Walt Disney World is an amazing place, but it’s also an ENORMOUS place. That’s why we’re here to give you The Disney Lowdown on everything your family needs to know to create magical memories that last a lifetime! Today, we’re talking about Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station. One of Disney’s main themes throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park is conservation and heading over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station really helps to reenforce this message. It is not only the conservation headquarters at Disney, but it’s also the veterinary lab and research/education hub, as well.
Many guests to Animal Kingdom don’t even know how to find this section of the park! Guests can ride the Wildlife Express at the Harambe Train Station in Africa to Conservation Station. This 5 to 7 minute journey takes you passed some of the animals’ backstage sleeping quarters and is narrated throughout.
One of the most exciting aspects my children loved was learning how to draw Copper from The Fox and the Hound from a Disney animator at the Animator Experience. Each class is about 25 minutes, and the featured character changes periodically. It truly was a great experience, and we will be doing it on our next trip to add to our collection!
Over at Affection Station, goats, sheep, donkeys, and pigs could not wait for guests to come pet and groom them. Kids of all ages will enjoy seeing the animals up close.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station have other wonderful and exciting features that are currently closed because of COVID, but are slowly reopening. Guests can glimpse the animals being cared for at the Veterinary Treatment Room. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see a procedure in progress! Guests can also visit the Nutrition Center to learn about the dietary needs of the animals and watch experts prepare meals for the wildlife.
Finally, if you have the Wilderness Explorer handbook, Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station should definitely be on your list. There are 5 badges that you will want to collect here. Kids of all ages will learn about conservation, animal nutrition, habitat, veterinary, and recycling by playing games, scavenger hunts, and earning badges all while learning from the knowledgeable Cast Members.
To book your Disney vacation, contact our friends at Mickey World Travel. They will make sure you have the most magical vacation, by monitoring your booking for future discounts, as well as booking your dining reservations and Fast Passes once they return to the parks.
Contact me today to start planning your Disney vacation!
Email: KerriT@MickeyWorldTravel.com
