Tag Archives: Maharajah Jungle Trek

Maharajah Jungle Trek – Tiger’s AWAKE!

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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?

 

Disney World Attractions For Mature People

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Kona-Coffee-To-GoWhen I say “mature people” it’s my nice way of saying older-and-slowing-down people.  Like me.  Raymond and I have reached the age where we don’t have to keep up with our kids or make concessions for nap times (that aren’t our own).  We can do what we want, when we want to and now that we’ve arrived at this part of our lives, we find we do want to slow down and take it easy.  Where Disney vacations were once about seeing and doing as much as humanly possible for 15+ hours a day, we’ve earned this time of soaking in the little details, meandering, leisurely exploring, going to bed early and sometimes getting a late start on the day.

Don’t get me wrong – we are thrill ride junkies and book FastPasses for our favorites.  Today’s list is more about the attractions we enjoy when we’re between FastPasses or have an unscheduled half-day for going with the flow.

Disney World Attractions For Mature People

RM-Mickey's-PhilharMagic

Mickey’s PhilharMagic – It’s a fantastic show.  Plus the queue’s short and indoors where it’s nice and cool.  All our favorite Disney songs, a 3D movie, smell-a-vision and a comfy seat.  Yup, this one’s a perennial favorite. RM-PeopleMover-Cruising

The PeopleMover – So underappreciated by young whippersnappers!  This thing’s the bombdiggety.  Sure, it’s outdoors, but there’s no ride in the World more relaxing to me than this gem of an Omni-mover taking me on a Tomorrowland tour.  No thrills, no water, no animatronics, no worries.  (BTW – The tunnel-of-love aspect should not be ignored!)RM-Carousel-of-Progress-Dad

Carrousel of Progress – An attraction as old as I am!  The awesome theme song and the unforgettable moments through American history make this classic…well, classic.  Campy?  Cheesy?  That may be your opinion.  I think it’s perfect.Epcot-Manatee-at-Surface

The Seas With Nemo and Friends – No, I’m not talking about the ride, but the Seas pavilion itself – although there is something to be said for a nice relaxing ride in a clam-mobile.   It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Epcot’s manatees and their home in the Seas.  Indoors with multi-level viewing areas, this Future World pavilion is a great place to chill during a hot summer afternoon and soak up the surroundings.Epcot's World Showcase

World Showcase Shops – Maybe not an “attraction” in the strictest sense, but a very fun way to spend an afternoon.  I don’t care if we start in Canada or Mexico, wandering through the pavilions’ shops never fails to delight.  Even if I don’t buy anything (oh, who am I kidding…I always buy something!), the shops are interesting and the Cast Members, if not too busy, are full of awesome information about each country along the way.The Great Movie Ride

The Great Movie Ride – While parts of this kill me (Tarzan, I’m talking to you!) with their need for an update, I enjoy the experience.Gorilla at Animal Kingdom WDW

Pangani Forrest Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek – Sure, during the warmer months the entirety of Animal Kingdom is almost unbearably hot, but these two trails are irresistible to me!  So much to see and if we go when we’re not pressed for time, the experience is so much better!  To get the most of both the Pangani Forrest and Maharajah Jungle, you need to have plenty of time and patience.Rhino on Kilimanjaro Safari

Kilimanjaro Safari – I’m crazy stupid on this attraction no matter how many times I experience it.  Every. Single. Time.  I take a bajillion pictures and am captivated by each and every animal we encounter.  Added bonus – I can rest my feet from walking the trails.

How about YOU?  Have you reached the older-and-slowing-down people phase yet?  Which attractions do you love the most for their relaxation factor?

If I haven’t told you lately…thanks so much for visiting my blog.  I’d love to interact with you over on Facebook too!

 

Animal Kingdom’s Komodo Dragon

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I’m not certain I can adequately explain my fascination with Animal Kingdom’s Komodo dragon.  I don’t consider myself a person with a general fondness for reptiles (although snakes and lizards don’t bother me like they do some other people).  That dragon though!  I make a point of visiting him every time I’m on the Maharajah Jungle Trek.  He’s even become the official mascot of the Disney Exchange Podcast (although Nick and Dave do NOT understand my adoration for such a “boring” animal).  Today I thought I’d share with you some of the amazing Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) facts that have me so thrilled…Komodo Dragon at Animal Kingdom

