Disney's Animal Kingdom, Part 4
Rafiki's Planet Watch
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Rafiki's Planet Watch was originally part of Africa when it was known as "Conservation Station".
It was renamed and made its own 'land', at the same time Safari Village was renamed to Discovery
Island. It is
accessible by train (and a slow one at that), with sideway facing seats, ala Disneyland's trains.
Rafiki's Planet Watch is where Disney allows a small peek backstage, where the animal holding pens and veterinary offices are. (And you can take pictures. So I suppose that the backstage areas they show you are really onstage.) There's also a petting zoo, the obligatory environmental messages, and more times than not, Rafiki himself...
You leave from the Harambe station, arrive at Rafiki's Planet Watch, then have to walk another 1/4 mile. Whazzup wit' dat? Run out of track?
Conservation Station
The main building which houses the backstage vet areas, as well as other exhibits, is still known as Conservation Station. Otherwise, they'd have to tear out that excellent mosaic in front of the entrance.
Rafiki's Planet Watch - Conservation Station
Affection Section
At Affection Section you can brush a pig, pet a goat, and otherwise interact with some animals that want to be interacted with. Disney even provides a place to wash your hands when you exit the area.
Rafiki's Planet Watch - Affection Section
Rafiki's Planet Watch - Back to Harambe, Harambe Station
Asia
Welcome to Anandapur, the fictional setting for Disney's version of Asia. It's home to
Kali River Rapids (a river raft ride), and Expedition Everest -- Legend of the Forbidden
Mountain (what's with these names?), a unique and probably the most intense roller coaster
on Disney property. Of course, there's animal viewing areas along the Maharajah
Jungle Trek, and Flights of Wonder, an animal (mostly bird) behavior show.
A short crossing of a river (or a walk down a path from Africa), and you're in a generic Asian mix of Tibet, maybe India, maybe Indonesia...
Flights of Wonder
Flights of Wonder is a bird behavior and exhibit show. It's a fun show, but the show hasn't changed since it's opened, and it needs a new script. I'd point out that the guy who has to play the tour guide is a professional idiot, but someone would be rude and point and me and say at least he wasn't born that way...
End Disney's Animal Kingdom - Part 4.
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