VIP Safari Weekend with Jane Goodall

Here's your opportunity to explore Walt Disney World--and Animal Kingdom, especially--with a living legend! Dr. Jane Goodall is considered THE foremost expert on chimpanzees, due in no small part to her 45-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. In partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, Disney is offering a VIP Safari Weekend with the distinguished scientist, April 20-22. I have no idea what this weekend will cost (honestly, I'm afraid to ask), but it will certainly be a priceless experience for those that can afford it. Highlights of the weekend will include:

• Exploring all of the Disney Parks with Park Hopper passes


• Savannah-view room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge


• Behind-the-scenes animal viewing on the Backstage Safari Tour


• Breakfast with Dr. Goodall and Disney characters at the Backstage Prop Shop at AKL


• Campfire meet-n-greet, featuring s'mores and hot cocoa, as well as amazing stories from Dr. Goodall

Registration information doesn't seem to be readily accessible, but you can learn more about the Jane Goodall Institute here.

UPDATE: I have read from a few sources that the pricing is around $8,500 per adult and $7,500 per child. Yikes! Although I still haven't seen official Disney registration information, you can contact the representative from the JGI via email (azarillo at janegoodall dot org ) or phone (703-682-9288). Space is, obviously, very limited.

Thursday's Tip

Ack! Very late on the tip today. We've been traveling, and I *thought* I had prepared a post before I left...but apparently not. So...here's a quick tip for those staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge: balloons of any type (mylar or latex) are not permitted in guest rooms, due to the hazard they present for the animals. So, if your little one begs for one of those fun Mickey-shaped balloons as you depart the Magic Kingdom, you might want to dissuade him or her. If you do purchase a balloon, you will be asked to check it at the front desk and it will be returned to you when you leave. But let's face it, balloons do have a rather brief  "shelf life." If you simply must buy one, try to do it on the last day of your trip so your child will actually get to enjoy it before it deflates.