Sunset Safari

[bgsnmky]

I just got back last night from Disney and we did the Sunset Safari on saturday and liked it so much that we went ahead and did the Sunrise Safari the next morning. (yesterday)

We stayed at the AKL for the sole purpose of doing the safari's. I would ALWAYS stay there, but it isn't on our budget, so we splurged ONE night for the Sunset Safari and decided we should go for the sunrise since we don't know when we will stay there again.


Anyway to answer some questions already posed (and ask away if you have more).

Sunset Safari:

The safari is in a GREAT vehicle easy to see and move around. Of course the Safari ended up just being two of us...so we felt really lucky. The Safari takes about an hour and the guide was wonderful. It was Lyndsey and it was her first time, but she was great. We had Lyndsey, the manager, and the driver. So 3 to one ratio for us and again it was awesome. We got really close to the animals, and learning about them, how the AKL works, etc was incredible.
It was actually raining for us but not pouring till the end..but we still loved it.

As far as dinner -
yes towels at Jiko
yes it is family style dinner
I am a meat and potatoes person and this was a little to Foo Foo for me...but my DW loved it. It there is wine pairings.
We had appetizers, sorbet, main course (chicken, steak, and fish) and dessert (3 different ones to split).

It was worth it to us.

BUT to add to this - the Sunrise safari was WELL worth the price.
You see some of the same animals, but also some you will not see on the Lodge safari.
Elephants, Rhino, Hippo, Lion etc.
This trip is the same trip you take on the animal kingdom ride, but you get to stop and you have an animal care taker on the trip with you. I did read about this, but it was soooo much better than what I thought it would be. You really do get to stop and watch. Which we NEVER get to on the ride. You go really early, like 7:00am and the animals are just being let out so they are really curious and moving around.

The only negative is that this ride will have a lot more kids and when trying to listen to the guide some of the kids were talking etc (normal for little kiddos).

I thought it would not be good being in the same big trucks but it was still great since we could stop and even stand and take pictures.

Breakfast comes with the sunrise safari and it was awesome! I thought it would just be continental, but it was buffet style, but with special food. It was great.

Overall, I have to say I enjoyed both a lot.
If you can afford it - do both.
If you have been wanting to eat at Jiko's anyway, then I would say the sunset safari is well worth it. If you don't like that kind of food or experience, then do the sunset safari.

I want to go back!!!!

 

[alldiz]

Thanks for that info.....

I definately want to do the sunset safari......without a doubt
Kerri

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Now it's just the price. It would be different for a couple but we always have a minimum of 3 and usually 5 or 6. That adds up. We could do the Chef's Table for that.

But it will be fun to live vicariously through DVC reports. They have been few and far between on the resort or restaurant boards.

Bon apetit!

I hear ya. I felt like the price was just too high for the Sunset Safari. We are going on the Sunrise Safari in April but the Sunset trip will have to wait. With two kids ages 8 and 12, we are talking about a $700 evening!

Now if it was just me and my wife, I might have considered it.

 

[LisaS]

I just got back last night from Disney and we did the Sunset Safari on saturday and liked it so much that we went ahead and did the Sunrise Safari the next morning. (yesterday)

Great report! I have a question for you about the Sunset Safari dinner. Was everything they served something from Jiko's menu or were any special things prepared? The impression I've gotten from other posts is that everything that is served is actually from their menu. I just wondered if that was your experience as well. Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

I'll second that. Great report, bgsnmky!

I have two more questions for you. Is tax and tip included? And what did you think of the wine pairings?

My DH did the Sunrise Safari on one trip and agrees with you. He thought the whole thing was fantastic. We have that one booked for two upcoming trips.

There is also the midday safari in AK that any concierge guest can book. I wonder how the three compare?

 

[bgsnmky]

It appeared to be from their menu.

The chef (or assistant chef) came out and explained what everything was. He would say "this is our signature dish" or this is what we sell more than anything else.

So I believe it was from the menu.

By the way, someone said they would go without the kids...I agree. I don't think I would spend the money on the Sunset safari with kids. But I would do the sunrise one.

 

[Simba's Mom]

How long does the safari portion itself last? Most tours last several hours, but I'm guessing that the Sunset Safari doesn't last that long. Also, if there are wines included, it does make it a better deal-for those people who drink wine. But what about us tea-totalers? Like other events where wine is included in the cost, I'd imagine there's probably not a discount if you don't do the wine.

 

[kimberh]

It appeared to be from their menu.

The chef (or assistant chef) came out and explained what everything was. He would say "this is our signature dish" or this is what we sell more than anything else.

So I believe it was from the menu.

By the way, someone said they would go without the kids...I agree. I don't think I would spend the money on the Sunset safari with kids. But I would do the sunrise one.

Thank you so much for your prior posts and this one! We have this booked for our May trip, you have made this come alive for me! I can't remember when I have looked so forward to doing something!

 

[bgsnmky]

I'll second that. Great report, bgsnmky!

I have two more questions for you. Is tax and tip included? And what did you think of the wine pairings?

My DH did the Sunrise Safari on one trip and agrees with you. He thought the whole thing was fantastic. We have that one booked for two upcoming trips.

There is also the midday safari in AK that any concierge guest can book. I wonder how the three compare?

Tax and Tip was not included in the original booking. Which we had questions on the whole tip thing. We paid at dinner and it was added at 17% (I think), but we were wondering if the waiter gets all of it or if some of it goes to the person doing the tour. We didn't know if we should tip the tour guide or not. Doesn't seem like you would at Disney, but then why would the waiter get all the 17% on the total cost when half of it was the safari. I would be interested to know what anyone thinks of this.

