Sunrise/Sunset Safaris

[DisneyStarWisher]

I have searched for this topic with no success. I know you guys can help. What is the difference between the sunrise safari and the sunset sarari? I think that with one you have to stay at the concierge level, right? If so, what if you are staying just one night concierge? Can you still participate? I'm also interested in prices. Thanks!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Iknow virtually nothing about the Sunrise Safafri. That's the one you have to stay concierge for. It's at the Kilimanjaro Safari at AK. For the Sunset Safari, you don't have to stay concierge but it's cheaper if you do. It's $160 or so for concierge, and $210 for other AKL guests. For that you get about 1 1/2 hours touring the savannahs around the lodge and a 3 course dinner at Jiko, including wine.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Thanks, Simba's Mom. Now does anyone know anything about the Sunrise Safari? Can you do it if you're staying only one night on Concierge Level?

 

[msabol01]

The price is around $60 per person and $30 ages 3-9. You will need to stay in a concierge room the night prior and currently they only occur on selected days (currently Sunday and Thursday).

Admission into Animal Kingdom is required and not included in the price of the safari (ie you will also need a park ticket).

Following the Safari you will have breakfast at Pizzafari.

You will also get a fastpass for the Kilimanjaro Safari to see the normal safari.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

So if I stay Concierge on Saturday night, I can participate in the Sunrise Safari Sunday morning, correct? Also, what does the tour entail? How long? What kind of breakfast is it? What time does the safari usually start? What time do you usually finish with breakfast?

 

[disneynutz]

Here is the info that I just received from Disney:

Dumela!

Here is the information on the 3 animal excursion offerings we have. The booking window for all of them is 90 days out so prices and days offered could change before next December though we do not anticipate this happening at this time.
Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is exclusive to concierge guests staying at our resort. It is offered on Thursdays and Sundays. The safari starts at 6:30 A.M. if the park opens at 8 A.M. & it starts at 7:30 A.M. if the park opens at 9 A.M..
You would meet in the concierge lounge at 6:15 A.M. or 6:45 A.M., depending on park hours & will check-in at the concierge desk. The concierge will scan your park admission into the park which is required to participate in this experience.
An animal programs cast member will be meeting our guests in the Sunset Overlook to give a run down of the morning's activities. You will then take a private bus, which will go through some of the backstage areas at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
You will then walk over to the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction and board the first jeep onto the savanna. You will be able to ask the animal programs cast member questions and there will be frequent stops for you to take pictures. The safari will last from 45 minutes to 1 hour long. Afterwards you will have a delicious breakfast buffet that awaits you.
You are free to go about your day, at this point. If you would like to go back to the resort, you will take the regular bus back.
The cost is $65.00 for adults and $32.50 for children 3 to 9. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. The unpaved roads of Harambe Wildlife Reserve pass through rough and rugged terrain. For your safety you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride. If you have special needs (wheelchair or scooter) or dietary needs, please let us know so that we may accommodate you.
Safaris are may be subject to minimum booking requirements. Other days may be available for booking if regular days have heavy wait lists. Ask your itinerary planner for details. All charges are posted as a room charge. No meal packages can be used to pay for this event.

Sunrise Safari Breakfast Buffet Menu:
Assorted Breakfast Breads and Pastries
Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Biscuits and Gravy
Fruit Cobbler
Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled Eggs with Cheese
Vegetable Pan Omelet
Smoked Beef Sausage w/ Peppers and Onions
Banana French Toast
Bacon
Sausage Patties
Baked Ham
Hash Brown Potatoes
Fried Plantains
Beverages - Coffee, Tea, Guava Juice, Orange Juice

The Wildlife Discovery Excursion takes the Kilimanjaro safari experience to the next level. Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the beaten path of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve for a unique animal observation and photo excursion. Led by a seasoned Safari Guide and an Animal expert, this adventure takes you off the Safari trail, stopping at special observation and photo areas throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve. The tour takes place Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.. Guest meet in front of Mombassa Marketplace 15 minutes prior to the tour. It can accommodate up to 14 guests who must be age 3 and older. Payment is taken at time of booking. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Cost is $45 per person inclusive for the remainder of 2008 and $50.00 per person inclusive starting January 1st 2009. You spend about an hour our on the trail slipping between ride vehicles of the Kilimanjaro Safari and stopping to view and photograph the animals. The vehicle is climate controlled. Guest may stand up in the vehicle (there are hand holds all over the vehicle). It is a great chance to get a different perspective on the Kilimanjaro Safari. You may take non concierge guests with you on this experience. Not included with any package.

