JAMBO! The UN-official AKL Thread ~ UPDATED(short film/pg 8 & slideshow/pg 12) Part 2

[slkant]

The Travel Channel will feature a program on the AKL at 11:30 AM Eastern time.

Bob, thanks for answering my question about the Wanyama safari. Hopefully I can adjust my wheelchair to see something even if the view isn't optimal. At least, if I understand correctly, the tour is relatively flat.

Can anyone share experiences with the Sunrise Safari. My group of eight is signed up. Bumpiness is a potential issue for me but it depends on how bumpy it is, and the duration of the bumpiness. Is the whole ride bumpy, or just parts? How long do the most bumpy parts last and what are they like? Please be as specific as you can.

 

[bjakmom]

slkant - DNeph (8) and I did the Sunrise Safari last month and we both LOVED it!! I had ridden the regular safari many times and he had been once or twice - the coolest thing about the Sunrise Safari is that your guide is one of the animal keepers and ours seemed to know everything about the animals and their history at AK - very interesting. At first I wished I had gotten on the truck with less children (as I was away from mine ) - but in the end I was so glad we were with all of the kids - they asked a million questions and our guide took the time to answer them all - really stretched out the trip! It took us about an hour to do what they normally rush you through in under 20 mins - not nearly as 'rough and tumble' as the regular safari - and, if memory serves me correctly, wheelchairs are in the front of the truck, so you could politely mention to the driver that bumps will bother you and I'm sure he has some discretion to slow down even further - I remember very few bumpy parts in the slower SS. I have the most awesome pics from the safari and the breakfast afterwards was GREAT!

PracPerfPatricia - I have used Peggy for baskets many times and she does a wonderful job and is a joy to work with! Last year when she wasn't working I made my own basket and mailed it down - it was a bit of a hassle to get the box and get the kids out of the room, set it up, etc. I love the service Peggy provides!!

 

[Erica]

Info from the Travel Channel site:

http://travel.discovery.com/tvlistings/episode.jsp?episode=25&cpi=83331&gid=7665&channel=TRV

Again, the show will be on June 26th at 11:30 et and pt

 

[John's Mom]

shyjade,

If you want to order merchandise from Disney, call 407-363-6200. I'm sure someone will answer your question about on-line stores.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

a couple more pics ...

our top floor corner room .. taken from the rock

turn down service .. with DD's stuffed animals enjoying themselves!

 

[kimmar067]

...now HERE's a perspective you don't see often....

......

Compliments of Dixie Luvr 98! (her kid likes to float in pools - ahhhhh, the GOOD LIFE !!!)

 

[kimmar067]

The Travel Channel will feature a program about AKL today at 11:30 EST...

....DANG! I MISSED it again......

EDIT:

Hey-y-y-y-y, wait a second...it's TOMORROW.....

 

[kimmar067]

....Kimmar-let us know how the Sprecial K works out...I could see you on the commercials sitting at Boma..."Special K allowed me to guiltlessly partake in my beloved Zebra Domes here at AKL in WDW,,," -hey Disney might pick you up as a spokesman-how cool would that be..... ...

......

 

[slkant]

slkant - DNeph (8) and I did the Sunrise Safari last month and we both LOVED it!! I had ridden the regular safari many times and he had been once or twice - the coolest thing about the Sunrise Safari is that your guide is one of the animal keepers and ours seemed to know everything about the animals and their history at AK - very interesting. At first I wished I had gotten on the truck with less children (as I was away from mine ) - but in the end I was so glad we were with all of the kids - they asked a million questions and our guide took the time to answer them all - really stretched out the trip! It took us about an hour to do what they normally rush you through in under 20 mins - not nearly as 'rough and tumble' as the regular safari - and, if memory serves me correctly, wheelchairs are in the front of the truck, so you could politely mention to the driver that bumps will bother you and I'm sure he has some discretion to slow down even further - I remember very few bumpy parts in the slower SS. I have the most awesome pics from the safari and the breakfast afterwards was GREAT!

I'm really glad to hear this. Has everyone else had similar experiences?

CoolDisneyCat -- I love the idea of making turn down service fun for kids. Do you have the request special things, or does that often happen?

