Have you taken the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Disney’s Animal Kingdom?  Have you seen the tigers?  It’s been our experience that they do an extraordinary amount of sleeping.  On our last visit, though, something was decidedly different…

Maharajah Jungle Trek – Tiger’s AWAKE!

It started off as expected.  Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE the two trails in Animal Kingdom and can spend quite a bit of time checking out both the incredible theming and landscaping along with all the amazing animals on both Gorilla Falls AND the Jungle Trek.  What I mean by “expected” is that the adorable and mostly stationary Komodo Dragon was just where he should be.  The bats, fascinating as they are, were y’know, just hanging around.  We were in no hurry as we strolled along taking in the much loved scenery on they way to the tiger enclosure.

There was a cast member in the middle of the pathway.  She was crouching down and cranking what looked like a large wrench attached to something in the ground.  I wanted to take a picture, but could tell this was one of those backstage things Disney really likes to keep secret.  It turns out, she was opening a gate inside the tiger area that would allow the male tiger to change enclosures.  Hopefully, being a good tiger, he’d do what was expected of him by moving to the newly opened area and be rewarded for his efforts.

There he was!  So used to seeing the tigers napping, we were completely enthralled by how gorgeous this one was as he strutted around, sniffing the special perfumes sprayed around the enclosure for his enjoyment.  Then it was treat time and he waited patiently as chunks of meat were tossed to him as a reward for doing exactly want was wanted.

Even asleep, the tigers in Animal Kingdom are fantastic.  Awake?  Incredible!!!  What a great moment – in the right place at the right time – to see that big, beautiful creature in all his feline glory.

Have you been on the Maharajah Jungle Trek?  What were the tigers doing when you were there?