Wanyama Safari is an approximately 1 and a half hour safari experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge where a guest will experience a re-creation of a true African afternoon game drive. An opportunity to spend time with members from the Lodge animal programs team in a very personal environment. Learning about the natural history and management of the animal collection at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Incredible photo opportunities of the animals and architecture of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge that can only be experienced from our savannas . Your safari will conclude with a true African dining experience at JIKO, just like the lodges in Africa where a multi-course meal will await you which may include a wine pairing.
You will be meet at the Jiko Podium at 3:45 p.m. where you will be met by our animal Programs team. Safaris are offered on Monday,Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Guests must be 8 years of age or older. The price for the experience is $160 per Concierge club guests 10 and up, $210 for non-Concierge guests 10 and up and Half price for guest 8 and 9. Tax and gratuity included as well as a small contribution to the Disney Conservation Fund. 48 hour cancellation policy does apply so a credit card is required at time of booking. Admission is limited to 12 Guests and can be reserved 90 days in advance of arrival.
Buy out safaris are offered with sufficient notice subject to there being no prior bookings for that date for a $2000 minimum price. There is no age restriction on buy out safaris as it is your exclusive event.
Safaris are may be subject to minimum booking requirements. Other days may be available for booking. Ask your itinerary planner for details. All charges are posted as a room charge. No meal packages can be used to pay for this event.

 

[DebbieB]

I did the Sunrise last summer, it was awesome. We had a guide who was a manager of the safari and had been on African safaris. They stop several times to talk and allow us to take pictures. They were just feeding the animals so they were all close to the road. The breakfast was great, I'd say we were done by 10:00. We did not get a fastpass for the regular safari.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope you can do something with a 1 night stay. We're going concierge for one Friday night in September, and I would like to do the Wildlife Discovery on Saturday morning. We have a 3 night concierge stay in March, and are already booked for the other two. I'm thinking it would be OK, since we check out on Sunday and we are booked for the Sunrise Safari that morning, our morning of check out.

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

We LOVED both of them. If you stay concierge, you will get a discount on both as well. WEll, now that I think of it, maybe the discount on the Sunrise one was a DVC discount, and the discount on the Wanyama was a concierge discount.

The Sunrise one has more guests and they fill two trucks at KS with people. Our docent was the head animal curator at AKL, and he was WONDERFUL for the information he gave on the sunrise safari. That said, the Wanyama safari was MUCH more personal, and the two keepers we had were very good at telling us the names and little bits of information about each of the animals we encountered on the lodge savannas. I loved all the little personal stories about each one and getting close enough that if the animals want to stick their heads in the truck, they can.

Oh, and the dinner at Jiko afterwards was fun with all the other guests who were with us.

 

[december14disney]

Did i read this wrong---The wildlife excursion one you do NOT have to be concierge at AKL or AKV?

 

[erionm]

Did i read this wrong---The wildlife excursion one you do NOT have to be concierge at AKL or AKV?

According to the member website, The Wildlife Discovery Excursion is only available to Club Level guests at all WDW Resort hotels.

 

[december14disney]

According to the member website, The Wildlife Discovery Excursion is only available to Club Level guests at all WDW Resort hotels.

darnit! I thought there was an AKL tour that was for anyone...maybe thats the Backstage safari or something.
One day im going to do every one of those tours on the same trip. How cool are those?

 

[dianeschlicht]

darnit! I thought there was an AKL tour that was for anyone...maybe thats the Backstage safari or something.
One day im going to do every one of those tours on the same trip. How cool are those?

The Sunset (Wanyama) is for ALL AKL guests, but the ones not staying in concierge pay more...MUCH more!

 

[wildernessDad]

We got the fastpass when we did the Wildlife Discovery Excursion and did not get a fastpass when we did the Sunrise Safari.

Check out our vacation blog for info on and pics from the safaris. Check the archive to read what we did.

http://web.mac.com/hambrose/Vacation_Site/Welcome.html

 

[dgaston]

Backstage Safari at AK is one that is open to all WDW guests. There are discounts for AP, DVC, AAA, and usually deepest is Disney Visa. I have done this tour twice (as well as Sunset and Sunrise Safaris).

Here is the info from Deb Will's site.

Go behind the scenes at Animal Kingdom!