Oops! I realized I was mistaken about the date of the Great Hotels program on AKL, but I wasn't near the computer to post a correction. I'm glad others realized my mistake.

 

[shyjade]

shyjade,

If you want to order merchandise from Disney, call 407-363-6200. I'm sure someone will answer your question about on-line stores.

Thanks!!

 

[wendypooh]

Oh your DS will love the Donald!!! Are you making your own basket or doing one through Peg? I'm planning on one from Peg, but I can't decide if I should do safari plush or the pirate plush. I agree about all the great stuff at Zawadi. I would love to own one of the many different prints they have there. In a half hour it will only be 39 more days

We are doing Donalds breakfast, so I thought he'd like it. He loves his Mickey one!!! I am ordering some things from Peggy, but I'm making his arrival basket I think!! She has some things I can't seem to find elsewhere,OR in most cases her prices are better!!! Oh, yeah, Zawadi has some beautiful things!!! I am letting DS do the Adventure Camp just so I can get one of those Ostrich eggs........ and the fact that he gets to paint it makes it 100% times more special!!!!

LOOOOOOK at our tickers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[wendypooh]

- Anyone know a good online store for buying park merchandise? I'd like order some things to surprise my DD with before our trip (things like passporter, pressed penny book, lanyard, etc.)?

Yes, You can order from Peggy ~ She does a great job and she's a fellow Dis'r. Check out her website, it may be something you're interested in!!!

http://www.peggyssweetsandmore.com/


Make sure you look at the NEW website ~~ it has a lot more pics on it!! The link is on the front page of the link I sent you!!!

Good Luck!!

 

[wendypooh]

Wendy [/B] come out, -so do you put your baskets together before you leave home and hide them? How do you manage this?

hope everyone's day is great!

Patricia

You surely cannot be talking about me.......... I'd never!!!!
But, hey your DS & DD are gonna just LOVE me!!!!

Yes, this past trip I did make DS's basket, I had it all packaged up and in our trunk!!! Since we drive down, it makes it much easier. When DH and the bellhop unloaded the car, I just kept DS busy so he wouldn't see anything......... they left the basket in the trunk. Then when DH went to park the car he brought it with him, then gave it and instructions to another CM who was out there. She was wonderful and walked in behind DH, then she went to the back of the check-in area and came out with it........ suprising DS with it. They were all into it and everyone thought it was great, he was almost crying he was so happy "Mickey" had sent him a basket!!!! It was really easy actually. NOW, if you are flying down........... I don't know how you could do it? This time, I am making him a basket, I'm pretty sure, but I'm also ordering some things from Peggy, so the basket from her is the one he'll get upon arrival. The basket I make I will just put out in the room at some point -- hopefully without him seeing it!!!

 

[wendypooh]

Wendy [/B] come out, -so do you put your baskets together before you leave home and hide them? How do you manage this?

hope everyone's day is great!

Patricia

You surely cannot be talking about me.......... I'd never!!!!
But, hey your DS & DD are gonna just LOVE me!!!!

Yes, this past trip I did make DS's basket, I had it all packaged up and in our trunk!!! Since we drive down, it makes it much easier. When DH and the bellhop unloaded the car, I just kept DS busy so he wouldn't see anything......... they left the basket in the trunk. DS and I went with the bellhop to the check in desk. DH went to park the car and he brought it up with him, then gave it and instructions to another CM who was out there. She was wonderful and walked in behind DH, then she went to the back of the check-in area and came out with it........ suprising DS with it. They were all into it and everyone thought it was great, he was almost crying he was so happy "Mickey" had sent him a basket!!!! It was really easy actually. NOW, if you are flying down........... I don't know how you could do it? This time, I am making him a basket, or rather so far I've just gotten enough for a big gift "bag", but I'm ordering some things from Peggy, so the basket from her is the one he'll get upon arrival. The basket I make I will just put out in the room at some point -- hopefully without him seeing it!!!

 

[wendypooh]

Oops! I realized I was mistaken about the date of the Great Hotels program on AKL, but I wasn't near the computer to post a correction. I'm glad others realized my mistake.

