Rafiki's Planet Watch

[kirsangel]

Could someone please tell me what exactly is at the other end of the AK train ride. Will my kids (3 1/2 and 12 mo) enjoy it? Is there a playground?( I read this somewhere) How long is the train ride and can I put my stroller on it??

 

[laurenluvsdisney]

i'm not sure how long it is, but throughout the whole train ride you see nothing but wilderness.. you could probley fit a stroller in there i believe. Once you reach the other end, there is a petting zoo and somthing sort of like a science museum.

 

[Torontogal]

We went into the building and met Rakiki, Pochontas and Stanley from Playhouse Disney.

 

[sandy5764]

The train ride is about 20 minutes long. Like a previous post, you see a lot of wilderness along the ride, as well as the housing areas for the animals from the safari. You can definitely put a stroller on the train. The year my mother went she had an electric cart and it fit on the train with no problem. There is a petting area with goats, sheep, llamas, etc. There was no show going on when we were there, but there is also some type of show for kids near the petting area. The inside is more of a science area. They were performing surgery on a bat when we were there. You can watch the entire thing. They also have character meets with Rafiki and the like. Of course (remember it is Disney) there is a gift shop. It is definitely something children would enjoy spending time at.

 

[Mecha Figment]

also there is the animal mural which holds the most concentrated collection of hidden mickies anywhere in the resort. i belive the count is 35 but i might be mistaken.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

My kids enjoyed Rafiki's planet watch.. We got out of the heat on the ride to the Conservation area... it's was great.(had a quick snack while we were on there... fruit snacks.(which also gave DH and I time to talk and decide on lunch and the next part of our adventure since we had some change in plans because we were hitting everything with NO lines!!) It is alot of wilderness but it was nice to see the animal housing..and we even got a sneak peek at one of the babies when we went last August. Once we were there it was a short trek to the building but the scenery is gorgeous!!! Cool misting sprays for everyone to walk through!!! We meet Pocahontas, Rafiki and Stanley!!! The kids did enjoy the petting zoo..and oldest son got chased by a sheep! We also saw a surgery that day too.. I don't remember what off hand but my kids were intrigued by it.

 

[WDWNicole]

On my DS's first trip when he was 3, he was terribly afraid of all of the Disney characters, but he brushed every single goat in the petting zoo area. Go figure. At least he finally likes the characters now (and the goats)!

 

[snickerboo]

2 words: petting zoo. Yes, they're mostly goats but there are brushes for the kids to brush the animals and the kiddos were all squealing with delight.

PS: Don't have to worry about hand washing, either. Disney has a handwashing station with an attendant that makes sure everyone washes up after the animals.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

We went to AK a few weeks ago. First day we went we passed on the Planet Watch, the second day we went we decided to go..............wish we hadn't. Everyone is different, but my boys (5 & 2) weren't very excited about it. The petting area was ok, but the inside exhibits were a bit over their head. Unless your kids are very exciting about a petting zoo, I'd skip it.

 

[disneyokw]

Double check about the strollers. My family have seen that you leave your stroller at the station and pick it up on your return. But that might just be for the ones renting Disney strollers. I have seen cast members directing people some place to drop off their stollers. I have never seen an open stroller on the train. Only wheelschairs.

We loved it back there but we are all adults. We do the petting zoo and visit one goat Jasper every year since the park opened. That is our main purpose. Take a picture with him and see the difference from year to year.

 

[WDWNicole]

I know we took our stroller with us, but I think we had to fold it up.