Sunset Safari or V&A?

[HookdonWDW]

We'll be staying at AKL-C for 3 days, following a cruise, in September. I'm trying to figure out where to have our nice adults only meal. It will be for two couples (dh and I and b&sil). I've narrowed it down to these two choices. We're hoping to do the sunrise safari w/ the kids on Sunday. With that in mind, would you do the sunset safari on Friday or V&A?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have been on the Sunset Safari. My understanding is that it is restricted to Grand Gathering Groups only and must be partied of eight or more.

Basically you meet at the Flights of Wonder amphitheater for introductions. Then you get to see the parade from a reserved viewing area and back into the amphitheater. Then go over to the Safari where the tour is a bit slower than normal and no "Poacher" element to it. Then over to Tusker house for a meal served family style at long tables. They do keep the groups together. There is some entertainment and some handlers come with some animals. I think a lot of the entertainment is aimed at children.

For a nice adults-only meal I would definitely suggest V&A. The Sunset Safari will be swarming with kids.

 

[SamSam]

Although I haven't been to the Sunset Safari, I visited with concierge about it last week. The Sunset Safari is up close to the animals, you are actually on the savannahs; she compared it to a photo safari. The meal is a wine pairing dinner @ Jiko's, which sounds wonderful. Hopefully someone who has attended one will post.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

DD23 and I did the Sunset Safari last March. It is not for Grand Gatherings and the max can only be 8 people on a safari. Kids have to be 12 to go on the Sunset Safari. It was 16 when we did it, but they have lowered it. The poster above seems to be confused between another safari at dusk at AK and the one for AKL concierge guests only. This one takes place at AKL, not AK.

There were only the two of us and a very nice couple on our safari. We had a wonderful time. I will say over and over that is the best money I have ever spent at WDW (well, maybe except for buying DVC!).

Being so close to the animals is a thrilling experience. The giraffes follow along behind you and often stand right up against the van. Our tour guide, Karen, had worked for WDW since before AK opened. She came to AKL to help open it. The facts she knew were amazing. You learn alot of fun stuff about how the animals live at WDW and the challenges of having a resort with live animals all around it. She knew each one by name and personal habits. After the 45 min tour on the savannahs, you stop for refreshments and a photo shoot with the giraffes!

Dinner afterwards at Jiko was out of this world! It is a 4 course meal with wine pairings. Your guide walks with you to Jiko where you are given a reserved table right by the window. We had 4 dishes with each course and they were already divided up to share. The chef comes out with each course and explains the dishes. You have time to ask questions and ask for ingrediants to be removed to suit your taste. You feel like you are getting the star treatment! No one else has the chef coming to his/her table.

I have never been to V&A, but I would pick the Sunset Safari. Not only do you have the top notch meal, you get the wonderful tour with the animals on AKL property. True, you want to do the sunrise, but they are so different, I don't think it will seem repeatitive. Make sure you have plenty of film or room on your camera .. you will need it!

sorry so long .. any more ? just ask

 

[Leota]

I have never done the Sunset Safari, but I have done V & A for a special event lunch (Happy Haunts)
I have to say, it was an extraordinary experience. I would absolutely, hands down, choose to do this again for dinner. It was just such a feast for the senses. So indulgent.....

 

[TurnR@TheMouseHouse]

What is to cost of the Sunset Safari?

 

[KIANGA]

$150 Per Person

 

[HookdonWDW]

Cool Disney Cat and Leota -

Thanks for telling me about your experiences. It's helped to make me even more undecided!!! Both events seem like they'll be exciting. I'm glad to hear that you don't think doing both safaris in the same weekend would be too repetitive. V&A's is something I've wanted to do for a long time now.

The big draw to the Sunset Safari is that you have to be staying AKL-C, and I don't know when we'll splurge on that again... rofl... I guess there could be worse problems than having to choose between a meal at V&A and the Sunset Safari

 

[Alaska Catdog]

If I had to make a choice from the two I would hands down choose the Safari. It was an unforgetable experience and the food was really sensational. Don't get me wrong. V&A's is fantastic and amazing but you said it yourself, you may not stay at AKL Concierge again and that is really the only way to get on the safari. We have amazing photos from this tour and spectacular memories. V&A's is a dinner. Yes it is a phenomenal dinner with creative foods and amazing service and a great harpists that plays contemporary music on his harp, but it is a dinner. You are a guest just like everyone else at V&A's. On the SS you feel like a superstar. The chef, the sommelier and the waitstaff are very attentive, the safari part of the afternoon is wonderful and you get to meet cool people. It's an event, not just dinner.

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

Wow that sounds amazing I didn;t even know that existed. did I understand this right, its only for AKL Concierge?? If not who do you call to book and what is the advance time for it?

DF would absolutely love that!!!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Wow that sounds amazing I didn;t even know that existed. did I understand this right, its only for AKL Concierge?? If not who do you call to book and what is the advance time for it?

Yes, the Sunset Safari is for AKL concierge guest only. It is booked thru AKL concierge planning staff. It can be booked 90 days out. I would suggest booking as soon as possible.

 

[*Flower*]

We've done both, and if you truly don't know if or when you'll get back to AKL Concierge, I'd do the Wanyama (Sunset) Safari. The tour is amazing- the family style at Jiko is amazing (did I say amazing?), and V & A can be booked no matter WHERE you stay.

Not to turn you off of V & A..... (we're doing Chef's Table next month) but if you can stand the hit to your budget- you could stay at Pop or All Stars and still go there. The Wanyama is severely limited.

Both are definitely experiences, but for you- I'd tip toward the Safari. You'll never forget it!!!

 

[betterlatethannever]

There is a lot of confusion about the Sunset Safari.

OFFICIALLY, the Sunset Safari is the Grand Gatherings event held at the AK.

The officialy name of the sunset safari at the AKL is the Wanyama Safari. Unfortunately, when the AKL safari first started it was called Sunset Safari (the Grand Gathernings event hadn't started yet.). The name has stayed around and thus the confusion.

Ed