Rafiki’s Planet Watch time?

[shutterbugg48]

We’ve never been to Animal Kingdom before. My 13 yo is very interested in checking out Rafiki’s Planet Watch. She is really into animals. For her last birthday we got her a behind the scenes tour at the zoo where she got to feed animals, see behind the scenes in their habitats, talk to zoo keepers, etc. Given that info, how much time do you think we should plan for Planet Watch? The more I try to plan our AK day, the more I’m realizing it’s going to be a FULL day!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Unless something has changed, our experiences at RPW have been that it's not very extensive. You walk in, there may be an animal procedure being done behind glass, sometimes you can see the caretakers preparing animal food, and there's a petting zoo. Honestly, we go for the train ride more than what is at RPW. YMMV.

 

[raraavis]

we are planning to do all of Rafiki's stuff on morning of Feb 11 with my 5 yr old. I have allotted about 2 hours for it (11:15-1:15): train there, affection section, animation experience, conservation station, and then train back.

 

[shutterbugg48]

How long is the train ride and how often do they come?

 

[hedge333]

If your daughter likes animals, we did an elephant tour last time we were at AK and it was wonderful. It was $30 a person but we’ll worth it. Rafiki’s is cool but the time spent with the elephant tour was way better. Here is a link. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/caring-for-giants/

 

[MiketheGrate]

We went on our last visit (2018) because there was a Rafiki meet-and-greet over there. The rest of the building had some activities for the Wilderness Explorer program too. For our next trip, we're heading over there for the animation experience. It's a nice little train ride, but it does seem to take a big chunk out of our morning.

 

[raraavis]

How long is the train ride and how often do they come?

I don't know how often they come, but the ride is about 7 minutes long.

 

[holden]

How long is the train ride and how often do they come?

It runs continuously, so probably every 15 minutes or so.

I think this area of the park closes earlier than the rest of the park (maybe 5pm?). Just an FYI.

 

[TarotFox]

There is REALLY not a lot at Rafiki's Planet Watch. My husband was so let down he knocked Animal Kingdom off the top spot as his favorite park.

 

[TarotFox]

There is REALLY not a lot at Rafiki's Planet Watch. My husband was so let down he knocked Animal Kingdom off the top spot as his favorite park.

 

[gharter]

The train ride is nice. Enjoyed seeing the area where the vets take care of sick animals.
They have a nice petting zoo if your kids like that.
Haven't been there since they started teh annimation experience.
Depending on the age of your kids, it may or may not be worth the time to go.

 

[epcotty]

Do they still do the it all started with a mouse show? Didn't get to Rafiki's this time around (closed just before we were trying to)

 

[PPFlight75]

Has anyone done the new animation class at RPW? Did you use a FP or do you think it really needs a FP?
TIA!

 

[DSNY4ever]

If your daughter likes animals, we did an elephant tour last time we were at AK and it was wonderful. It was $30 a person but we’ll worth it. Rafiki’s is cool but the time spent with the elephant tour was way better. Here is a link. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/caring-for-giants/

How neat I have never heard of this, thank you!