Jambo, Jim! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with this wild question. My husband and I recently experienced Starlight Safari and had quite an adventure. I'm happy to share my experience to help you plan yours. Let's grab a grapevine and get swinging!
Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a popular Enchanting Extra that often books up quickly. Guests can
schedule this tour 60 days before arrival, and those staying at Disney Resort hotels can make reservations for the length of their stay.
When I experienced this after-dark safari, our guide mentioned it was the only tour that day. So I contacted a Cast Member who double-checked the current offerings and said tours would run at 8:30 PM and 10:00 PM for the next couple of months. Tour offerings can vary depending on the season, weather, and other factors, but those two times should be running during your October visit.
I did a quick search, and most tours are booked, but I did see some
single spots available for the 8:30 PM tours in October. Since this experience is a bit challenging to snag, I suggest booking whatever time slot is open. My tour started at dusk, and I snapped some gorgeous sunset photos from our open-air safari vehicle. The advantage of the later tour would be that you'd be in the darkness longer, and using the night-vision device was my favorite part of the tour. You really can't go wrong with either time!
If no spots are available for the nights you're interested in, my tip is to keep checking. I kept looking for availability on my mobile app whenever I thought about it, and I lucked out at a stoplight a few weeks before my trip. Pixie dust is real, Jim, but you might have to be persistent!
My husband and I arrived at
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge an hour or so before our tour, and we had a great time exploring the artwork in the resort lobby. We also bought some delectable Zebra Domes at
The Mara for a sweet treat before our adventure. I'm wishing on the moon-kissed Savana that you can head out for this experience on your visit!
Jim, please stop by
planDisney anytime. We love helping guests make magical memories!
Magic awaits,
Elaine