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

[kixx]

I have to agree with WDSearcher.

 

[Schmeck]

A definite perk at YC - Stormalong Bay. If "The Duchess" wants to sneak her way onto the Safari, how about if all the other deluxe hotel guests get to go to Stormalong Bay?

 

[Dznefreek]

Oh God . . . . not pool hopping again!

Let's just all agree to disagree on this subject. Is it allowed; no unless you are a DVC member, does it go on; of course it does. Does Disney know; of course they do. Will it ever stop; not while I'm alive.

 

[disneyholic family]

we stayed at the AKL for 2 days just to be able to do the safari..
my family definitely thought it was worth the effort of switching hotels (and giving up the GF RPC for those 2 days)...

 

[jennymouse]

Hi Duchess, good to "see" you again. I've talked to you a few times back and forth on these boards and I know you're a really sweet person. I think you just came off wrong with your posts on this thread, probably not meaning to. I know I was a bit taken back by them myself because I'd never seen this sort of supperior attitude from you before. Is everything okay with you? PM me if you need someone to talk to.

Oh, if you really want to do some sort of special safari, you should contact Janet2K as she arrainged a special safari for her family and a few friends a while back and she could probably give you the name of the person to talk to about it. I can't remember everything about it, but it seems like they had some sort of special safari vehicle, with maybe champagne? Like I said, I can't remember the details but it sounded wonderful.

Have a great trip!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by Dznefreek
Is it allowed; no unless you are a DVC member, does it go on; of course it does. Does Disney know; of course they do. Will it ever stop; not while I'm alive.

Beautifully concise, Dznefreek!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by stinkerbelle


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

I don't really think it's fair that it is not open to all paying guests. Charge an arm and a leg for it if you must but I don't think it is fair that it is exclusive to the rich. Some of us can't afford more than Pop Century or offsite but would be willing to save up for a while to expereince the sunrise safari at least once.

Bf and I are considering only taking a weekend trip one year instead of our usual two trips (a long one and a long weekend) just so we can stay one night in concierge at AKL in hopes of getting to go on the sunrise safari. But the cost of AKL concierge for one night for us means instead of having longer trips, we'd just have one. I imagine that you'd have to stay concierge for more than one night to have a 100% chance of getting on the safari (weather, etc.)

I don't particulalry care about anything else concierge has to offer. We are not resort people. We don't like swimming and other perks of staying at a fancy resort don't do much for us. But we love animals and want to stay at AKL once in our lives.

I'd much rather be able to take a longer trip, stay at a cheap hotel and pay for the sunrise safari (in lieu of maybe a nice dinner).

I'd never try to charm my way on to it now, but I do wish they would consider those Disney fans who can't afford concierge.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
Charge an arm and a leg for it if you must but I don't think it is fair that it is exclusive to the rich.

If they charge an arm and a leg for it, then isn't it exclusive to the rich?

 

[DizBelle]

My opinion - limiting it to the AKL concierge guests seems too restrictive. I think it should be offered to all concierge guests from any of the disney resorts. Maybe AKL concierge guests can have the first opportunity to make a reservation for it by allowing them to book it 60 days out and other concierge guests to book only 30 days out. That way it is still a premium for AKL concierge guests but it is open (if there is availability) to concierge guests of other resorts.

I certainly don't expect some perk that is on the AKL property to be available to me if I'm not staying at AKL but a perk pertaining to one of the parks should be available no matter which resort at which I'm staying.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by WDSearcher
If they charge an arm and a leg for it, then isn't it exclusive to the rich?

I meant charge about $100-$150 for it. That way it's not cheap, by any means, but still affordable to those of us who are not able to stay at concierge level.

Sort of like the other backstage tours and stuff they offer.

 

[mrsltg]

I meant charge about $100-$150 for it. That way it's not cheap, by any means, but still affordable to those of us who are not able to stay at concierge level.

The reason that they can't do it this way is because of the timing involved. The tour is offered only twice a week because it is not using the regular "safari guides", it's using the AKL vet staff. Not to mention, the 60 or so max number is what fits comfortably into the schoolhouse room at the Tusker House. And $100-$150 is not that far above the already $50/per person that they charge. AKL concierge is not so expensive that it's prohibitive, it's just enough to offer a choice to guests who may the extra services.

Erin

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I don't really think it's fair that it is not open to all paying guests. Charge an arm and a leg for it if you must but I don't think it is fair that it is exclusive to the rich. Some of us can't afford more than Pop Century or offsite but would be willing to save up for a while to expereince the sunrise safari at least once.
.

Life isn't fair. If you want to do the safari then by all means save more money to do so. No one is stopping you from doing this. Don't assume everyone that stays concierge and also does the safari is rich. Perhaps they saved up to be able to do this and we just don't hear any whining about. If you want concierge perks then you have to pony up the $$$ to enjoy it.

 

[The Duchess]

HI jennymouse,
Thank for sticking up for me!
I really didn't intend to steal anyones spot on the Safari, I just thought that if the Safari wasn't full, maybe they let other guests take up the space.
I didn't mean to create such a controversy. People started to get testy, so I got testy back. My initial intentions were strictly honorable!
Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

To tell you the truth, I thought the sunrise safari was not a big deal. The best part about it was the food, although you can get better food at Bomas. You can see the same animals on the regular safari ride. You just move a bit slower. Definitley not worth getting upset over.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
Some of us can't afford more than Pop Century or offsite but would be willing to save up for a while to expereince the sunrise safari at least once.

It's not exclusive to the rich. It is exclusive to the AKL concierge guests. It is silly to even suggest that Disney change their policy just because you can't afford it. They offer other tours that non-concierge guests are welcome to book.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by Disney's Deluxe Princess
To tell you the truth, I thought the sunrise safari was not a big deal.

We spend 10 nights at AKL concierge right after they first opened. I wasn't all that impressed with the safari either. We didn't see any more animals than they have out during the day.

 

[lyncruiser]

Duchess - Oddly, in my experience $$ doesn't really mean much at Disney (if you're not also famous!). We've often stayed two weeks at over $400 per night and never been acknowledged in any way. At other hotels, we get welcome back gifts and whatnot. Year after year at Disney, nothing! We think it's kind of funny.

I did get a postcard and e-mail from Disney last week. Unlike those who got a discount offer recently, though, I got a message that said we notice you always visit in November -- hope you'll be here again this November! I guess Disney has our number!

In any event, the couple that got in w/o being at AKL Concierge was probably friends or relatives of a CM. Or may even have been part of a group with part of the group staying at AKL Concierge. I could see CMs as a courtesy letting a couple who's part of a group go along if most of the group is at AKL Concierge. Especially if it happened to be just adding two people.

As for the Safari itself, we've done it, thought it was fun but wouldn't bother doing it again.