Sunrise Safari

[Native NYer]

Is the Sunrise Safari only open to concierge guests at AKL? Or is it open to concierge guests at any of the resorts?

 

[pooh98378]

I know it's open to concierge guests at the GF, but I'm not sure if it's at all other resorts.

 

[BCV23]

I know it's open to concierge guests at the GF, but I'm not sure if it's at all other resorts.

Really? Have you been able to do it while a club level guest at the GF? We've stayed club level there several times and it has never been offered. It has been reported often on the DIS that the Sunrise Safari is only open to AKL club level guests. Of course, things do change.

There is another safari in the afternoon that is open to club level guests of all WDW Resorts.

 

[TammiMcMan]

To the best of my knowledge, this is the deal with the safari's:

Sunrise Safari - available only to those staying on the AKL club level

Sunset Safari - there is one price range for AKL club level guests and a price range for standard room AKL guests

Wildlife Discovery Excursion - available to any Disney resort club level guest

 

[ducklite]

To the best of my knowledge, this is the deal with the safari's:

Sunrise Safari - available only to those staying on the AKL club level

Sunset Safari - there is one price range for AKL club level guests and a price range for standard room AKL guests

Wildlife Discovery Excursion - available to any Disney resort club level guest

THis was my understanding as well.

 

[cmhand30]

This is copied off of an e-mail from the YC planning office. We are leaving in 21 Days.

Cost is $45 dollars for Club Level guest and requires prepayment.


DESCRIPTION: Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the
beaten path of the
Harambe Wildlife Reserve for a unique animal observation and photo
excursion. Led by a seasoned Safari Guide and an Animal expert, this
adventure takes you off the Safari trail, stopping at special
observation and
photo areas throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve.

CAPACITY: 14 Guests

HOURS: 10:00AM (Guests should arrive at check-in by 9:45AM)
1:00PM (Guests should arrive at check-in by 12:45PM)
Tour lasts approximately one (1) Hour.

 

[BCV23]

This is copied off of an e-mail from the YC planning office. We are leaving in 21 Days.

Cost is $45 dollars for Club Level guest and requires prepayment.


DESCRIPTION: Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the
beaten path of the
Harambe Wildlife Reserve for a unique animal observation and photo
excursion. Led by a seasoned Safari Guide and an Animal expert, this
adventure takes you off the Safari trail, stopping at special
observation and
photo areas throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve.

CAPACITY: 14 Guests

HOURS: 10:00AM (Guests should arrive at check-in by 9:45AM)
1:00PM (Guests should arrive at check-in by 12:45PM)
Tour lasts approximately one (1) Hour.

That's not the Sunrise Safari though. It's the one that has been called Wildlife Discovery Excursion in the past.

The Sunrise Safari runs before the AK opens and is followed by an excellent buffet according to my DH who's not a buffet fan.

 

[Tiffany]

I know it's open to concierge guests at the GF, but I'm not sure if it's at all other resorts.

This is not correct. The Sunrise Safari is only avaiable to guests staying at the AKL. There is a different safari that is open to guests staying on concierge floorts at other WDW resorts but it is not the Sunrise Safari, which includes a buffet breakfast.

 

[Native NYer]

Is it worth switching from POLY concierge to AKL concierge to be able to do the sunrise safari?

 

[Booyakasha]

The Sunrise Safari is great. It is an EARLY morning though. I think we met in the lobby at 6:00. They really take a lot of time on the safari and you get a lot of behind the scenes information. The breakfast afterwords was wonderful. Tons of food.

That being said is it worth it to move from the Poly to AK just becasue of this? That is tough because there is so much more to take in to consideration. If you really love the Poly and aren't that much into the Animal/African theme it is not worth it. AK is a great resort and well themed it is just doesn't have the conveinient location that the Poly does.

The Sunrise safari is open only to AK guests.

B.

 

[Kata]

I did the Wildlife Discovery Tour a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. You don't get to enjoy a great breakfast but the group is alot smaller and you get to move around the vehicle and take the pictures that you want. I am going to make sure I make this a part of every trip. This tour is available to all guests staying Conceirge level at any Disney resort.

 

[BCV23]

I did the Wildlife Discovery Tour a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. You don't get to enjoy a great breakfast but the group is alot smaller and you get to move around the vehicle and take the pictures that you want. I am going to make sure I make this a part of every trip. This tour is available to all guests staying Conceirge level at any Disney resort.

Oh, can you tell us more about it? How was the timing and where did you meet. One reason we've never signed up for that one is that it seems difficult to meet in the middle of that huge park without wasting a lot of time.

 

[Native NYer]

We're going to try the Wildlife Discovery Excursion in August. We're staying at a suite at the POLY and really don't want to switch to AKL or spilt our stay. AKL is beautiful, but so far from the MK.

 

[RachelTori]

The "Backstage Safari" tour is another possibility for anyone age 16 or over. I don't remember the cost, but it was money well spent. It's not strictly a walking tour plus we did get to do a safari ride comparable to the Sunrise Safari (which we've also done). You get access to areas that are strictly off limits to the public - from the food preparation facilities for the animals, to the pens where the white rhinos are housed, to the veterinary hospital (where you may get to see a procedure or operation being done). No picture taking allowed in the backstage areas, but on the safari trail, they stopped for many photo ops.

WDW Website describes it as: "Trek behind the scenes for a walking safari and catch a revealing look at the new and creative ways the specialists at Disney's Animal Kingdom meet the unique challenges of animal care."

It's much more fun and interesting than that makes it sound!!

 

[Native NYer]

That sounds like so much fun! Unfortunately my nephew's too young. Maybe I'll try it while he's in the MK with his parents.

 

[TammiMcMan]

No picture taking allowed in the backstage areas, but on the safari trail, they stopped for many photo ops.

It's much more fun and interesting than that makes it sound!!

We've done this tour a few times and I agree that it is a lot of fun and gives some great insight into the backstage area. Our experiences with the photo ops was very different though. For the safari portion of the tour, you're in line with other ride vehicles, so we've never been able to stop for very long and delay the vehicle behind us. I think having the savannah to yourself in the morning, plus that great buffet breakfast, sort of leaves the sunrise safari in a class by itself.

 

[RachelTori]

We've done this tour a few times and I agree that it is a lot of fun and gives some great insight into the backstage area. Our experiences with the photo ops was very different though. For the safari portion of the tour, you're in line with other ride vehicles, so we've never been able to stop for very long and delay the vehicle behind us. I think having the savannah to yourself in the morning, plus that great buffet breakfast, sort of leaves the sunrise safari in a class by itself.

Oh, ITA!!! The Sunrise Safari is the ultimate! I just wanted to mention the tour as another option - especially for those who don't stay CL! And that tour is offered twice daily (I believe 8:30 and 11:30) - definitely opt for the earlier one!

 

[Native NYer]

Is the sunrise safari worth switching from POLY CL to AKL CL?

 

[RachelTori]

Is the sunrise safari worth switching from POLY CL to AKL CL?

I think it's really a matter of personal preference. If you feel you would LOVE AKL, then Yes! But the 2 resorts are so different - and the location of Poly alone makes it wonderful, especially for those with young children.

Any chance you would consider a split-stay?

 

[Native NYer]

A split stay may be a good idea. I'm going to look into it. Thanks!