Yes Ma'am, Goats do eat paper!

[CastMemberDWA]

Alright this is a post to help out those folks who aren't from a farm, but enjoy visiting the "affection section" near the Conservation Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch.
Goats will eat/chew anything they can get ahold of. So - upon entering this area the cast member will remind you to hide your park maps "out of sight". The goats here are extremely talented pick pockets and "LUKE" who is large and grey is especially adept at his stealth skills of sneeking up behind guests and getting what is poking out of their pockets, or backpacks etc.

So here are a few FAQ and answers for you if you visit this area:
1. The animals are NOT pregnant..they have bulging tummies due to having 4 chamber stomachs.
2. No Disney does not provide goat feed....other petting zoos may but there is no food available for guests to give due to strict dietary monitoring and for the childrens safety. If the animals associate the guests with food they will run to you and over you for it. Please do not feed the animals. NOTE: do not forget about the paper rule...if you absentmindedly begin to read your park map while inside the "yard" you can expect it to be stolen from you by Luke or one of his buddies. Don't count your money there either...I have seen him eat $20 bills.
3. We have brushes to brush them with if you prefer....NOTE the animals do NOT like to get wet. Parents - please do not let your children dip the brush in the watering bowls, then the dirt, etc.
4. We have lots of animals available for petting....goats, sheep, donkeys, a llama, pigs, and a cow. Plus the animals on the presentation stages (indoors and out) can sometimes be pet depending on the species the keeper brings.

Also - be sure to go into the building to meet characters, see the other exhibits and definitely try the Sounds of the Rainforest.

 

[eeyore45]

I love that line!! Goats do eat paper!!

I truly appreciate the no feed rule here!! We have been mowed down by goats (Llamas are especially aggressive) at some petting zoos!! I'm glad this area is out there to educate, and to help the farm animals!! (and I will confess to being shocked one time - years ago - at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, a goat gave birth outside!! That is rare, as the zoo monitors their pregnancy and moves them out of the petting zoo, this goat was almost 6 weeks early!! and it was still cold outside/March I think - - and it was years ago, but ds never forgot!!)

I also love the inside area, it is a time to sit back, and relax, the sounds area is great!! Thanks for the reminder!! AK has so much to offer, if only we'd take the time to stroll!! (I cant imagine what that EE is going to do to the crowd levels!!)

 

[SueM in MN]

And, for people traveling with wheelchairs...
the old cartoons about goats chewing on tires is true. They do like wheelchair tires.
One of our funniest memories is the goats chasing DD's wheelchair to chew on the tires while she is frantically going as fast as she can to get away. After that, there was no way she was ever going into the petting area again.

 

[CastMemberDWA]

Ours love to rub their heads on the wheel chair tires! They look for the tage hanging from them (paper again!)

I have never witnessed any punctured tires though...since wheelchair tires are generally not airfilled.

ECVs aren't really safe in the area...and we do provide transfer wheelchairs if someone wants to go in who needs assistance.

Remember folks - if you need special services or help - JUST ASK! We won't always be able to help, but we are there to assist when we can. I think alot of people "do without" some of the magic that they could experience because they think their request may be too much trouble, or they are too shy to ask.

 

[MareSINY]

Ok this may sound like a very dumb question and I'm actually a little embarassed to ask. I've been to AK 3 times in the past two years and I've never seen a petting zoo. I know I've never done the entire park, it's always been very hot when we've gone and the kids (and adults as well!) have pooped out early.

Where is the petting zoo in relation to the entrance to the park? We tend to head over to Dinosaur USA to ride the dinosaur ride that's like Dumbo (I don't know the name) and we've also gone to see the Lion King show, but other than that we haven't done much else in the park. I'm going back in 12 days with my 4 year old niece for a few days, so maybe we can hit up the AK one day and check out the petting zoo, she's a big fan of animals and would love going there.

