Looks like they finally got Little Red

February 10, 2012, 10:16 AM · After all these years, Little Red's actually being taken from the wildlife preserve.

Walt Disney World announced today that it's removing the only Audio Animatronic from the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Disney buried the news in its blog post, announcing the removal as part of an expansion of the savannah in the ride, allowing the park to add more zebras to the attraction.

Little Red
Bye-bye, Little Red

While I'm sure that fans will appreciate more opportunities to see the real stars of this show - the live animals - I'm curious to see how Little Red will be written out of the script. The changes on the ride will begin this spring and be complete by fall, and the ride will remain operational throughout.

Thoughts on the announced changes at Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Replies (18)

February 10, 2012 at 10:27 AM · Should get rid of the cheesey storyline, despite my love for elephants. Maybe he will be re-located to Jungle Cruise!
February 10, 2012 at 10:28 AM · I think this is a great change. Just stick the animamatronic at the line que or exit if you still want to use it. The script for the ride does not help the ride to me for the most part. I like the animal and plant info.... but I don't need them to entertain me with a story about animal poachers..... We have real animals to entertain us. Let the animals remain the star of the attraction.
February 10, 2012 at 10:39 AM · TH: Write him into the script!
February 10, 2012 at 10:43 AM · Lose the storyline altogether.

Not everything needs to have a story/be entertaining. Let people find their entertainment in just looking at the animals.

February 10, 2012 at 11:02 AM · If there was ever an attraction did not need a fabricated narrative, it was Kilimanjaro Safaris. Therefore, with the removal of this major annoyance, KS can now be considered a near-perfect theme park attraction. Kudos to Disney for FINALLY righting the ship. And a big Cris Carter, "COME ON, MAN!", to Disney for taking so darn long to make the switch.

So... KS was a day one attraction and it took Disney 14 years to get it right. Does that mean in 2020, Disco Yeti will finally join the ranks of the animated animatronics once again?

PS Love the headline, Robert. =)

February 10, 2012 at 11:08 AM · I'm clearly in the minority but I enjoyed the storyline. I'm not really an "animal person" so the storyline, despite being contrived, helped keep me engaged. This said, however, most people just wanted to animal watch and the savannah is breathtaking so I have no problem with the move.
February 10, 2012 at 11:24 AM · BREAKING: WDI to bolt Lizzle Rizzle on to an arm on one of the Dueling Dumbos.
February 10, 2012 at 11:39 AM · I'm glad to see it go. I agree with the other post, the ride itself is great, they don't need the storyline.
February 10, 2012 at 11:40 AM · Whenever I go on this, I always forget there is a story. Halfway through it the guide will get a message on his walkie talkie and I'll think, "Wait, what is going on again?"
February 10, 2012 at 11:41 AM · I have long wondered if any pictures or video exists of the infamous carcass of Big Red that apparently didn't make it past Cast Member previews. For all the stories I have never seen anything online or elsewhere.
February 10, 2012 at 12:03 PM · I've always enjoyed the story. For me, it has only enhanced the experience and never detracted for the animal viewing.

The thing that separates Disney rides from others is the story.

February 10, 2012 at 12:20 PM · While I enjoyed the story I do think it's time for a change. Having Little Red located somewhere else at Animal Kingdom would be a great idea.
February 10, 2012 at 12:49 PM · I'm fine seeing this part go. It was kinda fun, but the live animals are the real attraction and KS can only improve by offering more of them. There are plenty of animatronic-filled rides that tell a good story, but KS stands in its own special niche among Disney attractions.

I too am curious if there are any pictures of the original scene. It is always fascinating to see proof of how far some horrible ideas can get.

February 10, 2012 at 2:08 PM · As stated by others on here, I am SO glad the storyline is being removed. It never sat well with me. You see all these live animals in very natural habitats (not in cages, to say the least) and then you go on to this storyline ending with animatronics wrapping it all up (besides Little Red, remember the pilot in the plane that was there, or the jeep that used to rush along the hilltop?).
February 10, 2012 at 5:05 PM · The lead in this story implies that EL-AR's theme park demise has not yet occurred. I can assume the web will quickly become lousy with "Save Little Red" petitions ... a la 'Mr. Toad,' 'Jaws,' etc.

I look forward to the inevitable "Last Tour With Little Red" Youtube clip, to be enjoyed by myself and the (literally) dozens of other "Inside the Magic" subscribers.

February 10, 2012 at 10:59 PM · So are they taking out the whole "thrilling part".

Yeah, I know it was a bit cheesy and not the main component, but I will miss the Poachers and Little Red. I still remember the old days when live action cast members can point guns at animatronic poachers (I even remember when they shot back!)

February 13, 2012 at 2:48 AM · I also love the story line. My family and I have all decided on jobs that we would love to do if we could work at Disney.
My 6 year old son would like to drive the train around Magic Kingdom.
My 3 year old daughter wants to work the Carousel in Fantasyland MK.
My husband would drive the Disney coaches.
And as for me, I would love to drive the vehicles on the Jungle Trek in AK. I love the safari and never miss it on a visit.
Jumbo to you all.
February 13, 2012 at 4:22 PM · No one will miss it. The whole storyline was a big suspenseful letdown. A safari ride didn't need a fake plot about poachers. This environmental alarmism didn't serve anyone's sensbilities. People only want to see animals. They didn't need to be reminded about the destruction of animals and their habitat. Perhaps if there are truly no more animals, Disney could create an animatronic animal zoo, but they are premature.

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