Disney's Animal Kingdom offering a new elephant experience - Caring for Giants

Feb 24, 2017 in "Caring for Giants"

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Posted: Friday February 24, 2017 8:10am EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney's Animal Kingdom is introducing a new elephant experience beginning March 12 2017.

Kilimanjaro Safaris animals - African Elephant

During the 60-minute "Caring for Giants" experience, you’ll meet with dedicated animal specialists who provide for the care and wellness of our African elephant herd. They’ll give you a glimpse into their day-to-day responsibilities as they provide fascinating facts about the elephants.

African cultural representatives will also be on hand to share stories of Disney’s conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of wild populations throughout their homeland.

Throughout this experience, you’ll be able to observe the elephants from approximately 80 to 100 feet away—so you’ll enjoy a closer encounter with the elephants than you would during other in-park experiences.

Pricing and Reservations

"Caring for Giants" costs $30 per person, with tours scheduled for 10am, 10:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 1pm, 1:30pm, 3pm, 3:30pm, 4pm and 4:30pm daily. Guests must be 4 years of age or older to participate and check in is 15 minutes prior to start of experience at the Animal Experiences booth, located across from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction entrance. Late arrivals may not be able to join the experience.

Reservations can be made by calling (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529.

Discuss on the Forums

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BoltMar 20, 2017

I think is a fair comparison. It's a hour long tour within an attraction guided by people specialized in their field that isn't food and beverage based.

disney4life2008Mar 20, 2017

Very different experience; however, a good point. But we are talking animal kingdom here.

BoltMar 20, 2017

Behind The Seeds price point has never really changed much and they're running tours all day long.

PleakleyMar 20, 2017

True, never reveal a value at the World.

disney4life2008Mar 20, 2017

Enjoy it. It will be $70 before you know it

JoeCamelMar 20, 2017

Didn't say they should stop. I think they should contribute more than 1 days gate at one park per year to this. Maybe the gate at ALL the parks on 4/22 each year? They tell people it is a donation in carefully chosen words designed to have you think it is all when it is not. People deserve to know how much and where their money goes. This (The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund) is NOT a charity, this is a PR operation for TWDC that only costs 2 million a year.

PleakleyMar 19, 2017

Regardless of where the money goes, I think it's kind of exciting that an upcharge is only costing $30. I know they were doing some more reasonably priced events at the Arts Festival too. It's a potentially big price point they've missed out and helps with their "money hungry" image.

JermMar 19, 2017

I did it and really enjoyed it. http://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2017/03/15/tour-review-disneys-animal-kingdom-caring-giants/

Disney AnalystMar 17, 2017

You wrong. You wrong girl. *ding ding*

JoeCamelMar 17, 2017

They say all "proceeds" (I did the wild africa trek) which is not the same as the entire fee.

NearTheEarsMar 17, 2017

So they should just stop doing the fund since it's only been a measly $40 million?

flyerjabMar 17, 2017

Interesting. On the tour they said all proceeds. In fact, they said it was a challenge to do it but the agreement was made internally to do it.

ravenMar 17, 2017

Oh but they are. Disney doesn't donate employee and trainer time, vehicle upkeep and maintenance costs. That would mean they would eat the cost and cover it themselves. They don't. Those expenses are definitely handed down to guests.

BrittanyRose428Mar 17, 2017

True, but the overhead costs are not being deducted from the $30/person they're making from Caring for Giants, they're being covered by general profits they make from the parks, which kind of makes this conversation more interesting-- it's good that the $30 is going to the conservation fund, but in theory that means guests who will never do this experience are paying for its overhead costs. Although I guess it's not much different than increasing ticket prices and building an attraction some guests don't care to do.