Sunrise Safari Question

[poohbear158]

Is it true that you can only do the Sunrise Safari when you book your room at the Concierge level at AKL? I am staying there Oct 2-9 w/savannah view and I would love to do the Sunrise Safari. I wonder if I could book six nights at with my regular savannah view room and book one concierge room just to do the safari or is there a minimum number of nights to stay w/the concierge level?

 

[YCFAN]

I've read on these boards where other people have done this. Just make sure you book the right day, they only have the sunrise safari twice a week.

 

[#1hockeymom]

There is not a minimum number of nights you need to stay concierge in order to book the sunrise safari. All you need is it for to be either the day you start concierge, or end your concierge stay (of course... anything in the middle of a concierge stay works too!) Our first sunrise safari I rechecked in after 3 nights reg savannah view at 6am to our three night concierge reservation. A half hour later we were starting our safari! I did opt (ok, I begged and pleaded to not have to move) to stay in the same room the entire trip so I never got a deluxe room. No biggie... I had a fantastic view; one of my favorites!

Please remember to bring all of your keys down with you when you recheck in. I ended up making DS run the entire length of the hallway to go find his key! 6am and running don't go together in my book!

Have a wild time!
Debbie

 

[eddieras]

we just got back tues nite and did just that-- we arrived wed may 11 and checked into concierge- did the SS thurs AM then checked into our savannah room for the remaining five nites. we could have stayed in the concierge room (no concierge club services tho) but the hike was to long so we moved. had a much better location and view.

if you do do this, then work out the room change as well as your park tickets beforehand. we did have some problems as it ended up being two ressies. first problem was our park tix weren't on the concierge room keys, which of course we didn't know about till we tried to get into animal kingdom that afternoon. then we had trouble coordinating check out/in because i was on the safari that am. that's when they offered to let us stay in the same room. what i wanted was for them to move us while we were gone on the SS, but they couldn't do that because of bellman union rules!! no tips i guess!

ss is thurs and sundays. let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[iluvepcot]

#1 Hockey Mom, Did they let you check in at 6 am and do the SR safarie the day of check in. I thought we could not do this as it is 3:00 pm check in

 

[disboo]

We are leaving the Disney cruise on Saturday AM, checking into AKL concierge and doing the Sunrise Safari on Sunday AM - we hope. Our TA will be booking the SS when its possible to do so.

Questions - what concierge perks are your favorites? What kind of view do concierge rooms have? What time is the SS over? IS it easy to get directly from AK to another park after the SS?

Thanks! We can't wait!

 

[eddieras]

Questions - what concierge perks are your favorites? What kind of view do concierge rooms have? What time is the SS over? IS it easy to get directly from AK to another park after the SS?
Thanks! We can't wait!

the food and drink was great- especially the nitetime bailey's! also the IP office is fantastic and got us everything we wanted, including CRT on that date and time i wanted. we had a fifth floor concierge (kilmanjaro club is on 6th floor) had a good savannah view but not convienent to the club, nor the lobby or pool.

for the SS - you have to register the morning of, starting at 630am. then you can snack, have coffee in the club. you then meet in the sunset overlook at 715a and depart for AK at 730am. they drive you to AK thru the 'back way' which was interesting in itself. one of the guides was on the bus during this part too, explaining things and answering questions.
then you board the regular kilmanjaro vehicles. the tour lasted just about an hour- very enjoyable, took their time- stayed for pix answered a lot of questions. then you go for breakfast (park is now open at this time) at the tusker house-- which was excellent and they give you a FP for the ride too.

as far as getting to another park - it's just like any other day at that point. just make your way out of AK to the busses and your off. tho, that may be a good day to do the rest of AK since you're there already.

 

[disboo]

Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

We are leaving the Disney cruise on Saturday AM, checking into AKL concierge and doing the Sunrise Safari on Sunday AM - we hope. Our TA will be booking the SS when its possible to do so.

Just an FYI that even though you've booked your trip with a TA, you can still deal directly with the pre-planning staff on your own. In fact, they will take any requests that you have and put them into their system as a pending item. Once the date opens up, they'll switch it to a confirmed reservation. Also, you can give the pre-planners your mailing address as some of the resorts do send out nice packets of information. They won't have that in their files if you booked through a TA.

Here is their e-mail address, wdw.aklodge.concierge@disney.com and I've heard that Andrea & Don are great to work with.

