Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Did you know that Disney's Animal Kingdom is an active participant in Species Survival Plans for dozens of endangered animals? The role of promoting species conservation is something they take seriously, and hand in hand with other zoological facilities, wildlife organizations and government agencies Disney works hard towards rehabilitation and reintroduction of endangered and threatened species. Climb Aboard the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch on your next visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom for a closer look.

Wildlife Express Trains

The Wildlife Express train ride is a relaxing 1.2-mile journey that takes you past travel past animal housing enclosures and veterinary facilities, where creatures that call the park home obtain the care they need. Along the way the conductor shares a little about the experience you are about to have as he points out areas of interest. The 7 minute trip to from Africa's Village of Harambe is just the start of the adventure though as you disembark at Rafiki's Planet Watch. This special area of the Park is where you will see first hand the inner workings of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Here you can take part in educational activities that help create awareness of issues facing today's wildlife.

Interactive exhibits allow you to go behind the scenes of Disney's efforts to promote conservation awareness. You'll find informative exhibits for animal lovers of all ages, including some of the more popular creatures like the Cotton Top Tamarin Monkey. Along the trail to the Conservation Station you'll be able to gather ideas for creating animal friendly habitats in your own back yard too.

Curious Cotton Top Tamarin Monkeys

Rafiki's Planet Watch Includes:

• Veterinary Treatment Room: Take a peek (through an expensive window) inside one of the on-show treatment room, radiology (X-ray) room and clinical laboratory. On any given day between about 10 a.m. and noon you may find veterinarians conducting routine wellness exams, surgery, or other medical procedures on a variety of animals. Each afternoon, members of the hospital team are greeting guests outside the window to talk about what they do.




• Backstage Tour: View many of the park's most popular creatures in their backstage habitats using "animal cams" that you control.




• Nutrition Center: Handlers prepare nutritious meals for the park inhabitants. You can discover the diets of some of the world's most fascinating creatures and learn how Disney makes sure that they're eating for optimum health.




• Nursery: This is the place to go to see the newest members of the Park menagerie! Subject to availability of course. When the littlest animals need a little tender loving care they'll find it in this space designed exclusively for baby animals.




• Character Meet 'n Greet: Pocahontas, Jiminy Cricket, and Rafiki have all been known to stop by for some fun photo ops. It's the perfect spot for some character interaction without fighting through crowds.




• and much more!

  
  

  You Never Know Who's Due for a Check Up
  

  It's easy to get focused on rides and excitement when visiting a Disney Park, but here you remember that Disney's Animal Kingdom is so much more. This Park is dedicated to Wildlife Conservation and as a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, Disney Animal Programs support the rescue and rehabilitation of hundreds of injured and orphaned animals each year, as well as taking excellent care of the parks residents. The cutting edge facilities, and ground breaking research that goes on here truly makes the world a better place.

  Have you taken the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch? What was going on when you were there? Leave a comment below and let us know what you thought!
  

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  *Please note that some animal experiences are subject to change without notice depending on the needs of the facility.