 

[CastMemberDWA]

AK is divided into "lands" of sorts.....(Discovery Island, Oasis, Asia, Africa, Dinoland, Dinorama, Camp Minnie Mickey, etc)

1. Go to AFRICA....On Map it would be in the 10 or 11 o'clock position
2. RIDE the train to Rafikis Planet Watch. (this is in the 12 o'clock position on map but higher up)
3. Get off train at the station and follow path to Conservation Station
4. The petting zoo is located outside and to the left of the building
5. Afterwards you have to ride the train back to see the rest of the park and exit.

Hope this helps.

P.S. I hear that alot....guests saying "we've been here before but never knew this was here!" They are always so pleased to find us.....AK is so dense with foliage that sometimes signage goes unnoticed I guess....and when you are concentrating downwards on your child or your feet many things can get overlooked. My tip....go slower...sit down and look around until you get a feel for the lay of the land. AK can be hard to do this (not like MK where you can spot the castle from everywhere)

 

[eeyore45]

Ok this may sound like a very dumb question and I'm actually a little embarassed to ask. I've been to AK 3 times in the past two years and I've never seen a petting zoo. I know I've never done the entire park, it's always been very hot when we've gone and the kids (and adults as well!) have pooped out early.

Where is the petting zoo in relation to the entrance to the park? We tend to head over to Dinosaur USA to ride the dinosaur ride that's like Dumbo (I don't know the name) and we've also gone to see the Lion King show, but other than that we haven't done much else in the park. I'm going back in 12 days with my 4 year old niece for a few days, so maybe we can hit up the AK one day and check out the petting zoo, she's a big fan of animals and would love going there.

We actually stumbled into it our first trip to AK - we were looking to "waste" time waiting for our FP Safari return time - a CM was standing under the sign and said the train was getting ready to depart... so dd heard train, and down the road we went... we had no idea either, but it was wonderful!! We also saw Pocohantas, it wasnt crowded, DD got some good quality interaction - but I dont think there is a "time" to see Pocohantas, its just one of those Disney Magical Moments!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

The train ride is much better now that it circles, rather than just goes out and back.

This was very entertaining CastMemberDWA, thnak you.
I better stay away. I mught accidently have some food held out in my extended hand for some little four legged creature -- er I mean for MY snack contemplation.

 

[CastMemberDWA]

The train has always circled... besides on the train ride you get to see the barns where the safari animals stay at night....

 

[Luv2Roam]

I recall being disappointed it went out and just backed up. Maybe something was up when we used it before. And then for years we avoided it -- until this last summer.
But good to know. Thanks again.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Not 100% sure, but I think when there is a baby elaphant, the train does avoid that area for a few days to give mom and baby some quite time to adjust.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Makes sense.
Once DH and I were at the San Diego Wildlife Park just an hour and a half after a baby rhino was born. By chance we were on the train that circles the savannah area as mother and baby were there. The baby's, skin was bright pink at the folds, and rhino color everywhere else. A 150# baby.

 

[CastMemberDWA]

That sounds feasible...if there is something going on at the backstage barns that the train could disrupt or that isn't "show quality" then the train ride I suppose could be modified to adjust to the need at the time. I have not experienced this since working there...but it is possible I guess. Hmmmm....will have to ask that question next time I work with one of the old-timers there.

 

[Jenny]

What's inside the building? is there a nursery? can you bring non-disney strollers inside of the building? (i say non-disney b/c the disney ones had to be parked outside of the train station in Africa. only non-disney folding ones could go on the train. we didn't bring ours but wish that we had since the walk from the train to the petting area was a bit far w/ our wandering toddlers).

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I was working trains in the few days right after the newest baby elephant was born, we didn't change anything about our operation.

Only in extreme circumstances would a train go backwards along the tracks while carrying guests. (a mechanical issue preventing the train from using the other half of the tracks would be just about the only thing)

 

[lovespoohbear]

i love going in petting zoos. my compainion just has to keep the animals away from me because they love my chair and clothes. i have had a goat chew on my clothes, use my foot as a head scratching post(that was pretty funny), open my backpack, chew on shoelaces and on my chair harness. i cant wait till december