Rafiki's watch in AK

[psac]

Is this "ride"/part of the park good for two adults? We always skip this, but are wondering if it's worth trying. Any details/advice would be helpful. Thanks!!!

 

[PAcpl]

We are in the same boat, DW and I haven't done it yet but will check it out in a few weeks. It looks like it is perfect for a couple of adults. You can see some video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62HRfZeidOk

 

[PictureJumpr]

It is interesting, something to try if you have some time to explore it and have any interest in how they manage the animals in the park, or what sort of research/environmental-impact studies are going on there, or things of that nature.

(Sorry for the bad pun at the end of that last sentence.)

There is a petting zoo, and interactive exhibits, things of that sort. It all has a conservation theme, but it isn't dramatic or preachy.

We use it sometimes to kill time while waiting for Kilimanjaro to calm down or for fastpass times to roll around.

 

[aurorae]

The ride itself is a train ride through a relatively uninteresting area. You do get a glimpse of some of the behind the scenes animal enclosures.

At Conservation Station, if you arrive before noon you might get to watch a vet procedure going on inside the building.

Otherwise, it's nice but not terribly thrilling. You can wander around and look at a few things inside and outside. Like much of AK, one of the best things to do is visit with CM'ers about the animals.

And then you take the train back when you are ready to return.

If you are pressed for time, skip it. If you'd like to take a break in your day, go for it.

I sort of think it does for AK what Tom Sawyer Island does for MK.

 

[teach22180]

I spent over two hours with an animal-crazy teen who was enthralled to watch animal operations and talk to the CMs. I was in the A/C, so I was happy to wait for her; the trip was for her, so I came to terms with spending time there. I can't imagine going back, though.

 

[serene56]

i guess this is an outdoor exhibit?

 

[aurorae]

i guess this is an outdoor exhibit?

Both indoor and out.

The petting zoo is outdoors. There are some open air but covered things to look at right at the train station.

The vet facility is indoors. There are some displays in the same building.

There are also character meet and greets there sometimes.

 

[TheDude397]

I agree that if you're pressed for time it's probably not worth the effort to get there but my fiancee and I went to Rafiki's Watch on our third trip to Disney (2 years ago now) and it was the first time that we had easy access to a bunch of different characters. It wasn't busy at all and we got pictures with Jimminy Cricket, Chip and Dale, and a couple of others I can't remember right now. Then as we were getting back on the train we got stopped and won a mouse ears hat for Year of a Million Dreams... So we kind of have a softspot for Rafiki's Watch and will probably check it out again when we return to AK this May

 

[auntfrannie]

From a character perspective, it is nice because there aren't any lines. At least not when I've been there.

Personally, I think this is the most boring part of AK. If I were pressed for time I wouldn't make an effort to get there. I would rather spend the time exploring the trails and taking in the beautiful landscaping.

 

[palavra]

My husband and I really enjoyed Rafiki's Conservation station. There are several interesting exhibits inside. The train ride was short but a nice way to relax for a bit.