By the "Imagineering Ambassador" Howie DiBlasi

Stop: Look: Listen: Disney's Animal Kingdom

Hello I am Dr. Howie and welcome to my world. Many of you may know me as the "Imaginering Ambassador" for my travels around the US and working with educators and school districts on "How To Implement Disney In The Classroom"

After a great career in teaching , as a business owner and CIO (Chief Information Officer) I get to do what I love best.  Share my passion for all things "Disney".

Each month I will be sharing "Disney In The Details " that hopefully will cause you to Stop: Look: Listen,  when you visit the WDW next time.

This post and the next two, will tell you the story on how to experience the Maharajah Jungle Trek and the Anandapur Royal Forest. We will explore "Hidden Mickeys'" that can be found on the trail and many details that you probably did not know about.

 As we enter Disney's Animal Kingdom park, we pass through the Oasis and head to Asia via Discovery Island, and then to Maharajah Jungle Trek.

We are heading to the hunting lodge and palace ruins that serve as homes to the majestic tigers that have become the royal family of this habitat now.

This walk is one of the reasons to spend more time in the Animal Kingdom Park. While many guests rush to Expedition Everest, Dinosaur or Kilimanjaro Safari, my suggestion is to slow down.  Then, STOP: LOOK: LISTEN   and spend  part of your day exploring all the walking paths.

The most beautiful section of the Maharajah Jungle Trek is next, which will bring you into the heart of India.  It is called the Tiger Forest.  There are three separate viewing area to see the Magnificent Asian Tigers as we begin our walk.

So the Back story goes.... Anandapur was founded centuries ago by Ananta. This wise leader learned the importance of living in harmony with the animals and taught this lesson to his subjects. 

As we walk along the forest trail and follow the portraits of the kings and rajahs, you will see the transition story of controlling nature, the forest, animals, kings and rajahs and how everyone learned to exist together.

As you walk along the trail, among the ruins notice the intricate carvings that the Imagineers have created.

The man depicted in these carvings is Ananta, the founder of the Kingdom of Anandapur. When he died, his remains were placed in a sarcophagus and rest inside a nearby temple.  As a twist of fate, the king was killed in a hunting accident, and his successors eventually turned the enclosed forest into a nature preserve.

 

The history of the Kingdom of Anandapur is evident on the walls of the Maharajah's Hunting Palace. 

According to the “Disney history” of Anadapur, in 1544 ,King Bhima Disampati decreed that the forest would become a Royal Preserve where he and his guests could hunt.  A village evolved from this base and thrived, while the reserve found itself in a state of ruin and decay.  The “current” royal family converted the crumbling reserve into its current state as a conservation area.

 

As we visit the Royal Preserve, there are three arches we will walk under separating the royal family's rule. Approaching the first arch, notice the tiger mural on your right.

This mural is in contrast to the importance of living in harmony with the animals and how the first rajah taught this lesson to his subjects....it is designed to lure the tigers to the fountains to drink and become targets for the rajahs’ arrows.

In the water below the tiger, what is that...is it a ..no..maybe....the ripples form a ???  Over the years there has been considerable growth at the base you may need to get close to see into the weeds and growth to see the secret.

King Bhima Disampati  So the back story goes.....  As a Royal Preserve where he and his guests could hunt, he closed the forest as a private hunting ground, created drawings and then constructed the "Hunting Palace." His desire was to make the hunting easier, so he had the forest enclosed, that trapped  the animals inside.

Take a look at the "Hunter" mural that the Imagineers have created.

In the mural notice the details including:

·        blackbuck antelope in the bushes

·        birds flying

·        two cheetahs

·        nobility often used cheetahs for use in hunting.

·        rajah appears to be hunting with a bow and arrow.

What?   Wait... what is that in the clouds in the mural...? could it be.....?

I thought I saw a...

Oh wrong King..I guess I did not have the EAR to hear the hint correctly.

(Get it?)

 

King Bhima Disampati, was succeeded by his brother Kindama who appreciated nature. Kindama built the palace ballroom and created the "Pleasure Gardens" on the grounds.

Notice that his mural depicts him standing alongside one of his gardens.

He is holding a plucked flower and a string of pearls.

Notice his headdress adorned with exotic bird feathers.

 In 1641  Anandapur's new dynasty of rulers came along.

This rajah built the Red Temple, which he holds a model of in his hands.

The history records tell us that he had a certain reverence for nature, but as he expanded and developed theRoyal Preserve, it often put him at odds with that.

Note that he's standing on a bed of fallen palm fronds, indicating that portion of the jungle cut down to build the temple and expand the village.

This was a period of peace (indicated by the pair of doves in the air above the ruler.)

As the clouds drift by on a quiet day in the forest, the wind kisses the clouds and . HEY..that sure is a funny looking cloud above the rajahs head !! ( Looks like a ... really maybe it is a ....)

 

As time progressed a new dynasty of rulers came to power, bringing with it a period of peace.  The final mural is a portrait of Pandava, who resigned from his post.

 

He loved nature, but in his drive for development it created problems.

He had reasoned that he should live the remainder of his life among the forest creatures.

The mural tells the story of , love, peace (doves) tranquility, serenity, meditation and solitude.

Ah.. so wonderful so... WAIT...STOP the train..what is that in the rocks (mountains) above the lantern?  Is it a..? could it be a ???  (look NorthEast of the lantern on the left side of the mural)

Maharajah Jungle Trek and the Tiger Forest

When we started our walking tour, I mentioned the three viewing areas to view the Magnificent Asian Tigers. As you wander along the Maharajah's Hunting Palace, you will find the tigers.

This section of the walking tour, is symbolized in the Indian custom of turning palaces and temples back over to nature for the good of Earth’s creatures.

There are 6 Female Tigers in the Maharajah collection.  

I have found the best time to visit the Tigers is in the early morning hours.

 

The rainforest-like surroundings are reminiscent of those found in Nepal, India, Thailand and Indonesia, and are home to other fascinating creatures.

You will see the hunting lodge and palace ruins serve as homes to the majestic tigers that have become the royal family of this habitat now.

(Thank you to the Disney Parks Blog for the photo and information below:
"Animal care professionals have long used unique aromas such as perfumes and spices as enrichment tools to help maintain an animal’s physical and mental health. Special treats such as toys, foods or fragrance prompt animals to explore, make choices and maintain a level of activity in their habitat similar to their natural behavior in the wild. With a very keen sense of smell, large cats such as tigers, cheetahs and lions like to scratch, roll and mark their own scents on logs sprayed with cologne."

Looking for a few more Hidden Mickey's ?

There are over 10 on the Maharajah Jungle Trek and the Tiger Forest.

A few more hints:  First arch-left mural-leaf   -   First arch-right mural-on a man

After ruins-leaves to your left   -