  1. Komodo dragons are enormous!  They are the world’s largest living lizard and have been around for nearly 4 million years.  During their approximately 30-year lifespan, Komodo dragons can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 300 pounds.  If you’re lucky enough to see one move (they do tend to remain very still for long periods of time) – they’re fascinating to watch!  And we don’t have to go all the way to their native islands of Indonesia – we can see a beautiful specimen at Walt Disney World!
  2. Komodo dragons are amazing hunters!  Beyond being carnivores, Komodo dragons are not picky eaters.  They’ll eat just about any kind of meat they come across, dead or alive.  Waiting along game trails, Komodo dragons in the wild will attack live prey (their favorite is deer) and may be lucky enough to use tooth and claw for an instant meal.  If their prey does manage to escape, the dragon will patiently follow…waiting for its poisonous saliva to slowly kill their dinner!  Come on! That is the coolest thing EVER!  Sure it’s gross, but also very amazing.  Also interesting:  Komodo dragons are immune to the poisonous saliva when they bite each other.  See this picture?  He’s not being shy, he’s in stealthy hunter mode!Komodo Dragon Hiding
  3. They have an incredible sense of smell.  Like a snake, the Komodo dragon’s forked tongue gathers scent from the air and processes that information via the Jacobson’s organs on the roof of their mouth.  If the scent being analyzed is stronger on one fork of the tongue, the dragon knows which direction to go.  When Komodo dragons walk, they swing their heads from side to side in order to better pick up smells in the air.
  4. They come from humble beginnings.  Komodo dragon moms lay approximately 30 eggs in September.  The eggs incubate under the female dragon’s protection for 9 months after which the hatchlings are on their own.  At about a foot-and-a-half in length and just 3.5 ounces, the baby dragons must fend for themselves on a diet of snakes, birds, insects, and lizards while avoiding being killed by larger animals including other Komodo Dragons.
  5. The Komodo dragon is a vulnerable species.  Illegal poaching combined with human encroachment into the dragons’ limited natural habitat have taken a toll on wild population numbers.  With only 4000-5000 dragons remaining worldwide, conservation efforts are being made on a variety of fronts.  Unfortunately, Komodo dragons in captivity are easily susceptible to infection and disease.  Indonesia’s Komodo Dragon National Park has been making strides in stabilizing this species’ population and ensuring the dragon’s long term survival.  (You can read about those efforts here.)

Are you still with me?  Thanks for hanging in!  Are you by any chance a fellow Komodo dragon fan?  How about Disney’s Animal Kingdom?  What’s your favorite animal there?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Maharajah Jungle Trek

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Details along the Maharajah Jungle TrekA visit to Animal Kingdom just wouldn’t be complete for me without a walk along both of the two fantastic animal trails there.  These trails boast a wide array of exhibits that allow guests unforgettable opportunities for some close-up animal viewing in gorgeous, highly detailed settings.  The trail in Animal Kingdom’s Africa section is the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.  The trail in Asia is called the Maharajah Jungle Trek – that’s the one I want to talk about today.

The trail’s backstory sets the mood and an impressive (spectacular, unbelievable, insert favorite-adjective-of-wonder here) number of amazing Disney details make a visit to the Maharajah’s jungle into a mysterious, magical experience.  As I tend to like to do, allow me to give you…Komodo Dragon at Animal Kingdom

Five Great Things about the Maharajah Jungle Trek

From  the Walt Disney World web site, “Venture into the mystical Anandapur Royal Forest, a tropical paradise of trees, ruins and wild animals. Legend has it the area was at one time the hunting ground of wealthy maharajahs; today, it exists as a preserve that you can explore.”

1.  Komodo Dragon – Yep, a giant lizard!  What else do you need?  Seeing this guy is like looking at a living dinosaur and Komodo Dragons are the Animal Kingdom - Bats on the Maharajah Jungle Treklargest living lizards on earth.  As he sits there with his tongue darting in and out to “smell” the air while basking in the sun, it’s incredible to think about the fact that Komodo Dragons are venomous and capable of taking down large prey.  An adult Komodo Dragon can consume up to 80% of its own body weight in a single meal!  Go here for some other cool Komodo Dragon fun facts.

2. Rodrigues Fruit Bats and Malayan Flying Foxes – The way this section of the trail is designed is genius!  The bats are on display (sleepily hanging around) in a wide-open viewing area – which makes it seem as if there is absolutely nothing separating you from the bats!  Those Flying Foxes are enormous and so cool!  (Read all about them here.) I like to Asian Tiger - Maharajah Jungle Trekimagine what it would be like if the sun set and they got to go free all night – Those huge bats with their leathery wings flying overhead would be quite a scary sight!  Hands down, this is one of my all time favorite exhibits.

3. Asian Tigers – Usually we get here too late to see the tigers doing anything besides napping, but they’re huge and beautiful to see – even if they are asleep.  Because windows are used in this area instead of bars, it seems as if you could practically reach out and pet one of these big cats!  Even snoozing, they’re amazing.

4. The Aviary and Birdhouses – I never know which gets more of my attention in the aviary – tBird in Animal Kingdomhe colorful and unusual birds- or the equally beautiful bird houses.  Spotting guides help visitors identify a variety of different bird species and the Asian bird houses located every few feet throughout the aviary are as beautiful as the  Birds House in the Aviary in Asia / Animal Kingdom Animal Kingdom Asian Aviary Bird Spotting Guidebirds!  If you’re afraid of birds, this probably isn’t the best place for you…especially since they’re kind of friendly and will walk right up to you sometimes when you’re not paying attention and make you jump.  Not that I’d know from personal experience or anything.  I’m not afraid of birds at all.

5.  The Ruins – I know, weird that I’m such an animal lover and I’ve named decaying walls as one of the five best things about the Maharajah’s jungle, but it’s true.  And I make it a point to be honest with you here at the Living a Disney Life blog.  So….in all honesty – you won’t find a better example of the wonder and genius, the unique artestry of Disney imagineering than among the ruins of Anandapur.

Because of the location of the Maharajah Jungle Trek, this trail is almost always less crowded than the Pangani Forest trail.  There are also plenty of Hidden Mickey’s to find along the way!  We try to hit this trail in the morning before the day heats up too much.  Our touring plan at Animal Kingdom usually starts with Expedition Everest, then Kilimanjaro Safari, then the Pangani Forest Nature Trail, and finally the Maharajah Jungle Trek.

Do you enjoy the trails at Animal Kingdom?  Which is your favorite?  What animals do you find the most fascinating?