AKL on points

[JimC]

Just back from a five day trip at AKL concierge on points. We would do it again. The cost in points worked out to the same as AP code. We avoided the Fri/Sat as the point costs for those nights was not a good value in our view.

We had a fabulous time in a savannah view room. They treat you really well on concierge level floors. It makes your next stay anywhere really hard.

Enjoyed the Sunrise Safari -- a tremendous value given the time you spend on the AK savannah and the fabulous breakfast afterwards. Forget about lunch that day as breakfast is a huge buffet with lots of things to enjoy and you finish around 10:00 am.

We also did the romance dinner for two in our room. The meal was superb. And we enjoyed watching the animals on the AKL main savannah while we ate -- no better view available! The special dessert provided for this dinner is a spectacular assortment of dessert treats. It is priced fairly so we were also pleased with that.

This trip is highly recommended!

 

[DiznEeyore]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm planning to book several days at AKL concierge on points for next August and we definitely want to do the Sunrise Safari. It's great to hear positive things about it!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

We too want to do the AKL concierge on points sometime with in the next year or two. The sunrise safari sounds great (read a little about it on the Theme Parks board) but do you have any idea if there is a minimum age requirement? Thanks for the report!

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by Luckymommyx2
We too want to do the AKL concierge on points sometime with in the next year or two. The sunrise safari sounds great (read a little about it on the Theme Parks board) but do you have any idea if there is a minimum age requirement? Thanks for the report!

I don't believe there are any restrictions other than normal for the AK safari ride. There were young children on our ride. It costs just under $50 per person.

The Sunset Safari has a restriction of 16 or older and is limited to only 8 concierge level guests. It costs $150 per person and is a private safari tour of the AKL savannahs and a private wine paring dinner in the Wine Room at Jikos.

 

[RuthnPaul]

Originally posted by JimC
Enjoyed the Sunrise Safari -- a tremendous value given the time you spend on the AK savannah and the fabulous breakfast afterwards. Forget about lunch that day as breakfast is a huge buffet with lots of things to enjoy and you finish around 10:00 am.

Jim, thanks for the AKL trip report -- sounds like you had a wonderful time! Questions about the sunrise safari, please. We have one night booked at AKL concierge in late December prior to moving to BWV and are considering another night as well. What is the starting time for the sunrise safari? How do you make reservations for it -- through the hotel??? CRO??? Sounds like it is definitely worth the money...

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Thanks Jim! I couldn't find age information about the Safari tours before. It's good to know I don't have to postpone a trip there because of the kids' ages. Were you able to arrange this through MS? How far out can it be reserved because I'm sure there is a space limitation. Thanks again!

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by Luckymommyx2
Thanks Jim! I couldn't find age information about the Safari tours before. It's good to know I don't have to postpone a trip there because of the kids' ages. Were you able to arrange this through MS? How far out can it be reserved because I'm sure there is a space limitation. Thanks again!

You make the reservations at 90 days out by calling the concierge staff at AKL. They take really great care of you. If you make the room reservation within the 90 day window then you may need to wait a couple of hours for the points reservation to make its way into the AKL concierge system. You cannot book the safari without a confirmed concierge level room reservation. They claim to have a space limitation, but our trip used two buses and two safari vehicles and guides. So that may be flexible.

The sunset safari does have a space limitation of 8 and you book it the same way as the sunrise safari.

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by RuthnPaul
Jim, thanks for the AKL trip report -- sounds like you had a wonderful time! Questions about the sunrise safari, please. We have one night booked at AKL concierge in late December prior to moving to BWV and are considering another night as well. What is the starting time for the sunrise safari? How do you make reservations for it -- through the hotel??? CRO??? Sounds like it is definitely worth the money...

The starting time is 6:45 am. Meet and check in at concierge lounge. Then at 7:00 am everyone meets in the lobby at the sunset savannah overlook. From there you meet your guide and take the bus to AK, which includes a short back stage visit to get you into the park. The time on the savannah is about 45 minutes. Then it is off to breakfast.

Two notes: 1. You need park admission to go on tour and 2. if you have an AP you need to go back to the front of the park later and get scanned into the system if you want to use the fastpass system that day.

That reminds me, you get a fastpass for the safari ride as well with the sunrise safari tour.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Jim--thanks for all the information! I really appreciate all your help. I forgot to say it before....welcome back!!

 

[RuthnPaul]

Jim, thanks for the information on the Sunrise Safari. Do you book through the hotel, CRO, what???

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by RuthnPaul
Jim, thanks for the information on the Sunrise Safari. Do you book through the hotel, CRO, what???

You make the reservations at 90 days out by calling the concierge staff at AKL. You cannot book the safari without a confirmed concierge level room reservation. The concierge staff are first rate. You will enjoy their assistance.

 

[RuthnPaul]

Jim C,

Thanks for the information on booking the sunrise safari! (I just noticed that you had this info in one of your earlier posts -- sorry I didn't see it there). I will mark my calendar to call towards the end of September!

 

[kaw1106]

I have one more question about the Sunrise Safari. Does it run every day of the week or just certain days?

Katheen