Affection section at AK

[Anna H]

Hi, I am just now realizing that Animal Kingdom has a petting zoo with cows. I have a real phobia around cows ever since a local child died from exposure to their bacteria. He reportedly didn't even touch an animal at the petting zoo where he was infected. Does Disney have any safeguards against their animals carrying harmful bacteria? I always hear about washing stations but not everyone is going to use them. I would avoid the area anyway but I'd be so worried that other kids didn't wash their hands and touch other areas of the park, especially food areas. I was counting on there being no animals like that at Disney Thanks.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

If you have good hand hygiene you have nothing to worry about.

 

[eeyoresmom]

There are no cows at affection section, only goats. There are hand washing stations at the entrance.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Hi, I am just now realizing that Animal Kingdom has a petting zoo with cows. I have a real phobia around cows ever since a local child died from exposure to their bacteria. He reportedly didn't even touch an animal at the petting zoo where he was infected. Does Disney have any safeguards against their animals carrying harmful bacteria? I always hear about washing stations but not everyone is going to use them. I would avoid the area anyway but I'd be so worried that other kids didn't wash their hands and touch other areas of the park, especially food areas. I was counting on there being no animals like that at Disney Thanks.

The best thing to do is ask Disney. You can write or email them with your specific concerns and your questions will be forwarded to AK Management and Animal Specialists.
Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

And as @ShirikiUtundu stated, good hygiene on your family’s part is best.

 

[ashleyann31]

Unless something has changed recently, there are only goats at the Affection Section.

 

[disneyvoice]

Not wanting to increase your worry, but you are no more likely to have a problem from animal bacteria at Animal Kingdom than you are from the NUMEROUS guest at WDW that do not wash their hands after using the restroom.

And I have never seen a cow there.

 

[Anna H]

Thanks you guys. I saw cows listed on the website below but maybe it's outdated or incorrect.

I appreciate the quick reassurance and not making fun of my concern I know it's unrealistic to worry too much.

https://www.orlandofuntickets.com/articles/inside-affection-section-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/

 

[kwdw]

I have seen a calf at the petting zoo - along with goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, a donkey, and a miniature horse. Disney has a gated section you walk through to enter and to exit the area with an attendant who is encouraging everyone to wash their hands at the washing stations.

Yes, in general, animals carry different bacteria than we do and some normal species they carry can make humans sick. But the chances of bacteria from the animals being spread by folks from that section to other areas of the park seems pretty low to me. Especially because I think a TON of families use the restrooms out there before heading back to the main park on the train.

I can name a ton of other things that Disney does that have a higher risk of making you sick.

 

[sponica]

Even Disney's own site says that cows may be there, maybe they were once upon a time?

 

[Turksmom]

If you wash/ use hand sanitizer before eating, you shouldn't be overly concerned. Be conscious of not putting your hands on your face after touching surfaces and cover any open wounds you may have that would come into contact with surfaces others have touched. We visited the animals in November and washed hands afterwards and everyone remained healthy.

 

[acwsmom]

We were there last week and saw goats, sheep, pigs and a few other animals in the back behind the fences. However, I know there is a cow (small bull? he has horns) in the back left corner. I've seen him at least twice back there over the past year and have always wanted to pet him, but he tends to keep his distance from hands. The goats, sheep and pigs are running loose so they are really the only ones you can easily pet. The rest of the animals are behind the fences, so the only way you can pet them is if they come close by where you are standing. Regardless, there is a CM posted at the entrance/exit for the station and she keeps a pretty good eye on everyone and reminds them to wash their hands before leaving. I don't think I've ever seen anyone get past without doing it.

 

[beck00]

We have not seen cows there on any of our visits....lots and lots of goats!