Animal Kingdom Veterinary Procedures and Animal Lovers

[tink576]

I am planning a trip coming up for my extended family. Our teenager is very into animals and talks about becoming a vet. I remember from somewhere they they allowed the public to come watch vet procedures 1x a week and I would love to get more info about to plan into our schedule for her. Also, for someone with those interests what would be your must see's at Animal Kingdom?
Thank you!

 

[DebbieB]

I am planning a trip coming up for my extended family. Our teenager is very into animals and talks about becoming a vet. I remember from somewhere they they allowed the public to come watch vet procedures 1x a week and I would love to get more info about to plan into our schedule for her. Also, for someone with those interests what would be your must see's at Animal Kingdom?
Thank you!

Conservation Station, I've seen them doing it everyday.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/ak.htm

 

[rlovew]

All of the procedures they are doing at any time are in the exam rooms that are behind glass for viewing and they have a television outside the rooms as well to see more intricate parts of the procedures. If your teen is over 16 you might try one of the behind the scene tours at AK or the lunch with an Animal Specialist at Sanaa.

You will definitely want to take the time to go over to Rafiki's area as that is where they have the petting zoo and veterinary procedures. I think they may do more on Thursdays than other days but I could be mixing it up with our nearby Turtle Hospital. Also they have various talks with specialists at Rafiki's- you can ask when you arrive about the next time they are happening as they are not listed on schedules.

While made for younger children your teen may enjoy looking picking up a Wilderness Explorer handbook and working through some of the badges- they will help them explore the animals and environment more carefully - and it is free.

Obviously if your child enjoy animals the Safari and walking trails will be some of the most interesting parts to them- make sure to leave yourself enough time to slowly enjoy the trails and take time to stop and learn more about the animals from specialists along the way- many of them will answer lots of questions if you ask. On one trail they have a bug and small animal house with lots of hidden treasures from someone truly wanting to learn about animals in depth on the other in the bat area they have a lot of information as well.

 

[supersnoop]

I second the Dining with an animal Specialist at Sanaa. My 11-year-old enjoyed the food and conversation.

 

[minnie mum]

If your teen is interested in seeing any of the vet procedures, try to get to the Conservation Station as close to RD as possible. IIRC, they try to do these early in the morning.

 

[tink576]

Do they do the procedures on any specific day to plan our schedule around?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Take in the brand new Backstage Tales, starts tomorrow, March 1st. 15% discounts for AP, DVC, Disney Visa and sometimes AAA.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/backstage-tales/

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-open-in-march-at-disney's-animal-kingdom.htm

http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/0...ecome-backstage-tales-disneys-animal-kingdom/

 

[Best Aunt]

I've never been able to find out what the schedule is for the procedures. I've been there several times and there were never any surgical procedures being performed. However, I never went there at rope drop. Perhaps I got there too late in the day. In my own personal opinion, when I'm there I always feel that it was a waste of time to go all the way out to Conservation Station because there was never anything there. (And I love the rest of the park. I am not an Animal Kingdom basher.)

 

[LaurenT]

Vet procedures happen every day in the morning. Sometimes it's a bird and a turtle, sometimes it's big animals. On my honeymoon 16 years ago, we were lucky to be there the one day of the year that they bring in the male lion for a check up and teeth cleaning!

 

[Pfau]

My youngest wants to be a vet when she grows up so we spent close to 2 HOURS in Conservation Station. We also spent 2 full days in Animal Kingdom and didn't see it all. Your kid is going to LOVE it.

 

[purple figment]

Veterinary procedures take place in the morning. The schedule was posted by the window where you can watch. In the afternoon there were no procedures, but a vet was available to answer questions.

 

[mountdew1]

Do they do the procedures on any specific day to plan our schedule around?

Nope. Just like your doctor at home, things are scheduled when they need to be. If a new animal needs a checkup before entering/exiting quarantine, that is what they do. If an animal broke a limb, then they would be setting/repairing that, etc.

 

[disnut8]

The vet procedures are every day and are around 9-11 AM at Rafiki's Planet Watch Conservation Station. I suggest to get to Animal Kingdom as early as you want, check at Guest Relations for what is going on that day, then head back and see the entire Planet Watch. If anyone is into animals and wants a future in that area, it's a wonderful place. But, you will have to walk back to Africa, the way back Africa to get on the train to go out to Planet Watch and then walk a trail (that has exhibits) to get to Conservation station.

Once there, all of the Cast Members are willing to talk about the animals that are there and will even talk to the "audience" during the vet procedure. The procedures are behind glass but anyone there can see the "operation".

Disney not only cares for the animals in the theme parks but also animals just on Disney grounds. We watched as a turtle was having his shell repaired because a car ran over him at the Hess station near the Boardwalk. We were told the turtle would remain with Disney until it was determined the turtle could safely survive on his own and then be released back where the injury took place in the hopes he could find his way back home.

Disney also does yearly exams on all of their animals so it might be a routine check up but even those are interesting. We had just missed a warthog getting his teeth cleaned.

 

[tink576]

Thank you for all your advice! She is going to be so excited!