You'll have to say goodbye to "Little Red" quickly because Spring of 2012 is the starting point for some changes at the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction at Animal Kingdom park in Walt Disney World.

There are no specific details given of storyline changes, but the area towards the end of the ride where the Audio Animatronic elephant will be removed to be replaced by additional savannah space for 'live animals'. A watering hole and additional area for Zebra and other animals will be shown towards the end of the attraction. Obviously there will be changes to the 'poacher' storyline as it is today. But, we will find out what those changes will be.

So, I wonder what 'conservation message' will be added in place of the 'poacher' storyline? Will 'Little Red' still be shown in the attraction or will it have to live on in our memories?

Awww.... we're gonna miss Little Red!

I also heard that work will begin in March and construction is scheduled to be complete in fall 2012. Also, Kilimanjaro Safaris will remain open during the construction.

I have read this also and hope they focus on the animals. I for one will not miss "little red" but I can see where parents with kids would like it MHO

DH asked what the excuse for driving fast will be now.

I'll miss the Little Red story, BUT I have been missing it for a long time now. This used to be great, but since they have already changed it from what it was to what it is now, they have lessened the blow by slowly getting rid of the story.

I will miss "Little Red" but I think an expansion of animal space will be a good thing for the ride.
Change is the only constant in life.

I thought it seemed different already when I was there 2 wks ago. Loved when I did the "Backstage Safari" tour and the tour guide, my DH and I were the only ones in the truck--plus the driver. People in line were looking at us like we were famous or something!

I might actually ride this ride again if they change the story line. I never "got" the point of a place that charges high prices for admission to their park having a ride that asked for donations to stop poaching and applied something of a small guilt trip for not doing anything. It seemed imperialist to me. It is much like the Ethos water at Starbucks that is grossly overpriced and then they send a whopping 10 cents of the extra money they charge as a way of providing clean water for someone to drink in Africa. How about you send the entire 80 cents of over charge over there and make a real difference?

I am glad they are looking at changing this ride as I feel it could do with a touch up MHO

I read a while ago that Little Red might be taken out, so I'm not shocked by this. I'm all for replacing animatronics with real animals in the Nahtazu!