Tammi

 

[eddieras]

I've heard that Andrea & Don are great to work with.
Tammi

yes the absolutely are, as are Sue and Juanita!

 

[goofygreb]

What Mornings do they offer the SS? I've read a couple different books and web sites that have said Tues and Sat, but from this thread it looks like Sun and Thurs. Do they change the days? We are checking in on a Wed. so if it's on a Thurs. morning, it would work out perfect!

 

[eddieras]

it's sunday and thursdays-- they did change it back in april-

we just got back this week and did the same thing- checked in wed, did the SS thursday. if you get the opportunity to do it you definately should!

 

[goofygreb]

I just reserved a concierge room at AKL, got an AP rate of $360.+tx. Now waiting for CM to call, so I can book the SS. I can't believe it!!! I'm so Excited!!

 

[eddieras]

you can call itinerary planing directly at 407-938-4755 to schedule that and ALL your PS - they're great and will get you everything you need!

also- are you staying in concierge the entire stay? if not, see my post a bit earlier on room changes.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I just reserved a concierge room at AKL, got an AP rate of $360.+tx. Now waiting for CM to call, so I can book the SS. I can't believe it!!! I'm so Excited!!

You don't need to wait for the IPO staff to contact you, in fact, I'd advise you to drop them an e-mail at wdw.aklodge.concierge@disney.com . I usually start my concierge planning at about 6 months out and you can start even earlier if necessary. For instance, right now MNSSHP & MVMCP tickets are already on sale. Your planning staff can get going and purchase those for you if needed. The same thing with Hoop Dee Doo and some other options that can be booked well before the 90 day window. You can still give them a list of those reservations that you'd like for your vacation and they'll put them all in the computer as pending items. When the dates open up, they'll be converted to confirmed items. No worrying about remembering to contact them on that 90th day.

Some departments also send out a nice pre-planning packet to your home. I've gotten them with park maps, recreation guides, resort information and a helpful questionnaire. They will also do park shopping for you if you want anything special placed in the room for when you arrive. In the past, I've had them pick up pins, a Princess outfit, stuffed animals, CD's, a Pal Mickey. When we were at the YC this past December, I even sent down a small 3' Christmas tree and some other family presents to the IPO staff ahead of time and they had everything set up for us when we checked into our room. I thought that was pretty special.

Have fun planning,
Tammi

 

[goofygreb]

Thanks for the tips, the phone number you posted is the one I called and had to leave a message. Hopefully they will call back soon!( I did call twice ).
We are only staying 1 night in concierge so we can do the SS then switching rooms for 3 nights. I have a pool/water veiw booked for the remaining days. Our tickets won't be on the room keys since we have Ap's, so I won't have problems there. We are coming to AKL from WL where we are starting our vacation, do we check in at the front desk or the concierge desk and are the check in times the same? Will they take our luggage to our room when it arrives if we are in a concierge room or do we still go get it ourselves? This is going to be a surprise for my older DD, we are celebrating her 17th B-day and she is going to FLIP Thanks

 

[#1hockeymom]

iluvepcot>> Sorry for taking so long to get back to you! I was already staying onsite, so it was no biggie to "recheck" in at 6am. Like I said, I was staying in a savannah view room to begin with and actually requested to stay in the same room for my entire vacation, including over the three concierge days. I don't see it being a problem checking in for the first time early, as you can leave your luggage at bell services if your room isn't ready on time. Your best bet would be to call AKL's IPO which Tammi listed earlier to make sure.

Goofygreb>> Make sure to tell them at valet/bell services area our front that you are a concierge guest and they will wisk you straight to your room if it is ready, or take you to the lounge if it isn't. If you have your luggage with you then they will take it to your room, with you, if it is ready. If not, they will store it per usual Disney style until your room is ready.

Have a wild time!
Debbie

 

[goofygreb]

Hurray, I was able to book the Sunrise Safari for Aug 4!! Jaunita called me back and was great, she answered a lot of my questions and was very nice! I can't wait to see my DD's face! Now I just have to keep it a secret for 76 more days!! It will probably make me crazy not to talk about it!! !! Thanks everyone for the info .

 

[#1hockeymom]

AKL's IPO is one of the best! You're in good hand with them!

Debbie

 

[iluvepcot]

I was wondering how they work the lounge on your check out day. We check out and have the rest of the day before we have to leave. Do you only have access to the lounge until check out or can you access it until you leave?