Can anyone who has experienced Savor the Savanna tell me how long it lasted? I just received a confirmation email that states the tour lasts “approximately two hours.” The WDW website seems to indicate one hour since there is only an hour and 15 minutes between tours. Are the tours timed to overlap one another at some point? Thanks in advance.
Two hours sounds right. A friend of mine did this and cannot say enough good things about it. I’m sure the tours overlap.
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Thank you. Now please pardon me while I go reschedule something.
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You can also check on youtube for detailed reviews and videos.
I’m trying to decide if I wanna book it or not.
For the future reference of those who might search for this topic, two hours is confirmed. Plan accordingly. Or if a last minute panic-scramble to reschedule your itinerary is more your thing…don’t.
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Yes, our experience was a little over 2 hours just due to weather issues. It was AMAZING. Even with the torrential downpour we got stuck in!
Enjoy!!
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I’m glad to hear they don’t balk at a little downpour. Fortunately they were able to move us to the earlier tour, so self-inflicted crisis averted. We’re very fortunate the guide team at AK sent us the “welcome and don’t forget” email. It’s the first time we’ve received something like that for a tour.
Thanks for the feedback and endorsement. I’ve yet to see a bad review of this tour.
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I’m still on the fence about this…
My basic understanding:
- You get into a safari vehicle
- They drive you through to a special hut, with a view that overlooks their “savanna.”
- This hut has bathrooms, and a deck that wraps around it for views
- Also, a bunch of snackie type foods - maybe some stuff substantial enuff to call it a meal.
- Juices and booze, too.
- You stay there for a while, and you can see the safari vehicles for KS passing by?
- Then they drive you back?
I’m guessing they talk you through a bunch of stuff about caring for the animals?
What else am I missing?
Can’t say, but I’ll know by the end of the week (weather permitting). I think it includes a safari drive as well, separate from the standard attraction convoy.
You mentioned the snacky treats and booze yourself, so I’m not sure where you think it’s coming up short.
Just wondering if I’m missing anything. I assume it’s gotta be fantastic. For the price, it’s gotta be.Last time I was on the fence about paying for EMM. It was cheaper than this tour by FAR, but it was incredible, imo - worth every penny, for us, easily.
I’d love to hear your feedback if you do it.
Your reference to EMM just goes to prove that the value of all things is relative. There’s no way in this or any other universe that I would pay $69 per person OVER the price of admission for access to a few rides and a what is essentially a motel continental breakfast. I cannot comprehend why anyone else would do so, and I doubt anyone could explain it in a way that would make any sense to me. I’ve no doubt that there are people who feel the same way about StS, and they’re 100% correct as far their own values are concerned.
I don’t think StS would be appealing to anyone who is a) not more than an average fan of African animals, and b) not more than an average fan of Kilimanjaro Safaris who is willing to pay a premium for an extended and more interactive experience. My wife loves that stuff, and she feels like it’s worth spending the money on. We really enjoyed Sense of Africa, and StS seems like a less interactive (not to mention shorter and less expensive) cousin of that tour. We’ll see next week.
In an attempt to explain my thoughts on the value of EMM - even though I completely understand that everyone else’s opinion is different.
For the record - the current offering at MK would not be worth it for me. Nor would the current offering at HS, HOWEVER, if the rides offered were ones we would like, I’d probably book either without question.
So, a few years ago, DHS offered EMM. It included:
Star Tours
Meet/Greet with Woody and Buzz
Tsmm
Early Jedi sign up
The breakfast was a ton of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, breakfast frittata, several different pastries, and the world’s best french toast (the cinnamon sugar coated stuff that probably has negative nutritional value, but sadly, it’s really, really good) - along with the standard juices, coffees, teas.
We wanted to do those rides multiple times, and also sign up for Jedi Training. I was actually amazed at the breakfast, I had a preconceived notion that it was gonna be trash, but it was actually quite decent. For 70.00, it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. Pictures in an empty park, the rides we really wanted multiple times in a row without getting off, not standing in line to wait for jedi sign up, and THEN, a better than expected breakfast spread, that they didn’t really mind if we lingered quite a bit past the advertised time.
I’m assuming the STS tour has to be amazing at 169-ish, just trying to get my ducks in a row with what’s offered. Maybe it’s an extended, more in-depth version of the safari + a more substantial offering of food than what the site states. JuliaMc stated that there was also shrimp and fish as well - the site just says “sample African cuisine.”
Found a more in depth review that makes me think we should go for it:
Hope you get to go!
Please report back if so.
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Ask and ye shall receive.
First the caveats and disclaimers. This post is entirely subjective. The opinions expressed are based on the tastes, experiences, preferences, fiscal ideologies & dispositions, etc. of my party. Your mileage may vary, and that’s OK.
We found Savor the Savanna to be essentially Kilimanjaro Safaris on steroids, so for brevity’s sake I’ll just highlight where the two differ. Our tour was a group of 12 adults. It lasted two hours. The ride vehicle is a smaller truck with seating arranged in a square “U” along the sides and the behind the cab. An animal specialist rides with you (while a second one drives) and provides a more in-depth and interactive tour narrative. It follows the same path as KS, but you get to pull off to the side for extended viewing and Q&A’s with animal caretakers. [We got plenty of befuddled looks from people passing through on KS.]
At about the half-way point of the normal KS tour, StS stops at the boma (as it is referred to by the tour staff) for beverages, hors d’oeuvers, and sweets. There are bathrooms available if needed. The viewing and dining area overlooks the savanna containing the giraffes, wildebeests, etc. It’s also possible to catch a glimpse of elephants from that vantage. Toward the back of the structure there is a viewing area that looks out on the lion habitat. A total of four animal specialists (driver, guide, and the two on-site taking care of the food service) are available for Q&A. Most of the food is prepared by Tusker House. There is imported beer and wine available.
After a generous amount of time at the overlook [sorry, didn’t time it] the tour continues in the previous manner. At the end you get to cast a vote for which animal program you’d like to donate to (a portion of the tour price is donated to the Disney Conservation fund). You get a parting gift [ours was a commemorative pin and a set of four coasters, per tour participant], they bid you a friendly farewell, and you’re done.
Opinions and opinionated observations: If you love KS and think it’s way too short, this may be the tour for you. Even though you get to eat and drink, and even though the food is well prepared and tasty, I would discourage people from approaching this as a dining experience. It is not. They are small plate/appetizer-type foods, and although we didn’t feel at all rushed you’re certainly not permitted to linger at your pleasure.
The tour was a little anti-climactic for us. But then every animal tour we’ve done since Sense of Africa has been so. That being said, we have nothing negative to say about our experience with StS. Did we enjoy ourselves? Yes. Do we regret spending the money? No. Would we do it again? Probably not. If you’re a big KS fan and $169 per party member is not something you have to scrimp, save, and agonize over, then StS certainly merits consideration. If you’re saving up for a big once-in-a-lifetime splurge on a truly exceptional animal tour, my suggestion is to keep saving until you can afford to do Sense of Africa.
Sorry if the review is kind of dry. Fluffy, interesting reviews are not my forte. Plus I’m doing this in a bit of a hurry, so forgive the odd spelling or grammar error. I’ll clean up later.
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AWESOME, tks a bunch!