Savor the Savannah Tour ?’s

[Boardwalk III]

Hi all,

Looking for tips on booking the Savor the Savannah tour! I just found out my niece would love to do this and our 60 day window is next week. I know the tour shows up on the Disney website, but what’s the best way to book, and what time at the 60 day mark do reservations open up online? I’m also happy to call right at phone line opening time if that’s a better option.

Also, we’re doing a split stay. Are these tours available 60+10 days in terms of booking window (or exactly 60 days out?) and if so will I need to wait for the second reservation to kick in if we’re not doing on the first portion of our trip.

Finally, unrelated to booking, does anyone know if there’s any walking on this tour? My sense as you get in Safari vehicle and they take you to the hut out on the savanna, and assuming there’s not a walk a lot of walking in between?

Many thanks for any details, I really hope I can pull this off for her!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I'm pretty sure these encounters are handled just like dining reservations - you can book online at 60 days plus the length of your stay. In your case, it's probably the length of your 'first' stay if you have a split reservation. We do split stays often and have only been able to take advantage of extended days on the first reservation, then needed to wait until the second reservation started for the rest of the trip (hope that makes sense). You best bet is probably 6AM ET the first morning you can book. We did the tour pre-Covid, and I recall there not being much walking, but have not heard if things might have changed since. It's a fun tour to do - hope you enjoy it!

 

[Boardwalk III]

I'm pretty sure these encounters are handled just like dining reservations - you can book online at 60 days plus the length of your stay. In your case, it's probably the length of your 'first' stay if you have a split reservation. We do split stays often and have only been able to take advantage of extended days on the first reservation, then needed to wait until the second reservation started for the rest of the trip (hope that makes sense). You best bet is probably 6AM ET the first morning you can book. We did the tour pre-Covid, and I recall there not being much walking, but have not heard if things might have changed since. It's a fun tour to do - hope you enjoy it!

Thanks so much, very helpful!

 

[scrappinginontario]

There is a possibility tour reservations will open at midnight so you may wish to try then or at least earlier than 6AM.

 

[Boardwalk III]

There is a possibility tour reservations will open at midnight so you may wish to try then or at least earlier than 6AM.

Good to know!

 

[nw6675]

There is no walking. You stay in the truck until you get to the dining location. You didn't ask, but I will share- the regular free safari was better to us. The dining part is rushed, the food on a small, circular bar type table, and not enough of everything (particularly desserts) in some cases to try everything. We wished we had not paid for this.

Best part was one up close with a giraffe.

Eta: truck pulls up to the dining location - no walking to it. You get off on the ledge.

 

[Boardwalk III]

There is no walking. You stay in the truck until you get to the dining location. You didn't ask, but I will share- the regular free safari was better to us. The dining part is rushed, the food on a small, circular bar type table, and not enough of everything (particularly desserts) in some cases to try everything. We wished we had not paid for this.

Best part was one up close with a giraffe.

Eta: truck pulls up to the dining location - no walking to it. You get off on the ledge.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I’ve actually done the Wild Africa Trek (which I loved). But my sister (niece’s mom) uses a scooter, so she couldn’t do that one. I think we will give it a try just because it’s nice to be out in the savanna with a different view, but I appreciate the thoughts. My sister can walk, but just not for long distances so good to know.

As I recall, I was not impressed with the food on the Wild Africa Trek either, but the walking tour and the rope bridge etc. were fun.

 

[nw6675]

I found one of the few pics I took - from the dining location, you can kind of see how far off you are from the animals. You could only see them for the most part with binoculars. For the driving part, you drive the same track with very few exceptions as the regular safari.

I completely understand where you are coming from and why you are choosing this one. I've read others who have loved it! I suspect the more one drinks, the better it is

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I can't comment with any tips as far as booking goes but we did this back in February and absolutely loved it. Check-in is at a booth/desk just outside the entrance to the safari or Wild Africa Trek. Your guide walks you back (not far) to a special loading dock where you board your safari vehicle. Note that it is not the standard vehicle used for the safari attraction. It's more of a special flat-bed truck with two built-in benches along each side -- photo from TripAdvisor review (not my review) or there are several reviews on YouTube where you can see the vehicle. As other posters have said, you drive right up to the structure where you have your snacks. There's a restroom out there too. It's only a few steps from the truck to the tables. There is an outlook that goes further back where you might see the lions but it's not super far and not required. They do provide some binoculars.

As for food, we went in thinking of it as a snack and with dinner plans later that night. We also are up for trying anything/everything. We really loved the whole experience. For us the highlight was the ability to stop along the safari route to observe the animals and talk to one of the animal keepers as well as the small-group interaction with the guides -- there was a lot of time while in the vehicle and also when having our snacks to talk to them about the animals, their experiences working there and more.

With respect to proximity to animals, just like the safari that's mostly a matter of luck. While on the safari route, it shut down due to a giraffe in the road, but we were ahead of it and wound up being the only ones out on the savanna for at least a good 5 minutes, which was really cool. Unfortunately, there weren't any animals close to use when having our snacks but when at the same structure on the Wild Africa Trek on another date there were several giraffes very close to it.

Hope you have fun!!

