Rafiki's Planet Watch

Rafiki’s Planet Watch is the backstage research, education and conservation center for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. With its many educational exhibits, firsthand encounters with animals and opportunities to see what goes on behind the scenes at this park, Rafiki’s Planet Watch truly epitomizes what this park is all about in just this one area.

To get to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, guests must first board the Wildlife Express Train in Africa, the only mode of transportation to and from this area of the park. This 1.2 mile, 5 to 7-minute journey not only serves as a means to and from this conservation-based area, it also in an attraction in and of itself, giving guests a behind-the-scenes look at an animal viewing area along the African savannah that houses the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction and holding buildings for animals such as elephants and rhinos. The Wildlife Express Train is an educational trip where you can learn more about how Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park cares for its animals and what steps they are taking to promote conservation in the world.

The educational experience continues with Habitat Habitat!, an adventure trail where guests get their first look at an endangered species, the cottontop tamarin, while also learning new ways of helping out our animal friends. At the end of Habitat Habitat!, guests come to the Conservation Station. This may just be one part of Rafiki’s Planet Watch, but you won’t be able to miss it with its large, colorful murals just outside the building’s entrance. Once inside, you will enjoy exhibits that include an observatory window to a veterinary clinic where procedures are done on animals, interactive conservation and environmental displays and animal cams that allow you to see different animals around the park at the touch of a screen. Animal experts are also on hand, as are some animals themselves, to educate guests on animal care and to answer any questions you may have about any of the exhibits in the Conservation Station.

While Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is so much more than what guests would find at a regular zoo, there is one area of the park that allows guests to get up close and personal with different animals, much like one would have the opportunity to at a zoological center. The Affection Section is home to different species of animals that are available for petting and interacting with. The featured animals are goats and sheep; among them are several species that were close to extinction, while other animals in the Affection Section include pigs, llamas and chicken. Take time to ask Cast Members about the different kinds of animals here, as there are several rare species that you may be surprised to find!

While some guests may find Rafiki’s Planet Watch interesting and educational, some guests who are merely interested in attractions only might not find that much use for taking time to go to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Whether you are one that is interested in seeing Rafiki’s Planet Watch or not, there is still so much more to see and do within the friendly confines of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. And, the only way to witness it all for yourself is to purchase your theme park tickets, which can be done at a discounted price right here at OrlandoFunTickets.com! We are your No. 1 online source for discounted theme park tickets, so whether you are coming to Central Florida to visit the Walt Disney World Resort or any of the other world-class attractions in the area, make sure your first stop is right here at OrlandoFunTickets.com, your one-stop shop for an affordable family vacation!