best timing of sunset safari

[kschafer]

Curious to hear back from those with a chance to experience this already! What time did you go (before dusk, around dusk, once dark) and what did you think? I have a FP that should span dusk but wondering if I should hop in line early or late in that window.

 

[Robo]

Have a great trip!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Most reports indicate it to be quite underwhelming.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/of...8-reports-from-first-night-in-post-2.3493704/

 

[Dave006]

We went last night, Friday May 28. We had FPs for 8:55-9:55 but we just wandered over at 8:00 and the Standby line was posted as 10 minutes (Note: Official Sunset was at 8:16). We chose the Standby line and it happened that we were in the first "official" Sunset/Nighttime truck. Three CMs, not in standard safari uniform greeted us, took the driver's picture, had him turn on the truck's lights, and one of them also hug the sunset medallion on the post and we were off.

We saw more animals then we have ever seen since the park opened. The Rhinos were up near the road, the Cheetah, were also up near the front of their enclosure. The elephants were active and grouped together. The Zebra were also near the track, and we saw several giraffe just to the right of the truck. The lions were also up and walking around "pride" rock.

Note: there were several support trucks out providing treats for the animals.




Spoiler: There were new "Disney" sound effects and there was a new "Disney Sunset" aka created with lighting...


Dave

 

[dres40]

Most reports indicate it to be quite underwhelming.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/of...8-reports-from-first-night-in-post-2.3493704/

That thread seems very long. I would love to have a thread just about the sunset safari.....

 

[2prince'smom]

We were there for it's first night. Fast pass window was 8:25 - 9:25. We headed right over and were on safari by about 8:40. It was getting dark fast and while we saw a few animals they were pretty difficult to see as it was totally dark by the time we were done. Now, that being said, we did see some things we wouldn't have seen otherwise - like an African dog running and stopping onto the top of the rock as if it were hunting (buuutt I was kind of disappointed). Our guide was a little lack luster "Oh look, there's a brown antelope." Still though, it was exciting to be on the first night's adventure.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

IMHO, best time to go would be right at sunset if you really want to do it. I did it on Friday night around 8:30 and it was a massive waste of time. The guide kept apologizing for the fact that we could barely see anything, called the fake noises (which are ridiculous sounding) "terrifying", and the "sunset" effect looks incredibly fake. This needs massive tweaking. Best time to go is still first thing in the morning.

 

[Robo]

IMHO... Best time to go is still first thing in the morning.

And, that can be the case, as far as it goes...

But, we have been on the ride countless times.
Many times, first-thing in the day...
And dozens of times at other different and various times of day.
11:00AM, 12:30, 1:15, 2:30, 3:00, 4:00PM, and such.

Each and every time, the experience is different and we've seen unique animal combinations and various stages of movement from them.
I agree that daytime would be a better time to see more animals, but proffering "Best time to go is still first thing in the morning" has just not been our experience, and we have had a lot of that.
We are happy to ride it later in the day (still daylight) as we never know just what we might see
that is memorable on that particular trip.

 

[Dan Murphy]

That thread seems very long. I would love to have a thread just about the sunset safari.....

If you start about here on this link, you should get a flavor.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/of...ts-from-first-night-in-post-2.3493704/page-67

Oftentimes, the PTB combine threads that would be best kept separate, and one winds up with a hodge podge of information, such as that thread.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

And, that can be the case, as far as it goes...

But, we have been on the ride countless times.
Many times, first-thing in the day...
And dozens of times at other different and various times of day.
11:00AM, 12:30, 1:15, 2:30, 3:00, 4:00PM, and such.

Each and every time, the experience is different and we've seen unique animal combinations and various stages of movement from them.
I agree that daytime would be a better time to see more animals, but proffering "Best time to go is still first thing in the morning" has just not been our experience, and we have had a lot of that.
We are happy to ride it later in the day (still daylight) as we never know just what we might see
that is memorable on that particular trip.

Yes, Robo, so have I. Countless times, over many years. It's all subjective. We prefer the cooler, early morning times. My personal opinion, after doing this in daylight and "sunset" is to do it before "sunset". The lighting effects for the "sunset" are subpar and if you actually want to see animals, after dark is not ideal. And if you don't want boiling heat, go in the morning.

 

[Robo]

Have a great trip.