Wanyama Safari & Dining Experience

[Scrappy_Tink]

I know you have to be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for this experience, but do you have to be a concierge guest? Also, I would welcome anyone with experience that would like to share!

 

[MartDM]

Our experience was several years ago and it was only available to concierge then. It was still pretty hard to snag a spot so I can't imagine they'd open it up to all guests (but certainly check here & allears for info on that).

It was a great experience; in fact we were just discussing it the other day & pondering if our DS4 is ready to join us for a repeat

The safari was approximately an hour long and was not only a great way to view the animals up close, but the guide was very knowledgable & informative & the backstage area was pretty interesting.

The dinner was also great. Two of our dining companions were adorable and fun, two were sort of hard to take but, really, it's only 1.5 hours or so who cares? You're there for the food not the company! The chef visited our table several times and explained all the offerings, recommended wine, and answered questions about the cuisine.

All in all, I'd do it again anytime! Hope that helps!

 

[aubriee]

I know you have to be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for this experience, but do you have to be a concierge guest? Also, I would welcome anyone with experience that would like to share!

I went on the Wanyama safari May '09 and was in a pool view room (not concierge). It was well worth the money. The safari they do in the mornings (forgot the name) is for concierge guests, but the evening Wanyami one is for anyone staying at AKL. It too used to be for concierge guests only, but they changed it a few years ago.

It was well worth the money when I went and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It's a great way to get close to the animals. The guides were great and knew alot about the animals and all the giraffes by name. The meal was also really good. I forget exactly what we had, but remember they gave us warm towels to wash our hands, then a chef came out to talk to us about what we'd be eating. They gave us a little bowl of soup, then a glass of wine to cleanse our palates, then they brought out three different appetizers and another glass of wine, then three entrees with another glass of wine, then three desserts with another glass of wine. Everything except the soup was served family style, so we all got to try a little of each thing. They also gave us a copy of the menu to keep. The only two things I wish had been different is that the guides do not eat with you. They check you in at the restaurant then leave. Also I shared serving platters with two other couples and one of the men kept grabbing them first and served him and his wife well over half of what was there for all five of us. There were five other people at the table who shared the other serving platters, but they were polite and everyone easily got their share. I walked out with two other ladies who were sharing from the other group and they laughed about the guy who wanted to make sure he and his wife got all they wanted. Maybe you had to be there, but it was really funny how he lunged and grabbed each platter just as the waiter was sitting it down to make sure they were served first. Even with the two piglets, we had more than enough to eat. I left stuffed. It was just funny and sort of odd. You'd have thought that couple was starving and were afraid they'd have to fight us for their share, so literally lunged for the platters first.

 

[OhThePain]

As the PP said, the Wanyama is available for anyone 8 or older staying at AKL (Jambo or Kidani). The Sunrise Safari (which takes you around KS at AK with a breakfast buffet) is only available to anyone staying CL. We did both of these this past October.

While the price for the Wanyama seems high at about $190 including tax and tip, after the experience we all (my fiancee, myself and the other people we shared the experience with) felt that $190 was a bargain. Between the intimate experience with the guide out on the savannahs and how close the animals get (a giraffe stuck its head into our vehicle), the fantastic service at Jiko along with the unbelievable meal you get (they will refill your wine glass as many times as you want) and the all around fantastic service, it is one of the best experiences on property. We would do it again in a heartbeat. If you have one of those really nice and expensive fancy-pants cameras, the Wanyama is a great time to use it. I would also suggest doing the safari earlier in your trip, this way you can use what you learn on the safari while you watch the savannahs durring your stay.

Just as a side note, as for the Sunrise Safari, while it was a cool experience and we are glad we did it, we would not be in a rush to do it again if staying CL at AKL.

 

[OhThePain]

It was a great experience; in fact we were just discussing it the other day & pondering if our DS4 is ready to join us for a repeat

Unfortunately, you have to be 8 to partake in the Wanyama, so your DS4 would not be able to join you yet for a repeat.

 

[TDC Nala]

You do not have to be a club level guest. Open to any guests staying at Jambo or Kidani, including DVC members. If they have space, they sometimes sell space to club level guests at other resorts.

Limited to age 8 and up - the above is correct, a 4 year old can't be taken on this event.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've been twice, 5/2008 and then 9/2011. I loved it both times. My only disappointment was with Jiko the second time. The first time, the experience was super, the second time the food at Jiko was just OK. However, the Safari itself made up for it. If you want a less expensive experience, consider "Lunch with an Animal Keeper" over at Sanaa. You don't actually go out on the savannah, but you do learn some very interesting info. I don't know if there's any age limitation on that.

 

[aussietravellers]

We did this in 2010 and it was fantastic! My DS LOVED it. We were not staying concierge, just a regular savannah view room. It was well worth the money and the dinner at Jiko after was great too.

There are some photos in my TR below, here's the link.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38360892&postcount=94

 

[BLTLDZ]

Wow...this sounds great, I think we may need to do this in december!

Is it weird that I am a little freaked out about the Giraffes especially coming that close?? I guess I have watched too many episodes of when Vacations attack

Other than that, I really would like to do it

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Thanks for all the positive replies!! This sounds like just what I want!! I called today just to verify that the whole concierge thing hasn't changed, and it hasn't, anyone (8 or above) can go as long as they are staying at Animal Kingdom Resort. I asked if we needed to call on exactly day 180, and he said it rarely books up on the first available day, so that's good news. He did say something interesting though....he mentioned "Unless one whole party books the entire safari to get out of the age-limit thing" (I'm paraphrasing)...so evidently, if one family books the entire safari, they will let younger children go.

