animal kingdom tour / safari

[lizanne]

I remember reading somewhere about a tour or safari available to Animal Kingdom Lodge guests only, but I can't seem to find any info on it.

Is this also available to Kidani Village guests and if so does anyone have any information on it.

Thanks

 

[ToddyLu]

I think it is called the Sunrise Safari and is only available to CL guests at AKV, I believe. I want to say it is kinda expensive, over $100 per person I am sure.

 

[erionm]

From the member website:

Now Available at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge:
Join us for viewings and activities honoring the wildlife on the savanna. Go on a safari*, use night-vision goggles to watch the animals play at dusk, try your hand as a junior researcher, or watch animal handlers feed the pelicans and flamingos. (*additional cost)

Sunrise Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park
Take a 30-45 minute safari to get an insider look at the animals, the grounds and the operation of Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. After the safari, savor a lavish breakfast buffet at Pizzafari. Subject to availability, Park admission is required but not included. This tour is exclusive to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kilimanjaro Club Level Concierge Guests only. For full details and to check pricing, times, and availability Club Level Guests should contact The Resort Concierge Itinerary Planning Office in advance of their stay at 407-938-4755.

Wanyama Safari
Available to all Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Guests, this three-hour safari-dinner adventure is a recreation of a true African afternoon game drive. Spend time with members from the Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Programs team to learn about the natural history and management of the animal collection. Enjoy incredible photo opportunities of the animals and the architecture of the Resort. Conclude the experience with a multi-course meal at Jiko — The Cooking Place. Subject to availability. Guests must be 8 years of age or older. For full details and to check pricing, times, and availability Guests should contact The Resort Concierge Itinerary Planning Office in advance of their stay at 407-938-4755.

Wildlife Discovery Excursion
Venture off the trail of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve during this one-hour adventure led by a seasoned Safari Guide and animal expert. Stop at special observation areas for unique photo opportunities. Park admission is required, but not included. This tour is only available to Club Level Guests at all Walt Disney World® Resort hotels. For full details and to check pricing, times, and availability Club Level Guests should contact The Resort Concierge Itinerary Planning Office in advance of their stay at 407-938-4755.

Kidani Village is part of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, so the Wanyama Safari is available to those staying in that building.

 

[LovinmyDisneylife]

DH and I are doing the Wanyama Safari for our 4th anniversary on May 27th while staying at Kidani. The cost was $170.00 per person for the safari and dinner at Jiko.

 

[DebbieB]

I think it is called the Sunrise Safari and is only available to CL guests at AKV, I believe. I want to say it is kinda expensive, over $100 per person I am sure.

We did the Sunrise Safari in June 2008 and it was around $55 per person at that time. Included a 1 hour guided safari and a breakfast buffet afterwards.

 

[erionm]

We did the Sunrise Safari in June 2008 and it was around $55 per person at that time. Included a 1 hour guided safari and a breakfast buffet afterwards.

We're doing the Sunrise Safari this coming September. I booked it without asking the CM at the IPO how much it was. Didn't matter anyway as we are doing it regardless of the cost.

 

[lizanne]

Hi everyone
Thanks for the replys.

From what I read on the posted quote from the website the Sunrise Safari is only available to those staying at the CL level not for DVC members staying on points at Kidani. Is that right? it seems like the Wanyama Safari is the only one available to DVC members on points.

 

[Disneycouple99]

hi everyone
thanks for the replys.

From what i read on the posted quote from the website the sunrise safari is only available to those staying at the cl level not for dvc members staying on points at kidani. Is that right? correct it seems like the wanyama safari is the only one available to dvc members on points.there is 5 2-bedroom lockoffs on the concierge level that dvc members can book..

hth

 

[erionm]

Hi everyone
Thanks for the replys.

From what I read on the posted quote from the website the Sunrise Safari is only available to those staying at the CL level not for DVC members staying on points at Kidani. Is that right? it seems like the Wanyama Safari is the only one available to DVC members on points.

Correct, only Concierge Level guests can book the Sunrise Safari. All of the CL rooms are in Jambo House. The CL rooms consist of 5 2-Bedroom lock-offs (DVC) on the 6th floor and some rooms on the 4th floor that are part of the regular hotel.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We're doing the Sunrise Safari this coming September. I booked it without asking the CM at the IPO how much it was. Didn't matter anyway as we are doing it regardless of the cost.