 

[Boardwalk III]

I found one of the few pics I took - from the dining location, you can kind of see how far off you are from the animals. You could only see them for the most part with binoculars. For the driving part, you drive the same track with very few exceptions as the regular safari.

I completely understand where you are coming from and why you are choosing this one. I've read others who have loved it! I suspect the more one drinks, the better it is
View attachment 726670

Wait, does the price include alcohol? If so, that’s at least a small win

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wait, does the price include alcohol? If so, that’s at least a small win

It sure does! Obviously have to be 21+. They did "card" some on our tour.

 

[kathy884]

I am an offsite visitor who just booked (not the Savor the Savannah tour) but the Keys to the Kingdom tour at the 60 day mark. I'm guessing policies are probably the same on the special tours for booking windows.

I checked booking before my window at my normal wake up time (mock booking) which had me online by about 6:40 a.m. and noticed that they were already sold out of two out of the three tours or had just a single spot available on one, so I called Disney to ask how to maximize my chances and was told by a super nice CM to make sure to be online by 6 a.m. EST or to call them right at 6 a.m. EST (no delaying) as they sell out right away. Anyway I set my alarm early at my 60 day mark and was online able to get my two tickets for the tour I wanted at 5:40 EST which makes me think maybe they may even open up at midnight? It might be worth doing a mock booking to check.

Enjoy -- I've heard great things about all the Disney tours from a friend of mine who had done every single tour that Disney offers. There is not a single one of them she hasn't loved. They are highlights of her many wonderful Disney experiences with her family. They have a motorhome and stay at Fort Wilderness every year for two different 10 day trips (get annual passes to the parks).

 

[Boardwalk III]

I am an offsite visitor who just booked (not the Savor the Savannah tour) but the Keys to the Kingdom tour at the 60 day mark. I'm guessing policies are probably the same on the special tours for booking windows.

I checked booking before my window at my normal wake up time (mock booking) which had me online by about 6:40 a.m. and noticed that they were already sold out of two out of the three tours or had just a single spot available on one, so I called Disney to ask how to maximize my chances and was told by a super nice CM to make sure to be online by 6 a.m. EST or to call them right at 6 a.m. EST (no delaying) as they sell out right away. Anyway I set my alarm early at my 60 day mark and was online able to get my two tickets for the tour I wanted at 5:40 EST which makes me think maybe they may even open up at midnight? It might be worth doing a mock booking to check.

Enjoy -- I've heard great things about all the Disney tours from a friend of mine who had done every single tour that Disney offers. There is not a single one of them she hasn't loved. They are highlights of her many wonderful Disney experiences with her family. They have a motorhome and stay at Fort Wilderness every year for two different 10 day trips (get annual passes to the parks).

Thank you! Yes, going to try at midnight and then again well before 6:00 am. My booking day is December 31st (luckily not working much next week so can deal with the short night of sleep )

I didn’t realize the phone line also opened at 6 AM. Does anyone have the number for that handy?

Have done a number of tours in the past (incl Keys to the Kingdom and Wild Africa Trek) and have enjoyed them all! Would love if my sister and 2 nieces can do this one with me

Finally, does anyone know what times of day this Savor the Savanna Tour runs? I’ve been poking around on the reservation site and the only thing I ever see pop up for solo opening is 3:15 PM. Just curious.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Finally, does anyone know what times of day this Savor the Savanna Tour runs? I’ve been poking around on the reservation site and the only thing I ever see pop up for solo opening is 3:15 PM. Just curious.

I believe 3:15 is the earliest and I think the latest is ~6.

 

[Boardwalk III]

OK so I found the following number in my contact list for WDW Events & Tours. Does (407) 939-7947 look right?

Also I had made a note that it was open from 7 AM-11 PM, but that was a few years ago. Assuming it’s now 6 AM based on comments above?

 

[Imamom2]

We did it a few years ago and loved it. Amazing tour and very good foods. The guides and caretakers were great. We called to book and got our Disney Visa discount.

 

[kathy884]

Thank you! Yes, going to try at midnight and then again well before 6:00 am. My booking day is December 31st (luckily not working much next week so can deal with the short night of sleep )

I didn’t realize the phone line also opened at 6 AM. Does anyone have the number for that handy?

Have done a number of tours in the past (incl Keys to the Kingdom and Wild Africa Trek) and have enjoyed them all! Would love if my sister and 2 nieces can do this one with me

Finally, does anyone know what times of day this Savor the Savanna Tour runs? I’ve been poking around on the reservation site and the only thing I ever see pop up for solo opening is 3:15 PM. Just curious.

Here is the number for booking the tours. They call these the enchanting extras collection: (407) 939-8687

It's pretty easy to book online, but in the rare situation you'd have internet issues or something like that, it's nice to have this number handy just in case.

 

[Boardwalk III]

Here is the number for booking the tours. They call these the enchanting extras collection: (407) 939-8687

It's pretty easy to book online, but in the rare situation you'd have internet issues or something like that, it's nice to have this number handy just in case.

Thank you!

 

[disneyAndi14]

We have done this tour twice and absolutely loved it! I just booked at my 60 day window and had no problems.
If you don’t get the date or time you want keep checking.