GayDays 2011

[chwgmjay]

It is caged in. And the ride is very gentle. We went in the afternoon last year, but I would really like to go back and do it again after dark.

Yah... if it's caged in, I wouldn't have a problem. It's more the having to strap on a harness to cross the rope bridge in the description of that tour that has me... uneasy. I have inner-ear problems and can sometimes get slightly dizzy on stuff like that... I wouldn't want to trip and be hanging by a cable. LOL

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Yah... if it's caged in, I wouldn't have a problem. It's more the having to strap on a harness to cross the rope bridge in the description of that tour that has me... uneasy. I have inner-ear problems and can sometimes get slightly dizzy on stuff like that... I wouldn't want to trip and be hanging by a cable. LOL

THAT would be unfortunate. Since I am reading that they don't allow cameras on the tour...

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

FIFTY DAYS 'til ADRs!!

 

[chwgmjay]

THAT would be unfortunate. Since I am reading that they don't allow cameras on the tour...

*glare*

That was AKV, right?

*starts putting together the crock pot, green duct tape, and old christmas lights for the gay days trip... I already have a box started... I bought some new red disney shirts when they were on sale.*

 

[hematite153]

Yah... if it's caged in, I wouldn't have a problem. It's more the having to strap on a harness to cross the rope bridge in the description of that tour that has me... uneasy. I have inner-ear problems and can sometimes get slightly dizzy on stuff like that... I wouldn't want to trip and be hanging by a cable. LOL

Okay, which tour are you folks talking about? I haven't read anything about a tour that included crossing a rope bridge.

 

[chwgmjay]

Okay, which tour are you folks talking about? I haven't read anything about a tour that included crossing a rope bridge.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...P=SOC-DPFY11Q1TwitterDisneyParks15-10-10@0004

Wild Africa Trek will be a three-hour, expert-led adventure offering up-close-and-personal experiences with wildlife species that make their home in Pangani Forest as well as other areas of the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve. As part of the adventure, you’ll clip onto a lifeline and step to the edge of a cliff to get amazingly close to the hippos and crocs. Here are a few highlights for curious explorers:

Trekking with experienced guides through areas of Harambe Wildlife Reserve that aren’t explored during regular Disney’s Animal Kingdom experiences.
Navigating through fern and vine forests on a bushwalk.
Clipping into a harness attached to a safety line, crossing a rope bridge over the Safi River and cliff-hanging at the edge of gullies that are home to hippos and crocodiles.
Experiencing the thrill of “over-landing” in customized open-air vehicles following the edge of a wide-open savanna.
Unwinding from an unforgettable adventure at a private safari camp for wildlife viewing. At this station elevated above the savanna, guests will savor sample tastes of Africa.

 

[hematite153]

Intriguing, thanks.

I'm not much of one for heights and I get scared off by high prices -- can't convince myself to spend money on the Wanyama Safari yet either -- but, it does sound fun.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It doesn't start until January. I'll see what sort of feedback it has before I decide for sure if we will do it, but I am going to book it. DH will be mad that they don't allow cameras, so we may have to do the Sunrise Safari, too.

 

[hematite153]

DH will be mad that they don't allow cameras, so we may have to do the Sunrise Safari, too.

Yeah, the lack of cameras sounds weird. But, then, I had this image of a person hanging off a cliff looking at hippos trying to pull their camera out of their pocket and.... (So, maybe I get it.)

I really want to do the sunrise safari sometime. But, I can't see myself getting lucky enough to get a concierge studio at 7 months. So, I don't know if I'll ever get there.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Yeah, the lack of cameras sounds weird. But, then, I had this image of a person hanging off a cliff looking at hippos trying to pull their camera out of their pocket and.... (So, maybe I get it.)

I really want to do the sunrise safari sometime. But, I can't see myself getting lucky enough to get a concierge studio at 7 months. So, I don't know if I'll ever get there.

It's worth waitlisting. We have 15 nights booked, but if something goes horribly wrong with DH's vacation bid we may end up cancelling some of our nights. People on the DVC boards have reported concierge at 7 mos. DOES happen. Worth a shot.

I read an Orlando Sentinel article today that says CM's take photos during the tour that are included in the price. So there you have it.

 

[hematite153]

It's worth waitlisting. ... People on the DVC boards have reported concierge at 7 mos. DOES happen. Worth a shot.

Does happen -- or, so, I've heard. We waitlisted for it once without success. But, our next trip we've decided that we want to stay put in one room for the full trip, so, waitlisting for one or two nights at either end (the most likely way to get it) isn't available for this trip.

I read an Orlando Sentinel article today that says CM's take photos during the tour that are included in the price. So there you have it.

Yeah, but, I don't trust that to be good photography. I'm thinking that's more likely to be pictures of people doing things, than fantastic photos of animals. Oh well...it's okay for them to make those decisions.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Does happen -- or, so, I've heard. We waitlisted for it once without success. But, our next trip we've decided that we want to stay put in one room for the full trip, so, waitlisting for one or two nights at either end (the most likely way to get it) isn't available for this trip.

