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Animal Kingdom’s Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station to close

Animal Kingdom’s Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station to close


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The Wildlife Express Train, Rafiki’s Planet Watch and the Conservation station Cast Members have been informed that the location will close.

The closure of Rafiki’s Planet Watch will occur on October 21.  The location is the host for Veterinary care, Doc McStuffins & Rafiki character meets, The Song of the Rainforest, Animal Encounters Up-Close Interactions, Affection Section and It All Started with a Mouse.

Doc McStuffins and Rafiki meet and greets will be eliminated September 29, 2018.

All these experiences, along with the Wildlife Express Train which takes you to and from Rafiki’s Planet Watch will close .  Rumors has stated that it would move to a seasonal operation, but that will not occur.

It’s possible that Rafiki could offer a meet in the main part of the park, but a new dance party is coming in January, so it’s unknown what will happen to him in the interim.  Doc McStuffins will continue to meet in Hollywood Studios.

Rumors have swirled for a while that the area could be used for a new Zootopia themed area.  That’s just an unconfirmed rumor at that point, but it does appear that the area will be redeveloped for guest use in the coming years.

Managers are stating that the area could reopen in Spring of 2019 after several months of redevelopment.

What do you think of this change?

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Rachel

Tuesday 25th of September 2018

We have two days scheduled for AK in June 2019 & I was really looking forward to taking my 5 & 3 year old daughters to that area. It looked like something they would love. This makes me sad that we won't get to experience it.

Gary Iscoe

Monday 24th of September 2018

Here is my idea. Zootopia section replaces Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom. The train that takes you there becomes the monorail, and they do something like Hogwarts express at Universal where through screens in train you see the city of Zootopia as you approach it. There, a permanent meet and greet with Nick, Judy, and other characters. As for the ride, I am thinking something like the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey where its a rollercoaster with on screen characters (4D) And you are solving a case, and it’s different every time (possibility of 5 cases). The script would be different each time, 5 different films and plots.

Food — Big Donut, Jerry Jumbeaux’s Cafe, Judy’s Salad Bowl (for the vegetarians) and Nick’s WildeTimes (for the meat eaters).

Sandy

Tuesday 25th of September 2018

Ooo I like that idea!

Andrea

Monday 24th of September 2018

Awesome idea!! Disney- listen up!!!

Connie

Sunday 23rd of September 2018

That's a shame. I don't visit the area every trip since I don't have little kids anymore but loved seeing the train go by while I ate in Harambe Dining area. I'll have to adjust my AK plan next week so I can go to that area one last time.

Melonee

Saturday 22nd of September 2018

Our family will miss the train ride and if anybody knows what I’m talking about.... the educational/informational pictures on the bathroom stall doors on the island.

Kimberly Barduca

Saturday 22nd of September 2018

When I went last year it was a nice break from the simulation of the rest of parks. A chance to touch some animals. We saw a female lion having her yearly checkup and she was just on the other side of the glass. You’d never see that in a zoo. I also got a great set of selfies with a random goat that decided to join the shot on the bench with my son and I. She posed, I’m quite sure. LOL

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