Rafiki's Planet Watch/Conservation Station - yes or no

[gypsydoodlebug]

Another vote here. We loved it, even though DD got dirty. She had a BALL!! As you can see, Mommy enjoys it, too...

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I also disagree with Mike on this one. We went last March and my children were 3 y.o. and 15 months old and they loved it!! They enjoyed petting the goats and they also got to see Pocahontas, Rafiki, and Stanley. At the time we went, the vets were doing a procedure on some animal, but I don't quite remember the details. It was very interesting and as other posters have mentioned, the train ride is great!!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Glad I clicked on this thread. We haven't been to Conservation Station since 2000, but now I am thinking we ought to check it out again next time. Kids are now 9 and 6, and would probably enjoy the slower pace for a bit.

 

[mdoc]

Definitely go to Rafiki's Planet Watch. We've been to Animal Kingdom every year for the past 4 or so, and we never until last week went to Rafiki's Planet Watch. When I read the description of what it was on the TGM site, I decided we were doing it this time (regardless of his recommendation). I have three DDs, 12, 9 and 6, and all of them enjoyed it. There are character opportunities out there (Pocahontas, Stanley and Rafiki), lots of exhibits, and the "petting zoo." One difference in this petting zoo that my kids loved is that they have brushes you can use on the animals, and the animals are very gentle and willing to be brushed. There was also a show on snakes that they saw, and they got to touch the snake and pose for a picture with it. The exhibit area is air conditioned so it is a very nice break. Plus we learned interesting things. For instance, did you know that next week the female pig that's down by Discovery Island will be leaving because after three years she won't let the male pig anywhere near her and they want the male pig to breed? So she's going and her sister is coming. They're hoping the sister is more receptive, but they don't know because she's never been with a male pig. And the reason there are couple rhinos in the rhino house that you'll pass on the train is that they're too aggressive (again breeding related), so they go out at night when the rest of the rhinos come in. The CMs out at the conservation station are just a wealth of knowledge about the animals.

 

[dcg0317]

I aslo say go to Rafiki's Planet it's well worth it. DS loved it. Here's a few pictures inside.

Entrance

Operating on a duck

Guess!!

Butterfly room

 

[sodaseller]

We also love RPW. It is especillay enjoyable if your child has an interest in really understanding animals and nature.

And Go Gators tonight

 

[netposer]

Last year we saw a sheep pickup a plastic bottle and put it in a trash can.

 

[TracyK]

I love Rafiki's Planet Watch. TGM is definitely wrong about this.

Tracy

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I don't subscribe to TGM and I don't know whether he made that statement universally or for a specific situation. If he made it universally, I completely disagree. If he made it for a specific situation, then I really can't say whether I agree or disagree.

Here's the deal.
If you're on a 7 day or so trip or as most of us are, AK becomes about a 1 day park. That means you're going to have to make some choices. Or even worse, what if you're on a 4 day trip and have only 1/2 a day for AK or less. On the one hand i'm going to say do it. On the other, I'm going to say skip it.

Now when we went to Rafiki's it was fun. We got to see a meerkat surgery. Plus there's a dark sound booth you can listen to forest sounds with. One of the caretakers will usually come out with an animal and give a talk. Rafiki is there. One of the characters from Playhouse Disney was there too. There is the petting zoo and that isn't anything special. But the issue is time. Rafiki's can take up a lot of time and it's usually in small increments here and there and you don't realize it. We burned about 2 hours doing it. 5 minutes waiting for the train, 5 minutes on the train, 15 minutes to walk to the place (stopping at the little demonstrations along the way, 5 minutes snacking at a well placed snack cart, 10 minutes with the characters, 5 minutes in the booth, 10 minutes with the animal they brought out, 10 minutes in the petting zoo, and we watched the meerkat surgery. 5 minutes to hike back to the train, 5 minutes to wait (On busy days the waits can become a full trip or two. We didn't get to do a couple of other things because of it and we didn't have all that much time in Dinoland.
Now depending on what's going on that day, you might not get to see a surgery or the characters or have the caretaker bring out an animal. And if none of those are going on when you go, well make your own judgement. Next time we go, I'm going to check and see if there's a board as to what's going on there that day. We didn't see one or know until we got there. And I don't think I'd want to go if nothing was going on that day.

And hopefully, the Gators will become shoes and luggage tonight. LOSE EDDIE MUNSTER LOSE!!!!!

 

[CastMemberDWA]

I agree folks- TGM is wrong on this one. It does depend on just what your overall objective is in visiting DAK though I suppose. If your main obj. is to "ride rides" then skip this. If it is to have a good time and enjoy meeting animals and learning more about them and their care then this is the place!

