Amazing Opportunity for a VIP weekend with Dr. Jane Goodall at AKL and Animal Kingdom

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hello Everyone: I received a press release from the Jane Goodall Institute last night regarding a unique opportunity to meet Dr. Jane Goodall at Walt Disney World. They are hosting a "VIP weekend" at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Animal Kingdom over President's Day weekend Feb 18-21, 2011.

Update 2/3/11: An update to the Jane Goodall VIP weekend, I've been told the event will not be held this February, but is being rescheduled for April 2012 to allow people more time to make their travel plans. The original post follows below.


Personal disclosure, I have an advanced degree in neuroscience, have studied animal behavior for a number of years, and have read much of Jane Goodall's work. This is an amazing opportunity, and I would jump at it in a heartbeat. There are numerous opportunities over the weekend to meet Jane Goodall, share some time with her, and share a meal. That being said, be warned - the price for this exclusive opportunity is not cheap. Read the highlights before hearing the price though.

Trip Highlights Include:

· Private VIP transportation provided to and from Orlando International Airport;

· Three nights in a savannah view room in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge®;

· Exclusive breakfast with Dr. Jane Goodall and some of Disney’s famous characters;

· Intimate campfire with Jane Goodall overlooking Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge® savannah including stories, hot chocolate, s’mores and more;

· Opportunity to get up close to a variety of spectacular and majestic animals in their backstage habitats on Disney’s special Backstage Safari Tour;

· Gala dinner featuring an exclusive private performance of the Festival of the Lion King;

· Access to Disney’s theme parks with Park Hopper® passes. Transportation to any of the Disney parks is included, along with a Dining Card valid at a variety of locations; and

Package is for Presidents Day Weekend (February 18-21, 2011). Complete experience includes capacity of up to 30 people. Includes hotel, select meals, unlimited three-day admission to all Disney theme parks, transportation to and from the Orlando airport, and all scheduled events.

The cost: $8,500 per adult and $7,500 per child, ages seven and up. Includes hotel, select meals,unlimited three-day admission to all Disney theme parks, transportation to and from the airport, and all scheduled events.

Again, not a cheap experience, but something you certainly can not get anywhere else. If you are interested, the turn-around time is quick. If you are interested, you need to contact the Jane Goodall Institute by next Friday, Jan 14th. You can find the contact information via the link below.
http://www.janegoodall.org/travelwithjgi

Oh, and if you go, please give us pictures and a trip report!

 

[disneyholic family]

that is absolutely a once in a lifetime opportunity!!!!!

it's expensive, to be sure, but many of those highlights are priceless!!

i'm envious of anyone able to participate!!!!!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

That sounds super, super cool. I fear the price is a little steep on short notice, though.

 

[DisneyKevin]

You can go on the London / Paris / Disneyland Paris trip for less.

John will sing Hakuna Matata and let you pet his monkey.

 

[irishdadx4]

John will....let you pet his monkey.

And you're ok with this???

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

You can go on the London / Paris / Disneyland Paris trip for less.

John will sing Hakuna Matata and let you pet his monkey.

Does he sing all the parts and harmonies? Also, the monkey is intriguing. I wonder if my teacher husband would be mad if I booked a solo trip to London and Paris.

 

[irishdadx4]

All kidding aside....what a fantastic trip this would be. Jane Goodall is wonderful. I'm sure getting that intimate time with her and just being able to learn about her work and adventures over the years would be priceless. And to get to tour AK backstage and meet all those wonderful animals they have, with Jane talking about them. But that price ....out of this world. Makes Breakfast with Jack Hanna over at Busch Gardens Tampa look downright cheap.

But I'm sure those funds will be put to wonderful use by Jane Goodall's institute, and I hope the people that can afford this and go, really appreciate it.

Mike

 

[disneyholic family]

You can go on the London / Paris / Disneyland Paris trip for less.

John will sing Hakuna Matata and let you pet his monkey.

when will i ever learn not to read your posts while drinking...

i think i just fried my computer...

as for london et al - right in the middle of our huge family gathering....in general, my timing sucks....

 

[DisneyKevin]

When I first read about this event, my initial reaction was that this was a very cool opportunity.

Finding that the price is $8500 per person is staggering.

$17,000 for a weekend for two is an obscene amount of money.

I understand that part of it would help fund her research, but we are talking about a $2000 WDW package and then $15,000 for breakfast and a campfire.

For that amount of money, it better look like the "I Wanna Be Like You" scene from Jungle book.

Sorry.....even that's not enough.

I cant help but think this is ridiculously overpriced.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Kevin, my thought is that this event is not aimed at Disney fans, but at Jane Goodall fans/philanthropists who might enjoy a weekend at AKL as a bonus for their donation.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Kevin, my thought is that this event is not aimed at Disney fans, but at Jane Goodall fans/philanthropists who might enjoy a weekend at AKL as a bonus for their donation.

For $17,000.....I'd want to sleep in her tent.

For the same price....you can spend 9 nights in Europe and buy Louis Vuitton luggage and airfare.

This is limited to 30 people.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Kevin, my thought is that this event is not aimed at Disney fans, but at Jane Goodall fans/philanthropists who might enjoy a weekend at AKL as a bonus for their donation.

I agree, I think this is aimed at Jane Goodall fans, not Disney fans, but why not make it cheaper and more accessible to more people? I mean really, the DIS was able to allow 600 Disney fans meet and have an amazing experience with THREE legends for waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper.

 

[lugnut33]

I tried reading the description but all I kept seeing was $8,500 per adult. Interesting that they consider children 7 and up since in the parks they consider children 9 and under.

I figure PCC3.0 will end up costing us about that in total (flights, hotels, WDW, Cruise, food, etc) for the 4 of us.

Guess I won't be going to that or having a house in Golden Oaks.

 

[TXYankee]

If I was a rich man.....

Or woman, I would pay that to meet Jane Goodall and help fund her research...But Im not.

 

[starwood]

Now why didn't I win the lottery Tuesday?

 

[Justin Jett]

I'd rather get back on the boat.

 

[NC Belle]

I would love to go, but not for that much cost.


We spent $49.99 Amercian each in Roatan that included round-trip shuttle transportation from the port, over 2 hours with tour guide, and personal time with both a monkey and 2 scarlet mawcaws. I'm not including the free roaming tail-less rats/rabbits, various species of igaunas, and more free roaming birds.

I must say...seeing a monkey on hubby's head/shoulders was priceless and the monkey was fun to hug.

 

[MenashaCorp]

John will sing Hakuna Matata and let you pet his monkey.

What's his monkey's name? Bet I know...

 

[Justin Jett]

What's his monkey's name? Bet I know...

Cheetah

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

John will sing Hakuna Matata and let you pet his monkey.

In some cultures that would mean we'd be betrothed!