AK Conservation Station-Worthwhile?

[Texowl2]

On our two trips to WDW, we only took the train to Conservation Station once as we concluded that it was pretty much a waste of time. Opinions?

 

[Eeyore1954]

It was an interesting side trip to see their care facility, but it was a one-time-only side trip. Their concept of a "petting zoo" was pathetic. We now skip this part of AK -- unless we're really, really desperate to waste some valuable park time.

 

[lisadam]

Last November - DS - then about 3 and a half - really enjoyed it... the train ride the quiet/slower pace - it was the first time I saw him relax in one of the parks....

So as long as it fits in our schedule we'll do it again this November. I have a feeling that in a few years it isn't going to be high on his list of "must dos"

 

[Kimberle]

It's totally a personal preference.

We always go there w/ our young dd. The train ride is nice. When you get there, there is a store, some educational info, & a petting zoo. Sometimes characters are there too. Our dd really loves brushing the goats.

If it were just dh & I, once we've seen it, we'd probably skip it. Or take the train back & forth.

 

[meeko_33785]

IMO, this area is fun, but definatly not a must-see everytime. I would recogmend seeing it at least once. The animal care facilities are pretty interesting, as are the animal demonstrations, and the Songs of the Rainforest is very nice and relaxing- great for when you need some time to sit down in the AC. Also, if you're looking for Pocahontas and Stanley, this is one of the few places where you can find them for meet-and-greets, so it may be worth going if only for that reason.

 

[grinningghost]

Finally did this on our recent trip. Bottom line: Nice train ride and I'm an animal lover so I loved the petting zoo. Other than that, I wouldn't knock myself out to do this again.

I think if they had some more ride-type attractions in the Conservation Station area, it would help immensely. My teens didn't do this and I'm glad they didn't, all I would have heard was how lame it was.

 

[ivanova]

Maybe we've been lucky .... when we've been there we've been able to watch them operate on a skunk, and perform physicals on various other animals ... our 13 year old DD (10 and 12 at the times we were there) thought it was absolutely fascinating.

 

[slp87]

My DD, 9 is an animal lover, so she enjoyed going over there. We also saw Pocahontas and the talking trashcan, so that made her day!

 

[nancyL]

My (now) 3.5 year old ds loves this. Its his favorite part of the park. He absolutely LOVES the train ride and the petting zoo is just major icing on his cake. My (now) 7 year old ds really likes watching the vets in action. My (now) 9 year old dd thinks its kind of ok but would rather do something on the more exciting side. This has been the opinion of the kids for about 2 years now. My husband and I enjoy it via the kids but with out them, we probably would skip it.
NancyL

 

[webmomom]

We love converstation and we are two adults. When we went last year with our two grandkids ages 6 and 4 they also loved. it. The small garden area on the walk to the converstation they had a really good time trying to find the items in the garden. In fact all of us had a good time doing it.
You get to have interaction with some of the animlas. I know someone said the petting area was not good. I will say this, it is the only petting area we have gone to that the animals are not trying to eat your clothes and run you over. Since they do not let you feed them,(they have brushes for you to brush the animlas) the animals are not rushing you and the the kids can really enjoy them. Inside the building there are shows with live animals and the kids can touch and ask questions about them.
Also out side next to the petting area they put on little shows with animals. They are not the usual animals but very un-ususal animals and really neat.
I really feel it is nice that there is not the big thrill rides there. It is nice to have the kids go some place that is not all thrill rides and slow down enjoy the surroundings and their envirement.
We all live at such a fast pace, just to slow down even if only for a little while and enjoy what we have is really nice for all of us.

 

[Harambe]

These are wonderful, IMO. As another poster mentioned, they are extrememly relaxing! You go into a pitch black sound booth (plenty of room for a few folks) and put on headphones with all the sounds of the rainforest. I love it!

We also saw some minor surgery being done on a tiny monkey. And I also appreciate the train ride for a little break.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by grinningghost
I think if they had some more ride-type attractions in the Conservation Station area, it would help immensely.

Of course, that would <B>totally</b> wreck the whole point of the place.

Communing with nature may not be as exciting as Space Mtn., but learning to appreciate the world around us is the mission of AK. Unfortunately, far too many guests have complained that the park didn't have enough thrill rides. That's part of the reason we ended up with the whole trashy carnival area. These are the same guests who forced Disney to remove the sloth from the Oasis area because it wasn't interesting enough to watch! We find it very sad that what was a beautiful nature park when it opened is gradually being converted into just another amusement park that happens to have some live animals.

Needless to say, my family loves Conservation Station. We do it every trip. We enjoy the train ride, seeing where the animals are kept. Searching for hidden Mickey's in the huge animal mural. Seeing the animal medical facilities. Checking out all of the animals and plant life along the way. And generally just taking the time to enjoy nature.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Steve

 

[diathoney]

We thought it was worth while. I don't knkow if it's a MUST, but my family enjoyed seeing the animal skins (from shedding), the surgery that was going on, the food the animal eat and the petting zoo. The train ride was pretty relaxing.

 

[lucky_bunni]

After I thought about it for a few minutes, i think that CS is one of those special places at WDW where you can really get away relax a little. Most people take it for granted because it isn't exciting. For those of us that have been to WDW many times, we can afford not to see all the "exciting stuff" and really just enjoy the beauty of the park. Going to CS you can enjoy the train ride, take a leisurely stroll along the path to the building, and then take in the exibits inside. I'm with somebody else who said the rainforest sound rooms are totally cool and relaxing.

All I can say is it's just one of those places that those of us who enjoy the exploring off the beaten will love. That said, far too many of these places at WDW ended up being replaced by some attraction that would appeal to a broader crowd. One example being the movie theatre on Main Street. Once a dedicated theatre you could go to get away from the crowds and enjoy Walt's old film. Now it's just another shop with a screen stuck on the back wall.

One suggestion for CS, maybe a nice sitdown restaurant. There is really a lack of them at AK anyway, and this would be a great place to have one. It would also be a draw for the area without having to place rides there.

 

[slimplaw]

I've been there 4 times. Once, absolutely nothing was going on. The other times, we have seen surgery, demonstrations, and characters. My favorite time was at Christmas. Their Christmas tree was very interesting-a lot of veterinarian/lab humor.

 

[jenfur]

We have been to Animal Kingdom 3 times and have yet to see CS. What kind of animals are at the petting zoo?

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by lucky_bunni
One suggestion for CS, maybe a nice sitdown restaurant. There is really a lack of them at AK anyway, and this would be a great place to have one. It would also be a draw for the area without having to place rides there.

I think this is a great idea. AK is pretty limited on dining options. This would get people over there without destroying the atmosphere. I hope Disney is reading this thread.

Steve

 

[kidlit]

Jenfur

There are goats, goats, and more goats....oh also some sheep, a cow and a llama. Maybe some others but that's what we saw. IMO it is relaxing and great if you have a preschooler. My 4yo DD loved taking time and brushing the goats. We also were there when they put on a small demonstration about how they clicker train the animals. I loved the program. Anyway, for little kids it's great for others I think it really depends on your interest in animals and the environment. JMO here.

kim

PS We will keep going back until my DD is bored with the goat attention and the train ride. (I hope she never is )!