No availability for Wild Africa Trek in March

[tiffany2009]

I was considering booking the Wild Africa Trek in March. The website does not show any dates starting Jan 1, 2016 so I decided to call. The CM said it was $265.19 (ouch!) per person but that on my date there was no availability. She also said there weren't any Disney Visa or AP discounts and morning and afternoon tours were the same price. She said that I should call back next week and check again.

Any thoughts about what is going on???

 

[Lehuaann]

I was considering booking the Wild Africa Trek in March. The website does not show any dates starting Jan 1, 2016 so I decided to call. The CM said it was $265.19 (ouch!) per person but that on my date there was no availability. She also said there weren't any Disney Visa or AP discounts and morning and afternoon tours were the same price. She said that I should call back next week and check again.

Any thoughts about what is going on???

I would call back...

When I called to check on times for our upcoming trip, all times except 9:30 am were available. However, when I called back the next day with a definite go of either 8 or 8:45 am, the CM says there's no availability. I told her that's interesting, because it was the day before. So she checks again and, voilà, it comes up. I'm sure the system was just being magical, as usual.

Correct, no discounts, except for $50 off afternoon tours during the months of April - Oct (hottest months). Unfortunately, we, too, are going to miss that offer by only a little over a week...

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I would call back...

When I called to check on times for our upcoming trip, all times except 9:30 am were available. However, when I called back the next day with a definite go of either 8 or 8:45 am, the CM says there's no availability. I told her that's interesting, because it was the day before. So she checks again and, voilà, it comes up. I'm sure the system was just being magical, as usual.

Correct, no discounts, except for $50 off afternoon tours during the months of April - Oct (hottest months). Unfortunately, we, too, are going to miss that offer by only a little over a week...

Just an FYI, I got the afternoon discount for the tour I booked for February of next year. I booked it two weeks ago and the agent gave me the discounted rate for our 12:30pm tour on 2/22/16.

 

[kathy884]

Any thoughts about what is going on???

Spring break and maybe it's really and truly already booked. After all Disney with the ADRs, advanced fast passes, etc. really encourages people to have an itinerary and book early. And spring break is a very popular time to go and has only IMHO gotten more popular. Still my favorite time when you're tied to the school schedule due to the great weather. But I fear more and more people are going to the parks and have caught on to that.

Let us know if you end up finding a day to book the tour / booking the tour. I think it sounds really cool, but the AK admission on top of $250 plus tax (We go high season) was just a little too rich for my blood. I've seriously thought about it, though. I've heard nothing but rave reviews from anyone who did it and those who did it say they thought it was worth the price.

Ruled it out on our trip because of price. Am planning the Magic Kingdom ($100) since we are only doing one Disney day and Keys to the Kingdom ($79) plus tax.

 

[Lehuaann]

Just an FYI, I got the afternoon discount for the tour I booked for February of next year. I booked it two weeks ago and the agent gave me the discounted rate for our 12:30pm tour on 2/22/16.

Great pixie discount! We really enjoy the am tour, so I don't feel too bad. But that $200+ discount would be awfully hard to turn down...

 

[kellyinthewoods]

I was considering booking the Wild Africa Trek in March. The website does not show any dates starting Jan 1, 2016 so I decided to call. The CM said it was $265.19 (ouch!) per person but that on my date there was no availability. She also said there weren't any Disney Visa or AP discounts and morning and afternoon tours were the same price. She said that I should call back next week and check again.

Any thoughts about what is going on???

Were you ever able to book? I called about a week ago and CM said times for next year weren't available yet. Just wondered if anyone else was able to book.

 

[tiffany2009]

Were you ever able to book? I called about a week ago and CM said times for next year weren't available yet. Just wondered if anyone else was able to book.

I have been on the fence about it after learning about the price. So I have not checked back yet.

Interesting what you learned today. I wonder if it has something to do with the Rivers of Light or Night time Safari? Though no dates were given I was hoping they would be ready for our trip in March.

 

[kittyab]

I booked this for us to do six months out. They only have limited space (12 people I think?) per excursion. It is very worth doing though.

 

[KiniShakenBake]

There were only seven on our tour, and it was wonderful!!!

 

[kellyinthewoods]

I have been on the fence about it after learning about the price. So I have not checked back yet.

