Disney Guests Left in Shock After Individual Jumps Out of Moving Safari Vehicle

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Kilimanjaro Safaris vehicle

Credit: Disney

While the Walt Disney World Resort is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, one particular Guest will not be taking part in The World’s Most Magical Celebration after being escorted off of Disney property following an incident on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Mickey Mouse in front of Cinderella Castle
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Guests Jump Out of Moving Attraction Vehicle at EPCOT

The  5oth anniversary celebrations began on October 1, 2021, and saw Parks like Disney’s Animal Kingdom debut the new daytime show Disney KiteTails — much to the hilarity of some Guests — as well as other experiences across the Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park debuted Disney Enchantment over Cinderella Castle while EPCOT began performances of Harmonious. With no new show just yet, and no sign of a Fantasmic! Return date, Disney’s Hollywood Studios saw perhaps the biggest change when it paused the virtual queue of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, opting for a traditional standby line instead.

This came just before Disney Park debuted Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and the all-new Lightning Lane entrances for attractions like Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. And if Guests want to experience the 50th anniversary outside of the Parks, then Disney Springs is the place to be.

Disney Enchantment fireworks
Credit: Disney

Even with the openings of new rides like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at the France pavilion in the World Showcase, Disney World staples still draw in huge crowds on a daily basis. One popular attraction at the Orlando Theme Park is one that transports Guests to an entirely different country.

Nestled in Africa over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Kilimanjaro Safaris is a fan-favorite Walt Disney World attraction. The Central Florida theme park boasts numerous animal-style rides, but for an authentic safari experience, the attraction at Animal Kingdom is truly remarkable. With Guests able to witness creatures like lions, rhinos, giraffes, and buffalo, Kilimanjaro Safaris is The Lion King (1994) personified.

Kilimanjaro Safaris
Credit: Disney

Related: What Happens If a Guest Jumps Out of Kilimanjaro Safaris Vehicle?

But, in spite of the fun animal-watching and learning Guests can experience, one specific Disney ticket holder caused major disruption when they decided to exit the ride vehicle after dropping their cell phone onto the Savannah.

Disney Annual Passholder, Keri H., shared details of the incident that happened on Monday, December 13, with Inside the Magic. They said:

A middle-aged man in the vehicle in front of us jumped out of the moving vehicle because he dropped his cell phone (it was right after we had passed the rhinos towards the end). The Safari driver pressed the breaks and the man climbed back in (which wasn’t very graceful because it is a high climb to get back in). We all started moving again.

Lion at Disney World Kilimanjaro Safaris
Credit: Disney

The Disney Guest went on to detail the repercussions described by their safari driver:

Our driver told us that he’s very lucky he didn’t do it while we were directly in front of the rhinos and that even the game wardens don’t get out of their trucks near the rhinos. She said it was a very valuable lesson for everyone who witnessed it because he basically put everyone’s lives in danger. She told us that security will be waiting for him at the end – and they were! She said it was an automatic exit from the Park and if he was staying at a Disney World Resort he’d be asked to leave there as well.

Keri H. revealed what the driver said the proper protocol is if something is dropped from a moving safari vehicle:

She also mentioned that the PROPER thing to do in this situation is to leave the object, notify the driver, and they will have professionals grab the item for you safely. Everyone was in shock for sure.

Kilimanjaro Safaris elephants
Credit: Disney

This certainly isn’t the first time a Disney Guest has jumped from a moving vehicle while on Disney World property. Earlier this year, one ticket holder went viral after jumping from a moving boat at the Living with the Land attraction to grab a cucumber, and then later on some Guests riding the Splash Mountain attraction exited the vehicle before the final drop.

In addition to those individuals who put themselves and others at risk when breaking Disney Park rules, there are plenty of occasions when Guests have had to exit attractions due to malfunctions or technical difficulties. At the Walt Disney World Resort, Guests were left stranded on the “highest hill” after Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith broke down at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, while over at Disneyland Resort, Cast Members had to enter the water at Pirates of the Caribbean when riders were left for almost 90 minutes.

Animatronics at Pirates of the Caribbean ride
Credit: Disney

The Disney Resort has strict Park rules — you can view them here — so the fact that security got involved after the Kilimanjaro Safaris incident is not surprising.

More on Kilimanjaro Safaris

Spot a shy hippopotamus nestled in a still pond. Behold a regal lion sunbathing on a rocky perch. Drive past a gentle giraffe grazing on the tall trees or wave hello to a swinging baboon. Other amazing animals you may encounter include rhinos, cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, hyenas and zebras—and so many more!

Since animals have minds of their own, every expedition is a unique and unforgettable experience. Be sure to keep your eyes open and have a camera ready—you never know what you’ll see on a Kilimanjaro Safaris outing.

Have you ever witnessed a shocking incident at Disney Parks? Let us know in the comments down below!

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