Concierge/Club Level Information - Part II (Sept 2009)

[lovesdumbo]

Thanks! I'll email IPO and ask them to add it.

I emailed BWI IPO about the fishing coupon and they quickly emailed back that they added it to our reservation. But they also said that even though our reservation had been made for BW dock that they no longer did that and we would have to walk over to the YC dock at 6:45am. Its not too big a deal but it would have been nice to just leave from the BW.

 

[luvthatdisney]

I emailed BWI IPO about the fishing coupon and they quickly emailed back that they added it to our reservation. But they also said that even though our reservation had been made for BW dock that they no longer did that and we would have to walk over to the YC dock at 6:45am. Its not too big a deal but it would have been nice to just leave from the BW.

I agree that 6:45am is very early, especially on vacation, but since we will be at BC and the boat leaves from YC marina, I figured it might not be too bad. DH always goes fishing early, so I am sure he will not mind getting up for that.

 

[beautyqueen]

Ok so I'm new to disney and I'm really really new to CL, what is the cost of the safari? And since we have 4 kids in toe should we try to all go, or should one of us take the oldest by himself, or maybe should I take the oldest (7) and the next (4) as those are the two least likely to whine? I'm scared by the description of the bus being so crowded and HOT.

 

[scottmel]

Cost is around 45 a head for safari. You would need to pay me 145 to step aboard again! Hot doesn't describe it..Sauna, intense heat...It was awful. Seriously rethink it....if in summer months which judging by your ticker you are...

 

[RachelTori]

Cost is around 45 a head for safari. You would need to pay me 145 to step aboard again! Hot doesn't describe it..Sauna, intense heat...It was awful. Seriously rethink it....if in summer months which judging by your ticker you are...

The cost is $50/pp and it's a prepay so when it's booked, your CC is charged. There is a 48-hour cancellation (you can get the $50 refunded if you cancel at least 48 hours prior to the Wildlife Discovery Excursion).

And I agree with y'all: nothing climate-controlled about that vehicle. I went in February -- I can't even begin to imagine how hot it would be in the summer.

 

[lissiesmum]

which safari are we talking about that is not climate-controlled? We also detest heat and were thinking of doing the sunrise safari if we book AKL CL for our late April trip.

 

[lovesdumbo]

which safari are we talking about that is not climate-controlled? We also detest heat and were thinking of doing the sunrise safari if we book AKL CL for our late April trip.

They were talking about the Wildlife Excursion (or something like that) that is offered to all CL guests.

The Sunrise Safari is in the regular ride vehicles. You leave the lodge about 7am in a special bus that brings you into the back entrance to AK. The 2 times I did we were on the vehicles for just about an hour. A very awesome experience!!!! I went the first week of May last year and it wasn't hot.

 

[cyndisun]

There is also the Sunset Safari at AKL. It is paired with dinner at Jiko and I believe it is open to all CL guests, not just those staying at AKL. We have done both the Sunrise and Sunset safaris. The Sunset is *much* better IMO. You are guided by animal care specialists who work directly with the animals at the lodge. They are very familiar with the savannah and the animals. I found it very informative. Plus, Jiko is one of my favorite restaurants.

They serve the meal family style with your entire safari tour group (about 10 people). It is a great way to get to know people.

Hope that helps.

 

[RachelTori]

There is also the Sunset Safari at AKL. It is paired with dinner at Jiko and I believe it is open to all CL guests, not just those staying at AKL. We have done both the Sunrise and Sunset safaris. The Sunset is *much* better IMO. You are guided by animal care specialists who work directly with the animals at the lodge. They are very familiar with the savannah and the animals. I found it very informative. Plus, Jiko is one of my favorite restaurants.

They serve the meal family style with your entire safari tour group (about 10 people). It is a great way to get to know people.

Hope that helps.

I want to correct this information before it creates confusion: The Sunset Safari (Wanyama Safari) which includes dinner at Jiko is NOT open to all CL guests. It is open to ALL AKL/AKV guests. The cost is $170/pp (the same price for CL and non-CL guests).

The Sunrise Safari is open ONLY to AKL/AKV-CL guests (and is only offered on Thursday & Sunday mornings).

 

[RachaelA]

I want to correct this information before it creates confusion: The Sunset Safari (Wanyama Safari) which includes dinner at Jiko is NOT open to all CL guests. It is open to ALL AKL/AKV guests. The cost is $170/pp (the same price for CL and non-CL guests).

The Sunrise Safari is open ONLY to AKL/AKV-CL guests (and is only offered on Thursday & Sunday mornings).

I think its actually everyday now.

 

[RachelTori]

I think its actually everyday now.

The Sunset is everyday; the Sunrise is only Thursday & Sunday mornings.

 

[beautyqueen]

Ok, yeah I think I might pass on the adventure thing, I would not be happy in a sweat ride and then my kids would make it even worse. It's too bad that it's so hot because I would love to do it.

