
reads, "JORODI Masks and Beads." Joe Rohde (JORODI) was the
creative lead for Disney's Animal Kingdom!
Touring Tips: Make sure you stop by
Kilimanjaro Safaris earlier in the day, or grab a Fastpass
for it as soon as you arrive at the park. This attraction
can get busy as the day goes on and is a must see!
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade begins and ends in Africa
which gives you the opportunity to see the parade twice! If
you only want to see the parade once, however, try to stop
by after it's first pass through the land since the crowds
tend to get thinner during it's second pass through the
land.
Reader Reviews:
If you'd like to have your
review of Africa posted here, send an email to
Review@fromscreentotheme.com.
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