The Caring for Giants Tour at Animal Kingdom is one of the newest backstage tours available at Walt Disney World. If you’re looking for a tour that is easy on the wallet and doesn’t require a major time requirement, I would highly recommend this experience!
Caring for Giants is available daily and the tour lasts about an hour. Kids age 4 and up are invited to join in the fun. I found the cost to be extremely reasonable – and as a bonus they gave an Annual Passholder discount! It was easy to book the tour in advance, but they also take walk-ups when space is available. (You’ll have best luck booking same day if you get there early.)
The tour starts with check-in at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located near the stand-by entrance for Kilimanjaro Safaris. We were each given a personalized name tag and a Cast Member escorted us to the backstage area. We loaded into a van (a very welcome break from the Florida heat!) for the ride to the elephant viewing area.
Your name tag actually holds a unique surprise!
Our driver gave us background on each of the facilities as we drove the behind-the-scenes roads. She shared where each species are housed when they are “off stage” and gave some background on how the keepers care for the animals. When we arrived at our destination, one of the care takers escorted us to the viewing area. He shared with us details on the seven elephants that call Animal Kingdom home during the short walk.
Photography is not allowed in the backstage area, but when you arrive at the viewing platform they allow you to take as many pictures as you wish. Be sure to bring the camera!
The Caring for Giants viewing area is located on the opposite side of the safari path.
You can see the safari vehicles as they pass during the tour.
The tour offers an incredible opportunity to get up close to the elephants!
While in the viewing area, our tour guide shared information on conservation efforts. Sinovuyo gave details on the work of the Cast Members at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Disney Conservation Fund. She also shared about South Africa’s local efforts to protect elephants.
Our tour guide, Sinovuyo, is from Cape Town.
Two caretakers joined us during the tour. They shared some fascinating information on the elephants at Animal Kingdom, their day to day activities, and the hierarchy of the family group. (The background on their daily activities even gave a new twist to Kilimanjaro Safari experience later in the day!)
I felt lucky that our tour group was small and intimate. We had plenty of opportunities to ask questions, to explore the exhibit items, and (of course) to simply view and appreciate the animals. I would absolutely recommend the Caring for Giants tour for individuals and families alike! This is a great opportunity to add a more formal educational twist to your Disney vacation.
Have you participated in the Caring for Giants Tour yet? What were your thoughts? Share them in the comments!
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