Earth Day Every Day at Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Deep in the heart of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is Rafiki’s Planet Watch, nestled in between Africa and Asia, this area can only be reached by train. Often  skipped or overlooked by guests  for the more “thrilling” attractions, this location is perhaps one of my new favorites in the park.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch offers several attractions beginning with the Wildlife Express Train.  The only way in or out of  Planet Watch, guests board the themed train in the Harambe, Africa area.  Waiting is delightful in the quiet, less crowded, covered portion of the park made to look like an African train station.

Our family had fun looking at and pointing out to each other the ensemble of goods about to be “shipped out” on the train.  When the train arrives, guests sit in two rows facing outward.  The conductor mentions that you should keep your eyes open for the animals as the train meanders on its short ride past pens and holding areas of  many of the Animal Kingdom residents.

Among the animals we viewed was a young elephant, giraffe, and the mother and baby rhinoceros that have yet to be introduced to the herd.  This quick behind the scenes viewing was really interesting.

Once off the train, an outdoor discovery trail leads past cotton-top tamarins and an exhibit about backyard habitats, known as Habitat Habit. Young guests that complete a “scavenger hunt”  here to receive a stamp on their Kids’ Discovery Club Membership Card.  Guests receive a stamp at stations throughout the theme park.

The trail leads to Conservation Station and Affection Section.  Affection Section holds a small petting zoo of domesticated animals. Instead of feeding the animals, on the day we visited, young guests were given brushes and allowed to brush the wool of the sheep and goats.

My favorite attraction was Conservation Station with its great mix of fun and education.  At this air conditioned station, guests can meet some of the animal handlers, observe some animals, learn about their veterinary care, even watch the food preparation and other day-to-day activities involved in the care of the Animal Kingdom animals as well as other animals brought to the center for care.

We saw the x-rays of a snake that mistook a golf ball for an egg dinner, a sea turtle undergoing a medical procedure, and learned that the reason the infant rhino was still in the holding pen with its mother was that it had yet to be determined if the young one could swim.  I can only imagine those lessons!

The slow pace of this area is beyond pleasant after worming your way through the thick crowds and narrow paths of the other sections of Animal Kingdom (map).  With its dedication to preservation and conservation of animals, it is Earth Day every day at Rafiki Planet Watch.

Photos: Personal Collection

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