Find out what happens behind-the-scenes at Animal Kingdom. You'll get an insider's look at the innovative ways that we are meeting challenges in areas such as conservation, animal nutrition and medicine, animal care and behavioral studies. Highlights include visits to: backstage animal housing areas to meet some of our keepers and learn how we care for our animals on a daily basis; the Animal Nutrition Center, where all of our animal's diets are prepared; our state-of-the-art Veterinary Hospital and Animal Programs Administration to learn how we are constantly seeking new ways to ensure our animal's health and well being. This program takes place entirely behind the scenes.

Animal viewing is extremely limited. No photography will be allowed backstage.


This 3 hour tour is offered Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. You must be 16 years of age or older.

$70 per person, plus your Animal Kingdom Admission!

This is a great tour if you are interested in learning more about the animals at AK.

 

[Inkmahm]

The price is around $60 per person and $30 ages 3-9. You will need to stay in a concierge room the night prior and currently they only occur on selected days (currently Sunday and Thursday).

Admission into Animal Kingdom is required and not included in the price of the safari (ie you will also need a park ticket).

Following the Safari you will have breakfast at Pizzafari.

You will also get a fastpass for the Kilimanjaro Safari to see the normal safari.

Last time we did this we didnt get the fast pass to see the normal safari. At least not officially through the Sunrise safari. I had my DH run to get fast passes for us on our walk to the breakfast after sunrise safari so we had them anyway.

 

[bobbiwoz]

This one says that you may bring guests who are not concierge, but apparently you have to be concierge to book yourself.

The Wildlife Discovery Excursion takes the Kilimanjaro safari experienceto the next level. Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the beaten path of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve for a unique animal observation and photo excursion. Led by a seasoned Safari Guide and an Animal expert, this adventure takes you off the Safari trail, stopping at special observation and photo areas throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve. The tour takes place Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.. Guest meet in front of Mombassa Marketplace 15 minutes prior to the tour. It can accommodate up to 14 guests who must be age 3 and older. Payment is taken at time of booking. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Cost is $45.00 per person inclusive. You spendabout an hour our on the trail slipping between ride vehicles of the Kilimanjaro Safari and stopping to view and photograph the animals. The vehicle is climate controlled. Guest may stand up in the vehicle (there are hand holds all over the vehicle). It is a great chance to get a different perspective on the Kilimanjaro Safari. You may take non concierge guests with you on this experience. Not included with any package.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This one says that you may bring guests who are not concierge, but apparently you have to be concierge to book yourself.

The Wildlife Discovery Excursion takes the Kilimanjaro safari experienceto the next level. Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the beaten path of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve for a unique animal observation and photo excursion. Led by a seasoned Safari Guide and an Animal expert, this adventure takes you off the Safari trail, stopping at special observation and photo areas throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve. The tour takes place Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.. Guest meet in front of Mombassa Marketplace 15 minutes prior to the tour. It can accommodate up to 14 guests who must be age 3 and older. Payment is taken at time of booking. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Cost is $45.00 per person inclusive. You spendabout an hour our on the trail slipping between ride vehicles of the Kilimanjaro Safari and stopping to view and photograph the animals. The vehicle is climate controlled. Guest may stand up in the vehicle (there are hand holds all over the vehicle). It is a great chance to get a different perspective on the Kilimanjaro Safari. You may take non concierge guests with you on this experience. Not included with any package.

I inquired about this in Nov. b/c we may have guests but not staying concierge. What I was told is that they have recently changed this and now all must be staying concierge.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We plan to take the Sunrise Safari on checkout day. Will we have any problem getting back to AKV in time to check out at 11 AM or should we make sure we check out at OH-Dark-Thirty before the Safari? -- Suzanne

 

[Simba's Mom]

This one says that you may bring guests who are not concierge, but apparently you have to be concierge to book yourself.

The Wildlife Discovery Excursion takes the Kilimanjaro safari experienceto the next level. Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the beaten path of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve for a unique animal observation and photo excursion. Led by a seasoned Safari Guide and an Animal expert, this adventure takes you off the Safari trail, stopping at special observation and photo areas throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve. The tour takes place Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.. Guest meet in front of Mombassa Marketplace 15 minutes prior to the tour. It can accommodate up to 14 guests who must be age 3 and older. Payment is taken at time of booking. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Cost is $45.00 per person inclusive. You spendabout an hour our on the trail slipping between ride vehicles of the Kilimanjaro Safari and stopping to view and photograph the animals. The vehicle is climate controlled. Guest may stand up in the vehicle (there are hand holds all over the vehicle). It is a great chance to get a different perspective on the Kilimanjaro Safari. You may take non concierge guests with you on this experience. Not included with any package.

If anyone ever does this I'd love to be your non-concierge guest.