Sunrise Safari vs. Keys to the Kingdom

[zipDdoodah]

I am trying to plan our itinerary for our trip next year, and I think I can only fit in 1 of these tours. Does anyone have an opinion which one would be better? I've read descriptions of both of them, and they both sound pretty neat to me. Just need some opinions from people who have been on these tours. Thanks!

 

[ivanova]

What is the sunrise safari? Where can I find info about it???

 

[Jenwdwfan]

The Sunrise Safari is offered to guests staying in a Concierge room at AKL. I think it's offered Tue. and Sat. You have your own private Safari b4 AK opens. I've heard you get to stop to look at the animals and take pictures instead of moving. Also you have your own guide instead of the ride narration. Then you have a private breakfast at Tuskers. It's a buffet. I've never done this but it sounds wonderful!

Jen


See you on the cruise Susan

 

[zipDdoodah]

It's a tour you can do, which I've heard is only for concierge guests staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I believe it's on Tues. and Sat. They take you out on Kilimanjaro Safari to get a closer look at the animals before the park is open. Then you eat breakfast at Tusker House. Since I haven't done it yet, I can't describe all of the details, but I've heard that it's pretty neat. Hopefully someone can add a little more detail to this for you.

 

[B3LM]

The Sunrise Safari is for AKL concierge guests only. I have done the Keys to the Kingdom tour and I highly recommend it!

 

[Bete]

I think this is the better one unless you plan on coming back alot then it doesn't matter. Sunrise Safari is very limited and very special because eveyone can't do it. Besides what was described above you also get a fast pass to go on the ride again when the park opens. That is given to you at the end of your meal. Also, it's good to have a meal in the park early before it opens. If you really like doing the picture and video bit this is the tour to take.

Also, I feel the other tour will be there for a long time. There may be a time they drop the Sunrise Safari because it's available to a limited amount of people.

 

[stinkerbelle]

We did both of these tours on our Honeymoon in September...and I was going to reccommend the Keys to the Kingdom tour...but the other posters brought up good points. the Sunrise safarie is only available to concierge guests at AKL...and if you never plan on staying conc. again...I would do the sunrise safarie.

both are absolutely wonderful though - I enjoyed them both!

 

[zakatak]

Well, there is a couple things that we need to know... first, do you have kids under 16? They can't do Keys to the Kingdom. They can do the Safari though.

KTTK tour lasts about 5 hours or so, and includes lunch. There is alot of walking but you learn a TON of neat info about Disney and the MK. It is really neat going backstage and getting onto some of the rides (HM, POC, JC) through the back entrance and having a special ride.

I haven't been on the Safari yet, but I hear it is really neat and the breakfast afterwards is incredible! You get to be up really early and already in AK when it opens to the public. Much less walking and much more food!

Good luck on your decision... as far as the Safari goes, I know Samantha Brown covers it on the AKL special on the Travel Channel on Thursday, November 13th at 12 noon (can you tape it?). She actually goes ON the sunrise safari.

Have fun!

Karen

 

[Cora]

I've done both and absolutely vote for the Sunrise Safari. The narration and your proximity to the animals is amazing. The buffet is probably the best I've had at WDW.
Cora

 

[QJ411]

Can anyone give me more info on the Keys to the Kingdom tour...is this the tour that shows you all the "Behind the scene", like the underground tunnels for employees, the MK, etc.? I wanted to suprise my DH w/ this for our trip...any info?

THANKS!!!

 

[markºoº]

I had thought about doing the sunrise safari for our family last year but I think there would have been a mutiny because it was so early in the morning. I think it started about 6:00am! It is not always this early - it depends on what time of the year it is. After all, it is a SUNRISE safari and the sunrise does vary.

Also, I thought it was expensive for a family - $50 per person with no discount for kids = $200 for our family. I understand the buffet is excellent but there is no way a 4 year old can eat as much as an adult.

Maybe someday when the kids are older we will give this a try.

 

[stinkerbelle]

FYI - sunrise safarie was 7am, not 6am, (might have to get up at 6, but you really don't leave AKL until after 7)

Keys to the kingdom.

I personaly didn't think this was a ton of walking. No more walking than I would normally do in a day at MK. You stop often for breaks while your guide talks to you.

I learned alot about Disney that day...the guide pointed out alot of things I never noticed before, and yes you get to do a few 'behind the scenes' things (ultilidoors under main street, some of the 'offices' behind main street, where they store the floats for the parades and how they deal with trash.)

Lunch at the Columbia Harbor House was very good too...plus we had an amazing guide...his name was Ben...it was his first 'solo' guide trip and we had a 'mole' in the group keeping an eye on him. After the tour we were told it was his first time touring and it officially ended his training. It was nice to be a part of the magic for him that day.

If you can afford it and don't have kids uner 16 (which they don't allow anyway) I would do it. my hubby and I throughly enjoyed it and felt we didn't 'lose' any disney magic by taking it.

(sorry if this was kinda babbly...heheh)

 

[QJ411]

Thanks Stinkerbelle for the great info!!! I think we'll enjoy that tour as well.

Thanks again!

 

[ckj]

Stinkerbelle's other half here.
Sunrise Safari, the animals are so close. Even the Lion was up and about on his rock! The buffet was great, amazing, very yummy.
You do have to get up early and if I could do it again I would.
The KTTK tour was great, we learned quite a bit and lunch at Columbia Harbor House was allright.

It was nice to see the animals up close, but we stayed at AKL and saw them everyday.
The KTTK tour made me enjoy what goes into making the magic. I was very impressed with all the info.
If I had to chose one I would go with the KTTK tour, Sunrise Safari a close second.

 

[zipDdoodah]

Wow! Thanks for all of the great info. We do have young children, so I think they will enjoy the Sunrise Safari. My husband has always wanted to do KTTK, and my parents have agreed to watch the kids for us, but I think everybody will be happier if we just do the Sunrise Safari. It sounds like they are both very good tours. Maybe I can get my husband to wait another trip to do KTTK. I just didn't want to pass it up unless the Sunrise Safari was totally worth it. Plus, who knows when we will get to stay at AKL Concierge again, and we can ALWAYS do KTTK no matter where we stay.