Adventure is out there . . . if you know where to look. Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers an easily missed experience for the little ones that lets them earn Wilderness Explorer badges and investigate the park in a kid-friendly way. Let’s take a look at the Wilderness Explorer program and how it has evolved for these challenging times.
The Wilderness Must Be Explored!
Have you ever noticed the Wilderness Explorer stations throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Taking a nod from the popular movie Up!, Disney offers kids (or really anyone in the family) the opportunity to become a Wilderness Explorer, just like Russell.
In the past, this was more of a hands-on adventure. But I am happy to report that modifications have been put in place to ensure safety for all those that wish to participate. Please note that some of the pictures included are pre-pandemic and do not reflect Disney’s current safety measures (you’ll be able to tell by whether or not the cast and guests are wearing masks).
Starting Your Wilderness Explorer Adventure
While you can begin your adventure at any station throughout the park, the headquarters for the Wilderness Explorers is on the bridge from the Oasis to Discovery Island.
Are you ready to receive your first Wilderness Explorer badge? Let’s begin by learning the Wilderness Explorer Call Badge. “The wilderness must be explored! Caw Caw Roar!”
Wilderness Explorer Badge Locations
Now that you are an official member os the Wilderness Explorers . . . let’s explore! In your handbook, is a map with all the badge locations.
Johnny usually makes a beeline to the Flamingo Badge, which happens to be the closest location on Discovery Island from the headquarters.
Throughout the park, you will find locations themed to nature, animals, and conservation. Each location is different. Some are more Troop Leader interactive than others.
Other locations are more hands on.
After a fun day of earning badges, you can head back to headquarters and earn your ranking based on the number of badges you’ve completed.
What’s great about this activity is that it doesn’t have to take much time out of your day. As you walk by a Wilderness Explorers location, you can stop for a few minutes, earn a badge and move on. Also, in Africa and at Rafiki’s Planet Watch you can earn multiple badges at once. That is great for those that are looking to earn lots of badges.
This is a completely go-at-your-own-pace activity. Do as many or as few of the locations as you wish. Now for the best part, this is a free activity! And while it is open to anyone who wants to participate, it is geared towards younger kids.
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Let’s Hear From You
Have you signed up to be a Wilderness Explorer? What do you think of this free program for kids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? My little one prefers this activity over many attractions, what’s your experience with your own kids? Looking forward to hearing from you below!
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