Rafiki's Planet Watch - how long?

[skier_pete]

For those that like it...how long does it take you to do Rafiki's Planet Watch...including time for train ride back and forth?....We went on our first visit in 2000 and didn't think much of it, but we missed it last two trips with DD. She is now 5 and I think would enjoy it. I am trying to squeeze it into our schedule, but we only have 1 day at AK. I am thinking 60 to 90 minutes, but I would like some opinions from those that have done it and their kids enjoy it.

TIA,

SkierPete

 

[MissLiz]

I would say 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on what is going on.

Last year, when we went out there, they were doing surgery on a bobcat that had been brought in, so we watched that for quite a while. Then we checked out the animals that they had out in the building, then the characters/autographs.

I think it was almost 2 hours for the whole trip. We spent about 2 minutes in the petting zoo area, though. There were only a couple animals out and they were all not interested in the kids.

 

[troynkasey]

If you get there when it opens and take the first train over...maybe 2 hours. The 90 minute estimate is probably right on. Most of our time was spent waiting in line to get pictures with Rafiki, Jimminy Cricket, and Pocahontas. If you don't do those...then it's even shorter.

 

[Photoguy]

We probably spent 60 to 90 minutes and there wasn't much going on. Due to the lack of activity (although the BIG spider was cool) we only stayed as long as we did because it was out first time visiting that area.

 

[KEMdisney]

We spent about an hour over there. We also saw Rafiki, Jiminy Cricket, and Pocohontas...but when we were there there was little to no line for all of the characters so luckily we didn't "waste" time doing that. We spent about 15 minutes in the petting zoo area, and then we ran into the talking trashcan that we spent about 10 minutes talking to/watching. I'd give yourself an hour at the least, the train ride takes maybe 5 minutes? I don't remember exactly but I don't remember it being exceptionally long, or short for that matter.
Also, its kind of a long walk so you'll also have to factor that in, if your 5 year old walks then you might want to give yourself extra time, but if shell be in a stroller than you can push through quickly to keep yourself on schedule. Have a great time! Make sure you see the Lion King show!

 

[DisneyKT]

We went last time in April spent about an hour and 15 mins there. My kids got to pet a snake and did the petting zoo lots of animals out. Did the characters pictures to.

 

[xDressedinlove]

What is Rafiki's Planet Watch?

 

[KEMdisney]

What is Rafiki's Planet Watch?

its an area of Animal Kingdom. You take a train ride over to it. Theres a bunch of stuff to do including a nice nature walk, meet n greet with some characters, a chance to get up close and personal with some animals...mostly with reptiles, snakes and such. Theres a petting area too. There are no rides or anything, but its nice to take the trip over there. The times that I've been there, the area has been relatively less crowded than the rest of the park so it was a nice break.

Also, there is a chance to see some of the animals from all of the WDW parks recieve medical treatment from the vets. One time, a manatee from Epcot was there but we didn't get a chance to see it...we just missed it. Ive heard a lot of people get to witness surgeries on the animals, but I dont know much about that part.

Check it out!

 

[xDressedinlove]

its an area of Animal Kingdom. You take a train ride over to it. Theres a bunch of stuff to do including a nice nature walk, meet n greet with some characters, a chance to get up close and personal with some animals...mostly with reptiles, snakes and such. Theres a petting area too. There are no rides or anything, but its nice to take the trip over there. The times that I've been there, the area has been relatively less crowded than the rest of the park so it was a nice break.

Also, there is a chance to see some of the animals from all of the WDW parks recieve medical treatment from the vets. One time, a manatee from Epcot was there but we didn't get a chance to see it...we just missed it. Ive heard a lot of people get to witness surgeries on the animals, but I dont know much about that part.

Check it out!

Hmmm we might. It seems a bit long. If we've got time we probably will!

 

[disnut8]

I think we spent at least 90 minutes but have to go back over Labor Day and really take our time. It was our first visit and didn't know what to expect. Now that we know, this is our "must see again" for Animal Kingdom.

BTW - we are two adults and animal lovers to the max if that makes any difference. We'd probably spend a half day here.

 

[skier_pete]

Thanks for all the replies...we unfortunately could only schedule one day at AK this year..partly because of the hot weather and partly because we are planning a more mellow trip....we could easily spend two days at AK, in fact last trip we did, and we still never got out there.

My plans have us going out to RPW (bet you haven't seen that acronym before) before our 12:45 lunch reservation at Tusker House, so I'll probably plan on us hitting the train out there about 11 AM. Does anyone know if Pocahantas would still be out signing? While we are not HUGE character people, we definitely want to catch her, and I would prefer not to have to take two trips out there.

SkierPete

 

[MissLiz]

If you have a chance to watch them do surgery on an animal, do it. The vet has a headset and microphone and talks to the people watching through the window. They will tell what is happening and what they are going to do. There are also monitors about the window that show close-ups of the work being done.

Like I said before, we watched them working on a wild bobcat that had either been attacked or been hit by a car that someone brought in. They were doing a skin graft to cover the wound in the neck.

DD6 wants to be a vet, so this was something she really enjoyed seeing.

 

[skier_pete]

We saw them operating on a lion in 2000 - that was pretty amazing! I don't know that I can schedule my vacation around surgical procedures, though.

SkierPete

 

[Wild4Walt]

Including the train, it takes us about an hour.