Animal Kingdom and Affection Section...worth it/how long?

[Fall1]

We've been to AK before but we've never taken the train ride to Affection Station. We are going with DS and DD (both 4 1/2) and we're wondering if it's worth the ride?

Also, can anyone share how long we should plan for it if we go between the ride there, visiting and the ride back.

Thanks!

 

[Robo]

We've been to AK before but we've never taken the train ride to Affection Station.

1- We are going with DS and DD (both 4 1/2) and we're wondering if it's worth the ride?

Also, can anyone share

2- how long we should plan for it if we go between the ride there, visiting and the ride back.

Thanks!

1- They'll surely like it, but it is not nearly as full of animals and diverse as most city's "Petting Zoo" areas.

2- That varies with, well, everything, but figure on 60-90 minutes, or so.

 

[pmaurer74]

I do not think going for that alone is worth it. But if you want to see Pocahontas and other exhibits then it is fine. If you are there all day I would do it. We are only going to be there 1/2 a day and will skip it.

 

[Fall1]

Where can you meet Pocahontas?

 

[momtwoboys]

at that age, ye the kids would love the short train ride to and from. There are usually characters there, they vary? Not sure who is there these days. There are some small animals to see along the walk to the building. Last time we saw a mule? getting his teeth cleaned, watched a CM get food ready for certain animals so it was neat to see what they eat. All in all it is neat if you have all day.

 

[FigNewton]

We've been to AK before but we've never taken the train ride to Affection Station. We are going with DS and DD (both 4 1/2) and we're wondering if it's worth the ride?

Also, can anyone share how long we should plan for it if we go between the ride there, visiting and the ride back.

Thanks!

My wife and I go every time and typically spend about an hour and a half on the whole thing, trip there and back included. It's definitely the most zoo-like experience at the park to us, but we love the zoo so it's hardly a negative in our minds.

A couple years ago one of the goats wouldn't leave me alone. Kept rubbing my hand asking for pets and attention. One of the CMs told me his name was Megatron. As a huge transformers fan for nearly 30 years, it seemed like fate!

So now we always go back to see Megatron. I'll be really sad the first time I go up to see him and hes no longer there.

 

[BebopBaloo]

My DD5 has really enjoyed the petting zoo and the Planet Watch building itself. Last time we got to see a tarantula tutorial and we also got to watch a goose have an eye exam. There are a lot of neat things out there. We skipped it for a couple years, but now we always make time for it.

 

[serene56]

When we went last September the Affection Station was not on out list of things to do.
But we saw the train and decided to just check it out.

I am so glad we did that-- it was so magical. Hardly anyone was there.
We got to see Pocahontas, Jiminy Cricket, Rafiki and the characters spent considerable time with the kids.

It was so less crowded then I expected. Pocahontas sat and colored with a group of kids.

The petting station- is just that . a nice petting zoo.
It was a nice down time for the 5 year old -- in air conditioning no less.

We spent almost an hour there.

There was an owl with a broken wing

 

[skullsplitter]

Is Guitar Dan still doing his little show back there? It's been years ago, but our first trip my son was 4 and he loved this part of AK. Especially Guitar Dan for some reason.

 

[2goofykiddos]

I think we will definitely have to do this this time. DS2 loves trains and DD5 loves animals and we love zoos. I wish there were still more characters, but oh well. It sounds very cool to me.

 

[kevdo]

First of all, I love that train. You see more stuff than the train at the Magic Kingdom, that's for sure.

I'd say Rafiki is more like 30-60 mins, depending on what's going on when you arrive and how long you spend in the petting zoo. If there is a vet procedure you could easily linger here. We saw a procedure on a dove when we were there and it was fascinating. Plus, as noted, there are some great character opportunities here with fairly short lines.

 

[shalom]

Thanks for the info, all, and to the OP for posting the question. 'Cuz I have heard that the veterinarians are only there certain hours and wanted to ask if anyone knows if that's the case?

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Sometimes they have little "shows" about animals outside by the goats. My dd got to walk a porcupine on a leash during one! That was the highlight of her trip.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

A couple years ago one of the goats wouldn't leave me alone. Kept rubbing my hand asking for pets and attention. One of the CMs told me his name was Megatron. As a huge transformers fan for nearly 30 years, it seemed like fate!

Did you try to explain to the goat that freedom is the right of all hooved beings?

 

[Carriemel]

If you do go, make sure to also say hi to the little black sheep named Pearl...she's such a sweet girl.

 

[Missyrose]

Not to hijack the thread, but we're planning a half-day at AK and wanted to know which you'd choose: Rafiki's Planet Watch or one of the trails?

We'll be five adults and a 1-year-old, clearly he is the one we're trying to entertain most. Thoughts? Ideas? Thanks!

 

[Diegosmom]

We went...mostly cause I wanted to ride the train and meet Rafiki...and let me tell you DS4.5 loved it...couldnt drag him away from the pig...yes just a normal pig but he really loved him.

Rafiki is the only character there now..Pocahantus (sp?) is over near camp micky minnie...

I say go it was fun especially for that age as you probably be doing EE and might not be doing River Rapids or Dinosaurs.

 

[Fall1]

We went...mostly cause I wanted to ride the train and meet Rafiki...and let me tell you DS4.5 loved it...couldnt drag him away from the pig...yes just a normal pig but he really loved him.

Rafiki is the only character there now..Pocahantus (sp?) is over near camp micky minnie...

I say go it was fun especially for that age as you probably be doing EE and might not be doing River Rapids or Dinosaurs.[/QUOTE]

Good point, is Dinosaurs scary for the 4-5 year old crowd?

 

[BebopBaloo]

Good point, is Dinosaurs scary for the 4-5 year old crowd?

Dinosaur is scary for ages 0 -150... (after 150yrs we may not be afraid of much)

Seriously though... It's dark and dinosaurs..large and loud..jump out of the darkness and breathe in your face.

 

[Huff]

Good point, is Dinosaurs scary for the 4-5 year old crowd?

For that age, yes! It has large anamatronic dino's that get loud and show their teeth etc. Try finding a video of the ride on youtube to see what its like.