So was Safari spectacular ??

[robndani]

Were stores open?

 

[McGovMama]

I'm kinda "in the dark" (ha...pun intended) on what all the excitement is about what happening at AK. Is there some DVC thing that I'm not aware of or just the excitement about the park being open later? Please fill me in!

 

[hakepb]

I'm kinda "in the dark" (ha...pun intended) on what all the excitement is about what happening at AK. Is there some DVC thing that I'm not aware of or just the excitement about the park being open later? Please fill me in!

This thread is about a free private party in AK that DVC offered members (that reserved tickets) this year as part of the DVC 25th anniversary celebration. Early this year they had a few private party's in MK, and this summer they had a few in Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[praisehisname]

Were stores open?

Yes

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

Were stores open?

Not all of them. The one in Dino land, can't think of the name, closed PROMPTLY at 9:00. Closed the door in my father's face prompt. The 2 big ones near the entrance were open the whole time I think, as was EE gift shop since the ride empties into it.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

We went to the party on the 13th. We had fun but were severely disappointed in their total lack of a rain game plan and inability to communicate any of their changes due to weather. We stopped and asked several CM where stuff was moved to and no one could tell us. They all said they were still trying to come up with ideas. I don't know who they get to work these events but we asked 2 CMs how to best get to Dino Land since being there for the first time after dark disoriented us and they said they had no idea.

So for those of you going in the future if it rains: they moved Chip & Dale, the Bugs life characters, Timon, and the Dance party into Festival of the Lion King. Up Chracters, Jungle Book Characters, and Mickey and Minnie still met in their regular spots but came out late due to the rain. Launch Pad McQuack was moved into Tusker House. But I would expect they may pick another spot if it rains in the future as I overheard them saying it was a terrible spot and NO one could find him. Snacks were moved inside Restaurantasaurus and Tusker House. They might have been elsewhere too but that's what we found. Oh and they will ask for all un-played Carnival tickets back when you leave so might as well play them or give them to another family that will.

By the time we wondered around and around to find the things we wanted my kids were wiped out. I am glad it was free as it was frustrating to say the least. On a positive note, the safari was neat to see, zebras were running around like crazy and the lions were actually standing. Park was near empty and we were the only ones on our ride of EE. Playing the carnival games was fun as we normally wouldn't especially when we were able to play against only ourselves so we were guaranteed a prize. With our 10 tickets (2/person) we won 4 prizes.

Hopefully it doesn't rain so much for those of you on future dates.

 

[mort1331]

We went to the party on the 13th. We had fun but were severely disappointed in their total lack of a rain game plan and inability to communicate any of their changes due to weather. We stopped and asked several CM where stuff was moved to and no one could tell us. They all said they were still trying to come up with ideas. I don't know who they get to work these events but we asked 2 CMs how to best get to Dino Land since being there for the first time after dark disoriented us and they said they had no idea.

So for those of you going in the future if it rains: they moved Chip & Dale, the Bugs life characters, Timon, and the Dance party into Festival of the Lion King. Up Chracters, Jungle Book Characters, and Mickey and Minnie still met in their regular spots but came out late due to the rain. Launch Pad McQuack was moved into Tusker House. But I would expect they may pick another spot if it rains in the future as I overheard them saying it was a terrible spot and NO one could find him. Snacks were moved inside Restaurantasaurus and Tusker House. They might have been elsewhere too but that's what we found. Oh and they will ask for all un-played Carnival tickets back when you leave so might as well play them or give them to another family that will.

By the time we wondered around and around to find the things we wanted my kids were wiped out. I am glad it was free as it was frustrating to say the least. On a positive note, the safari was neat to see, zebras were running around like crazy and the lions were actually standing. Park was near empty and we were the only ones on our ride of EE. Playing the carnival games was fun as we normally wouldn't especially when we were able to play against only ourselves so we were guaranteed a prize. With our 10 tickets (2/person) we won 4 prizes.

Hopefully it doesn't rain so much for those of you on future dates.

Thanks for the great info, we will be there tomorrow night, thurs. Hope for good weather.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for the great info, we will be there tomorrow night, thurs. Hope for good weather.

Aren't the parties on Tuesdays? Tomorrow is Thursday.

 

[Barbydoll8]

Thanks for the info. We are going tomorrow night. I live in Tampa Bay and the rain chances start to go down today as they have said on the news that drier (not cooler) air will be blanketing the state. It'll be hot but it should be about a 30% or less chance of rain tomorrow, Thurs 9/22. Hope everyone going has fun. Friday is DH's B-day and our 27th wedding anniversary so we are partying w/ DVC to celebrate.

 

[erionm]

Aren't the parties on Tuesdays? Tomorrow is Thursday.

Dates from the event details page:

Dates: Event dates are listed below. New reservations are no longer being accepted for this event.

• Tuesday, September 6
• Tuesday, September 13
• Thursday, September 22
• Tuesday, September 27

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/discounts-perks-offers/member-events/safari-spectacular/

 

[jo-jo]

Could a few people please lie and say it was awful, awful, awful?

So sad we have/will missed every DVC event this yr.