Here is a run down on what all we have to offer:
1. Wildlife express train will show you the backstage area barns for the safari animals.
2. The station (we call Preshow) has the original Elephants now from the old handwashing station....makes for a great photo!
3. Follow pathway to the Cotton Top Tamarin Monkey Exhibit. Listen to CM spiel about these lovely animals. Enjoy watching them.
4. Continue up pathway to the Habitat Habit! pavilion. This is a Kids Discovery Club location! Fun activity for kids.
5. A few more steps has you at the main courtyard in front of Conservation Station. Located in Courtyard is a concession stand with ice creams, drinks, chips, and hotdogs. (if you need a snack)
6. Inside the Station:

• Gorgeous mural of animals - many hidden Mickeys here
  Bathrooms in main lobby
  Life size photo ops of Rhino, Tiger and Gorilla - each with African stories on the back
  Looping film with Rafiki narrating about many different animals
  Songs of the Rainforest Sound booths - 3d Surround sound - VERY COOL!
  Character meet/ greet: Rafiki, Stanley, Pocohontas
  Pipa the talking trash can - now painted Bright yellow! (not green anymore)
  Indoor presentation stage with Live animals (top of the hour)
  Animal Cam- live cameras you can control
  Biofacts table- a wealth of information and Smithsonian type exhibits
  Eco-heroes video phones (kid oriented)
  Vet Hallway- has the behind the scenes peek of the hospital, Wildlife Tracking center, and Nutrition Center.
  Animal Exhibits - Butterflies, Invertebrates (spiders, scorpions, etc.) Amphibians and Reptiles
  OUTDOORS- Stage for live animal presentations and sometimes Guitar Dan
  Handwashing station for petting yard
  Petting Yard "Affection Section" - Tunis and Gulf Coast Sheep
  Nigerian Dwarf, African Pygmy and San Clemente Goats
  Llama
  Dexter Cow
  Guinea Hogs
  Sicilian Donkeys
  There is also an outdoor gift shop!

I hope this helps everyone.....you can easily spend LOTS of time back here in this section. If you want to see a Vet. procedure come in the morning before 11am to catch one for sure.

Any questions? PM me.

 

[mousiemom]

we were there back in Jan. and this was my 1st time back there. We all enjoyed it. My little girl & husband liked petting the animals. We went into the sounds of the rain forest and that was pretty cool. We also enjoyed the talking trash can and I got great photos there. Especially, the front of the bldg. with all the colorful animals.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

plus some of the conductors on the train have an entertaining spiel.

 

[jann1033]

Another vote here. We loved it, even though DD got dirty. She had a BALL!! As you can see, Mommy enjoys it, too...

http://images.snapfish.com/34672%3A%3B88%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2334%3D9

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your baby is so cute...is she around 2? my granddaughter loves animals and i am sure she will love it here( although she lives on a horse farm already) and she'll be 2 1/2 when we go so hoping she doesn't suddenly decide she hates anything with 4 legs

just wondering...do they have the purell type dispensers when you leave that area? we didn't go into the petting zoo part as the park was closing

 

[jann1033]

I agree folks- TGM is wrong on this one.

I just want to comment..you CMs at AK do a fantastic job...we could not believe how knowledgeable every single one we spoke with was about the animals...it was really the highlight of our trip! and i feel sorry for those who just jog past and miss so much!

 

[2Xited4Disney]

DEFFINITELY!!... ALthough part of this is a sort of "petting zoo" you can learn ALOT if you spend some time inside watching an animal check up or happen to catch a presentation

 

[Skyliner]

Add me to the list who say do NOT skip this (even though OP finished his/her trip long ago). We went early in the morning last Friday, and it was one of our favorite things. A few of the hightlights:

1) Pipa the talking trash can. Very cute and very clever.
2) My four kids each filled a tray of pipettes for use in the lab. In return, each of them received a "Junior Scientist" certificate as well as a small plastic case that has been used in the lab and was colored with Mickey ears. They were all very happy to have such a unique souvenier. We went pretty early, and there was almost nobody there. I can't imagine they do with with much of a crowd because they had my four kids spread out on the floor with all the pipettes.
3) Rafiki and Stanley with no line at all.
4) Saw a pre-shipment physical exam on a peacock-type bird.
5) The petting zoo (look for the sheep with a hidden Mickey shaved into her rear).

I'm sure glad we didn't skip this. We went there between our two trips on the Safari (while awaiting the fast pass time for our second trip).

 

[ellenmiele]

I started this thread before our trip and after getting everyone's input I knew we had to go to Rafiki's planet watch and was I ever glad we did -- our kids loved it! And it was the cleanest best-smelling "petting zoo" we ever saw!! And to make the whole thing even better, the day we were there, Roy Disney himself (!!!) was there in the butterfly room filming a promo spot for AK's conservation program. We didn't actually meet him but we did get a picture and it was a thrill just seeing him there.