Hi there, Angie! Welcome back to planDisney. It’s always such a treat to hear from returning Guests like you!
I’m so excited to hear you’re planning to experience
Up Close with Rhinos during your upcoming visit to
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. As a fellow animal lover, I can tell you this tour is a truly special and unforgettable adventure. This 60-minute, backstage tour gives you the rare opportunity to meet one of the park’s white rhinos, learn all about their care, and even touch one! When I did the experience, we met Helen, a 30-year-old white rhino, and I was surprised to find her skin felt just like the surface of a basketball. It’s the kind of detail you never forget!
You’ll hop on a small bus for a short ride to the rhino barn, where one rhino will be ready to meet your group (the rest are usually out exploring the Kilimanjaro Safaris area). The keepers will share insights into rhino training and healthcare, like how they train them to open their mouths on command for dental checks, and you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions and hear fun stories about each rhino’s unique personality.
Now, since this tour takes place backstage, personal photography isn’t allowed for most of the experience. But at the end, you’ll get a cute moment where you’re invited to hold a sign with the rhino’s name written on it, and that’s when you’re welcome to snap a few photos. It’s a great little memento of your wild adventure!
A couple of helpful notes: theme park admission is required but not included in the price of the tour. And since it’s offered just once a day with limited capacity, it does fill up quickly, so I recommend booking it right at the 60-day mark from the start of your stay through the Enchanting Extras Collection on the Walt Disney World website.
If you’re looking for another incredible animal experience and have a little more time in your day, I also highly recommend the
Wild Africa Trek. It’s a three-hour adventure through the savanna, includes a delicious light meal, and offers a very different perspective. My teenage boys and I absolutely loved it!
I hope you have a wildly wonderful time, Angie, and that your rhino encounter is everything you’re dreaming of and more!
See ya real soon,
Eean