Are the petting zoos at Animal Kingdom and Fort Wilderness pretty much the same?

[carmiedog]

Thanks!

 

[Robert P]

Nope. The FW petting zoo used to have feeders (think gumball machine type) where you could buy food, to attract the animals. The feeders have been gone for several years, and the animals that remained had no interest in human contact. They just stared at you from across their pen, like you must be crazy or something.

The petting zoo at Conservation Station, the animals are accessible (you kind of walk among them), the goats especially like to be brushed, and all of the animals can even walk themselves into fenced area when they get tired of human contact. The AK petting zoo, right now, is much better than the FW one.

 

[carmiedog]

thank you - that helps a lot!

 

[Married2Mickey]

I may be wrong (it has happened before ), but from what I understand the animals in the petting zoo at FW were moved to AK. There is no longer a petting zoo at FW, and the animals at the AK are the same ones that used to be over there.

 

[Robert P]

I may be wrong (it has happened before ), but from what I understand the animals in the petting zoo at FW were moved to AK. There is no longer a petting zoo at FW, and the animals at the AK are the same ones that used to be over there.

Could be. We haven't been back to the FW petting zoo in at least 2 years, b/c of the lack of interaction (after taking out the feeders). The AK location is far better, as you can walk among the animals, and they like to be brushed.
We visit the AK location almost every trip now.

 

[disnut8]

The Animal Kingdom petting zoo is actually just one part of Rafiki's Planet Watch. There are a lot of educational displays outside and then lots inside Conservation Station. Plus, you need to take a train ride there and back. So it's not just an area that you simply walk up to and start petting the animals.

And only at Disney World will you find a Cast Member following the goats around with a sweeper and pan to pick up any droppings they leave. One petting zoo where you really don't have to worry about where you are walking.

 

[Dicecatt]

There is no more petting zoo at FW. There are still pony rides for little ones, and you can see the Cinderella ponies, too, but no other animals! If you want to pet animals, AK is the place to go.

 

[carmiedog]

so glad I asked since websites (including this one) still show a petting zoo at Fort Wilderness!

I was thinking we could do it there AND the pony rides. I don't know if it will be worth it to go over there just for the pony rides, so I *may* be leaning toward Rafiki's. It'll just be me and 4yo dd killing some time together.

 

[carmiedog]

There is no more petting zoo at FW. There are still pony rides for little ones, and you can see the Cinderella ponies, too, but no other animals! If you want to pet animals, AK is the place to go.

Cinderella ponies?

 

[eventamy]

Huh, good to know. I was considering taking a trip to FW to see the animals, but we have goats and ponies right in our back yard, in fact the same breed of goats that are at AK. So I guess it's not worth it to us!

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

so glad I asked since websites (including this one) still show a petting zoo at Fort Wilderness!

I was thinking we could do it there AND the pony rides. I don't know if it will be worth it to go over there just for the pony rides, so I *may* be leaning toward Rafiki's. It'll just be me and 4yo dd killing some time together.

Althought there isn't a petting zoo at FW (at least there wasn't one in April 08 when I was last there), your daughter might really enjoy the horses & ponies. There are pony rides- which is great- but this is also where they keep many of the horses used in the parades. Cast members are around (taking care of the horses) and will point out the white ponies that pull Cinderella's pumpkin coach and the huge horse that Prince Chariming rides. For a little girls who loves horses and fairy tales it could be just as good, or better, than petting some goats at AK. Plus, why not head over to FW- it's free and there is a nice area to walk around the horse barns. Sometimes they are putting horse shoes on (they have a stable dedicated to this with a good view). also, if you walk a little more there is a restaurant/store area with a playground and large porch with rocking chairs.

 

[Dicecatt]

Cinderella ponies?

Yes, the little white ponies they use for the carriage! They are SO cute. You can see them in parades sometimes too. They are kept at the pony coral at FW.

When I went horseback riding in January, I got to ride Aladin's horse from the P&P parade!