AKL Sunrise Safari/Coincierge

[sjw4870]

I am currently booked in a standard savannah room at ALK. It breaks down to an additional $75 per night for me to change this to coincierge. The main reason for wanting to change it is to be able to go on Sunrise Safari. I'd like some opinions on if this is worth it? Are the rooms on coincierge nicer, better views? I probably wouldn't utilize the lounge for the appetizers so I am trying to figure out if the nicer room and access to the safari will make the extra expense worth it.

THANKS!

 

[ducklite]

The rooms are about the same, as are the views. You do get a few extra amenities in the room, such as robes and a makeup mirror.

Not sure if you realize the Sunrise Safari is an extra $50 per person on top of the concierge upgrade, and you have to have park admission for that day as well.

We enjoy the extra pampering in concierge, but that includes the lounge.

If the extra expense is going to break the budget or make you scrimp on other aspects of the trip, I'd pass. but if you'v egot a little rainy day fund, you might wnat to break into it.

Anne

 

[LvsTnk]

I'm with Anne, if you would not use the lounge even for breakfast I would pass too. Especially if you have a long stay booked that $75 can add up. I have a family of 5 and a son with special needs so I really enjoy the convenience of concierge, $75 would be worth it to me.

Also, I am always looking for different things for my older kids without special needs to do since they are so good to their brother and WDW is the easiest place for us to vacation.

 

[>>^..^<<]

The concierge room will be just slightly larger than the standard room you have booked and it may have a day bed.

Your concierge room will be on the 5th or 6th floor whereas the standard room you have booked will be on 2,3 or 4.

Concierge rooms are in close proximity to the lobby or lounge, standard rooms can be way down the trail. (not always but usually)

I feel the concierge room location + food and beverage offerings & access to the lounge are worth the extra cost of concierge.

As ducklite said ~ you also have to pay extra for the sunrise safari and use a day of admission on your park tickets to participate.

If this does not put a huge financial strain on you then I say go for it because it is a wonderful experience... but don't put yourself in a bad position to do this.

There are some photos of the concierge lounge/room and the safari on my website link below.

Good Luck

>>^..^<<

 

[JESW]

Just wondering why you wouldn't use the lounge????? It's not just for appetizers. The AKL lounge (in my opinion) is the nicest one at Disney - overlooking that incredible lobby! They put out a nice breakfast spread - loved the oatmeal and fruit smoothies every morning. The food choices were also good throughout the day. Our family of 4 was always stocking up on water and soda whenever we went out to the parks.

We were just down there in June and loved it. We also went on the sunrise safari and enjoyed it - worth the extra $$$ for our family.

Jill

 

[mep319]

I'm making an assumption here so correct me if I'm wrong.......the $75.00/night is the same as mine is w/ the annual pass rate...These rates go fast so I wouldn't hesitate if available! I've been trying to change my 1st three nights from standard to savannah to conceirge for sometime...I think they book very quickly at a discounted rate so if available do it fast!! I keep trying w/ no luck! By the way, when are you going?

 

[castleri]

IF you have the AP rate for standard savannah room does anyone know what the upgrade to conceirge would cost? When I booked the only choices given were standard, pool or savannah, there was no mention of concierge being available. I have trouble justifying the extra in that it will be just my 17 yo DS and myself. Not sure the two of us would use the lounge enough to make it pay. If the rest of the family was there those days it would be well worth it. Would love to do the sunrise safari though.

Just saw another thread that said the upgrade was $215 per night! I could do $75 but not much more than that for 2 people.
Could it be the person with the option of $75 is already paying rack rate for the ressie he holds now?

 

[stinkerbelle]

ckj and I just got back from our Disney honeymoon - we stayed 4 nights at the WL concierge and 7 nights at AKL concierge.

AKL blew us away.

The sunrise safari was amazing - we actually saw the lion standing up (every other time we've taken the safari ride he's been either hiding or sleeping) the animals are MUCH more active first thing in the am!

and the buffet breakfast? holy crap - it was amazing. After eating breakfast at the concierge lounges I was ready to kill someone for some eggs...fabulouse omlets and scrambled eggs, great juices and tons of other stuff to chose from.

IMO - the safari was definetly worth the $50!

 

[jdads2]

I was only interested in the concierge level for access to the sunrise safari. The lounge is phenominal. So was the safari. If it was going to cost us an extra $75 a night to get into a concierge level room we would not hesitate. The service is tremendous. It was very nice knowing we could come home after a long day at the parks and get a quick bite or drink and relax in the lounge. My kids got so many free toys and puzzles from the lounge staff I was amazed.

 

[sjw4870]

Thanks to all who responded to my post. Special thanks to those who mentioned the separate charge for the safari. I thought it was included!

With the AP rate I have, the upgrade to coincerge with savannah view would only be $277 per night, not bad since I went to disneyworld.com and looked at deluxe savananah and the room was going for $440 per night without coincierge for the same nights!

The reason I said I wouldn't use the lounge much is because I am going with my mother who hasn't been to WDW since 1996 (I go at least once a year). We only have 4 days so I think we'll be running around a lot without much time to relax.

The money isn't really an issue (other than the fact that I like to have a big rainy day fund in this economy!). The upgrade will only cost $200 per person (including the safari). I guess I will let my Mom decide!

Many, many thanks to all who helped!

 

[WDWLVR]

We have AKL concierge booked for next May. How and when can I reserve the safari. I tired to do it the same day I made my reservation (by the way the reservation was through DVC) but was told I had to call back much closer to the time of the trip. Don't want to wait too long and miss out.

 

[mep319]

90 days prior is what I believe I was told...BUT I swithced from standard savannah to concierge about 45 days out and still able to get it for this October (10/29 I believe). So I guess it may depend on the time of year. And from what I can tell concierge for AP rates are sold out b/c I've only been able to add it day by day...At first we were 3 nites savannah/4 nites concierge..now I'm 1 & 6...I just need that first Friday!! Contact conierge by phone or email...they will confirm how far out you need to book it. Have fun!

 

[Lexxiefern]

To the OP, I would jump all over that!! We would love to get a great rate like that for our trip next year for AKL concierge.

Does anyone know how much a child is to take on the sunrise safari? My DD will be 3 soon (sniff) and we will have to start paying for her.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi Lexxie... I believe kids are $24.99... your little one is growing up

>>^..^<<

 

[Lexxiefern]

Thanks Cassie - I knew you'd know the answer!

Oh and thanks for the tip on the dvd player! DD was so quiet on the plane last month, it is worth it's weight in gold!!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by Lexxiefern


Oh and thanks for the tip on the dvd player!

DD was so quiet on the plane last month, it is worth it's weight in gold!!

LOL... great

Last week we drove to visit my parents... 1 1/2 hour drive.... Noel watched a movie on the way there... never heard a peep... and on the way back.. it was like we had forgotten her

Portable DVDs are the best thing since sliced bread

>>^..^<<