Anyway - on the wine pairings, it was not as good as at the Artists point (I think) at Wilderness Lodge. The waiter not the chef discussed the wines...and he didn't really offer a lot of choices. More asked what type do you like Merlot, etc and then selected for you. It was still good, but not a lot of conversation around the wine.

I haven't heard of the 3rd safari. Unless it is the backstage tour. I would be interested in that one too.

 

[bgsnmky]

How long does the safari portion itself last? Most tours last several hours, but I'm guessing that the Sunset Safari doesn't last that long. Also, if there are wines included, it does make it a better deal-for those people who drink wine. But what about us tea-totalers? Like other events where wine is included in the cost, I'd imagine there's probably not a discount if you don't do the wine.

Simba's Mom --- great name for the Safari

The Safari started around 4 and lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes. You go thru each of the 3 savana's and then you stop for some little snacks and drink to be able to talk to the guides and ask any questions. Then they take you in to Jikos for your meal.

And no discount for non drinkers. I wish as that would have been me.

The meal was great...but honestly for me (who isn't a big meal person...I would go for atmopshere rather than the food)..I wish we could just pay for the safari. But Dawn really liked it as she likes trying new things etc.

So for me the meal some people will love and some won't. Of course since I loved the safari...and you can't separate it..I still loved it.

 

[bgsnmky]

I will try to post some pictures later tonight..of the truck etc just so you can see it.

I need to learn how to post the pics in the thread.

 

[BCV23]

bgsnmky, thanks for the answers. I agree that it seems a bit out of whack for the server to get 17% of the total price. That must be a sought after position.

Here's a link to the other experience available for concierge guests at any WDW hotel. It's called the Wildlife Discovery Excursion:http://allearsnet.com/tp/ak/wildexcursion.htm

 

[bgsnmky]

bgsnmky, thanks for the answers. I agree that it seems a bit out of whack for the server to get 17% of the total price. That must be a sought after position.

Here's a link to the other experience available for concierge guests at any WDW hotel. It's called the Wildlife Discovery Excursion:http://allearsnet.com/tp/ak/wildexcursion.htm

Dang I would have done that one too. So this one seems to be available to anyone in ANY hotel at the concierge level.

This one actually seems smaller which I like, but I am trying to figure out how they can do it in the middle of the day.

 

[LisaS]

Also, if there are wines included, it does make it a better deal-for those people who drink wine. But what about us tea-totalers? Like other events where wine is included in the cost, I'd imagine there's probably not a discount if you don't do the wine.

I sympathize but I don't think there is a discount if you don't drink wine, just as there is no discount for us vegetarians who won't be eating any of the chicken, steak and fish that is served. DH and I will try some wine though because I do like the South African wines they serve at Jiko. Actually, DH will probably have two glasses, so that helps me justify the cost a bit more!

 

[Inkmahm]

Dang I would have done that one too. So this one seems to be available to anyone in ANY hotel at the concierge level.

This one actually seems smaller which I like, but I am trying to figure out how they can do it in the middle of the day.

They are out on the savanna with all the people on the regular ride during the day. Since the animals are a lot more active in the morning, I avoid the afternoon trip at AK and do the sunrise safari instead. It also has the greak breakfast at the end where the afternoon trip does not. I've read other reviews about people being disappointed with the afternoon trip but I'd have to try to remember where I read them.

 

[Inkmahm]

It appeared to be from their menu.

The chef (or assistant chef) came out and explained what everything was. He would say "this is our signature dish" or this is what we sell more than anything else.

So I believe it was from the menu.

By the way, someone said they would go without the kids...I agree. I don't think I would spend the money on the Sunset safari with kids. But I would do the sunrise one.

Jikos is my absolute favorite restaurant at WDW. I'm guessing they serve their oak grilled filet mignon with the mac and cheese as that is their signature dish. Also the pistashio creme brulee for dessert. Did they have the coffee barbeque chicken flat bread? Also to die for!

I don't drink wine at all but figure my DH can drink mine if he wants it. The waiters at Jikos are well trained in the South African wines. Many are sommeliers, I'm told.

We're doing the sunset safari in December and then going back to Jiko's with the whole family for dinner another night later in the trip. I'll get my favorites one way or the other even if they aren't on the sunset safari menu.

 

[BCV23]

Dang I would have done that one too. So this one seems to be available to anyone in ANY hotel at the concierge level.

This one actually seems smaller which I like, but I am trying to figure out how they can do it in the middle of the day.

Yes, if you're staying club level at a WDW owned and operated hotel you can do the Wilderness Discovery Excursion.

I've only seen a few mentions of it and all were very positive. The most detailed report I saw was by Cheshire Figment. He's a CM, DIS moderator on the disAbility forum and all around helpful poster. At least I think it was Cheshire Figment.

If I recall correctly, they follow the same route as the Sunrise and Kilimanjaro Safaris but like the SS take their time pulling off to explain things and answer questions. You meet near the entrance to the regular safari as I recall. I think some like that vehicle better than the SR and KS.

I think all three club level safaris sound great myself.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

I think all three club level safaris sound great myself.

True-they all do sound great.

I just wish that there was an option on the Sunset Safari to pay less and skip the Jiko dinner. My DS12 can't drink wine and my wife and I aren't wine drinkers either. Bet they would fill more seats on the Sunset Safari if there was a safari-only option.

 

[eva]

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?

 

[dianeschlicht]

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?

I totally agree! The lure of this is the exclusive nature of it. I only hope WE end up with a very private one!