Rafiki's Planet Watch at Disney's Animal Kingdom (A Resorts Gal Guide)

Rafiki’s Planet Watch is an independent land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests must take the Wildlife Express Train from Africa to reach this section of the park. It is the only section of the park that’s not connected to Discovery Island.

Below, we’ll discuss the attractions and experiences available at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Other than the train, this area doesn’t have any rides. However, it is home to some unique experiences that are worth the visit for most. Rafiki’s Planet Watch opens later and closes earlier than the rest of the park. At this time, the land is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. So you’ll want to visit this area sooner rather than later.

Rafiki's Planet Watch entrance to the railway transportation sign

Attractions at Rafiki’s Planet Watch

The following attractions are part of Rafiki’s Planet Watch:

Wildlife Express Train
Habitat Habit
Conservation Station
The Animation Experience
Affection Section
Pollination Garden

Getting to Rafiki’s Planet Watch

To get to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you’ll have to take the Wildlife Express Train. The train station is located in Harambe near the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris. A large sign hangs over the entrance.

guests walking from the Wildlife Express Train

The train runs approximately every 10 minutes. So you shouldn’t have to wait long for the next one if you happen upon it pulling away. If you’re anything like me, you’ll walk up to a whistling noise as the train leaves the station. Timing has never been my forte.

a sign that says the last train departs at 4:30 for Rafiki's Planet Watch

The Star Railway sign above the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch.

Guests often don’t have a clue that they are taking the train to another destination. They tend to think it’s a ride and are surprised when it stops at an entirely different location than where they began. Of course, if you’re children have fallen asleep or you’re too tired to take on anything else at the moment, you are welcome to stay aboard and return to the station.

Guests taking the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch

The Star Railway is a unique train that faces sideways instead of forward. Each car has a front and back row. It’s a fun train that allows guests to take in the views of the surrounding area along the way.

the Wildlife Express train had half size doors that open and long rows of benches

Do you remember the first time you ever rode a train? Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think that many children have the opportunity to travel by train these days.

a closer look at the benches on the trail to Rafiki's Planet Watch

The train ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch is 1.2 miles and lasts approximately seven minutes. Along the way, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the backstage areas for the rhinos, elephants, and other animals seen on the safari.

a backstage area that guests pass on the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch

the elephant care area as seen from the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch

Soon, you’ll arrive at Conservation Station.

Habitat Habit!

After you exit the train, you’ll walk down a pathway to Conservation Station. Cutouts of Rafiki point the way down the path. It’s about a three-minute walk.

a painted cutout of Rafiki points guests down the path to Rafiki's Planet Watch

You’ll first encounter Habitat Habit and a Wilderness Explorer stop. If you’re participating in the program, you might want to stop and collect your sticker. We have a separate guide that discusses the Wilderness Explorer’s program. Years ago, this area was home to the Cottontop Tamarins, endangered primates. However, they were relocated to Discovery Island near the Tree of Life some time ago.

These stops have message boards about conservation and related subjects. For instance, the one below encourages you to find the National Park nearest your home. Who knows? A simple activity like this might encourage you to take your children to that park in the future.

a map of America's National Parks at Rafiki's Planet Watch

Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch

After passing through Habitat Habit, you’ll arrive at the central area of Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Conservation Station is the large building at the end of the pathway to the right.

a room that has cutouts of animals faces hanging from the ceiling

Conservation Station offers several activities and experiences, including

A Veterinary Treatment Room
An Amphibian, Reptile, and Invertebrate Windows
A Nutrition Center
A Science Center

a cast member working in the nutrition center at Conservation Station — The Nutrition Center at Conservation Station

Below is the invertebrate section. Anyone with a love for science or animals will enjoy exploring this area.

a glass enclosure with habitats for invertebrates at Rafiki's Planet Watch

If you take your time and look at each enclosure, there’s no telling what you might see.

a display window with more containers holding reptiles

What child wouldn’t want an up-close look at these giant bugs?

a closeup look at giant grasshoppers in a glass enclosure at Rafiki's Planet Watch

In addition to living species, Conservation Station has several display cases of preserved insects.

a bug collection on display at Rafiki's Planet Watch

Another exhibit shows how cast members care for the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This specific area is dedicated to nutrition.

a display that shows various kinds of food that are fed to the animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom

And here we have something entirely different.

a display that shows different stool samples from the animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Next is an area dedicated to reptiles and amphibians. We’ve been at Rafiki’s Planet Watch in the past when a cast member had a snake out. She allowed children who were interested to pet it and taught a lesson about how a snake sheds its skin.

