Rafkiki’s Planet Watch- Animal Kingdom

Well since we have already ridden the Wildlife Express Train why not get off at Rafiki’s Planet Watch (formerly Conservation Station) and see some animals! Now I have heard from many Disney fans out there that Rafiki’s Planet Watch is kind of lame compared to other attractions at Animal Kingdom, personally I do not think this is the case. First it is a lovely walk from the train to the actual Station. I have seen beautiful flowers and butterflies, cast members feeding animals off the path and kids enjoying exhibits. Then at the station you can go to the petting zoo, which by the way is really clean considering it is a petting zoo. But my favorite thing about Conservation Station is that forest soundscape booths. I love to sit in there after a long hot day at Disney listen to the sounds of the rainforest. Plus there are characters out there and since not a lot of folks often make the journey out there are not that long of lines to have your photo taken with them. I was able at the end of the day to walk right up to three characters and have enough to talk to them and take several photos with them. Make the trip out at least once you will enjoy it.

Characters at Rafiki’s Conservation Station

Yesterday I told you all about finding Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore without a line well they are not the only characters I just walked right up to during our perfect day at Animal Kingdom. For the first time this year Norwood and I decided to head over to Rafiki’s Conservation Station and see what was out there. We caught the last train to the station and walked to the petting zoo to see the little kids playing with goats and then went into the back door of the Conservation Station and began to look around. I am not always that observant so when Norwood told me he saw Jiminy Cricket I thought he meant one of the animals on display was named Jiminy. Then I saw them….



These three characters were all by themselves talking to each other and I was able to walk right up and have my picture taken with them. First off I do not think I have ever seen Jiminy Cricket in the parks. I am not sure how rare it is to see him but I was excited. And on top of it Pocahontas and Rafiki! Much like with Winnie the Pooh , Tigger and Eeyore we had enough time with them to joke around and take pictures. When I approached them Pocahontas asked me if I wanted a photo with all three of them or just one of them. I of course went for all three (how often do you get such a mix!). While we lined up for a photo I was reminded a Three Stooges movie. Jiminy wanted to hold my arm on the left but Pocahontas also wanted to be on the left so after stumbling around with how to arrange ourselves and laughing about how silly we all were we finally decided on the above photo. After taking our photo together I told them all how great it was to meet them all and Jiminy bowed and told me he was honored to meet me. Meanwhile Pocahontas wanted to know about my treasures (my pins). Rafiki was much more reserved and just wanted to get a hug before we went on to see the rest of his conservation station. I do not think I have had so much fun with the characters before.

Tomorrow I will tell you about another unique find at Animal Kingdom during my Perfect Day at Animal Kingdom.