Imagineer previews the “Up”-inspired Wilderness Explorers experience headed to Walt Disney World this summer

in Disney, Entertainment, Pixar, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

Set to debut within the next few weeks, the Wilderness Explorers experience is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, inviting guests to experience the park in engaging and challenging ways. After taking the official pledge, guests explore the park at their leisure armed with field guides, earning sticker badges along the way as they complete challenges, all inspired by Disney/Pixar’s film “Up.”

The Wilderness Explorers experience is aimed at ages 7-10, but kids of all ages can participate, offering a chance to get up close with animal within the park, included with admission. The goal is to deepen the understanding of animals and the natural world.

More than 30 badges will be available to earn throughout the park’s Discovery Island, Asia, Dinoland U.S.A., Africa, and Rafiki’s Planet Watch, as shown on the map below.

Explaining more about the what the Wilderness Explorers is and how it will work in the video below is the experience’s field art director, Imagineer Alex Wright.


Wilderness Explorers preview with Imagineer Alex Wright (and cast member Colleen)


Colleen is seen here dressed in the official costume for the new experience, featuring the “WE” logo that guests will need to keep an eye out for in the park to identify opportunities to earn badges.

Unlike the Wilderness Explorer Camp in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at the Disney California Adventure Park, which features “Up” characters Russell and Dug, the Wilderness Explorers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is not a character experience, instead simply offering a chance for guests to take a closer look at their surroundings while exploring the theme park.

No specific debut date has been announced yet for the Wilderness Explorers experience, but it is said to be open in time for summer.

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