Yeah, but, I don't trust that to be good photography. I'm thinking that's more likely to be pictures of people doing things, than fantastic photos of animals. Oh well...it's okay for them to make those decisions.

We all know they put some of the concierge villas up through CRO, which chaps my tush. I was griping to our guide about it and he gave me the song and dance about people trade into RCI or whatever and they have to list villas for cash blah blah blah. Excuse me? Out of all the villas on property you have to put one of THESE up for cash? When there are only FIVE to start with? Never mind. No point in getting mad about it all over again.

For good animal pics the Sunrise Safari is good. The Waynama Safari is good for pics, too, but I don't want to do "family style" dinner at Jiko with a tour group of strangers. And the animals on the lodge savanna are not as varied as the ones at the park. Our zoo just opened a new section where you can get RIGHT UP in the giraffes' faces, so I think we're good with giraffe pics. I am afraid of birds, which means I am afraid of ostriches, and the ostriches at the Lodge are kind of pushy. I wouldn't want to have to leap from the truck during Waynama to escape from an ostrich.

 

[chwgmjay]

I am afraid of birds, which means I am afraid of ostriches, and the ostriches at the Lodge are kind of pushy. I wouldn't want to have to leap from the truck during Waynama to escape from an ostrich.

So... You said cameras ARE allowed on the safaris???

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

So... You said cameras ARE allowed on the safaris???

On the Sunrise Safari (concierge guests at AKL/V only, goes on the Kilamanjaro track through AK) cameras ARE allowed. On the Waynama Safari (not sure who is allowed to book this one, but it goes on the savannas at the Lodge) cameras ARE allowed. The NEW tour at AK will NOT allow cameras but the CMs will take photos.

I know the ostriches at the Lodge are pushy because we watched the CMs do battle with them while they were trying to clean out the "watering hole". The ostriches kept getting up in the CMs faces. The CMs would give them a little shove, the ostriches would walk off for a minute, then come right back. I don't want to be so close to an ostrich that I COULD give it a little shove. I imagine they come right up to the safari trucks, which means they would be WAAAAY too close.

 

[hematite153]

We all know they put some of the concierge villas up through CRO, which chaps my tush. I was griping to our guide about it and he gave me the song and dance about people trade into RCI or whatever and they have to list villas for cash blah blah blah. Excuse me? Out of all the villas on property you have to put one of THESE up for cash? When there are only FIVE to start with? Never mind. No point in getting mad about it all over again.

I just had a thought. We all technically own a piece of a specific block of rooms. I wonder if they are required to use our trade out points as a cash listing something in that block (at least in category)? If that were the case, then, our gripe is with the people that technically own the concierge villas since they should know better and trade points with someone before trading out and/or with the designers who made the concierge villas a single block.

The Waynama Safari is good for pics, too, but I don't want to do "family style" dinner at Jiko with a tour group of strangers.

I agree. I have allergies and my relatives have a hard time keeping things safe for me. So, I really don't trust strangers. Many people think that I'd be able to just get my own plates, but, I haven't been able to get confirmation of that from anyone official.

My DW is also a picky eater and although she loves Jiko is worried that there'd be issues about how the food was divided if she didn't like one of the dishes.

But, maybe sometime if we're visiting at the same time we could make a group of people for the Wanyama safari. I think the group is fairly limited in size so we should be able to fill it with people that we know with advance planning.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I just had a thought. We all technically own a piece of a specific block of rooms. I wonder if they are required to use our trade out points as a cash listing something in that block (at least in category)? If that were the case, then, our gripe is with the people that technically own the concierge villas since they should know better and trade points with someone before trading out and/or with the designers who made the concierge villas a single block.



I agree. I have allergies and my relatives have a hard time keeping things safe for me. So, I really don't trust strangers. Many people think that I'd be able to just get my own plates, but, I haven't been able to get confirmation of that from anyone official.

My DW is also a picky eater and although she loves Jiko is worried that there'd be issues about how the food was divided if she didn't like one of the dishes.

But, maybe sometime if we're visiting at the same time we could make a group of people for the Wanyama safari. I think the group is fairly limited in size so we should be able to fill it with people that we know with advance planning.

I don't know how they determine WHAT villas go up for cash when a member does an RCI trade. I know the units we "own" are NOT concierge. We have one Jambo contract and 2 Kidani.

I could go for a select group safari. As long as they keep the ostriches away. It works out cheaper to do the Sunrise Safari and then go to dinner at Jiko, so that's what we have been doing.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Missy -

I only have one slot left at my table for the Crystal Palace breakfast. Thanks!

 

[TagsMissy]

I am 8, count em, 8 sleeps away from booking my split stay!

 

[C&G'sMama]

We still have at least 4 slots left for breakfast. I'll post another reminder just before our ADR date (11/19)

 

[SydneyStarr]

I have lived in FL my whole life and I've never been to Gay Days! Was going to go with the DGF two years ago but that ended horribly...lol...hopefully will go for 2011 !