Conservation Station - worth it?

[CaryHaven]

My five year old loves animals and has every episode of Wild Kratts memorized. I thought this would be neat for her if something was going on vet-wise, but not sure if it would be worth it. Maybe they don't treat animals every day, and I'd hate to go all the way there for nothing. Has anyone ever been?

 

[worm761]

My five year old loves animals and has every episode of Wild Kratts memorized. I thought this would be neat for her if something was going on vet-wise, but not sure if it would be worth it. Maybe they don't treat animals every day, and I'd hate to go all the way there for nothing. Has anyone ever been?

There are some other animal enclosures to see back there. There is also the petting zoo (mostly goats!), a pig, a cow, a llama. Some kind of animal information show. We didn't stay for it but they had a skunk on a stage. You can also meet some characters back there. The train ride is nice and you get to see where the animals on the safari sleep.

DD will be 5 in December. Thanks to her, I too have the Wild Kratts episodes practically memorized. I think your child would enjoy it.

 

[DaisyNY]

We've never done this...do you think a group of adults would enjoy. Definitely wouldn't be interested in petting zoo?

 

[Novakm]

They do the vet stuff first thing in the morning.

When we went there was not much there. The petting zoo was a nice quiet place to relax while the kids brushed the goats.

 

[yulilin3]

I was there this past Sunday. Not sure when you are going but the petting affection section was walled off, don't know when they are reopening it. Also you can stop at Guest Relations in the morning and they usually have an idea of what vet visits are going on. But they do have shows with live animals inside and outside of the building every half hour until about 3pm. And there are wonderful animal exhibits.

 

[olwyngdh]

DD12 fell in love with conservation station when she was 9--the first time we went out there. Although the vet treatments were over for the day, she monopolized a vet for a good 45 minutes talking about poop. He even brought out a specimen cabinet to show her (i hope fake) poop of a lot of different animals. They talked about how you could tell an animals diet by examining it, why vets look at it to judge an animal's health, and I am sure a lot of other things but my eyes had glazed over by then. I do find it relaxing out there, and she loves it, so we go every time.

 

[msmama]

It's a fun train ride if nothing else!

Occasionally they'll have animals living there (I've seen ducklings a few times). They have insects to look at. Rafiki is often there. I've also seen lizards, snakes and a possum (or opossum maybe).

It's nothing amazingly fantastic, but its fun and it wouldn't be a visit to AK without it.

AK also has an explorer thing (visit places and get stamps kind of like WS at Epcot) and you have to go there to get a stamp.

 

[nkereina]

We've never done this...do you think a group of adults would enjoy. Definitely wouldn't be interested in petting zoo?

We're two adults and will skip it on future trips. We've tried it twice now. Aside from the petting zoo, there are a few character meets at various times along with some reptile exhibits and the vet procedure if you're lucky enough to catch one. Occasionally, CMs will take birds or snakes out and allow kids to come up and touch them. Aside from these things, as well as various information reptiles, there's nothing else.

 

[CaryHaven]

I was there this past Sunday. Not sure when you are going but the petting affection section was walled off, don't know when they are reopening it. Also you can stop at Guest Relations in the morning and they usually have an idea of what vet visits are going on. But they do have shows with live animals inside and outside of the building every half hour until about 3pm. And there are wonderful animal exhibits.

We'll be there in AK in a week and a half. I'll definitely check if there's no petting zoo before mentioning it. Even talking to a vet would be great for her. She wants me to take her to a vet locally to ask questions, but not sure they'd appreciate that. I didn't realize there were characters back there either. And I didn't think about asking if there were any procedures before going back there. That's an excellent idea. I think we'll try to do it first thing after our breakfast ADR (Tusker House before park opens).

 

[srauseo]

We went in August. The kids really liked it (ages 3 and 6). The train ride is short but nice. We got to see a hawk and a really cool owl up close. There are lots of creepy bugs and reptiles to look at if you're into that. Rafiki was there for pictures and autographs. Also, the building has A/C and it tends to be less crowded then the rest of the park. If nothing else, it's a good break for that reason!

 

[finny1981]

We went in 2011, the place that they mix the food for the animals is pretty cool and oldest DD talked for ages about why they eat what they eat and feeding info galore. They also got to hold a snake and meet Jiminy and Rafiki. All in all it was pretty cool and we will most likely do it again on our next trip. The train ride back is pretty neat too!

 

[Ronda93]

One caution on Conservation Station is that it's not a quick in and out. Much like TTC to MK, you wait to be taken to and fro. It's not forever, but it IS on their schedule. And there's no walking to the Contemporary and catching a cab ; ) I would allow 10-20 minutes each way.

 

[robertlair]

One of the small things that we really enjoy whenever we go over to conservation station is "Sounds of the Rainforest." It is very relaxing, and nice to be in a place that is silent except for nature. It isn't very long, and probably not a reason in itself to head over to conservation station, but if you are going, take the time to try it.

 

[LvsTnk]

We saw a procedure being done on a bird while we were there and whenever AK is talked about that's the first thing mentioned. Pretty cool

 

[elaine amj]

My DS loved it. The rest of us, it was so-so. Glad we checked it out although it wouldn't be a priority over other stuff.

We went first thing in the morning (as recommended) and a gorilla was getting a checkup. DS was fascinated and spent an hour staring. The rest of us were bored after 5 mins lol.

I thought the petting zoo was very well done. No food so the animals don't swarm you. brushes so you have something interactive to do. My fave petting zoo of all the ones we have done.

Oh and the train ride was fun

I would go back if I had time in my schedule - primarily for DS.

 

[aacvacation]

One of the small things that we really enjoy whenever we go over to conservation station is "Sounds of the Rainforest." It is very relaxing, and nice to be in a place that is silent except for nature. It isn't very long, and probably not a reason in itself to head over to conservation station, but if you are going, take the time to try it.

I went with a boyfriend in February and we probably played that over 10 times just so we could nap and relax hahaha!

 

[RustManFan]

My DD, DS and I loved it. They were treating some animal and had a large bird on stage that they talked about. Afraid I haven't been to WDW with my "kids" in awhile and don't remember the animal or bird....just that it WAS interesting and worth it

 

[themouseforme]

Watch the Affection Section ( Disney's name for their "petting zoo") postings on youtube. Warm and wonderful. Hope it's open for my visit xmas.

 

[ZoZo]

I think Conservation Station is one of those "hidden gems" often discussed on te DIS. I really enjoy it - but I've volunteered at my local zoo for 15 years, so maybe I'm biased! Here are some things you can see:

Veterinary procedures, usually done first thing in the morning. When I was there in February, they told me they do not do vet procedures on Wednesdays. (You can ask a CM when you arrive at the park - they can radio over and ask what's going on.)

There's a small stage where they bring out animals and talk about them. I've seen things like owls, other birds, a porcupine, and a hedgehog. They do several shows throughout the day. [This is actually what I do at my own zoo - bring out animals and talk to the visitors about them. This is one of my favorite things at AK!]

They will often bring out a reptile for petting inside the building.

You can talk to the animal keepers about different things like the animal diets (as a couple of other posters have mentioned). They bring out samples of what they feed the animals, and love to talk to people about how they feed the animals.

One thing I always look at when I enter the building is the lovely mural on the walls. They're really beautiful paintings of animals.

I think it's worth a trip out to Conservation Station!

 

[CaryHaven]

I'm really looking forward to this now. I know she'll get a kick out of it. And thanks for the time tip, Ronda. I'm going to move a fast pass around to accommodate. You guys are so helpful!