 

[ScubaCat]

Oh ok. I missed that!

Not all of them. The one in Dino land, can't think of the name, closed PROMPTLY at 9:00. Closed the door in my father's face prompt. The 2 big ones near the entrance were open the whole time I think, as was EE gift shop since the ride empties into it.

They hand out a special guide map showing what's open. I thought it was pretty well organized. (can't say anything about rain situation since it wasn't raining on 9/6...)

Could a few people please lie and say it was awful, awful, awful?

So sad we have/will missed every DVC event this yr.

It was pretty crappy, IMHO. You could see NO animals on the safari, Everest and Kali were broken. Even the games were double the price. Plus, you were required to ride the Primeval Whirl 7 times before you could have an ice cream bar.

Oh, and Ken Potrock was confiscating all blue membership cards from resale buyers. People thought it was for admission, but it as just a gimmick to remove the perks.

Yes, it's true. Be glad you elected to skip this travesty.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Dates from the event details page:

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/discounts-perks-offers/member-events/safari-spectacular/

Good to know. Here's hoping there are no more rainy safaris this year. I was on the 13th. There were 5 of us and we began the evening with a 7:20 dinner at Tiffins which was absolutely delicious. Two of my friends were so soaked that they left after eating, but did stop to see the Tree come to life. That's very sweet.

The 3 of us that were left did the safari at night, and were very please with what we could see. Then we went to It's tough to be a bug, and the tree ceremony. That was it. We did not have any treats, but that was OK, we had shared Tiffin desserts and they were delicious.

 

[jo-jo]

They hand out a special guide map showing what's open. I thought it was pretty well organized. (can't say anything about rain situation since it wasn't raining on 9/6...)



It was pretty crappy, IMHO. You could see NO animals on the safari, Everest and Kali were broken. Even the games were double the price. Plus, you were required to ride the Primeval Whirl 7 times before you could have an ice cream bar.

Oh, and Ken Potrock was confiscating all blue membership cards from resale buyers. People thought it was for admission, but it as just a gimmick to remove the perks.

Yes, it's true. Be glad you elected to skip this travesty.

Now I feel better.

We were there for 12 days in May and will be 12 in Nov, just not at the right time for parties.

 

[erionm]

Here's hoping there are no more rainy safaris this year.

We go tonight and I've been watching the forecast, which is (currently) 20% or less chance of rain for this evening.

 

[WDWRook]

We went during the monsoon on the 13th. They did move everything they could indoors. We had an absolute blast at the lion king area with all the characters and dance party. My kids didn't really want to leave. Yes it was a bit unorganized but forgivable as it was raining so hard. Saw a number of CMs running to try to get things set up quickly. They were trying very hard to make things nice on short notice. There was plenty of snacks inside tusker house and places to sit. My DH rode EE twice and walked on both times. He loved it. We had planned to do Kali but with the rain no one wanted to get wet again - was hoping to ride it multiple times. We really liked the tree of life. Very cool. We did the safari during the rain and then went to eat at Flametree. Showed up at the Lion King just after 9 and it was ready around 9:45.

 

[disneynutz]

I wonder why they schedule these private park events during the DVC slower bad weather times instead of the DVC peak attendance times?

Bill

 

[Jennasis]

Could a few people please lie and say it was awful, awful, awful?

So sad we have/will missed every DVC event this yr.

I posted upthread...it wasn't great. But we were there on the awful 13th when it was raining horribly. I'm sure the event was better on the other nights but for us, it was a massive let down. Some things of note that are likely universal...the safari at night was a bust. Could hardly see any animals. Not that they weren't OUT, it was just too dark to actually SEE them. I was underwhelmed by the Tree of Life Awakening, but that's just me. I was also annoyed that they gave out passes (with a return time) for the safari and you couldn't just ride it at your leisure. And I had thought the games in Dinoland were also going to be free, rather than given a voucher for 2 free games. Over all I felt it was very disorganized and they were not communicating well to the guests. But that seems to be there MO lately.

 

[jo-jo]

I posted upthread...it wasn't great. But we were there on the awful 13th when it was raining horribly. I'm sure the event was better on the other nights but for us, it was a massive let down. Some things of note that are likely universal...the safari at night was a bust. Could hardly see any animals. Not that they weren't OUT, it was just too dark to actually SEE them. I was underwhelmed by the Tree of Life Awakening, but that's just me. I was also annoyed that they gave out passes (with a return time) for the safari and you couldn't just ride it at your leisure. And I had thought the games in Dinoland were also going to be free, rather than given a voucher for 2 free games. Over all I felt it was very disorganized and they were not communicating well to the guests. But that seems to be there MO lately.

From other posters it did sound like the games were free and not just for a game or two.

I remember once we did the night viewing at AKL using the night vision binoculars. Turned out I spent five mins waiting for a rock to move.

 

[Jennasis]

From other posters it did sound like the games were free and not just for a game or two.

I remember once we did the night viewing at AKL using the night vision binoculars. Turned out I spent five mins waiting for a rock to move.

They gave us vouchers for the games. Two each.