Sunrise or Sunset Safari? Share your experiences

[torismom]

Hi, We are booked AkL concierge becuase we would like to experience either the sunrise or sunset safari. We are still on the fence and I would love to hear your experiences...

Thanks

 

[shellbelle]

I would love to hear personal experiences about the safaris, too. My DD13 saw it on one of the Disney shows on the travel channel and informed me "we have to do it"!

 

[KSBelle]

DH and I experienced the Sunrise Safari last Jan. and enjoyed it immensely. You check in for the Safari between 6:30 -7:00 am at the concierge desk.They check that you have valid AK park admission and then you can enjoy a drink or pastry. We then made our way down to the 3rd floor lobby and as a group went out front to the buses. Before boarding they do a bag check. We had 2 buses of people with all age groups. Our guide was a zoologist. As we drove thru the back of AK he explained how the park was developed. We then went in a back way and boarded our safari vehicles. The vehicles follow the same road as the normal safari but without the Big Red, Little Red storyline. We stopped often and were free to ask questions. Our tour lasted about an hour and lots of animals were just coming out. At the end of the tour we were escorted to the Tusker House for a combo American/African buffet breakfast. The chef came out and told us about the foods. At this time you could leave whenever you were ready. They also gave us fastpasses for the regular safari for later in the day.
Now that Tusker House is closed for renovations I don't know how breakfast is done.
I hope to be able to do the Sunrise Safari again one day--that's how much I liked it.

 

[Dis Ohana]

KSBelle: Thanks for sharing that information! We're booked for the Sunrise Safari in December. I was wondering what time you finished having breakfast? We have only a half day for AK and I didn't want to waste too much time eating. Thanks!

 

[SharonLowe]

KSBelle: Thanks for sharing that information! We're booked for the Sunrise Safari in December. I was wondering what time you finished having breakfast? We have only a half day for AK and I didn't want to waste too much time eating. Thanks!

You won't get out until after the park opens but they do give you a fast pass for the real safari ride. 1/2 day really isn't enough for AK. You will definitely have to decide ahead of time what you want to do. AK isn't really a park to race through; it is meant to slow down and enjoy.

 

[Dis Ohana]

You won't get out until after the park opens but they do give you a fast pass for the real safari ride. 1/2 day really isn't enough for AK. You will definitely have to decide ahead of time what you want to do. AK isn't really a park to race through; it is meant to slow down and enjoy.

As I start to plan our itinerary for the day, I can see where one day might be pushing it. I do not want to be running around like a nut and miss anything. I kept reading about how AK is a 1/2 day or 1 day park, now I'm not so sure. Thanks, Sharon!