Rafiki's Planet Watch gets permanent, hands-on display

[orlpassholder]

Greetings all from the Geek Labs

Hopefully this wasnt already mentioned

Rafiki's Planet Watch Cast Members celebrated the debut of a permanent, hands-on display area at Disney's Animal Kingdom on June 24.

Once a collection of moveable tables, the new desk area features space for small display cases and touchable samples. The desk's low viewing level enables children to see the displays and interact with the Disney's Animal Kingdom Cast.

"It all started with a spider," said Cast Member Lisa Danforth. "A former keeper, Paul, and I would bring a small box with a tarantula into Rafiki's Planet Watch for Guests to see and get close to. From there, we started bringing out a table or two, which turned into several tables during special occasions. We'd display small animal skeletons, a sample of snakeskin, feathers and other things. The displays were always successful, so I kept pushing for something permanent. All our managers and Cast were really supportive in putting this together."

Lisa and Operations Manager Bill Cockrell lifted a ceremonial ribbon off the area to officially open the new display.

"Lisa really took the lead on this," Bill said at the ceremony. "Thanks to her and the rest of the Cast, we have a great new display that every Guest can enjoy."

 

[DarkMeasures]

Hmmm... too bad I would probably never go to that part of Animal Kingdom ever again.

 

[KevinPage]

I remember when they let you pet the donkey and had a few more animals to "touch" over there. I think it was still called Conservation Statino at the time.

Grandmother Willow's headphone thing-ey still gives me the chills (in a good way) when the bee is buzzing in your ear

 

[Imagineer]

Does anyone have a picture of the new display? I worked there on the college program and helped a lot with the movable display. I even drew a picture for Lisa to help drive her idea for the perminent display. If anyone has a picture please post it!

I remember when they let you pet the donkey and had a few more animals to "touch" over there. I think it was still called Conservation Statino at the time.

And by the way they still have the animals you can touch...

 

[careship]

My boys loved that when we were there in October. They weren't doing it in July when we went there but they were the next time. They got to pet spiders and snakes and skins and we spent a really long time letting them just hang out and learn about them. We spent hours there a few years ago also, they were doing exams and labs on a gorilla and the boys loved watching this. They sat at the glass and wouldn't leave til it was all over.

 

[DarkMeasures]

I remember going and they were doing surgery on an animal.... It was gross because you could see it though the glass window and on a close up TV.

 

[LadyDarling]

Does anyone have a picture of the new display? I worked there on the college program and helped a lot with the movable display. I even drew a picture for Lisa to help drive her idea for the perminent display. If anyone has a picture please post it!

I remember when they let you pet the donkey and had a few more animals to "touch" over there. I think it was still called Conservation Statino at the time.

And by the way they still have the animals you can touch...

I've actually NEVER done this part of the Animal Kingdom (though I've visited there several times) I've always heard that it was terrible and underdone. It's great to hear about something permanent and I'm now VERY curious about it. Is it worth train ride? When's the best time to visit this area?
Thanks in advance!

 

[DarkMeasures]

I've actually NEVER done this part of the Animal Kingdom (though I've visited there several times) I've always heard that it was terrible and underdone. It's great to hear about something permanent and I'm now VERY curious about it. Is it worth train ride? When's the best time to visit this area?
Thanks in advance!

Well it is not ment to look permanent, it is supposed to look like a backstage building for treating animals. Or that is what I always thought.

 

[Disneyfanman]

We made the trek once to what was then Conservation Station, and lost two hours of touring time for what was, to us, a hot sweaty walk to nowhere. My family put our hands up and promised to ourselves that we would never go there again unless Disney builds an E-ticket out there. We have been to the AK 3 or 4 times since, and chuckle to ourselves as we race past the train station.

I hope everyone else enjoys the "hands on display". Fill us in.

LOL!