Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
A Walt Disney World Resort guest recently caught a rare glimpse at how the Central Florida Disney park protects its cast members from the animals that call the theme park destination home.
Wildlife encounters are common at various Disney parks, particularly at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The fourth Disney park is designed to showcase exotic animals in natural habitats and encourage conservation, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Credit: Disney
While these close encounters create magical experiences, they also present certain risks. Although rare, the potential for animal attack is a serious concern that Walt Disney World Resort management takes very seriously. Disney cast members, responsible for the safety of both guests and animals, are continually trained and educated on handling such situations.
Redditor u/Kiliana117 recently witnessed one of these methods in action at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. They watched as Disney cast members did maintenance work on an animal enclosure while holding shields to protect themselves from antelope and other wildlife in the area:
Thought this was funny…
“Watching the cast members doing maintenance at AKL, and we were amused by the antelope shield,” the Disney Resort guest wrote. “I missed the shot, but before I took this he was fending off the business end of an eland.”
These shields protect employees from potential animal attacks, providing a physical barrier during emergencies. By employing these shields, Walt Disney World Resort cast members can mitigate the risk of injuries while maintaining a safe distance from unpredictable animals.
Credit: Disney
In addition to physical shields, extensive training programs have been put into place for emergency situations. Disney cast Members undergo rigorous training that includes understanding animal behavior, recognizing potential threats, and learning how to react appropriately. The training focuses on de-escalation techniques as well as handling emergencies should they arise unexpectedly.
“Those who [work] in DAK have a radio code for when a keeper gets in trouble with the animals, and they have a variety of ways to intervene when an animal gets too aggressive,” u/SeriousStrokes69 explained. “You don’t ever want to hear it come over the radio, but when it does it’s amazing to see how many different ways they can get in there and redirect the animals’ behavior. Some things work better than others.”
Do you have a favorite animal at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share it with Disney Tips in the comments!
