Sunrise Safari

[lovwdwalot]

I hope someone knows the answer to this question,If we are staying at any DVC resort can we sign up for the Sunrise Safari. I know that when we stayed at the Poly concierge it was offered but I'm hoping that we can sign up for it this July when we are staying at OKW.
Thanks,

 

[cslittle999]

My understanding is that the sunrise safari is limited to AKL concierge guests.

 

[lovwdwalot]

I know that when we were at the Poly concierge it was offered there as well.

 

[cslittle999]

I believe you but all the information I've seen is that it is a exclusive to AKL concierge. Maybe there were some openings that they were trying to fill. Regardless it is not available at OKW or any of the other DVC resorts.

 

[lovwdwalot]

Thanks Chris for the info, I didn't think that it would be available at any of theDVC resorts. I was just hoping!

 

[BCV23]

The Sunrise and Sunset Safaris are only available to AKL concierge guests.

For a year or two now there has also been a safari experience available for club level guests at all the hotels. Sorry I can't remember the name and we haven't done it. But it is offered mid day at AK. I think that is the one you are remembering from your stay at the Polynesian.

 

[BobNed]

The Sunrise and Sunset Safaris are only available to AKL concierge guests.

For a year or two now there has also been a safari experience available for club level guests at all the hotels. Sorry I can't remember the name and we haven't done it. But it is offered mid day at AK. I think that is the one you are remembering from your stay at the Polynesian.

I think you are talking about the Backstage Safari Tour. Just a little blurb about it (taken from the member's site):

Backstage Safari

Receive a 15% discount on this three-hour in-depth program that takes place entirely "backstage." Get an insider's look at the innovative ways in which challenges in the areas of conservation, animal nutrition and medicine, and animal care and behavioral studies are being met. Theme Park admission is not included, but is required. This 3 hour tour is offered Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. for ages 16 and older. Animal viewing is extremely limited. No photography will be allowed backstage.

$65 per person, plus your Animal Kingdom Admission! DVC members get a 15% discount.

Another tour at AK is:

Wild By Design

Receive a 15% discount on this three-hour on-stage walking tour that shares some of the stories behind the making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Get insights into the design and building of the Theme Park, as well as a glimpse into the complexities of caring for animals and habitats. Theme Park admission is not included, but is required. This 3 hour tour is offered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. for ages 14 and older. There are no behind the scenes visits as part of the tour.

$58 per person, plus your Animal Kingdom Admission. DVC members get a 15% discount.

 

[BCV23]

No, the one I'm referring to is only available to club level (concierge) guests. I'll have to look around and see if I can find the name.

Have you done either of those tours?

 

[BCV23]

OK, the tour open to any concierge guest is/was the Wildlife Discovery Excursion.

You could always use points to stay club level at one of the deluxe hotels and do this...if it is still running. However, when we choose to stay at the club levels, we pay cash for a long weekend stay and save those points for weeknights at a DVC property.

 

[Inkmahm]

No, the one I'm referring to is only available to club level (concierge) guests. I'll have to look around and see if I can find the name.

Have you done either of those tours?

The sunrise safari is ONLY available to concierge guests at the AKL. I am finally going on it later this year when we stay there one night just for this purpose before our Disney cruise. It isn't offered every day of the week, only two, I think. Sunday morning is one of them. It is booked directly with the concierge after a room reservation is made.

 

[BCV23]

The sunrise safari is ONLY available to concierge guests at the AKL. I am finally going on it later this year when we stay there one night just for this purpose before our Disney cruise. It isn't offered every day of the week, only two, I think. Sunday morning is one of them. It is booked directly with the concierge after a room reservation is made.

Yes, I know. I already said that in post #6.

We stayed at Kilimanjaro club at the end of April for the same reason that you are. In the end only my husband did the Sunrise Safari but he absolutely loved it. Someday we'll go back to do it again.

But the Wildlife Discovery Excursion was open to all club level guests. I really haven't seen much about it lately so who knows if it is still operating?

Have a great time at the AKL and especially on the Safari.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are planning to add a night at AKL concierge in December just to take advantage of the SUnrise safari! BTW, the backstage Safari tour is great too. We did that one a few years ago.

 

[BCV23]

Just an update that the Wildlife Discovery Excursion for ANY concierge guest is still alive and well. Someone reported on the resort board that she is doing it for a second time this month.

 

[Laurajean1014]

You can only take the tour if you are an AKL concierge guest.

IT IS WORTH TAKING. We look great shots and had a wonderful time. The breakfast was well worth it, too.

 

[BCV23]

Sunrise Safari: takes place at AK, AKL club level guests only

Sunset Safari: at AKL, AKL club level guests only

Wildlife Discovery Excursion: at the AK, Concierge guests from any deluxe resort.

 

[MrShiny]

The Sunrise and Sunset Safaris are only available to AKL concierge guests.

The Safari Celebration Dinner is available to all Grand Gatherings (groups of 8 or more):

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...roducts?id=GrandGatheringsSpecialProductsPage

 

[BCV23]

But that is a seperate experience from the Sunset Safari available only to AKL Kilimanjaro Guests which takes place at the AKL itself, Mr Shiny.

It costs $150/per person 10 and up and a bargain at $75 for 8 &9 yos. There is a limit of 8 people. Not the same event.

 

[BobNed]

Here is some information I found about the Wildlife Discovery Excursion. I don't know if this is still current:

Offered to ALL Concierge Guests

Wildlife Discovery Excursions
Beginning February 15, 2005 Walt Disney World concierge-level resort Guests are invited to explore the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction at Animal Kingdom in the new Wildlife Discovery Excursion.

The excursion is led by a safari guide and takes guests off the regular Kilimanjaro Safaris path in a specially designed vehicle, stopping at observation and photo areas along the way.

Cost - $45 per guest
Schedule - Offered twice daily at 10AM & 1PM
Advanced reservations are required.
Guests must be at least 12 years old to participate.

Guests can make reservations for a Wildlife Discovery Excursion through their resort's concierge host or hostess.

A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.

 

[jdg345]

What is the AKL Concierge thing? What qualifies as 'Club Level' ? Sorry for the silly questions ...

 

[BCV23]

In this thread , we've all been using the words concierge and club level to mean the same thing. It is a more expensive level of rooms that you can choose to book at any of the deluxe resorts.

At CR, Y&BC, BWI, WL and AKL it is a seperate floor and in general you need a key to access the club level floor that houses the lounge. The Polynesian and GF house their club levels in seperate buildings.

If you book club level, you can use preplanning services to book dining and activity reservations. There is an area at each club level where CMs help as needed during your stay with reservations or problems. There is also a lounge with continental breakfast, snacks and drinks during the day, appetizers and wine near the dinner hour and desserts and cordials in the evening. It costs quite a bit extra IMO but is a fun splurge from time to time if/when it fits the budget.

In actuality, WDW now calls all of these special areas Club Levels. At the AKL it is the Kilimojaro Club.

This is probably to differentiate Club Levels from Lobby concierge services which are now available to ALL guests in each hotel. The CMs at the lobby concierge desks will do the same thing the Club level concierge CMs do....help you book dining and activity reservations, answer questions, try to help with problems or logistics, etc.

Hope this helps.

BobNed, thanks for posting the info on the Wildlife Discovery Excursion. I think I read that it had opened up to younger guests as well and of course the price may have changed but otherwise that sounds like what people describe. I do think this is what the OP heard about at the Polynesian.