Sunrise Safari now available to DVC Members staying at AKV!

[bwvBound]

Congrats - how early is early? Will you be done and fed before the park opens?

Our meeting time is 7A; park opens at 9A. Yep, we'll be done as the park opens.

 

[bwvBound]

Well the CM said we are meeting in the Kidani Community Hall. We are staying at Jambo DVC our entire stay so that may blow apart your theory.

Yep, that defeats my theory.

 

[Disney Dreams]

So, am I the only one out there that's disappointed in this?

We own at AKL. We set the alarm clock several days in an effort to book concierge, primarily so that we could experience this special, exclusive safari. Now we have a reservation that is more points, not a guaranteed savannah view, and anyone staying DVC anywhere at AK resort can get the biggest perk that AK owners had? Wow. Harsh move against those who pay higher dues to support the cost of the animals.

Am I missing how somehow this is not a smack to AKV DVC owners?

Thanks,
Dreams

 

[AliceandAriel]

I didn't see a price listed for this…

And any idea when they'll start booking for October 2014?

 

[bwvBound]

So, am I the only one out there that's disappointed in this?

We own at AKL. We set the alarm clock several days in an effort to book concierge, primarily so that we could experience this special, exclusive safari. Now we have a reservation that is more points, not a guaranteed savannah view, and anyone staying DVC anywhere at AK resort can get the biggest perk that AK owners had? Wow. Harsh move against those who pay higher dues to support the cost of the animals.

Am I missing how somehow this is not a smack to AKV DVC owners?

I always figured the Wanyama was the more 'exclusive' safari? Maybe this offer is a step towards addressing complaints over the limited number of CL rooms and shortcomings of those rooms? We booked CL a few years back specifically to take advantage of the Wanyama Safari. The CL room was such a horrible disappointment that we are happy to say, "Been there, done that and don't ever need to return."

 

[dianeschlicht]

I always figured the Wanyama was the more 'exclusive' safari? Maybe this offer is a step towards addressing complaints over the limited number of CL rooms and shortcomings of those rooms? We booked CL a few years back specifically to take advantage of the Wanyama Safari. The CL room was such a horrible disappointment that we are happy to say, "Been there, done that and don't ever need to return."

Wanyama is available to anyone staying at AKL/AKV. you do not have to be CL to book that one. The one that wa exclusive was the Sunrise. Since it no longer is JUST for CL bookings, I can see where someone who booked CL just to get it might be disappointed, but you still have other perks that non CL guests don't have. If you feel you can give up those other perks, then by all means, cancel your CL booking and book in a savanna or standard view room and just book the Sunrise from there.

 

[bwvBound]

Diane - ah, good to know. I thought, when we went, that is was CL-only but that was a few years back and my memory is deliberately fuzzy on the specifics of that stay.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Diane - ah, good to know. I thought, when we went, that is was CL-only but that was a few years back and my memory is deliberately fuzzy on the specifics of that stay.

No, Wanyama has always been exclusive to all AKL/AKV guests, as is the night safari. The Sunrise has always been the exclusive CL one.

 

[wdrl]

Am I missing how somehow this is not a smack to AKV DVC owners?

I agree with dianeschlicht. You now have the opportunity to switch to a different view category at AKV and save points and probably end up with better views of the savanna AND still get to experience the Sunrise Safari. As an AKV owner, I think that is a no-lose situation.

Perhaps (although I doubt it) this move will lessen the demand for the Concierge villas at AKV and those AKV owners who want to book a Concierge villa because they want nightly turn down service and access to the Concierge lounge will have a better chance of getting a Concierge villa. Once again, this puts the AKV owners in a no-lose situation.

 

[erionm]

Diane - ah, good to know. I thought, when we went, that is was CL-only but that was a few years back and my memory is deliberately fuzzy on the specifics of that stay.

Previously, CL paid less for the Wanyama Safari. When we did it, it was something like $160 for CL and $210 for all other AKL/AKV guests.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Previously, CL paid less for the Wanyama Safari. When we did it, it was something like $160 for CL and $210 for all other AKL/AKV guests.

Yes, that was the case when we did it as well.

 

[dnkmmw]

So, am I the only one out there that's disappointed in this?

We own at AKL. We set the alarm clock several days in an effort to book concierge, primarily so that we could experience this special, exclusive safari. Now we have a reservation that is more points, not a guaranteed savannah view, and anyone staying DVC anywhere at AK resort can get the biggest perk that AK owners had? Wow. Harsh move against those who pay higher dues to support the cost of the animals.

Am I missing how somehow this is not a smack to AKV DVC owners?

Thanks,
Dreams

I don't think that MF fees paid by owners at VAK support the care of the of animals at AK, which is where the Sunrise Safari takes place.

My husband and I own at VAK and we enjoy it very much. I have never been able to get a CL room, but I'd love to be able to do the Sunrise Safari. I guess I don't see how this this is a slap in the face to me as an owner at VAK.

Dawn

 

[moreisgood]

What time does the tour end? And then you would be at Pizzafari for the breakfast buffet, right?

We have to move over to BLT the day we could go on the tour, and I want to me sure we have enough time to get back and check out. I don't think we could ever pack and get out
at 6 a.m.!

 

[Anna114]

I've been on hold for 22 minutes so far to book the trek. I was told the wait time will be over 30 minutes. The only good thing is they are playing great disney music.

 

[moreisgood]

I've been on hold for 22 minutes so far to book the trek. I was told the wait time will be over 30 minutes. The only good thing is they are playing great disney music.

Anna, can you do your good deed for the day, and ask them the time you'll arrive at Pizzafari? Thanks!
Meg

 

[Anna114]

Anna, can you do your good deed for the day, and ask them the time you'll arrive at Pizzafari? Thanks!
Meg

Sorry Meg, I hung up the phone without even talking to them. When I read the coupon to my husband he bailed on the idea. We thought it was just $50 off but it ended up being on select tours this summer. We are going in a couple of weeks. I'm sorry I couldn't help you.

 

[jmail048]

Thanks for posting I called and booked today

 

[Simba's Mom]

If I understand right, is the tour so popular that it often fills up, so that if the only reason I book AKL is so that I can go on this tour, it's possible that the tour may not be available on the days I'm there? That's the way I thought I heard it several posts back. Or is it really rare for it to be booked up if you book months in advance?

 

[wdrl]

If I understand right, is the tour so popular that it often fills up, so that if the only reason I book AKL is so that I can go on this tour, it's possible that the tour may not be available on the days I'm there? That's the way I thought I heard it several posts back. Or is it really rare for it to be booked up if you book months in advance?

The Sunrise Safari can hold up to 60 guests. When we booked the safari last week, we first tried to get two seats for May 29th. However, the CM was not able to get that date to come up on her computer. I don't know if that date was sold out, or if the Sunrise Safari was not running on that date, or if there was just a computer glitch. We had no trouble getting the Sunrise Safari for our second choice, May 25th.

 

[bwvBound]

Sorry Meg, I hung up the phone without even talking to them. When I read the coupon to my husband he bailed on the idea. We thought it was just $50 off but it ended up being on select tours this summer. We are going in a couple of weeks. I'm sorry I couldn't help you.

Coupon? What coupon? thx!