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An unexpected encounter with a giraffe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park left guests stranded on the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris ride for over an hour. While delays on this attraction are not uncommon due to its wild residents, this particular experience tested the patience of guests both on the Walt Disney World Resort ride and waiting in line.
A Kilimanjaro Safaris Standstill
Credit: Disney
Reddit user u/DocBrutus recently took to the platform to describe their experience of being trapped waiting for Kilimanjaro Safaris when the attraction came to a halt. “The safari has been at a standstill for about an hour or so,” they wrote, asking if others knew what caused the delay.
As it turned out, a giraffe had decided to park itself on the ride path, blocking the safari vehicles from proceeding. Another Reddit user, u/ratbastid, jokingly referred to the situation as a “giraffic jam.” Their humorous guess turned out to be correct.
“They just started up again,” u/DocBrutus shared in a follow-up comment. “The giraffes were blocking the roads.”
Memorable Wildlife Encounters on Kilimanjaro Safaris
Credit: Disney
Kilimanjaro Safaris offers a unique experience that changes with every ride, thanks to its 110-acre Harambe Wildlife Preserve and the animals that call it home. The attraction is famous for its close encounters with giraffes, lions, elephants, rhinos, and more. However, the unpredictability of the animals occasionally leads to delays.
Other Disney Park guests chimed in on Reddit to share their wildlife-related holdups.
“I was on the safari for a hour because an animal decided the road was a good place to nap,” u/MLrrtPAFL commented. “They try move encourage them to move, but you maybe waiting awhile.”
“While we were in the ride, we were stopped for about 45 [minutes] as the rhinos wanted to play in front of our truck,” said u/blupanan. “Fun for us as we got to see it but did feel bad for the people that were waiting in line.”
Guests Grow Impatient
Credit: Disney
While the close interactions with wildlife make Kilimanjaro Safaris a fan-favorite attraction, extended delays can lead to frustration. During the hour-long standstill, Kilimanjaro Safaris’ wait time reportedly jumped to 140 minutes, leaving guests in line visibly irritated. According to u/DocBrutus, “people in line were getting heated” as they waited much longer than expected for their safari adventure.
The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Kilimanjaro Safaris is a cornerstone of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the largest of Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks. In addition to the safari, guests can enjoy wildlife trails like the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail in Africa, the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia, and smaller animal exhibits near the park’s iconic Tree of Life.
Credit: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr
The unpredictability of live animals is part of what makes Disney’s Animal Kingdom such a unique experience. While delays like this can be frustrating, they also remind guests of the care Walt Disney World Resort takes in creating authentic and respectful interactions with the natural world.
Have you ever gotten stuck on a ride at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your memories with Disney Tips in the comments.
They told us 2 years ago, this is the animals home. We let them roam how they want, like a “safari” We are invading their space not the other way around. Good for Disney!!
That is the beauty of Kilomajaro Safaris. You get to see wildlife doing as they please, when they please. Humans are impatient and want to impose their will on everything, which is why the world is in the sad state it is in. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to have experienced this on the ride. As for those in line, they could have gotten out of line and come back later when the wait times decreased. When no Safari vehicles are pulling into the station, you can be sure that the animals are having doing theirthing. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Five years ago after enjoying “Savor the Savannah” tour our safari truck was surrounded by Rhinos. A couple of them were “sparring” while another actually nudged the truck. The video of that evening still makes me chuckle.
THEY BEING OVERLY DRAMATIC, MAKING IT SOUND LIKE AS IF THEY WERE DEALING WITH BIG CATS, GORRILAS, OR ALLIGATORS!
Several years ago we were held up for about 30 minutes because the Ostriches wanted to inspect the truck. They even followed us after they let us pass. It was amazing!