AKL Sunrise Safari vs. Wildlife Excursion

[thatgirl23]

From what I've read and been told, for the most part, they're pretty much the same thing. The only differences being time, vehicle, and the breakfast with the Sunrise Safari. Does anyone know if one's better than the other? We want to see the animals (duh! lol) but I don't know if you see more animals in the morning (Safari), later (Excursion), or if there is no real difference. Has anyone done both and preferred one over the other?

Any comments and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Kimberle]

No, they are not the same at all.

Sunrise safari takes you backstage at AK, then on a very slow version of the safari ride. They stop so you can take pictures. You have a guide who explains the animals, habitates, and answers questions. This is followed by a wonderful b/fast.

WE takes place at the AK LODGE. You're in the back of a truck and drive around the LODGE safari's.

 

[SeaSpray]

No, they are not the same at all.

Sunrise safari takes you backstage at AK, then on a very slow version of the safari ride. They stop so you can take pictures. You have a guide who explains the animals, habitates, and answers questions. This is followed by a wonderful b/fast.

WE takes place at the AK LODGE. You're in the back of a truck and drive around the LODGE safari's.

I respectfully disagree:

The Wildlife Discovery Tour takes place at Animal Kingdom Park. I know there is also some sort of guided tour that takes place at the Lodge, but it's called something else.

We're booked on the Wildlife Discovery Tour for May; it's a 1-hour guided tour that takes you through the Kilimanjaro Safari course, but the vehicle goes off the track (like the Sunrise Safari does) and you have your own guide with you who will answer any questions you have, and you're in a vehicle where you can stand up and take pictures. There's also more to this tour where you can pet/touch a few things, too. You have to be staying on the concierge/club level of a Disney resort in order to book this (with the Sunrise Safari you HAVE to be staying at AKL concierge).

 

[thatgirl23]

See, part of me thinks the Wildlife Excursion would be better because of the limit of people and because of what you said - you can stand up, there's more to touch, etc. On the other hand, I'm thinking you might see more animals in the morning, but I don't know if that's the case.

 

[RachelTori]

I respectfully disagree:

The Wildlife Discovery Tour takes place at Animal Kingdom Park. I know there is also some sort of guided tour that takes place at the Lodge, but it's called something else.

We're booked on the Wildlife Discovery Tour for May; it's a 1-hour guided tour that takes you through the Kilimanjaro Safari course, but the vehicle goes off the track (like the Sunrise Safari does) and you have your own guide with you who will answer any questions you have, and you're in a vehicle where you can stand up and take pictures. There's also more to this tour where you can pet/touch a few things, too. You have to be staying on the concierge/club level of a Disney resort in order to book this (with the Sunrise Safari you HAVE to be staying at AKL concierge).

That would be the Wanyama (or "Sunset") Safari.

See, part of me thinks the Wildlife Excursion would be better because of the limit of people and because of what you said - you can stand up, there's more to touch, etc. On the other hand, I'm thinking you might see more animals in the morning, but I don't know if that's the case.

I would have agreed with you as far as seeing more animals in the morning; but during my trip 2 weeks ago, I found the animals to be more visible and active in the afternoon. I think possibly if you're going during the "hot & humid" months, an early morning excursion might be the better choice. I'm sure either one will be wonderful!

 

[thatgirl23]

Thanks so much! We're actually going in December so I'm thinking it might a situation like yours was, where the animals are more active in the afternoon because of the temps in the morning.