Times for night viewing at AKV?

[DISNEYFAN3260]

I'm hoping someone on the DVC boards can help since I'm not getting replies on the resort boards. We're DVC (BLT) and staying at AKV for the first time for only one day/night before leaving for a Disney cruise. There will be 9 of us and we can't really afford to buy MK tickets for just one day, so we thought we'd go to a resort with lots to do and see. We'd still like to watch Wishes that night from Top of the World lounge, Poly beach, or maybe TTC dock since we'll be at WDW, afterall! But we're also hoping to do the night viewing of the animals at AKV, which sounds like a great experience! Is that scheduled at specific times, and is it every night? We'll be there on a Friday and I believe Wishes is scheduled at 10 that night. Will we have the chance to do the night viewing and still get somewhere to see Wishes? TIA for any info!

 

[disneynutz]

IMO the night viewing is no big deal, some of the animals at night. Not much different then during the day.

Bill

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

IMO the night viewing is no big deal, some of the animals at night. Not much different then during the day.

Bill

That's too bad, I was hoping it would be interesting. I bet my teens would at least love the night vision equipment though!

 

[Nanajo1]

My DGS are very excited for the night time goggles. I hope they are not disappointed.

 

[BuzzyBelle]

Looking at the July activities calendar for AKL it says night time viewing is available from sunset until 10pm at both Kidani and Jambo. So I would look up the time for sunset on the day you're going to be there and see if it is early enough to make it to Wishes. When you get to the month you are going just google the AKL activities calendar and see what stuff is available while you are there. It really has a lot of unusual experiences around the resort and almost all of them are complimentary

 

[Disbug]

We just returned from AKV and did the night time viewing at both Kidani and Jambo. The PP is right that it begins at sunset. We got there a little early and sat in the rocking chairs by the fit pit. If you get there early, ask a CM where the line begins for giving out the night time goggles and get in line. Otherwise, you may end up waiting 20 or more minutes to get a set of night vision goggles. Our experience was that while the concept was interesting, there was absolutely no animals to be seen at either location. This was true for both nights. YMMV, of course!

 

[Kaigler]

We did it on our last trip and found it to be a nice side activity after dinner at Boma. I'd definitely do it again.

 

[DenLo]

Are you talking about the Night Safari (fee involved) or just night viewing of the animals which is free ?

We have done night vision viewing and it is interesting when animals are nearby, but boring when they are beyond the viewing area. I will never forget the first time I did it, I did think there were any animals nearby and when I put on the night vision goggles I was shocked to see a giraffe only right in front of me. The goggles are easily broken and often when we have arrived, they are down to one pair because the others are out of commission they were dropped or fingers were placed on the lens which damages it. They can't just wipe off the smears. So often you have to wait awhile for your turn.

We haven't done the night safari but there have been a number of people here on the DisBoards saying it was worth the money and time.