Sunset Safari

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Not sure why they would want to sell more seats. The idea of this tour is that it is more exclusive. Part of the allure is the limited number of people on the tour. If I can sell 10 tickets for $200, why would I want to sell 25 tickets for $75?

The idea of the tour is to make money. It already is exclusive and is limited to something like 14 people each evening. Quite simply, selling more seats would likely make them more money. Your example is a bit flawed. As it is now, it they are not selling 10 tix at $200They can sell 14 tix at $160 each -That's $1840 for a full tour. If only 2 people go each evening, they only make $320. Big difference. Let's say that 2 people paid $160 each and the other 12 paid half of that($80) for only the safari with no dinner and wine. That's $1280 for the evening-nearly $1,000 more per safari than if only 2 people were there.
Someone posted about having a private safari. That's wonderful for the two people on the private safari but overall the safari might not be very profitable if it only had 2 people ride it each evening. If that happens frequently over time, that would tell me that the safari is priced too high.

Now, if it was billed as a private safari for 2, Disney would likely try to jack up the price-maybe double it if they could. We'll see what happens over time. They will likely sell a lot more seats over the next few years with lots of new DVC members trying out the Sunset Safari. But, I still think that with a safari only option and no dinner, they wouldn't have safari's going out with only 2 people each evening.

 

[eva]

The idea of the tour is to make money. It already is exclusive and is limited to something like 14 people each evening. Quite simply, selling more seats would likely make them more money. Your example is a bit flawed. As it is now, it they are not selling 10 tix at $200They can sell 14 tix at $160 each -That's $1840 for a full tour. If only 2 people go each evening, they only make $320. Big difference. Let's say that 2 people paid $160 each and the other 12 paid half of that($80) for only the safari with no dinner and wine. That's $1280 for the evening-nearly $1,000 more per safari than if only 2 people were there.
Someone posted about having a private safari. That's wonderful for the two people on the private safari but overall the safari might not be very profitable if it only had 2 people ride it each evening. If that happens frequently over time, that would tell me that the safari is priced too high.

Now, if it was billed as a private safari for 2, Disney would likely try to jack up the price-maybe double it if they could. We'll see what happens over time. They will likely sell a lot more seats over the next few years with lots of new DVC members trying out the Sunset Safari. But, I still think that with a safari only option and no dinner, they wouldn't have safari's going out with only 2 people each evening.

Well, I guess neither of us have all the facts. I'm sure they do not average 2 people per trip. And it's probably hard to say how much they average per person, since they charge two different prices. Also, not sure if the $160 includes the tip. But, Disney is pretty good at making sure they maximize their profits. I'm sure if they thought they could make more money, they would change the entire thing. But I wouldn't consider going on one of these if was like a bus load of people with tons of little kids. I think that idea is for the Sunset Safari to be more adult oriented. The safari part only lasts a bit over an hour. I think the big draw is the safari tied into dinner. Almost like a dinner show. Come to think of it, isn't Hopee De Doo and the Luau served family style too?

 

[Inkmahm]

Well, I guess neither of us have all the facts. I'm sure they do not average 2 people per trip. And it's probably hard to say how much they average per person, since they charge two different prices. Also, not sure if the $160 includes the tip. But, Disney is pretty good at making sure they maximize their profits. I'm sure if they thought they could make more money, they would change the entire thing. But I wouldn't consider going on one of these if was like a bus load of people with tons of little kids. I think that idea is for the Sunset Safari to be more adult oriented. The safari part only lasts a bit over an hour. I think the big draw is the safari tied into dinner. Almost like a dinner show. Come to think of it, isn't Hopee De Doo and the Luau served family style too?

The big draw for me is the access to the savannas around AKL itself as this is the ONLY way to get on them (unless you "know" someone.) The dinner at Jiko's I'd be doing on my own, anyway. Eating family style with strangers isn't a big draw for me. I"m not a drinker either so I'd love an option where I didn't have to pay for the wine.

The savannas around AKL really aren't big enough to have a huge bus of people going through. Seeing them from the smaller vehicle with the animals that come right up to you is the draw. Also, seeing the lodge from the animal point of view is pretty cool. I got some great pictures of the lodge the last time we were on the savannas, pictures that you can't get any other way.

 

[BCV23]

Come to think of it, isn't Hopee De Doo and the Luau served family style too?

The Hoop and O'Hana are served family style but at each party's individual table. At the SS Safari, everyone sits together. We haven't been to the Luau since the show changed but it used to be served in the same style as the Hoop.

Anecdotally, it does seem priced too high. On this short thread there are two mentions of having the experience to themselves (which would make it a great deal IMO). The few reports I've seen always mention smaller groups than could be accommodated.

In addition, it was originally open to only AKL club level guests but was later opened to anyone staying at the AKL (maybe anyone, who knows?). That says to me that the demand has not been as high as originally hoped. The SR Safari seems harder to book despite having larger vehicles and is still reserved for club level guests of AKL.

Perhaps if it was available at a minimum cost for a private party and then with some reasonable charge for every extra guest over ???, it would be booked more fully.

Robo-Daddy, I feel your pain but suspect that allowing some guests to do just the safari and not the meal would detract from the whole safari to camp feel. Plus I suspect most would opt out of the meal depending on the point cost.

 

[bgsnmky]

Below is apicture in front of hte lodge after our sunset safari.

You can tell it was raining.

Picture of the vehicle (after the safari)