We are doing the Sunrise Safari this October. It is $65/person.

 

[erionm]

We are doing the Sunrise Safari this October. It is $65/person.

Thanks. That's about what I expected it would be.

 

[DebbieB]

Hi everyone
Thanks for the replys.

From what I read on the posted quote from the website the Sunrise Safari is only available to those staying at the CL level not for DVC members staying on points at Kidani. Is that right? it seems like the Wanyama Safari is the only one available to DVC members on points.

That's correct, only concierge level rooms, DVC & regular rooms. When I took it, we filled 2 safari trucks. I don't think they would want to make it bigger than that, they have guides for each one plus they would need a bigger room for the breakfast. The guide we had was a manager of the safari, she had been on actual African safaris. It's really nice, they stop in each section and she told us about the animals. She wasn't the driver, so you could ask questions. I think making it exclusive to concierge guests gives people incentive to book those rooms. To be honest, that's the main reason we booked it.

 

[the who #3]

we love ak concierge and feel that the safaries are an extra plus. big extra plus. they are just great.

we stayed at ak concierge before they were dvc and that is the main reason we purchased akv.

well worth it.

 

[JenSop]

We did the Wanyama Safari last year and it was just amazing and wonderful. Worth every penny. You can see our experience if you click on my Trip Report link at the bottom of this post - the Wanyama pictures are on pages 4 and 5 of the trip report.

 

[francis6306]

Does anyone know if there is a minimum stay required? We are considering adding a night so that we could do this safari. We are planning on going for a week to disney, but I was thinking maybe I could start or end our trip with a night at Animal Kingdom Lodge at the CL in order to do the breakfast safari. Would that be possible?

 

[kristenrice]

Does anyone know if there is a minimum stay required? We are considering adding a night so that we could do this safari. We are planning on going for a week to disney, but I was thinking maybe I could start or end our trip with a night at Animal Kingdom Lodge at the CL in order to do the breakfast safari. Would that be possible?

There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, I think it is a great idea! I would like to book a CL studio for our arrival night, take the safari the next day and then move to a 1BR for the rest of our trip.

Good luck to you!

 

[JenSop]

Does anyone know if there is a minimum stay required? We are considering adding a night so that we could do this safari. We are planning on going for a week to disney, but I was thinking maybe I could start or end our trip with a night at Animal Kingdom Lodge at the CL in order to do the breakfast safari. Would that be possible?

I don't believe there is a minimum stay, you just have to be staying at the hotel on the date that you're doing the safari.

Just to sum it up -

The Wanyama (sunSET) safari is for anyone staying at AKL/AKV.

The sunRISE safari is JUST for concierge level guests at AKL/AKV.

 

[Disneycouple99]

The tours are Sundays and Thursday morning so you need to stay the night before. You could book your stay for the day of the tour but you would need to be at the lounge around 7:00 AM. IMO it is just easier to stay the night before.

 

[francis6306]

Thank you! I realized after I posted that I was in the DVC group. I just searched for info about the safari and found this thread! We're just starting to plan our trip and my daughter will be almost 3, so I think the sunrise trip would be better- she's an early riser right now. Of course, watch me book the morning safari and she decide that she wants to sleep until noon, right?

Thanks also to the poster about the safari being on Sunday and Thursday. That certainly will help me decide if that's something we want to do. Seems like I might have to do this on the first "park" day of our trip, which kinda bums me out (I wanted the first Park to be MK for my daughter- but she'll never know, right?)

 

[Torgue]

Thank you! I realized after I posted that I was in the DVC group. I just searched for info about the safari and found this thread! We're just starting to plan our trip and my daughter will be almost 3, so I think the sunrise trip would be better- she's an early riser right now. Of course, watch me book the morning safari and she decide that she wants to sleep until noon, right?

Thanks also to the poster about the safari being on Sunday and Thursday. That certainly will help me decide if that's something we want to do. Seems like I might have to do this on the first "park" day of our trip, which kinda bums me out (I wanted the first Park to be MK for my daughter- but she'll never know, right?)

We took my DD7 on her first trip when she was 3 too. I just wish we had done the MK on the last day. After seeing all the Princess's and riding rides like Peter Pan and Pooh nothing came close on that first trip. Of course now she likes all the parks and it doesn't matter where we go first. Have a great trip!