Wildlife express train?

[petunia]

Does the wildlife express train at AK take you to the same animal viewing areas that you can walk to, or elsewhere? We have been to AK 10+ times and have never been on it, and to be honest dont even think we knew about it.

 

[CAS239]

Conservation station and Rafikis planet watch. You can only get to it by the train, you can't walk there.

There's a building with various animals like snakes and frogs, a vet viewing area where you might see an animal getting worked on, and a petting area outside.

On the train ride you also get backstage housing views for some of the animals like the elephants and rhinos

 

[calitripper]

Is it ok to just go for the round trip ride, not getting off at Rafikis planet watch?

 

[CAS239]

Is it ok to just go for the round trip ride, not getting off at Rafikis planet watch?

Of course. Majority of people get off but some stay on

 

[Thing 1]

We really enjoy the area, both with and without kids. Not a ton of stuff there, but it a great place to relax a bit and we really enjoy the educational activities and almost always get an ice cream bar there. Our now adult son remembers a trip when he was very young and they were doing surgery on a duck to see why he was not afraid of people!!!!

 

[AngiTN]

Conservation station and Rafikis planet watch. You can only get to it by the train, you can't walk there.

There's a building with various animals like snakes and frogs, a vet viewing area where you might see an animal getting worked on, and a petting area outside.

On the train ride you also get backstage housing views for some of the animals like the elephants and rhinos

In addition they have some Animal Encounters inside, just outside the procedure viewing area. Not sure if there is a schedule anywhere but they'll bring out snakes, birds, other small animals you can touch and learn about with one of the handlers.

And a meet and greet or two. I think Chip and Dale or out there. That may be all now. In past trips we've met Jiminy Cricket, Rafiki and Pocahontas out there but I think they are all gone/moved now.

 

[tlmadden73]

It's kind of a weird attraction.
It's a fun, short train ride where you don't see much but backstage stuff, and it takes you to an area that doesn't have much either besides a petting zoo and a building.

There are meet and greets there, which make it worth the trip, but just seems like a missed opportunity to have more in that area. I get the impression a lot of people don't go to it. (While I've found it fun to get away from the crowds and if you have young kids the M&Gs and petting zoo is nice (and isn't usually mobbed by people).

 

[msmama]

Is it ok to just go for the round trip ride, not getting off at Rafikis planet watch?

I have been on the train where they've made everyone exit, but you can always get off and then get back on. If crowded, you may have to wait for the next train.

Really, though, it's worth the walk to Rafiki's, even if you're only there for a few minutes. Rafiki is usually there if characters are your thing. Also Chip and Dale. Plus, I'm pretty convinced the bathrooms there are some of the nicest, most underused, bathrooms in WDW.

 

[calitripper]

That's sort of what I didn't want to happen because, my hubby will have a scooter, so no walking around and since we are an older couple with no reason to do characters we just want the ride. i supposed in the event they ask us to exit the ride I will just kindly explain.

 

[AngiTN]

If you have any Wilderness Explorers in your group you'll want to exit too. There are 2 or 3 badges to earn there

 

[pookybean]

We always go for a bit of relaxation. Train ride is not too long, but once you get there it is a great place to cool off and just sit for a minute. I agree the bathrooms are so clean and never crowded.

My favorite part are the sound booths with the storms (I call them the rain rooms...not sure of the official name). Go in, its dark with a soft bench, put on the headphones and....sleep. lol Not really, but it is a blissful 5 mins or so. My kids are usually good for one, then they go out and walk around while I sit for about 15 minutes. I will change rooms if people are waiting! Best relaxing in AK!

 

[BridgeBuilder]

We usually do it as a time filler. It's really nothing more than what you can find at your standard city zoo.

I'm just disappointed that they don't have kangaroos

 

[DizzneyDi]

There are kangaroos on one of the Discovery Island trails, but I know some of them are currently closed. Not sure if the 'roos are still behind walls or not.

We usually do it as a time filler. It's really nothing more than what you can find at your standard city zoo.

I'm just disappointed that they don't have kangaroos

 

[HopperFan]

It's called crowd control. Get a large chunk of guests to ride a train to nowhere; stranding them with a couple characters & petting zoo.

 

[BridgeBuilder]

There are kangaroos on one of the Discovery Island trails, but I know some of them are currently closed. Not sure if the 'roos are still behind walls or not.

Wallaby. Not the same
Haha, the Kangaroo is my favorite animal

 

[HopperFan]

Wallaby. Not the same
Haha, the Kangaroo is my favorite animal

Disney says there are kangaroos and I've seen them as well.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/discovery-island-trails/

 

[BridgeBuilder]

Maybe every time I've been, they haven't been out or the exhibit was closed because believe me, I searched everywhere for them

Hopefully I'll have better luck next time!

 

[Quellman]

We really enjoy the area, both with and without kids. Not a ton of stuff there, but it a great place to relax a bit and we really enjoy the educational activities and almost always get an ice cream bar there. Our now adult son remembers a trip when he was very young and they were doing surgery on a duck to see why he was not afraid of people!!!!

My mother in law gets a chocolate banana every time!

We always go for a bit of relaxation. Train ride is not too long, but once you get there it is a great place to cool off and just sit for a minute. I agree the bathrooms are so clean and never crowded.

My favorite part are the sound booths with the storms (I call them the rain rooms...not sure of the official name). Go in, its dark with a soft bench, put on the headphones and....sleep. lol Not really, but it is a blissful 5 mins or so. My kids are usually good for one, then they go out and walk around while I sit for about 15 minutes. I will change rooms if people are waiting! Best relaxing in AK!

We don't put the head phones on, the mosquitos and the chainsaws ruin the otherwise relaxing nap we would have!

 

[petunia]

If you have any Wilderness Explorers in your group you'll want to exit too. There are 2 or 3 badges to earn there

What is a wilderness explorer?

 

[AngiTN]

What is a wilderness explorer?

Short version, a Disney Boy Scout/Girl Scout
Character from the movie Up
You earn badges to become an advanced Wilderness Explorer while exploring AK