yes you must do the sunrise safari at least once. i am so glad i booked this for her...she was totally blown away.
The Great & Powerful Oz does it again...a dream vacation for my mom! Updated 06/17
- Thread starter Candice30
- Start date
yes you must do the sunrise safari at least once. i am so glad i booked this for her...she was totally blown away.
SUNRISE SAFARI DAY!!
This was the day that I had been waiting for and mom too! No problem getting up at 6 am this morning! We jumped out of bed and were in the concierge lounge by 6:30. We were told to be there between 6:30 and 7. We checked in at the concierge desk and they checked our park tickets for admission to AKG. We were given name tags and told to meet in the rest of the group in the sunset savannah overlook by 7:15. We grabbed some coffee and went down to hang out in the lobby. It was so still in the lobby this time of morning.
though i was excited....it was pretty early!
We saw others gathering there for the safari. The guides ended up walking around and introducing themselves to the other guests and ended up checking us all in right there in the main lobby. When everyone was accounted for, we headed off. We were told that we would be asked to walk down the wheelchair ramp so our bags could be checked since we were being taken in the back way to AKG.
There werent many of us this morning .about 20 if I had to guess. There were 2 guides (Mel was ours). I cant remember the other guides name but he was nice. After bag check, we were split into 2 groups and boarded 2 buses. It was cool because we had a bus all to ourselves (about 10 in our group) and Mel. She gave us a lot of background on the animals at the lodge and the park. She is a giraffe trainer at the lodge. She told us that we could not take photos at first as we were going in the back of AKG to get to the safari ride and she would let us know when we could take photos. We finally arrived at the park and it was neat to see all the behind the scenes facilities where the animals are cared for and Mel was great at explaining what each building is for. We walked up a long pathway and waited for the other group to catch up. While waiting, Mel told us all about the animals diets and such.
Finally, each group boarded their vehicle (the same ones as in the park safari ride) and we were off.
The experience I just dont think I can describe it. It was amazing. We couldnt believe the amount of animals out. I have only ever seen the tip of the lions head and never seen the lioness or cheetas. Often times I miss the hippos and other animals as the ride vehicle goes so fast but this trip, he went so slow and only drove when Mel told him to. We stayed at each habitat for so long and just watched the animals while having all of our questions answered. Ill let the photos speak for themselves. I took hundreds of photos so will have to edit down.
this is just a few of the photos i took. i will try and upload more...especially the lion and cheetah shots! stay tuned!
This was the day that I had been waiting for and mom too! No problem getting up at 6 am this morning! We jumped out of bed and were in the concierge lounge by 6:30. We were told to be there between 6:30 and 7. We checked in at the concierge desk and they checked our park tickets for admission to AKG. We were given name tags and told to meet in the rest of the group in the sunset savannah overlook by 7:15. We grabbed some coffee and went down to hang out in the lobby. It was so still in the lobby this time of morning.
though i was excited....it was pretty early!
We saw others gathering there for the safari. The guides ended up walking around and introducing themselves to the other guests and ended up checking us all in right there in the main lobby. When everyone was accounted for, we headed off. We were told that we would be asked to walk down the wheelchair ramp so our bags could be checked since we were being taken in the back way to AKG.
There werent many of us this morning .about 20 if I had to guess. There were 2 guides (Mel was ours). I cant remember the other guides name but he was nice. After bag check, we were split into 2 groups and boarded 2 buses. It was cool because we had a bus all to ourselves (about 10 in our group) and Mel. She gave us a lot of background on the animals at the lodge and the park. She is a giraffe trainer at the lodge. She told us that we could not take photos at first as we were going in the back of AKG to get to the safari ride and she would let us know when we could take photos. We finally arrived at the park and it was neat to see all the behind the scenes facilities where the animals are cared for and Mel was great at explaining what each building is for. We walked up a long pathway and waited for the other group to catch up. While waiting, Mel told us all about the animals diets and such.
Finally, each group boarded their vehicle (the same ones as in the park safari ride) and we were off.
The experience I just dont think I can describe it. It was amazing. We couldnt believe the amount of animals out. I have only ever seen the tip of the lions head and never seen the lioness or cheetas. Often times I miss the hippos and other animals as the ride vehicle goes so fast but this trip, he went so slow and only drove when Mel told him to. We stayed at each habitat for so long and just watched the animals while having all of our questions answered. Ill let the photos speak for themselves. I took hundreds of photos so will have to edit down.
this is just a few of the photos i took. i will try and upload more...especially the lion and cheetah shots! stay tuned!
Lan
D23 Charter Year Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2001
- Messages
- 1,312
Okay, lets go together because I was thinking the same thing!
Candace, great update!
Well, I am a Disney Store Cast Member and WDW annual passholder, so there could be some savings...............
MagicShell
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2008
- Messages
- 1,487
Hi. I just caught up on your trip. What an amazing time you all must have had. It sounds like so much fun. Great surprises! I have read a trip report where you took your niece and nephew, I think. You are a very generous person. I am sure your family really appreciates their wonderful trips. I can't wait to read more.
Now I want to stay at AKL to go on the Sunrise Safari. Hmmmm I think some planning is in the works
Okay, lets go together because I was thinking the same thing!
Candace, great update!
get to planning
you'll be so happy you did. now i want to stay concierge all the time but have to find a deal. unfortunately no such luck this trip so rack rate it was to be but i'm hoping to find that deal next time!my family is worth it...hey...maybe they will return the favor some day! one of my sisters is now asking when it is her turn to go?
i aim to please....uploading now!
more sunrise safari pics!
of course there are so many more but this is just a sample of what we saw....it was a great experience and now i don't think i will make a point to ride the regular ride now. just can't imagine it any other way.
after the safari, there was a huge breakfast buffet for the humans!!!! i'll post that next!
of course there are so many more but this is just a sample of what we saw....it was a great experience and now i don't think i will make a point to ride the regular ride now. just can't imagine it any other way.
after the safari, there was a huge breakfast buffet for the humans!!!! i'll post that next!
ANTSS2001
<font color=deeppink>Talented Poet<br><font color=
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2005
- Messages
- 12,061
Well, I am a Disney Store Cast Member and WDW annual passholder, so there could be some savings...............
do you have the HUB connection at your store...
Candice!!!
Lan
D23 Charter Year Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2001
- Messages
- 1,312
Good morning Antss,
To be honest I am not sure. When I go back into the store I will ask. I just call the WDW cast line to find out about resort rates.
Hi Candace
Nice pictures! I really want to do the safari now.
MadiMouse
Member of the 2011 WDW Moms Panel
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2007
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- 904
MovienutNiffer
Here's looking at you kid.
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2008
- Messages
- 229
Fantastic pictures as usual! I totally wish I could do that sunrise safari! Just another thing to plan for!
thanks...i couldn't believe that we saw them. he was chasing the lioness before they finally just settled down on the rocks.
definitely gotta plan it into your trip!
MagicShell
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2008
- Messages
- 1,487
Those are great pictures. Thanks for sharing them.
thanks!
No update..
Just joking I know that you have to work, plan more trips, etc....
yep...pretty busy this weekend....i will try for an update before i leave saturday for the world
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