reptiles on display at Rafiki's Planet Watch

I’m not a huge science person, but even I enjoy seeing what they have on display. You might see snakes, millipedes, scorpions, tarantulas, tree frogs, and other invertebrates.

an amphibian on display at Conservation Station (two toed Amphiuma) — A Two-Toed Amphiuma

Below is an African Bullfrog. He is tremendous. If you don’t see him here, you might see him at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.

an African Bullfrog in Conservation Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch

If you are fortunate, you might run into a live surgery or examination in the animal care facilities. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen this room in use. However, I tend to visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch later in the afternoon when things are winding down.

the veterinary treatment room and observation area at Conservation Station — Veterinary Facilities at Rafiki’s Planet Watch

If you’re interested, Rafiki’s Planet Watch is much more lively in the morning before lunchtime.

a video that shows an African lion quarantine examination that was conducted at Rafiki's Planet Watch — Veterinary Examination Room

Next to the surgery area is the Science Center. Again, you’ll likely see this place in action earlier rather than later.

the Science Center at Conservation Station — Veterinary Staff work in the Science Center.

A separate display is dedicated to butterflies. Like bees and other pollinators, butterflies are vital to the food chain.

a display case with preserved butterflies at Rafiki's Planet Watch

The Animation Experience

Rafiki’s Planet Watch also houses The Animation Experience, a similar attraction to the former Animation Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Animation Experience is offered multiple times daily and is a Lightning Lane eligible attraction. Each drawing class lasts approximately 25 minutes. The class is one of my favorite attractions at the park. You relax in a cool, air-conditioned building while learning to draw a classic Disney character.

Surprisingly, most guests can draw much better than they thought with a little instruction. It’s pretty remarkable. We have drawn a variety of characters from The Lion King, like Timon, Pumbaa, Zazu, and Scar. We’ve also drawn characters like Donald Duck and Dumbo. A Disney animator instructs the class and shares a little history about the art of animation while tying it into Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Simba Drawing at Rafiki's Planet Watch — Drawing of Simba

Affection Section

Rafiki’s Planet Watch has an outdoor area called the Affection Section. This area is a large interactive petting zoo with a variety of gentle live animals.

You might see goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, and cows.

a sheep at Affection Section at Rafiki's Planet Watch

goats and sheep at Rafiki's Planet Watch

Sometimes, you’ll encounter a larger animal like this steer.

a steer at Affection Section petting area

These little donkeys are cute. They are in an enclosed area but walk in a funny pattern over and over.

Several brush stations are available.

a bin with brushes for the animals at Affection Section area of Rafiki's Planet Watch

Next door to the Affection Section, there’s a little theater where they offer a Care Story.

a sign that lists the times for the Animal Encounter Care Story

If you are anywhere near the listed time, make sure to take a break to see it. Cast members bring animals on the stage and provide information about caring for animals.

the stage with benches for the Animal Care Story at Rafiki's Planet Watch

Rafiki’s Planet Watch Pollination Garden

Disney has quite a few pollination gardens spread out over its property. You can find one of these gardens at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

a sign among flowers that says Pollination Garden

Some information is available that discusses the importance of not hurting our pollinators, especially bees.

the sign reads the The Importance of Pollinators and Protecting Pollinators. It gives facts.

Lastly, Rafiki’s Planet Watch has a small gift shop. It is located in a covered space across from the Affection Section, right before you walk inside Conservation Station. Update: Unfortunately, on our last visit to this area, the gift shop had closed. This area is now just a vacant space.

plush animals that used to be part of Rafiki's Planet Watch — The Former Gift Shop Area of Rafiki’s Planet Watch

a small gift shop area that has closed — The gift shop at Rafiki’s Planet Watch sadly has closed.

Final Thoughts on Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a wonderful area worth visiting. However, you’ll want to remember to get there early enough to enjoy the offerings, as they close early. Guests who visit the area before lunch will likely see more activity than those who visit later in the afternoon. Unfortunately, Rafiki’s Planet Watch closes before dark.

We usually spend about an hour and a half at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. That includes the time it takes to participate in The Animation Experience, which is not to be missed.

If you are looking for similar experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you might enjoy these attraction reviews:

If you are interested in learning more about resort options at Disney, you might check out our Disney World Hotel Reviews. Some of our favorite options near the Animal Kingdom include:

In the Comments

What are your thoughts on Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Animal Kingdom? Do you plan to visit this area during your next vacation?