Sunset Safari Questions **UPDATE: Post #19**

[kristenrice]

I have talked my non-Disney husband to take a trip this June, despite his prior insistence that "we are NOT going in 2009" . We bought into DVC at the AKV this past September and this will be DH's first stay there. I took the DD's there with a friend back in October and I loved it!

So, for this trip in June, we have a value studio booked for the first night (since we don't land at MCO until 8:30pm) and then a value 1BR for the next 4 nights. I was looking at the Sunset Safari (and the cost! ) but I was thinking that it might be a really nice treat for my DH. We leave on a Thursday so I thought the Wednesday evening safari would be a great way to cap off our trip. I would have to get in-room childcare for the kids since our youngest will be 3 months shy of 4 and can't go to the kids' club. Our total cost will be around $500.

First of all, are these booked up already? I do not know how far ahead you can reserve them. Second, since it is SO expensive, the only way I could do it is with my longevity bonus from work. I won't get this (or know how much it is) until the end of April. What is the cancellation policy? I assume they take a credit card to hold the reservation, but is there a charge if I cancel? This was supposed to be a "budget" trip, but I think that the safari would be a perfect end to the vacation, and it would give DH and I a little time to unwind together after 4 days of chasing the kiddos.

I am really hesitant to book it because I do not want to be "committed" to such a huge, non-essential vacation expense.

 

[podsnel]

Hi! I have this booked for an upcoming trip- but I booked through the concierge. Why don't you call member services and ask them how to book it? As far as cancellation, my itinerary says there is no penalty if you cancel 48 hrs prior- you actually pay at Jiko, I think, but I'm not positive. So you could book it, and if you don't have your bonus, cancel it before you go.... I'm very excited about it! Good luck with your decision!

 

[Inkmahm]

Yes, you pay after the dinner at Jiko. It's a great safari.

 

[dan and scott]

Can you do this without dining at Jiko? We ate at Boma and lets just say that it isn't/wasn't my kind of tastes/food. We would lvoe to do this in May but I don't want to pay for a meal I can't eat.

Thanks
Dan

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Can you do this without dining at Jiko? We ate at Boma and lets just say that it isn't/wasn't my kind of tastes/food. We would lvoe to do this in May but I don't want to pay for a meal I can't eat.

Thanks
Dan

That's exactly how I feel. You can't do it without Jiko as far as I know. That's why I'm planning on doing the Sunrise Safari (even though I'm not a morning person). It includes breakfast at Pizzafari, which I've heard includes fairly common breakfast items and is delicious. Of course, you have to be staying concierge to do it. But it's A LOT cheaper!

 

[lookingforward]

I did the sunset and sunrise safaris and they were really wonderful. When we did the suset safari we were with another family and the couple's two children did not want to sit for dinner. The family was charged for the entire meal. I felt badly for them. I don't think you can leave off the dinner. That said, the dinner at Jikos is much different than bomas. It is a chefs table experience and the chef comes out several times during the meal to discuss the menu, etc. I think you can let them know what foods you can't eat ahead of time. My family really enjoyed the entire evening. My daughter was 7 and my boys were 13 and 15 and loved it. They give you engraved copies of the menu for a souvenier. The actual safari was amazing, the guides really took a lot of time to explain how the resort works, how the animals are treated, cared for ,etc. Its a splurge but well worth it!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Booking for the safari's is now 90 days just like dining (and pretty much everything else too!)

 

[jblrn2b]

I am a little confused. Which is the Safari that's open to everyone and which one is only for Concierge? Thanks anyone for your help - still a AKV Newbie.

 

[RachelTori]

I am a little confused. Which is the Safari that's open to everyone and which one is only for Concierge? Thanks anyone for your help - still a AKV Newbie.

Sunrise Safari is only open to CL guests.

The Sunset (Wanyama) Safari, is open to all AKL/AKV guests (ages 8 and up). CL guests pay $160/pp; non-CL cost is $210/pp.

Both are awesome!

HTHs!

 

[kristenrice]

What number should I call if I am not a concierge guest? Is it "better" to call Member Services or is this booked through WDW-DINE?

 

[RachelTori]

What number should I call if I am not a concierge guest? Is it "better" to call Member Services or is this booked through WDW-DINE?

I would definitely call MS. There have been many unhappy callers to the dining line lately (LONG wait times to get a CM).

 

[jblrn2b]

Sunrise Safari is only open to CL guests.

The Sunset (Wanyama) Safari, is open to all AKL/AKV guests (ages 8 and up). CL guests pay $160/pp; non-CL cost is $210/pp.

Both are awesome!

HTHs!

Thanks.

 

[JenSop]

We will also be doing the Sunset Safari for the first time this coming June. I had to make several calls to get through to the proper number. The number I was given was for resort itinerary: 407-938-4755.

I gave them my credit card info ahead of time so that at the 90 day window they will automatically sign us up. We want to do this SO BAD and don't want to risk not getting it. We'll be going the day after our anniversary. It is pricey, but for us, we think it'll be worth it. We loved our last stay at AKV (our home resort) and can't wait to see the animals really up close.

We also ate last time at Jiko and just loved it. So the whole experience should be amazing! I can't believe it's still about three months away! I can't wait that long!

 

[Simba's Mom]

It seems to me that when I called to book it, I was connected to AKV concierge, which was funny since I was staying in a value studio on the trip. And I got a recording that they were busy and would call me back. So I left a message and sure enough they called me back. I don't remember the number, but it was buried somewhere on the member website-afterwards I couldn't find the number again!

 

[KristineN]

I highly recommend the Sunset Safari....we were amazed how close we got to the animals. A very cool experience!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Can you do this without dining at Jiko? We ate at Boma and lets just say that it isn't/wasn't my kind of tastes/food. We would lvoe to do this in May but I don't want to pay for a meal I can't eat.

Thanks
Dan

First of all, Jiko is NOTHING like Boma!! Boma is a run of the mill African themed buffet. Jiko is a 5 star quality gourmet restaurant. I hate Boma's but LOVE Jiko! No comparison at all. If you are worried about the spices at Jiko, don't, because they aren't a problem. The chef will also work with you if you have food sensetivities. The dinner at Jikos that goes with the safari is served family style. They serve a variety of several things from each course on the menu. There were a couple of things I couldn't eat, but there was plenty of other choices for each course that I COULD choose from. It also includes wine and desserts.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My spring break is getting closer and closer, and we're doing both safaris!

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

My spring break is getting closer and closer, and we're doing both safaris!

Bobbi

You'll love it, Bobby! We did both last time we stayed in CL too, and we plan to again in December.

 

[kristenrice]

I called today to see if they still had openings for a Wanyama Safari in June. Since we are about 75 days out, I figured that I would probably be out of luck. Nope! They said they still had openings! I booked me and DH for the safari on the last night of our trip. Our anniversary is Labor Day weekend and we are both stuck working so this will be an early anniversary celebration for us.

I am so excited now...until I start thinking about how much more it is going to cost us. Once I add in-room babysitting for the kids for four hours, we're dropping $500 for the whole thing. Then I remembered that I spend that much (and sometimes more) in less time at a casino. So, I guess it's not that bad. I just hope that DH has a great time. I am not planning on telling him how much it costs until afterwards. Otherwise, he won't enjoy himself at all. He also might ask me to cancel it if he finds out how much it is.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

I trying to talk DH into doing this next year. Can't wait to hear how both of you like it.