I just emailed DON and he answered my questions about our stay in July and about the Safari. Below I am posting what DON emailed me in answer to my questions about room size and the Safari's offered. This should answer most Safari questions and the room size for the 1 BR Concierge:
The 1 BR villas are about 750 sq ft I believe. They were made from two rooms of about 381 sq feet but some was lost in the redesign.
Look forward to assisting you with your plans.
We offer the Sunrise Safari on Sunday and Thursday mornings. Complete
details of all safaris will follow. We will be glad to book all of your
dining for the AKV club level portion of your visit.
Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is exclusive to concierge guests
staying at our resort. It is offered on Thursdays and Sundays. The
safari starts at 6:30 A.M. if the park opens at 8 A.M. & it starts at
7:30 A.M. if the park opens at 9 A.M..
You would meet in the concierge lounge at 6:15 A.M. or 6:45 A.M.,
depending on park hours & will check-in at the concierge desk. The
concierge will scan your park admission into the park which is required
to participate in this experience.
An animal programs cast member will be meeting our guests in the Sunset
Overlook to give a run down of the morning's activities. You will then
take a private bus, which will go through some of the backstage areas at
Disney's Animal Kingdom.
You will then walk over to the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction and board
the first jeep onto the savanna. You will be able to ask the animal
programs cast member questions and there will be frequent stops for you
to take pictures. The safari will last from 45 minutes to 1 hour long.
Afterwards you will have a delicious breakfast buffet that awaits you.
While you are enjoying your breakfast, there will be cultural
representatives from Africa to answer any questions you have about their
country or about Disney's Animal Kingdom.
You are free to go about your day, at this point. If you would like to
go back to the resort, you will take the regular bus back.
The cost is $55.00 for adults and $27.50 for children 3 to 9. There is a
48 hour cancellation policy. The unpaved roads of Harambe Wildlife
Reserve pass through rough and rugged terrain. For your safety you
should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back
or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that could be
aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride. If you
have special needs (wheelchair or
scooter) or dietary needs, please let
us know so that we may accommodate you.
Safaris are may be subject to minimum booking requirements. Other days
may be available for booking if regular days have heavy wait lists. Ask
your itinerary planner for details. All charges are posted as a room
charge. No meal packages can be used to pay for this event.
Wanyama Safari is an approximately 1 and a half hour safari experience
at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge where a guest will experience a
re-creation of a true African afternoon game drive. An opportunity to
spend time with members from the Lodge animal programs team in a very
personal environment. Learning about the natural history and management
of the animal collection at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Incredible
photo opportunities of the animals and architecture of Disney's Animal
Kingdom Lodge that can only be experienced from our savannas . Your
safari will conclude with a true African dining experience at JIKO, just
like the lodges in Africa where a multi-course meal will await you which
may include a wine pairing.
You will be meet at the Jiko Podium at 3:45 p.m. where you will be met
by our animal Programs team. Safaris are offered on Monday,Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday. Guests must be 8 years of age or older. The price
for the experience is $160 per Concierge club guests 10 and up, $210 for
non-Concierge guests 10 and up and Half price for guest 8 and 9. Tax and
gratuity included as well as a small contribution to the Disney
Conservation Fund. 48 hour cancellation policy does apply so a credit
card is required at time of booking. Admission is limited to 12 Guests
and can be reserved 180 days in advance of arrival.
Buy out safaris are offered with sufficient notice subject to there
being no prior bookings for that date for a $2000 minimum price. There
is no age restriction on buy out safaris as it is your exclusive event.
Safaris are may be subject to minimum booking requirements. Other days
may be available for booking. Ask your itinerary planner for details.
All charges are posted as a room charge. No meal packages can be used to
pay for this event.
The Wildlife Discover Excursion takes the Kilimanjaro safari experience
to the next level. 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. The tour takes place Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00
a.m. and 1:00 p.m.. Guest meet in front of Mombassa Marketplace 15
minutes prior to the tour. It can accommodate up to 14 guests who must
be age 3 and older. Payment is taken at time of booking. There is a 48
hour cancellation policy. Cost is $45.00 per person inclusive. You spend
about an hour our on the trail slipping between ride vehicles of the
Kilimanjaro Safari and stopping to view and photograph the animals. The
vehicle is climate controlled. Guest may stand up in the vehicle (there
are hand holds all over the vehicle). It is a great chance to get a
different perspective on the Kilimanjaro Safari. You may take non
concierge guests with you on this experience. Not included with any
package.
Let me just take a moment to touch base with you about our check in
procedure. If you arrive by car at the hotel you will stop at the
security kiosk. Let them know you are a Kilimanjaro Club concierge level
guest. Once you have parked your car or had valet park it go to bell
services just inside the lobby to your left. If you arrive by Disney's
Magical Express you will need to enter the lobby and turn left to the
Bell Services desk and they will assist you. Should your room be
prepared at this time, the bellman will take you directly up to your
room and you can come by the concierge lounge at your leisure to check
in. However if the room has not been prepared yet, the bellman will put
your luggage in storage and a cast member will take you directly up to
our concierge lounge. Either way, there will be no need for you to wait
in line at the front desk. If you are arriving after 10:00 p.m. please
be sure to stop by the Kilimanjaro Club desk in the morning before you
head out so we can make sure we have your reservation in order regarding
charging privileges and tickets.
At your service,
Don (as in Donald Duck)