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Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Thu 10, 2012 9:56 am
by Cub
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours- ... ge-safari/
I came across this while looking at some of the things to do in WDW that I've never done before. I'm really thinking about trying this out. I'm graduating in August with a degree in Veterinary Technology and it's always been my dream to move to Orlando and work in the vet clinic in the AK.
This tour will give me the opportunity to talk one-on-one with some of the animal keepers and explore the veterinary hospital!
I was just wondering if anyone has done this before?
Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Thu 10, 2012 10:04 am
by Soarin08
No, but I did meet some very nice Animal Science and veterinary CMs at Rafiki's Planet Watch who could probably also tell you things. I talked to them for a long time, mostly out of curiosity, and they were very friendly and seemed to love their jobs.
Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Thu 10, 2012 10:12 am
by Cub
Soarin08 wrote:No, but I did meet some very nice Animal Science and veterinary CMs at Rafiki's Planet Watch who could probably also tell you things. I talked to them for a long time, mostly out of curiosity, and they were very friendly and seemed to love their jobs.
I've spoken with a few of them there last October. (Got to watch the vet do an exam on a Tawny Frogmouth, too!) One lady was actually going to give something with information about working there, but didn't have any of the booklets.

Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Thu 10, 2012 10:20 am
by Amy
Cub wrote:Soarin08 wrote:No, but I did meet some very nice Animal Science and veterinary CMs at Rafiki's Planet Watch who could probably also tell you things. I talked to them for a long time, mostly out of curiosity, and they were very friendly and seemed to love their jobs.
I've spoken with a few of them there last October. (Got to watch the vet do an exam on a Tawny Frogmouth, too!) One lady was actually going to give something with information about working there, but didn't have any of the booklets.

Both F1gment and I talked with a CM at Animal Kingdom that was feeding some of the larger birds. They were happy to discuss what they were feeding, and some behavioral things they use with the birds. I think you could find out a lot just talking with various CMs as Soarin' suggested. But I would think you would find the tour quite interesting too. I haven't been on that particular tour, but have enjoyed the various Disney tours I have taken. I don't think you would be disappointed ~ especially with having just graduated with a degree in that field

Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Thu 10, 2012 10:25 am
by Cub
Amy wrote:Cub wrote:Soarin08 wrote:No, but I did meet some very nice Animal Science and veterinary CMs at Rafiki's Planet Watch who could probably also tell you things. I talked to them for a long time, mostly out of curiosity, and they were very friendly and seemed to love their jobs.
I've spoken with a few of them there last October. (Got to watch the vet do an exam on a Tawny Frogmouth, too!) One lady was actually going to give something with information about working there, but didn't have any of the booklets.

Both F1gment and I talked with a CM at Animal Kingdom that was feeding some of the larger birds. They were happy to discuss what they were feeding, and some behavioral things they use with the birds. I think you could find out a lot just talking with various CMs as Soarin' suggested. But I would think you would find the tour quite interesting too. I haven't been on that particular tour, but have enjoyed the various Disney tours I have taken. I don't think you would be disappointed ~ especially with having just graduated with a degree in that field

Well, I will be there in July, so I will be less than a month shy of graduation!
I have never been lucky enough to catch any feeding times or anything of the sort, but I am definitely going to learn all that I can during this trip!
Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Thu 10, 2012 10:48 am
by Soarin08
One girl I met was explaining the different diets all the animals get. She was preparing food for the bats and I just happened to ask what she was doing and she explained it all. Very interesting stuff.
Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Thu 10, 2012 11:03 am
by Cub
Soarin08 wrote:One girl I met was explaining the different diets all the animals get. She was preparing food for the bats and I just happened to ask what she was doing and she explained it all. Very interesting stuff.
Awesome! I'd love to learn about all of that!
Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Tue 15, 2012 3:20 pm
by Sharonofwindham
Cub wrote:http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours- ... ge-safari/
I came across this while looking at some of the things to do in WDW that I've never done before. I'm really thinking about trying this out. I'm graduating in August with a degree in Veterinary Technology and it's always been my dream to move to Orlando and work in the vet clinic in the AK.
This tour will give me the opportunity to talk one-on-one with some of the animal keepers and explore the veterinary hospital!
I was just wondering if anyone has done this before?
Did this tour with my sister in 200I. I think anyone that is interested in animals would love this tour, it's fantastic! But someone like yourself who is a soon to be vet tech, and dreams of working at AK?! YOU WOULD LOVE IT!! It's one of the best things I have ever done at Disney. Expensive yes, but totally worth it! They don't treat you like a tourist, more like a student. They take you EVERYWHERE behind the scenes, from the nighttime enclosures, to where they prepare all the food for the animals, spending ALOT of time in the animal hospital, and everything is amazing. They tell you not to expect to see or touch any animals, but we saw and touched(this was the only animal we touched) one of the male rhinos, a giraffe that was still in quarentine(spelling