Interesting what you learned today. I wonder if it has something to do with the Rivers of Light or Night time Safari? Though no dates were given I was hoping they would be ready for our trip in March.

Hi - I called this week and was able to book for March 2016. Note: the times are still not listed on the website. For 3 people the price was $795. But I was able to get the date and time that I wanted.

 

[Sytrace]

We did the Trek last weekend and it was FANTASTIC! We were able to get an AP discount which took the price down to good. That initial price is a huge shock to the system.
But there are several little things included in the price per person in addition to the actual experience. You will get photos that are taken by the guides that are free to download, print, share etc for 3 months after your trek. You will get an incredible lunch at a beautiful location where you can observe elephants and flamingos as well as the savannah. The food is delicious and well presented. And I believe many of the items they serve are exclusive to the Trek.
You will get water bottles with the Wild Africa Trek logo on them and a portion of your payment goes to the Disney Conservation Fund toward the area of your choice...ie, Big Cats, Elephants, Crocodiles etc. If you do not designate one, then the portion goes to any or many areas of the Conservation fund.
This is the 20th year of the fund so we got a really neat 20th anniversary button too.

The memories and the knowledge that you will attain are priceless...but the little extras are just icing on the cake. Have a wonderful tour!

 

[Disnut4925]

Just chiming in that we agree this tour is fantastic. Done it twice & loved it both times!

 

[DisneyBabies]

We did the Trek last weekend and it was FANTASTIC! We were able to get an AP discount which took the price down to good. That initial price is a huge shock to the system.
But there are several little things included in the price per person in addition to the actual experience. You will get photos that are taken by the guides that are free to download, print, share etc for 3 months after your trek. You will get an incredible lunch at a beautiful location where you can observe elephants and flamingos as well as the savannah. The food is delicious and well presented. And I believe many of the items they serve are exclusive to the Trek.
You will get water bottles with the Wild Africa Trek logo on them and a portion of your payment goes to the Disney Conservation Fund toward the area of your choice...ie, Big Cats, Elephants, Crocodiles etc. If you do not designate one, then the portion goes to any or many areas of the Conservation fund.
This is the 20th year of the fund so we got a really neat 20th anniversary button too.

The memories and the knowledge that you will attain are priceless...but the little extras are just icing on the cake. Have a wonderful tour!

LOVE your review of this tour! DH and I are hoping to do it on our trip in April, but I have a question ... the video on the Disney site shows rope bridges that have wooden planks to walk on (although it looks like some of the planks are "missing"), but we saw a three rope bridge (one to walk on and one for each hand) while we were on the Safari last year and when we asked about it, the CM said it was part of the WAT. Did you have to cross any bridges like that on the WAT? I have an "issue" with heights, and I think I can manage the plank bridges without trouble; but that tree rope bridge is a deal breaker for me.

Thank you for any information you can give me on this!

 

[Chirple]

The Wild Africa Trek includes two bridge crossings. Both bridges have planks with nets below the planks, which are strategically set apart to appear more challenging than they are. You are tethered to a line above you via a connection on your harness. As you cross there are rope-type handrails that you hold.

My husband is terrified of heights if he feels like he is just floating out there; he cannot ride Space Mountain or Soarin', but he can ride Expedition Everest and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. He was nervous about crossing the bridges when he viewed photos online, but he did them both like a champ when he got to those points. He even stopped and looked around. I went ahead of him, and the guide and I cheered him on to help with his confidence.

 

[Sytrace]

There were only two bridges with spaced out planks. And we had several equipment checks thru the tour as well as lots of support from the other folks and guides.
My husband hates heights but he was the first one over and paused to look down several times. It is absolutely safe and really fun.

 

[DisneyBabies]

One question I forgot to ask about this tour ... do we pay at the time of booking or is the card charged on the day of the tour?

 

[wisblue]

Interesting. We booked the WAT for the day after Easter about 2 weeks ago. The times were all available and there was a discount (AP, DVC, or Disney VISA) for any tour starting after 11:30.

We are really looking forward to it, and the comments here have raised my enthusiasm even more.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

One question I forgot to ask about this tour ... do we pay at the time of booking or is the card charged on the day of the tour?

You pay at time of booking.

 

[LoverDisney]

Sounds exciting! I plan to book this for our August trip. I have heard that the lunch is basically a snack. Is this true and what was on the menu? It will probably vary but I would like to have an idea of what to expect. TIA!