Sunrise Safari...anyone NOT AKL Concierge ever get in?

[The Duchess]

Just curious...I know this is listed as exclusively for AKL Concierge guests...anyone get in on this that was not at AKL?

 

[zulaya]

You said it...it IS exclusively for AKL concierge. Just staying at AKL doesn't get you a chance at it.

 

[wannabee princess]

Okay, I don't know the details of why or who these people were, but when we went on the Sunrise Safari on Dec 9, 2003, there was a young couple (one male, one female) who were not even staying at AKL. They met us down in the Sunset lounge. I know this, because I was standing next to the check-in spot (where Joe was marking us there), and I heard them talking to him. They said something about staying at Port Orleans.

They obviously were a special case - Joe knew exactly who they were, and seemed to be expecting them. I wondered who they were to get to do this (a CM? someone writing an article? someone related to Michael Eisner? )

 

[DiznEeyore]

Perhaps they'd stayed at AKL and been scheduled for a previous Safari but something happened (medical emergency maybe) and the AKL accommodated them on that day?

 

[The Duchess]

I think we're going to try and get in on it. I'll see if DH can charm the coordinator into getting us in...

 

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by The Duchess
I think we're going to try and get in on it. I'll see if DH can charm the coordinator into getting us in...

JMO (putting on my flame-proof suit) but if I was a paying AKL concierge guest who *couldn't* get a seat on the safari 'cuz your dh "charmed" someone, I'd be pretty peeved.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by DiznEeyore
JMO (putting on my flame-proof suit) but if I was a paying AKL concierge guest who *couldn't* get a seat on the safari 'cuz your dh "charmed" someone, I'd be pretty peeved.

I would tend to agree with that.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by DiznEeyore
JMO (putting on my flame-proof suit) but if I was a paying AKL concierge guest who *couldn't* get a seat on the safari 'cuz your dh "charmed" someone, I'd be pretty peeved.

uh...ditto.

Trust me people...it's worth the cost of the tour and AKL concierge.

 

[The Duchess]

I think even at Disney $$ talks. We're paying for nine days on the Platinum Plan at YC...I don't think it would be too much to request a spot on the Safari if there's space.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by The Duchess
I think even at Disney $$ talks. We're paying for nine days on the Platinum Plan at YC...I don't think it would be too much to request a spot on the Safari if there's space.

then why not just make it open to all WDW guests?

please let us know if you get a space...I'd be curious to see

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by The Duchess
I think even at Disney $$ talks. We're paying for nine days on the Platinum Plan at YC...I don't think it would be too much to request a spot on the Safari if there's space.

You can certainly ask. But hopefully, you'll also understand if the CM you ask says no. Because the bottom line is that the Sunrise Safari is a perk for people who pay to stay on the concierge level of AKL. If you're not staying there, it's not your perk, plain and simple.

There are benefits and perks you get on the Platinum Plan, and I'm sure that you'd be a little upset if you found out that someone else -- regardless of how much they're paying for their vacation -- was given a benefit for free that you had to pay for. The same is true here. If anyone could talk their way in, then why make people pay extra for it? Then just make it first come, first served and be done with it.

But, that's just my opinion.

 

[mrsltg]

There are several problems with your "plan":

1. The safari generally runs full
2. The "coordinator" is the concierge staff at AKL. They know who stays there and who doesn't. They also cannot accept a monetary gift.
3. You need access to the AKL concierge lounge to check in for your safari. The "coordinator" is in the lounge.


Maybe a better plan would be staying a few nights at the AKL concierge so that you have a right to enjoy this amenity?

Erin

 

[zulaya]

Why not stay a few days on your Platinum plan at AKL concierge if this is something you really want?

I agree with others that I hope you understand if you are not allowed to be an exception to the rule.

 

[The Duchess]

Jeez, everone gets so offensive! Try decaf!
I said I was going to try and get in on it. I'm not going to cry if we don't get a spot!
I certainly wasn't going to bribe anybody to get in on it. Our plan allows us an itinerary planner (who just emailed me our PS and recreation activities schedule...YAY!) and I was simply going to ask her if there was any possible way to go on the Safari.
I think it's silly that this is only available to AKL guests. I'm not getting any additional perk at YC.
Anyway, we went on the Backstage Animal Kingdom tour last trip, so we pretty much saw everything anyway. I just thought it would be neat for DS.
As for splitting my vacation, I don't think that's an option and certainly not worth moving resorts just to go on the Safari.
We really like YC and it's central location.

 

[mom2cinderella]

I think it's silly that this is only available to AKL guests.

Ooooh - does this mean it's okay for me to go swimming at Stormalong Bay? Just kidding!

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by The Duchess
Jeez, everone gets so offensive! Try decaf!
I said I was going to try and get in on it. I'm not going to cry if we don't get a spot!
I certainly wasn't going to bribe anybody to get in on it. ...

I think it's silly that this is only available to AKL guests. I'm not getting any additional perk at YC.

have you heard of the Sunset Safari? That's also only available to AKL concierge guests.

It's a perk of chosing that hotel.

Maybe if each hotel/concierge had it's own 'unique perk' it would be more "fair".

and there's really no reason to be so rude...we were only pointing out that it's for AKL concierge guests, plain and simple. And saying '$$$ talks at Disney" sounds like you were going to "bribe" to me.

JMO of course.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Why don't you ask you're itinerary planner if you can book a personal VIP safari tour for just your family? As you say, "if money talks", then I'm sure they'd be willing to look into the cost for you.

 

[The Duchess]

Okay, all I did was throw out a simple question and everyone can't wait to get offensive. Lighten up! Really not a big deal..as it seems to be to some people who are so possessive of their resort perks!
I'm not sitting here working furiously at any cost to get in on the Sunrise Safari!
We've already done most of the WDW tours, including Animal Kingdom, so I'm not broken hearted or anything!
Sheesh!

 

[kixx]

The Duchess, don't worry the Safari ride is no big deal.

 

[WDSearcher]

People ARE possessive when it comes to their resort perks. If you pay the extra for the perk, you want what you were promised. Look at it this way ... you get preferred viewing to IllumiNations and Wishes on the Platinum Plan, right? Say you're there in your special viewing area with a few other Platinum Plan people, and all of a sudden a bunch of other people crowd in. You say, "Are you all on the Platinum Plan too?" and they respond with, "Oh no ... we're not on any of the plans. We just talked the CM into letting us in. How cool is that?" I'm thinking that you might be tempted to go to the CM and remind them that you're paying a premium for that viewing area and that you should be able to enjoy it. That you might be just a little bit annoyed that someone else was able to get for free a perk you had to pay for.

It's all the same thing. You may think it's silly that Sunrise Safaris are just for AKL concierge guests, but that's part of the reason why those guests paid the extra $$$ to stay there. Just like you put forth the extra dough for the perks YOU get.