Wild Africa Trek or Magic after hours, which would you choose?

[eliza61nyc]

Our next trip is the last week in August and I'm taking the 4 "youngins" as they are affectionately known in the family. We have a few celebrations this year. My youngest graduated from Temple University (There is a God!!), my nephew graduated from Hampton University, and it's my niece's 21st birthday. My niece has never been to the world, my nephew went when he was small. My two kids are Disney pro's. the kids are between 21 and 24 yo.
LOL, while they are young adults, I think being with their cousins brings out the "kid" in all of them, they get extremely silly when hanging out. lol. this was them at Christmas.

Anyhoo, I'm thinking about springing for an "extra". would you go for WAT or the magic after hours?

 

[DryerLintFan]

Hands down the Wild Africa Trek. Such a cool, unique experience. Since you mentioned your family are already Disney pros, I'm sure you'll catch everything you want to ride and experience without needing the Magic After Hours

 

[Crazyredheads]

I surprised my husband with the Wild Africa Trek a few years ago for our anniversary. We both loved it. It felt like we steped into the African savana, got to see the animals up close and got to meet some of the caretakers. The best part was the lunch out on the Boma. So special!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Africa Trek, not even close. It's not ideal to do WAT in August, but definitely still worth it.

 

[HwdStudio]

The Disney After Hours events are great for spending extra time in the MK and just going comando from ride to ride or riding favorites over and over. The Wild Africa Trek is a unique one of a kind experience that everyone should experience at least once or more in their lifetimes. I really felt like I was in a completely different place and time, it was that immersive for me. I’m going with Wild Africa. Animal Kingdom is my favorite park and I think it is the most beautiful park In the US. So after all of that rambling my vote is Wild Africa Trek.

 

[JohnD]

Wild Africa Trek. It's a completely different experience. You get to see hippos and crocs up close, have your own savannah ride, and have a meal at a veranda overlooking the "savannah".

Disney After Hours is like evening EMH -- except you pay for it. Yawn.

 

[Much-Pixie-Dust]

Done both and Wild Africa Trek, no doubt about it!

 

[mmelka]

I have done both, and it is a really tough call! I do love the Wild Africa Trek because it is unique, I would definitely shoot for the earliest one so the animals are more active and it won't be as hot for you guys as well. Though only down side of WAT is that you really don't enjoy Killimanjaro Safari afterwards, you just want your private tour of the savanna!

With Disney After Hours, my wife and I lucked into getting free passes from a CM one evening on our honeymoon. It was certainly magical, but since the parks will already have extended hours with it being summer, this could turn into a really long day! But being able to get onto rides quickly, or multiple times with no wait is always a dream. My wife and I got to ride BTMRR twice without even getting off and were the only ones on the entire train. Being able to walk down certain paths and being the only ones in the parks is really cool too!

But at the end of the day, my vote goes to Wild Africa Trek. I also don't mind that some of the money you pay for the experience goes into the Disney Conservation efforts. You also get a photographer that comes along and takes photos of your entire journey that you can download as well. Really helps capture the moment, and you don't have to worry about taking a ton of pictures but can just enjoy the moment. Though if some of your party wanted to Disney After Hours, you could compromise and do DAH and do the Caring for Giants at the AK and get a small experience of the animals as well!

 

[THRILLERS98]

My husband and I did the Wild Africa Trek for our 25th wedding anniversary. It was just ok. Not worth the extra money in my opinion. Really didn't get any closer to the animals then if you rode the safari ride. The meal was some hummus and crackers. Have not done Disney after dark but might on my trip in March. Sounds like I would like that better.

 

[MickeyCB]

Loved Wild Africa Trek, did it for our 30th wedding anniversary as a treat.
I agree with the poster above, try to book an early morning trip as the animals will be more active, and as I am sure you already know, August heat will be intolerable and certainly worse as the day progresses.
I am not sure what the commenter above is referring to regarding the hummus and cracker meal. The meal we had out on the savanna was a beautiful light lunch with several foods including edible flowers.

 

[Much-Pixie-Dust]

Here’s some pics of the food the food, but this is for the treks starting at 11:45. We loved the food and it has been the same food both times we have done the trek. We also felt that you got a closer and extended view of the animals.

 

[Disney4family]

Congratulations on all of your celebrations!!!!
We loved the Wild Africa Trek so much that we surprised my mom with it last year for her 79th bday.
The animals and the meal were lovely, but a big shout out has to go to the amazing CMs!!!
They are terrific, professional, personable, and wonderful - and really made the experience so magical for us both times.

 

[hollymc3]

Loved loved loved wild Africa trek. Did it when our triplets were 16. Hands down the best add on we ever did!!!!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Definetly Wild Africa Trek!! I loved it

Pam

 

[LAKid53]

Another vote for Wild Africa Trek. Your guide is one of the animal specialists and a photographer accompanies your tour. You will learn so much more about the animals and their enclosures than you do on the safari ride. Yes, you will walk across the bridges above the hippo and croc pools. But there are bypass pathways for those who are leery of doing so. We had plenty of up close interactions with the animals - the male giraffe recognizes the tour trucks and will walk right up while you are stopped. The rhinos love to rub their horns on the sides of the truck. The safari is somewhat of a let down after you've done the tour. I believe the maximum for the tour is ten guests, so don't wait too long to book.

The meal is more than just hummus and crackers. Since you will be visiting during the summer, try to reserve a tour spot early in the AM.