Rafikis planet watch - worth it?

[thestevied]

As we are not the biggest animal kingdom fans and only tend to spend a morning there during our two week visit to the states, is there any real reason to visit rafikis planet watch? Think we did it once about ten years ago and remember not being hugely impressed. Any change since then?

 

[mesaboy2]

Not really, sounds to me like you could skip it.

 

[TeamSy]

Chip & Dale are often there, as is Rafiki, so if you like any of those characters it's a good place. I always like to meet Rafiki since it's the only place I know we can meet him. Honestly, I mainly like to go because it's a nice break (the train ride), and then they have the whole inside area with A/C!

 

[thestevied]

Anything with ac sounds good.

 

[DisneyGeekyParadise]

I think they might still have a Zootopia thing there showing off concept art and stuff, so if you're interested in that and the characters, it's a go. Otherwise, it's a skip.

 

[Mikie]

We love AK and animals and zoos and still I'd say it's skippable. The only thing I'd look into more for the future us the veterinary stuff as our only did at the time was too young when we did it years ago. That might be a difference now, otherwise I thought the wait, then train ride and return train ride after was all a pretty big time suck considering what it was when we got there.

 

[Marbel]

No. I went hoping to see a veterinary procedure (no luck). I wasn't impressed with the rest of it.

 

[serenitynow]

Nah, skip it

 

[thestevied]

We love AK and animals and zoos and still I'd say it's skippable. The only thing I'd look into more for the future us the veterinary stuff as our only did at the time was too young when we did it years ago. That might be a difference now, otherwise I thought the wait, then train ride and return train ride after was all a pretty big time suck considering what it was when we got there.

No. I went hoping to see a veterinary procedure (no luck). I wasn't impressed with the rest of it.

Nah, skip it

Ok I think my minds made up! Thanks all.

 

[tomatecerise]

The train ride is fun but Rafiki himself is So much fun! Ok i made a crazy girl of me with him. And The ac, The sweet ac ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[thestevied]

The train ride is fun but Rafiki himself is So much fun! Ok i made a crazy girl of me with him. And The ac, The sweet ac ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Crazy girl??

 

[tomatecerise]

Behavior and sounds of a monkey. He search where Was My tail and The photopass photographer Was not happy because i start him lol!

Excuse My poor english, it's not My first langage (in fact i speak french)

 

[Nugent]

Don't they still have an animal show, It Started With a Mouse? My son is a big fan of pigs and I heard a pig plays a starring part in it.

 

[thestevied]

Behavior and sounds of a monkey. He search were Was My tail and The photopass photographer Was not happy because i start him lol!

Excuse My poor english, it's not My first langage (in fact i speak french)

Tres bien

 

[DisneyGeekyParadise]

Don't they still have an animal show, It Started With a Mouse? My son is a big fan of pigs and I heard a pig plays a starring part in it.

I don't believe so. If he's a big fan of pigs, he may want to check out

Don't they still have an animal show, It Started With a Mouse? My son is a big fan of pigs and I heard a pig plays a starring part in it.

not that I know of. I will check for you!

 

[squeezle]

I love seeing the Tamarin monkeys on the pathway from the train to the building. They have so much character in their little faces! I swear, they are straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. And I get to rest my feet on the train ride.

 

[msmama]

If you have a small child with you (or want to become a wilderness explorer yourself) there are several wilderness explorer stamps to get there.

We'd never consider skipping it even though we don't really do much while there. AK is my least favorite park, I find the whole thing kind of claustrophobic feeling, but Rafiki's is one of my favorite things there. It's usually cool and quiet and not that crowded. Also (may be a good or bad thing) the CM's there will REALLY talk to you if you ask questions.

 

[ZoZo]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I love Conservation Station/Planet Watch! [A disclaimer: I've been a volunteer at my local zoo for almost 20 years, so I'm definitely an "animal geek."] I find that Conservation Station has lots of cool information about animals, and if you take the time to talk to the zookeepers, you'll learn a lot. They even have staff on hand to talk about how they prepare the animals' food, and you can catch live veterinary procedures if you're lucky. (I even asked a CM at the front gate to find out if they were doing a vet procedure the morning I was there - she was able to radio over to find out what was on the schedule that morning!) One of my favorite things to watch is the program they have on the little "animal encounter" stage by the petting farm; they bring out several animals in shows throughout the day. I've seen owls, porcupines, hedgehog, and other critters, and they let you ask questions and see them up close and personal! And lots of times, they have animals you can even touch (like reptiles). For me, it's definitely worth an hour of my time.

Here's the listing of the things they offer, from the WDW web site:

Explore a wildlife conservation center home to animal encounters, interactive exhibits and a veterinary facility.

Go Wild!
Enjoy an in-depth look at animal habitats from around the globe and discover the expert care our park animals receive. Read More
Enjoy an in-depth look at animal habitats from around the globe and discover the expert care our park animals receive.

Through informative interactive exhibits and a viewable onsite research facility, Conservation Station invites you to uncover the mysteries of the wild—and to go behind the scenes of Disney’s efforts to promote conservation awareness.

Designed for animal lovers of every age, Conservation Station features more than 10 care areas and Disney-themed experiences, including:

• Animal Encounters Stage
  Enjoy fun shows starring a rotating roster of animals that offer an up-close peek into the habitats of our wildlife friends.

• Song of the Rainforest
  Join Grandma Willow for a 3D audio journey through a rainforest and experience the wondrous serenade of nature.

• Veterinary Treatment Room
  This healing facility—viewable through an expansive glass window—offers a unique look into the “hands-on” care of the park’s animals.

• Backstage Tour
  Spy many of the park’s most popular creatures in their backstage habitats using “animal cams” that you control.

• Eco-Web
  Discover the conservation efforts taking place around the globe and in your community.

• Nutrition Center
  Watch handlers prepare meals for the park inhabitants and discover the diets of some of the world’s most fascinating creatures.

• Amphibian, Reptile and Invertebrate Windows
  Glimpse tarantulas, scorpions, millipedes and snakes at this creepy-crawly spot.

• Science Center
  Take a look inside the lives of our actual working scientists as they study and learn about wildlife all around the world.

And, as can be expected, helpful experts are on hand to answer your questions and educate you and your family on the protection of animals.

 

[SirMickey]

I like it because of some of the characters who aren't always around elsewhere like Jiminy Cricket. But, once you do it, you should be good.

 

[DizDaD7]

As we are not the biggest animal kingdom fans and only tend to spend a morning there during our two week visit to the states, is there any real reason to visit rafikis planet watch? Think we did it once about ten years ago and remember not being hugely impressed. Any change since then?

I'd say Yes, but I love anything & everything...

Plus it's a nice train ride to & Fro.