Animal Kingdom Lodge concierge

[TChrist05]

Hello all....we booked a stay in the Animal Kingdom Lodge concierge for September. I understand that you can take advantage of the morning or evening safari...does anyone have any idea about the cost? How long does it take and would you reccomend it? This is the first time that we are staying in concierge and really have no idea what to expect.
Thanks for any information.
Tom

 

[erionm]

The Sunset Safari is $160 per person if staying Concierge Level and $210 for all other AKL guests. It's about 1 and 1/2 hours on the savannas of the AKL with a family style dinner at Jiko afterwards. I called yesterday to get our names on the list for this Sept also. This will be our first time doing any of these special safaris.

I don't have exact prices for the Sunrise Safari, but I believe that it's around $60 per person.

You can call the AKV Itinerary Planning office at (407) 938-4755 for pricing.

 

[TChrist05]

Wow...that is a bit pricey for the sunset safari....has anyone done it before and would you say that it is worth the money....they dinner is ofcourse great...but our plans now are to do the dining plan so maybe the morning would be better for us....thanks for the phone number....but anyone who has done it already please share your experience with us....
Thanks....
Tom

 

[dgaston]

We were lucky enough to do both the Sunset and Sunrise Safaris last July. I especially enjoyed the more expensive Sunset Safari. When else can you experience a replication of an African Safari and travel about the AKL savannas? We learned a lot about the "hoofstock" at AKL, and had lovely dinner companions for the meal at Jiko (which includes wine pairings and chef commentary on the food).

There were great photo ops on the Sunrise Safari, and I finally saw one of the male lions move! He was "chuffing" to declare his territory, and it was almost as memorable as the time our regular safari vehicle was held up by a very slow moving ostrich (driver kept remarking about the pea-sized brain). The breakfast at Pizzafari was fine -- lots of choices for egg and meat-eaters. Great photo ops of the elephants too.

I'm sure others will be along soon to add their memories and impressions. HTH

Oh -- just remembered there is an age limit of 8 on the Sunset Safari. Younger children can go on the Sunrise Safari.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We did both the sunrise and the sunset Safari in May and enjoyed each of them. My favorite between the two was the sunset (Waynama). And I would recommend each of them.

We don't do the dining plan but you could always enjoy another signature dining that uses two table service on another night.

 

[magicmommy]

The price for the sunrise is now 65.00 per person and IMHO well worth it!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We did them both in March, and I was ill after sampling the food at the Sunset. Don't know for sure what disagreed with me, but it was a very hard night, not a bug. I just wanted to be adventurous, usually, I just stick to what I know. DH wasn't affected. I've eaten and enjoyed dinner at Jiko before. I wish I could do the Safari again without the dinner.

I would do the Sunrise again, breakfast was delicious, (we had one whole day between the two, and my stomach settled) and the animals are so very frisky when they first come out of their night area. We are doing the Wildlife Discovery Excursion this September when we again have a short concierge stay.

Bobbi

 

[TChrist05]

Hello all....could you tell me where you eat breakfast after the sunrise safari and what time do you meet for it? We are kind of putting together plans for September....spending 4 days at the AKL and then off to 3 nights on the Disney Wonder.....
Thanks all.....
Tom

 

[bobbiwoz]

You meet at the Concierge lounge around 6:30, but I don't think we left much before 7:30. Breakfast was in a room that I think was part of the Pizzafari complex, but I'm not 100%. The restaurant itself wasn't opened. There was a character to greet us, a gorilla, I'm not sure of her name.
It was pouring as we left breakfast, and we were back in our room in plenty of time before 11 AM checkout.

Bobbi

 

[wildernessDad]

The $160 price for the Sunset safari includes a great dinner at Jiko and the tip.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wow...that is a bit pricey for the sunset safari....has anyone done it before and would you say that it is worth the money....they dinner is ofcourse great...but our plans now are to do the dining plan so maybe the morning would be better for us....thanks for the phone number....but anyone who has done it already please share your experience with us....
Thanks....
Tom

BOTH safaris include a meal. Neither of them can be paid for with the Dining plan. We did both safaris when we stayed Club level last year, and I thought they were both well worth the price. Dinner at Jiko alone would be about the cost of one Waynama reservation. If you are worried about cost, definitely do the Sunrise then. It includes a wonderful breakfast buffet, and the time on safari is very in formative with animal curators as guides.

THe big difference is that the sunrise safari takes place at the Kilamanjaro safari in the park (need a park ticket for this), and the Waynama takes place at the lodge savannas. I really enjoyed the Waynama where you could get very close to all the animals and they actually told you their names and little details about each individual.

 

[dianeschlicht]

e animals are so very frisky when they first come out of their night area. We are doing the Wildlife Discovery Excursion this September when we again have a short concierge stay.

Bobbi

Bobby, when in September? We were planning on doing that for our early Dec. stay too. I'd like to learn something about it from someone who has done it first though.

 

[RLRDA]

Hello all....could you tell me where you eat breakfast after the sunrise safari and what time do you meet for it? We are kind of putting together plans for September....spending 4 days at the AKL and then off to 3 nights on the Disney Wonder.....
Thanks all.....
Tom

I looked back at my e-mail info and found this:


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

I thought it had mentioned where the buffet was, but it doesn't. For some reason I think it is at the Tusker House restaurant (?) but I'm not totally sure. We have it booked for our August trip and are really looking forward to it!

 

[hlkeck]

The sunrise safari, when we did it Sept '08, breakfast was at Pizzafari as previously mentioned and no longer at Tusker House. It was pretty good with lots of choices and my kids (4 and 6) had plenty to choose from adn had a great time.

I will second the PP that stated you are supposed to meet at 6:30 - but you wait around forever for other people and it's closer to 7:15 or so before you leave.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Bobby, when in September? We were planning on doing that for our early Dec. stay too. I'd like to learn something about it from someone who has done it first though.

September 26th...I'll post about the experience!

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

September 26th...I'll post about the experience!

Bobbi

Thanks, Bobbi. Our 90 day window will open before then, but I think I'll go ahead and book anyway. Are there certain days for that one too?