A special thank you goes out to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for giving me access to their Backstage Tales during the Monkey Kingdom Event. Opinions expressed are that of my own.
Wanting to know about what goes on behind the scenes of Disney’s Animal Kingdom? If so, then you will want to check out the Backstage Tales.
Participants of this tour get to explore animal-housing areas, visit the Nutrition Center, plus tour the on site veterinary hospital. In addition, guides also share interesting facts about the park and Disney’s conservation efforts.
I got a chance to experience this first hand, and I found out interesting facts and observed awesome behind the scene details at the park.
For my adventure, a group of us started our day right at the front entrance. Our guides then gave us a history on how Animal Kingdom came to be through the vision of Walt Disney,“It all started with the mouse” as they say.
We then took a stroll and saw the Monkey Kingdom Sandcastle off in the distance as well as paid close attention to the animal heads above the ticket counters.
Did you know that each creature above represents Real, Ancient, and Imagined Animals that exist in the park?
From here we proceeded to walk inside and observe an area near the park’s dedication stone.
Every 33 steps find trash & recycle receptacles at #AnimalKingdom. The park stays clean & eco-friendly! #MonkeyKingdomEvent #DisneySide
— Carlee C. (@athomemoma) April 16, 2015
Walt Disney had a strong commitment to conservation and Animal Kingdom actually puts this into action. One way they accomplish this is through using benches that are made out of recycled milk jugs. In addition, recycling and trash receptacles are placed every 33 feet in the park to encourage proper disposable of trash. 
It was then time to venture deeper into Animal Kingdom and head into the Pangani Forest. We were making our way over to the Aviary to learn about and feed birds. 
As you can see by the photo, I have a few worms squirming around in my hand. The Taveta Golden Weavers love these, and I was able to toss a few handfuls over to them. 
After this we started toward the “behind the scenes” area, however we then came across an injured tortoise being attended to. Animal Kingdom has a state of the art Veterinary clinic so they can treat their animals on site. For advanced medical issues they will sometimes send animals to other facilities, as in the case of this little reptile who had recently had a CT Scan. Later in our tour we actually got to see the onsite facility and witness a procedure.
Learned that Black Rhinos have a triangular lip that they use like a finger! #MonkeyKingdomEvent #DisneySide #AnimalKingdom #BackstageTales — Carlee C. (@athomemoma) April 16, 2015
At this point it was then time to get on a repurposed safari vehicle meet a few large animals. You will notice that there aren’t many photos because Backstage Tales goes behind the scenes which means no photography during those portions. 
However, I did get close to a Black Rhino, Elephant, and observed a Komodo Dragon during a training session. It is hard to believe, but they have figured out how to train a reptile to get weighed and receive checkups.
Elephants at #AnimalKingdom get pedicures to protect their feet! I learned something new! #MonkeyKingdomEvent #DisneySide @waltdisneyworld — Carlee C. (@athomemoma) April 16, 2015
We also ventured into the Nutrition Center to see how they prepare 1000 meals for 1500 animals.
Their motto is, if people won’t eat it then the animals shouldn’t either. Plus, they keep their clients healthy by using animal friendly detergent to wash the dishes.
It was then time for a snack and presentation about animal conservation efforts being administered in and outside of Animal Kingdom.
There is an extensive project to support Gopher Turtle habitats as well as a program to reintroduce the Key Largo Wood Rats to Florida.
The Gopher Tortoise population help to create homes for other animals by burrowing holes. #MonkeyKingdomEvent #DisneySide #AnimalKingdom
— Carlee C. (@athomemoma) April 16, 2015
I really enjoyed learning about all the ins and outs of the park, and now I can truly appreciate all efforts being set forth by this accredited zoo.
Want to arrange your own Backstage Tales tour? A separate ticket is required and a portion of the proceeds go to the Disney Conservation Fund. For age requirements and more information visit Backstage Tales.
About Disneynature Monkey Kingdom:
Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family retreats, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to uncover untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings.
Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.
Featuring a rich variety of characters, including a mischievous mongoose, simple-minded langur monkeys, predatory leopards and monitor lizards, “Monkey Kingdom” is narrated by Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), directed by Mark Linfield (“Chimpanzee,” “Earth”) and co-directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Chimpanzee,” “Bears”).
With music from award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams (“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Shrek” movies).
Monkey Kingdom is rated G and out in theaters NOW!
Want to Help Endangered Animals?
For every ticket sold opening week (April 17-23, 2015) to Monkey Kingdom, Disneynature will make a donation in your honor to Conservation International to help protect monkeys and other endangered species in their natural habitats. For more information on the film visit nature.disney.com/monkey-kingdom.
You can also like Disneynature at Facebook.com/Disneynature and follow along at Twitter.com/Disneynature.
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