), and was so shy, and sweet.
I hope your dream comes true. I can't imagine working in a better place. Let us know how things go

Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Tue 15, 2012 6:38 pm
by Amy
Sharonofwindham wrote:Cub wrote:http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours- ... ge-safari/
I came across this while looking at some of the things to do in WDW that I've never done before. I'm really thinking about trying this out. I'm graduating in August with a degree in Veterinary Technology and it's always been my dream to move to Orlando and work in the vet clinic in the AK.
This tour will give me the opportunity to talk one-on-one with some of the animal keepers and explore the veterinary hospital!
I was just wondering if anyone has done this before?
Did this tour with my sister in 200I. I think anyone that is interested in animals would love this tour, it's fantastic! But someone like yourself who is a soon to be vet tech, and dreams of working at AK?! YOU WOULD LOVE IT!! It's one of the best things I have ever done at Disney. Expensive yes, but totally worth it! They don't treat you like a tourist, more like a student. They take you EVERYWHERE behind the scenes, from the nighttime enclosures, to where they prepare all the food for the animals, spending ALOT of time in the animal hospital, and everything is amazing. They tell you not to expect to see or touch any animals, but we saw and touched(this was the only animal we touched) one of the male rhinos, a giraffe that was still in quarentine(spelling

), and was so shy, and sweet.
I hope your dream comes true. I can't imagine working in a better place. Let us know how things go

That's great that you got to see the animals up close. And you got to touch the rhino??? That's awesome!

Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Tue 15, 2012 9:10 pm
by Sharonofwindham
Amy wrote:Sharonofwindham wrote:Cub wrote:http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours- ... ge-safari/
I came across this while looking at some of the things to do in WDW that I've never done before. I'm really thinking about trying this out. I'm graduating in August with a degree in Veterinary Technology and it's always been my dream to move to Orlando and work in the vet clinic in the AK.
This tour will give me the opportunity to talk one-on-one with some of the animal keepers and explore the veterinary hospital!
I was just wondering if anyone has done this before?
Did this tour with my sister in 200I. I think anyone that is interested in animals would love this tour, it's fantastic! But someone like yourself who is a soon to be vet tech, and dreams of working at AK?! YOU WOULD LOVE IT!! It's one of the best things I have ever done at Disney. Expensive yes, but totally worth it! They don't treat you like a tourist, more like a student. They take you EVERYWHERE behind the scenes, from the nighttime enclosures, to where they prepare all the food for the animals, spending ALOT of time in the animal hospital, and everything is amazing. They tell you not to expect to see or touch any animals, but we saw and touched(this was the only animal we touched) one of the male rhinos, a giraffe that was still in quarentine(spelling

), and was so shy, and sweet.
I hope your dream comes true. I can't imagine working in a better place. Let us know how things go

That's great that you got to see the animals up close. And you got to touch the rhino??? That's awesome!

The keeper wasn't sure he would come close enough because there was a female in the paddock next to his, but he stayed still for all of us to give him a pat. I thought my sister was going to cry! Amazing experience. I would rather see them in the wild, but they seem happy and very well cared for.
Re: Backstage Safari?
Posted: May Thu 17, 2012 2:36 pm
by Cub
Sharonofwindham wrote:Cub wrote:http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours- ... ge-safari/
I came across this while looking at some of the things to do in WDW that I've never done before. I'm really thinking about trying this out. I'm graduating in August with a degree in Veterinary Technology and it's always been my dream to move to Orlando and work in the vet clinic in the AK.
This tour will give me the opportunity to talk one-on-one with some of the animal keepers and explore the veterinary hospital!
I was just wondering if anyone has done this before?
Did this tour with my sister in 200I. I think anyone that is interested in animals would love this tour, it's fantastic! But someone like yourself who is a soon to be vet tech, and dreams of working at AK?! YOU WOULD LOVE IT!! It's one of the best things I have ever done at Disney. Expensive yes, but totally worth it! They don't treat you like a tourist, more like a student. They take you EVERYWHERE behind the scenes, from the nighttime enclosures, to where they prepare all the food for the animals, spending ALOT of time in the animal hospital, and everything is amazing. They tell you not to expect to see or touch any animals, but we saw and touched(this was the only animal we touched) one of the male rhinos, a giraffe that was still in quarentine(spelling

), and was so shy, and sweet.
I hope your dream comes true. I can't imagine working in a better place. Let us know how things go

Oh wow! Thanks so much for posting this! Now I'm extremely excited about it.

I went to a zoo earlier this year with my classmates and we were able to pet one of the Rhinos as well! I don't expect so much as petting anything, just wanting to get some information and see how everything works there! I'm soooo excited and I am thrilled that they offer something like this.