Go behind the scenes of Disney's Animal Kingdom as Disney Vacation Club members staying at Animal Kingdom Villas can now reserve a unique wildlife experience previously offered only to concierge-level guests.
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As part of the newly expanded Member Magic, the Sunrise Safari is now available to Disney Vacation Club members staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas. The Sunrise Safari is a two-hour experience featuring a private buffet breakfast and 45 minute leisurely tour of the Kilimanjaro Savanna at Disney's Animal Kingdom park, conducted before the park opens to the general public.
Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance, and are highly recommended due to the popularity and limited capacity of the tour.
Participation instructions are delivered to guests' rooms the night before a scheduled tour. The name "Sunrise Safari" is to be taken literally, as guests typically assemble between 6:00 - 6:30am to begin their adventure.
Check-in is handled at the Sunset Lounge in Jambo House of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas. Theme park admission is required (not included) for all participants. Disney Cast Members scan MagicBands to confirm admission media while security personnel complete bag checks. Complimentary beverages are provided during the process.
Departure begins shortly after 6:30am as Safari guides introduce themselves and explain how the Safari is organized. Guests are split into groups of 25 to 30 people each, departing Animal Kingdom Lodge around 6:50am via Disney buses.
Chris, Manager of Animal Kingdom Lodge wildlife programs, greets tour participants
Upon arrival at Disney's Animal Kingdom tour participants are escorted backstage, ultimately entering the park in Harambe Village next to the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction. Since the Park is not yet open to guests, the normally bustling Harambe Village is often deserted.
Quiet Harambe Village before park opening
The Sunrise Safari uses the same vehicles as the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction. Unlike the attraction which lasts approximately 20 minutes and follows a set script, the Sunrise Safari is about 45-60 minutes in length. Being the only vehicles on the savanna, tour groups stop frequently while safari guides share points of interest and field questions from participants. The discussion covers methods used to care for the animals, savanna maintenance techniques and even personality traits of individual animals on display.
Ample opportunity is provided to photograph during the leisurely tour.
After the Safari, guests are escorted to Pizzafari for a private breakfast buffet. Items on the menu include eggs, sausage, bacon, made-to-order omelets, fruit, and much more.
Breakfast buffet at Pizzafari
During breakfast, the Safari guides walk around the room to socialize and answer additional questions.
Participants are free to depart when they have finished their breakfast--typically around 9:00am as the park is opening to the general public. Most opt to continue touring the Animal Kingdom theme park. Standard Disney theme park transportation is avaialble for those who wish to return to the hotel or visit another Walt Disney World destination.
The cost of the Sunrise Safari starts at $75 per adult and $40 per child age 3-9, plus tax. Tours at typically offered on Sundays and Thursdays, and are open only to Disney Vacation Club members staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas plus concierge level guests at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.
For reservations, contact Disney Vacation Club Member Services or Disney tour reservations at 407-938-4755.
