Five Things to Know About Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Rafiki’s Planet Watch is unique among the “lands” at Animal Kingdom. It’s a research and education center; a spot to learn about animal conservation, including animal care, and meal preparation. There are interactive offerings and animal exhibits. And opportunities to observe veterinary procedures and animal care as well!

1. You’ll need to ride the rails.

The gateway to Rafiki’s Planet Watch is located in Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. To get there, you board the Wildlife Express Train in Harambe Station and enjoy a brief – maybe not so scenic – ride. The 1.2-mile route runs behind the African wildlife reserve as it makes the trek back and forth.

Designed by George McGinnis, the train resembles older models used in Africa and Asia. That includes both the locomotive and the cars with the luggage piled on top. It’s yet another nod to the authenticity and attention to detail Imagineers build into their work!

One thing that’s not authentic? The sideways-facing seats that look out one side of the train. As you ride, you’ll see the nighttime enclosures for the animals you view when riding Kilimanjaro Safaris. On the return trip, you’ll see the backstage areas of Asia. Altogether, the ride lasts about seven minutes each way.

When you plan to make your trip, note the time. This land is normally only open from 10 AM to 5 PM, although the hours may be longer when sunset is later in the day.

2. You can have some hands-on fun.

As we’ve said, Rafiki’s isn’t a “land” like others per se. Turns out that for a place with no thrill ride or attraction, there are quite a few things you can choose to do!

As you leave the train, you take the pedestrian path that leads to Conservation Station. Called the “Habitat Habit!”, it consists of a small number of signs about wildlife and some animal exhibits. There’s also a statue of – yup – Rafiki! While park maps call it an attraction, we think that might be stretching the term.

The Affection Section is – you might have already guessed – an animal-petting area. You may find goats, sheep, cattle, donkeys, llamas, and chickens in the rotating population.

It might be that the most fun for the whole family activity here is The Animation Experience. Guests learn about the history of Disney animation, and everyone gets a chance to draw characters with the help of an instructor. Characters are often from The Lion King, but can be other animals like Bambi. To be honest, it’s a blast no matter how old you are!

Wilderness Explorers is a fun activity involving self-guided nature challenges all around the Animal Kingdom. For Wilderness Explorers, the Troop Leader stand is on the Habitat Habit! trail.

3. Some exhibits change from day to day

The Conservation Station is Animal Kingdom’s conservation and veterinary headquarters. You can meet and talk with wildlife experts, observe ongoing projects, and learn about the behind-the-scenes operations of the park.

There are several permanent exhibits, but the Station is also a rehabilitation center for injured animals. And it’s a nursery for recently born (or hatched) critters. It’s also home to the Nutrition Center, where meals for the park’s animals are prepared.

Injuries heal and babies grow up, so what you get to see at Conservation Station depends on what’s going on when you get there. Some days, the veterinary treatment room may have an animal undergoing some sort of procedure. On other days, there may not be anything to watch there.

4. Plans that didn’t make it and things that used to be.

The whole of Rafiki’s Planet Watch was called Conservation Station when it opened on April 22, 1998, along with the rest of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Not by coincidence, this date was also Earth Day.

The new park was very focused on conservation, so it seemed reasonable to include an educational attraction about our planet and animals somewhere in the park. Early plans had included a train ride through the Savannah, but concerns about animal safety derailed it. But the Wildlife Express Train remained part of the final plan.

As you might guess, given that there was no thrill ride to capture attention, visitor numbers were nowhere near what they were elsewhere in the park. So in 2001, Disney rebranded the area as Rafiki’s Planet Watch, hoping to tie into the popularity of The Lion King.

In 2018, Rafiki’s was closed; when it reopened in 2019, updated exhibits plus the Animation Experience were added. But everything except the exhibits has fallen by the wayside over the years. There once was a gift shop here called Out of Wild, which sold conservation-themed merchandise, but it closed. Another closure was Conservation Station Wild Snacks, which offered beverages and munchies. So if you plan to visit, bring along your own favorite snack and beverage!

5. Rafiki’s Planet Watch has a few secrets, too.

⭐ The entrance to Conservation Station has more Hidden Mickeys in one place than any other spot in Walt Disney World! Some put the count at over 100, while others say there’s a more modest count of 25 or so. You be the judge! (And let us know your count in the comments.)

⭐ The giant mural inside Conservation Station features over 150 animals, many of which are either extinct or critically endangered. Some were added after the land’s opening by original Imagineers who returned periodically to update the mural with new conservation concerns.

⭐ The Wildlife Express Train was built using narrow-gauge industrial railway parts imported from the U.K., specifically to mimic the look and feel of colonial African railways.

⭐ Underneath the Wildlife Express Train route is a hidden animal transfer tunnel. Cast members utilize this to safely move larger animals between backstage habitats and veterinary facilities without crossing guest areas.

⭐ Lastly, and maybe not so surprisingly, the Affection Section is the only petting zoo in all of Walt Disney World.

The Bottom Line.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch offers a chance to escape the Animal Kingdom Crowds. Because of its isolated location, fewer folks venture there, providing those who do with some peace and tranquility. For guests who want to learn a little more about conservation – plus a chance to pet a few live animals – Rafiki’s Planet Watch is the place to go.

Have you visited Rafiki’s Planet Watch? Is it on your must-do list next time? Let us know in the comments.