anyone done the SUNSET safari at AKL?

[MartDM]

I was reading about this on the wdwig.com site ("What is the new Sunset Safari I heard about" - http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_akl.htm) and was wondering if anyone had done it.

I was considering a night in concierge to do the Sunrise Safari and then switching to a low floor savannah room (which is what we really want for maximum animal watching) but this sounds much more interesting. Although the cost of the Sunset Safari is pretty steep, by booking Savannah view instead of concierge, it actually works out to be cheaper overall (at least it is when going by regular rates for October).

Please, if anyone has any info/experiences to share I'd really appreciate it. It's a lot of dough to spend on something with no reviews from the peanut gallery here.

Thanks!

 

[dandave]

MartDM, We did it in May of 2001 soon after the AKL opened. Yes, it was great, and the breakfast at Tusker House was delicious.
Would I do it again while staying at AKL Concierge? Yes!
Would I pay concierge prices *just* to do it again? No!

 

[BambiTamby]

Yes, we've done the SS also, right after the AKL grand opening.
Like dandave said, Tuskers' breakfast was wonderful.
You have to be at the councierge EARLY in the am....I think about 6amish. They validate your park passes and take you on a bus to the "employee back entrance" into the park.

The SS was pretty nice, not near as rushed as the one in the park is. Actually had a guide who would stop for long periods for us to get fabulous photo shoots of alot of animals.

That being said, we stayed AKL concierge two more times that same inaugural year, but didn't do the SS again.
Concierge at the AKL is awesome, but I wouldn't book concierge for one night JUST to do the SS.

JMHO......

 

[MartDM]

Thank you for the input but I wasn't inquiring about the Sunrise Safari. I'm looking for info on the sunSET safari conducted in the afternoon on the savannah at AKL.

Does anyone have any info on the SUNSET safari held that is described in the link I posted??

 

[dandave]

I'm so sorry Mart!!!! I have no clue how I screwed up so badly, but I'm going to blame it all on DH just to be safe....

I don't even know what a sunSET Safari is. I sure hope others come along who can help you!! (Sorry....slinking away....)

 

[BambiTamby]

ROFL!!!!


OOOOOPS!


Well, that's very different.....never mind!


LOL!

 

[nasmith]

MartDM--- We ALMOST did this during our Christmas stay- had it booked, but there were only the 2 of us booked for it that night, so it didn't run.
At any rate- it was my understanding that you had to be a concierge guest to book this Sunset safari? It is a safari led by Joe (one of the guides who also leads the sunrise safari (really NICE guy!) for up to 8 guests held 3 nights a week I believe (sorry, I don't remember the 3 nights). If you and DH book it - there may be up to 6 others joining you. There is supposed to be 4 booked at a minimum for them to run it. It includes a private look "behind the scenes" at Animal Kingdom Lodge (not DAK) in a specially designed tour bus (sort of a large mini-van- except the roof pops up so you can look out the top at the animals); plus a chef-designed dinner at Jiko with wine pairings. It starts at 4pm (at least in the winter it did). Other guests who did it earlier that week said it was wonderful!!!

I only wonder if this safari will still be going in October, because we were going to go Dec. 28th (during the busiest week of the year at WDW) and we were the only 2 people booked for the safari!

Jill

 

[betterlatethannever]

I didn't realize they need a minimum of four and sometimes can't get it. $150 per person is a little steep but think V&A with animals and no jacket and tie .

Anyway, I called AKL itinerary planning office earlier this week to plan a SnS Safari for our May trip. Currently it operates Sunday,Monday and Thursday. In April they are changing it to Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Maybe to see if they can get more people interested.


Ed

 

[MartDM]

hehehe..no need for apologies! I appreciate the effort

Thanks for the info on the Sunset Safari...good to know it has potential for cancellation if there aren't enough participants! I guess I'll need to run down specifics with AKL when I book...I'd hate to have it cancelled & not be able to at least to the Sunrise Safari instead.

Any additional info from anyone else with experience would be great!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I ahve called before and checked on this and they told me you have to be staying concierge and it is 150.00 PP.From how it was described it sounds Awesome with a wonderful meal and wine pairings from Jiko,Also they said something about a sunset toast on one of the Safaris.Sounds Wonderful.We may have to give it a shot in September.
Misty

 

[MartDM]

Yes, upon rereading more carefully the info contained at the link I provided, you do need to be concierge to take advantage of it so my point about price comparisons is incorrect.

I was aware of the price which is why I originally posted...it does sound really wonderful but I'd feel much more comfortable about paying for us to do it if I had a review from someone who has participated.

Ah well, maybe I'll just have to take a leap of faith. I can't imagine it would be a bad experience.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Here is a link to a previous thread with reviews.

Ed