Any-who, we are just spending two days at "The World" after our cruise, but we just want to chill and relax, so this sound like the best bet. I think we'll buy just a one day non-hopper to go to the MK to see what's new with the Fantasyland expansion (Maybe we can get ADRs to "Be Our Guest", which hopefully will be open by next January?).

Now, I just need to figure out what kind of room to reserve at the 7 month mark. Tempted to try concierge, but I guess you're not guaranteed a Savannah view? We'll probably just get a one-bedroom savannah view, because DH will be cranky after having to sleep on a queen bed for 3 nights on our cruise.

 

[MartDM]

Unfortunately, you have to be 8 to partake in the Wanyama, so your DS4 would not be able to join you yet for a repeat.

Only if you aren't booking the whole safari for your group

 

[OhThePain]

Wow...this sounds great, I think we may need to do this in december!

Is it weird that I am a little freaked out about the Giraffes especially coming that close?? I guess I have watched too many episodes of when Vacations attack

Other than that, I really would like to do it

It was kinda weird. We were told not to make sudden movements and not to pet it, but to just let it look at what it wants to and smell what it wants to and it will go away. I'm sure it would have made for some great photos, but my fiancee was in charge of the camera and is a coward and moved to the other side of the truck instead of taking pictures.

...I asked if we needed to call on exactly day 180, and he said it rarely books up on the first available day, so that's good news....

The safari only has 12 spots per day, so keep in mind that the space if pretty limited. I haven't heard too often of people not having a full safari. I would suggest booking it once you are 100% sure you want to experience it, especially if you only have 1 or 2 days to do it.

Only if you aren't booking the whole safari for your group

Good point. I don't usually expect people to be part of a group of 12. If you are a group of 12 (or are willing to spend the $2300 or so that it would take to book all 12 spots) and you think DS4 will enjoy it, I say go for it.

 

[TDC Nala]

When I did it there were only four participants. So no, it's not always full.

 

[kimpup]

When I did it there were only four participants. So no, it's not always full.

When did you go? Im not at ak resort but if its not full why not take my money... I'm going on an off time.

 

[TDC Nala]

It was before AKV opened, so they've got more potential guests, but it doesn't matter, they only allow guests of AKL/AKV no matter whether it's full or not. The only possibly exception is for club level guests of other resorts. If you're staying club level, check with your concierge; if you're not, you are out of luck.

 

[Pinkocto]

I will agree that's it's an amazing experience and we will definitately do it again in the future. We went in January 2011. You're right, DVC CL rooms are not guaranteed to be Savannah View, you could also get a pool view. We did get a discount by being CL though.

To be that close to the animals was so awesome. A giraffe also graced our truck by putting its head in. I wanted to pet it soooo badly!!! The guides made the experience so wonderful. Dinner was also fabulous. We don't enjoy wine so that part was lost on us, but they were able to accomodate vegetarians. They brought out special appetizers and entrees that normally would not be part of the dinner.

Hope you have a fabulous cruise!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

The safari only has 12 spots per day, so keep in mind that the space if pretty limited. I haven't heard too often of people not having a full safari. I would suggest booking it once you are 100% sure you want to experience it, especially if you only have 1 or 2 days to do it.

Oh, believe me, I'll be getting up early on day 180 to book!! I never leave anything Disney-wise to chance!

Hope you have a fabulous cruise!

Thank you!! I hope we are graced by a giraffe like some of you were!! I think I'm going to make this a surprise for DH.

Anyone know how much a discount you get if you are concierge? We have enough DVC points to spare, so I'm just wondering if it would be worth it?

 

[Pinkocto]

I thought for certain I'd saved the receipt but I can't find it. I'm remembering it was about a $30 difference, so less than 10% off each being CL. I don't know if that would be worth the points though.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thank you!! I hope we are graced by a giraffe like some of you were!! I think I'm going to make this a surprise for DH.

Anyone know how much a discount you get if you are concierge? We have enough DVC points to spare, so I'm just wondering if it would be worth it?

When I went a few months ago, there was no longer a discount for concierge guests. Both times I did, I was in a value studio-in 2008, the concierge guests got a $30 discount.
I'd say you have an excellent chance of seeing giraffes very close. Giraffes tend to be extremely curious. One of the animal keepers told me about Kidani, the giraffe born about 3 years ago. For a while he was on the savannah at AK, but they had to bring him back because he was trying to eat the windshield wipers on the trucks!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

When I went a few months ago, there was no longer a discount for concierge guests. Both times I did, I was in a value studio-in 2008, the concierge guests got a $30 discount.
I'd say you have an excellent chance of seeing giraffes very close. Giraffes tend to be extremely curious. One of the animal keepers told me about Kidani, the giraffe born about 3 years ago. For a while he was on the savannah at AK, but they had to bring him back because he was trying to eat the windshield wipers on the trucks!

That's too funny!! They look so gentle...I might be a bit freaked if one came face-to-face with me though, I think I remember from the zoo that they have pretty long tongues.