 

[scottmel]

How about the SUNSET safari? Is it the same "Climate controlled vehicle?". ?

 

[2manypets]

So I'm taking it that the "Climate Control" is the breeze from the open windows?

Are the Photo Ops for the animals really good? Or are they on par with the Kilamanjaro Safari? I'm now debating if I want to spend the money to sit on a bus and sweat.

 

[scottmel]

So I'm taking it that the "Climate Control" is the breeze from the open windows?

Are the Photo Ops for the animals really good? Or are they on par with the Kilamanjaro Safari? I'm now debating if I want to spend the money to sit on a bus and sweat.

I have done the regular safari every year (the free one at AK). Last year was the first time I did the other safari (Wild thing or whatever it is called..) - the whole climate control thing...Ha! I did not find the photo ops that great at all. I guess I expected something different. I read such RAVE reviews of the tour, etc. that maybe I had it in my mind as something else.. I am CERTAIN it would have been more enjoyable in cooler weather but I don't think it would have been cost justified for me even in cooler weather. I honestly did not see that much difference between the 2 tours..yes you could ask questions, etc. but I don't know, i just don't see it..My 2 cents....The photo ops are done hanging out a window, just like the regular tour....

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I have done the regular safari every year (the free one at AK). Last year was the first time I did the other safari (Wild thing or whatever it is called..) - the whole climate control thing...Ha! I did not find the photo ops that great at all. I guess I expected something different. I read such RAVE reviews of the tour, etc. that maybe I had it in my mind as something else.. I am CERTAIN it would have been more enjoyable in cooler weather but I don't think it would have been cost justified for me even in cooler weather. I honestly did not see that much difference between the 2 tours..yes you could ask questions, etc. but I don't know, i just don't see it..My 2 cents....The photo ops are done hanging out a window, just like the regular tour....

Thanks - I booked and cancelled this last year as we were doing an Illuminations Cruise instead. I kept going back and forth if we should book it this year and now I'm glad I decided not to. Sounds like the regular AK Safari is just fine for us. Sweaty, hot kids in July - not a good match!

 

[scottmel]

Thanks - I booked and cancelled this last year as we were doing an Illuminations Cruise instead. I kept going back and forth if we should book it this year and now I'm glad I decided not to. Sounds like the regular AK Safari is just fine for us. Sweaty, hot kids in July - not a good match!

Robyn I think you did the right thing. AGain there will be those that LOVE it and feel it was totally worth it - I read those reviews when booking it last year.. So honestly if going in a cooler month - consider it! It just wasn't for MY family but honestly if going in a summer month - I don't know how it could be for ANYONE's family...Especially those with young kids...I know this will sound so silly but when they posted these great photo ops in my mind i pictured the tour bus stopping - like getting out -- not with wild animals obviously but maybe secluded spots that were fenced off, etc. I don't know. Again in my mind it was different and in my mind I was thinking I was a GENIUS for thinking of the tour to avoid the crowds and heat of the REGULAR tour...hence you can see how this all went downhill!

 

[TxMickeyLover]

I think its actually everyday now.

I just worked with AKL IPO a couple of weeks ago to book the Sunrise Safari for our trip in September, and they also confirmed it was only offered on Sunday and Thursday.

 

[2manypets]

Robyn I think you did the right thing. AGain there will be those that LOVE it and feel it was totally worth it - I read those reviews when booking it last year.. So honestly if going in a cooler month - consider it! It just wasn't for MY family but honestly if going in a summer month - I don't know how it could be for ANYONE's family...Especially those with young kids...I know this will sound so silly but when they posted these great photo ops in my mind i pictured the tour bus stopping - like getting out -- not with wild animals obviously but maybe secluded spots that were fenced off, etc. I don't know. Again in my mind it was different and in my mind I was thinking I was a GENIUS for thinking of the tour to avoid the crowds and heat of the REGULAR tour...hence you can see how this all went downhill!

Thanks for this review...I was under the impression also that the photo ops would be with the vehicle stopping and giving everyone a chance to take the pictures. If it's on the go picture taking, well, we've already got tons of pictures from the regular ride. I'm not sure I want to be "trapped" for an hour on a hot truck. I've got to show this to my DH to check with him, but I think I'll be cancelling this. The money saved can be used for souveniers instead.

 

[guarn3md]

I am really disappointed to read all these negative comments about the Wildlife Discovery Excursion. Before booking it for my family I had read lots of positive reviews, nothing about the bus being a sweat box. I booked this as a surprise for my 8 year old son for our July trip. Now I don't know what to do?! Is there anyone who has been in the summer months and had a positivie experience? If not, I may cancel...but then I will want to find a new surprise for my son. I was going to tell him about the excursion after school ended this year - he has gotten Straight A's on his report card so far this year and I really wanted to do something special while we are there. We are staying CL at Wilderness Lodge July 4 - July 10th.
Debbie