I ran in and turned the channel......... I saw Samantha Brown, but NO AKL.......... kept it on that channel for 2 hours........... LOL

Then, came in here to use the comp. and looked at the calendar, I have it written for tom. am I nuts or what???? LOL It must be the 1 month 1 week insanity!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yes, this past trip I did make DS's basket, I had it all packaged up and in our trunk!!! Since we drive down, it makes it much easier. When DH and the bellhop unloaded the car, I just kept DS busy so he wouldn't see anything......... they left the basket in the trunk. Then when DH went to park the car he brought it with him, then gave it and instructions to another CM who was out there. She was wonderful and walked in behind DH, then she went to the back of the check-in area and came out with it........ suprising DS with it. They were all into it and everyone thought it was great, he was almost crying he was so happy "Mickey" had sent him a basket!!!! It was really easy actually. NOW, if you are flying down........... I don't know how you could do it? This time, I am making him a basket, I'm pretty sure, but I'm also ordering some things from Peggy, so the basket from her is the one he'll get upon arrival. The basket I make I will just put out in the room at some point -- hopefully without him seeing it!!!

Oooooh, that's sooooooo sweet! This story brought tears to my eyes. I can just imagine this little boy all excited about Mickey sending him something personally!! I'm a total sap for stuff like this!

I hope to get my future husband a cake or something special delivered to the room during our honeymoon, I think he would just love that! Though, I am pretty sure he wouldn't think it was from Mickey.

 

[disneytraveler]

slkant - DNeph (8) and I did the Sunrise Safari last month and we both LOVED it!! I had ridden the regular safari many times and he had been once or twice - the coolest thing about the Sunrise Safari is that your guide is one of the animal keepers and ours seemed to know everything about the animals and their history at AK - very interesting. At first I wished I had gotten on the truck with less children (as I was away from mine ) - but in the end I was so glad we were with all of the kids - they asked a million questions and our guide took the time to answer them all - really stretched out the trip! It took us about an hour to do what they normally rush you through in under 20 mins - not nearly as 'rough and tumble' as the regular safari - and, if memory serves me correctly, wheelchairs are in the front of the truck, so you could politely mention to the driver that bumps will bother you and I'm sure he has some discretion to slow down even further - I remember very few bumpy parts in the slower SS. I have the most awesome pics from the safari and the breakfast afterwards was GREAT!

Thanks for sharing your experience with the safari. I will be going on it in September!
Steve

 

[Cass]

Does anyone have experience with the Sunrise Safari. Bumpiness is a potential issue for me, but it depends on how bumpy it is and the duration of the bumpiness. Can anyone be more specific about their experiences? Thanks.

We have done it twice now (3rd time booked for December) basically you get up early head up to the lounge where they will collect your park tickets to process and tick you off the list.

Coffee & juice is just starting to come out so you can grab yourself a beverage if you like.

The first time we all headed down to the bus together. The second time there were 2 busses so we were told to go down to the observation area off the lobby and then we headed for the busses.

You drive to DAK about 5 minutes away and you enter through the back gates and see drive past the specialized buildings. Then you leave the bus and walk to the Safari ride, board your vehicle and the safar starts. There is no music or sound effects, you drive very slowly and your guide points things out to you, you can ask questions and they stop for pics as long as you want ,anywhere you want.

When you arrive back you head for the tusker house and a nice breakfast. We were also given fast passes to the safari to take again the 'regular' way when breakfast was done.

 

[BensMom]

Regarding WDW merchandise, such as coin holders, etc., I believe one has to go to the parks/resorts to buy. However, there is www.disneydirect.com, which has lots of neat stuff. It seems that one does not carry what the other does. I have never seen what you mentioned on this website. I have never seen at the parks things offered on the website. I hope this helps.

 

[kimmar067]

OH~~~~~~~~~~ OK then, so one more won't matter much then........... LOL

How many of you are going??? ......... sheesh, I think I'll tag along with you guys, you'll never even notice me!!! LOL There were times though, when all of us traveled together staying in one room,(when the boys were younger) that the testosterone was toooooooo much and I'd have liked another room!!! On another planet!!!!

.....


Actually, there a nine of us.....but ya can't really count my oldest DS (almost 20) and his GH...they are in their own lil' "love-world" , and no one else COUNTS.......!