Wanyama Safari/Other Safaris

[slkant]

I was searching these boards and read that the AKL Wanyama Safari vehicles were not wheelchair-accessible. However, the concierge told me they were, and that the Sunrise Safari could also accommodate a large power wheelchair. Does anyone have experience with these safaris?

 

[SueM in MN]

there have been some people who have been on the Sunrise Safari - bumping this up so hopefully they see it and respond.

 

[Talking Hands]

Sunrise Safari can accommodate a power wheelchair. I don't know if the other safaris can.

 

[BionicEar]

I've been on the afternoon Wildlife Excursion Safari as a Poly concierge guest. At first I couldn't say for sure if it was wheelchair accessible or not. We were in air conditioned 15-passenger van.

So I looked at my recent vacation pictures.

Guess what.... it's wheelchair accessible. See the picture I found! *points below*

If you'll look behind my son, who's looking at an antler that broke off one of their animals, you'll see what looks like the wheelchair ramp (or lift?).

Hope this helps!

 

[SueM in MN]

Guess what.... it's wheelchair accessible. See the picture I found! *points below*

If you'll look behind my son, who's looking at an antler that broke off one of their animals, you'll see what looks like the wheelchair ramp (or lift?).

Hope this helps!

Now, that is service. A picture and everything.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I was searching these boards and read that the AKL Wanyama Safari vehicles were not wheelchair-accessible. However, the concierge told me they were, and that the Sunrise Safari could also accommodate a large power wheelchair. Does anyone have experience with these safaris?

I rode both Sunrise Safari and Wayama (sunset) safaris in September 2005 with a powerchair (Invacare Storm).

Sunrise no problem at all. Regular Disney bus with ramp to Animal Kingdom, then transfer to the regular Kilimanjaro Safari vehicle.

Wayami was a slight problem, but Disney had a work-around. The main safari vehicle was an open truck type with no wheelchair access. However they found a wheelchair van for me and my wife and we rode separately from the rest of the party. It was a regular type van, with fold down rear seats and a wheelchair lift at the back door. My wife rode up front with the game warden. My only problem was that I sit a little high in my chair and I had to bend forward to see under the top of the windshield. The warden also opened the sliding side door which gave me a much better view in that direction. The only problem with that was that an Ostrich kept trying to put its head into the van and we had to keep moving forward to leave it behind.

The warden said that Disney had an accessible vehicle on order that would be in service in 2006. If I understood him correctly, it was to be a flatbed truck with wheelchair lift and tie-downs so that wheelchair users could ride with everyone else. It ought to be in service by now, but you should check with AKL concierge staff.

I didn't do the mid-day special safari (I believe there is one in the morning each day and another in the afternoon) that is available to all concierge guests as my wife & I thought that three special safaris in one trip was too much, but we have booked GF concierge next trip so we can ride the one we missed. From the photos posted in this and other threads, that ride is accessible too.

Andrew

 

[slkant]

Thank you for the additional information. The concierge indicated that the wheelchair-accessible trucks are available. But as those with mobility impairments can understand, we always double check what we are told to make sure things will work out. I got a bit nervous after seeing an older post that the safaris weren't very accessible. I'm glad that's changed.

 

[SueM in MN]

But as those with mobility impairments can understand, we always double check what we are told to make sure things will work out.

I can understand that very well. We have made reservations (NOT AT WDW) for a room we were told would be 'no problem' for a wheelchair, only to find there were 2 steps to get in.