Rafiki's Planet Watch is Now OPEN - See Post #296

[WIll C]

Wow, that's too bad. Will be the day we're in the park at AK though and were planning on visiting it.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

I feel like they are removing stuff for the younger kids and there is not a ton of stuff for younger kids there.

I watched a Touring Plans video this morning about the best things at AK for little ones, and frankly there doesn’t seem to be much. They said: triceratops spin (fine, but my nieces are going to ride Dumbo at MK); Na’vi River Journey (which looks fine, but I’m just not enthusiastic about Pandora); the playground at DinoLand (I’m not buying park tickets just to play in a playground - they can do that at home!); Rafiki’s Planet Watch petting zoo (will be shut); and the safari.

I’m not sure the safari is enough to make it worth visiting AK with them. It’s a real shame that they have removed one of the few things for young kids. As someone who likes animals and is very excited about visiting AK, I think it’s also very sad that they are removing something that has educational value and something to do with actual animals.

 

[Lovemytibetan]

Where will you be able to meet Rafiki have they said?

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

Where will you be able to meet Rafiki have they said?

Good question.

And where will I get those stickers for my, I mean my nieces’, Wilderness Explorer books?!

 

[lovethattink]

That's sad news.

 

[skramer100]

I know it's not your wording, but "seasonal" is such a vague term down here in FL.

Haha, so true. Living in South Florida I read that to mean closed in the summer and open late fall through Easter. Liked that spot. Looked forward to it this Christmas with my daughter. My son loves it so she probably will too.

 

[Jax1023]

I watched a Touring Plans video this morning about the best things at AK for little ones, and frankly there doesn’t seem to be much. They said: triceratops spin (fine, but my nieces are going to ride Dumbo at MK); Na’vi River Journey (which looks fine, but I’m just not enthusiastic about Pandora); the playground at DinoLand (I’m not buying park tickets just to play in a playground - they can do that at home!); Rafiki’s Planet Watch petting zoo (will be shut); and the safari.

I’m not sure the safari is enough to make it worth visiting AK with them. It’s a real shame that they have removed one of the few things for young kids. As someone who likes animals and is very excited about visiting AK, I think it’s also very sad that they are removing something that has educational value and something to do with actual animals.

There’s also both animal trails, the lion king show, which my kids both loved as toddlers, the Nemo show (long so questionable), and the bird show.

As well as the animal displays around discovery island and the trails around the tree of life.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I added more time for AK in November and planned on doing this. We did it when the kids were younger. I hope it’s open while we are there.

We didn’t do it the last two trips since the trips were in August and AK is so hot that we limit our time in the park.

 

[TD1516]

Does anyone know when it will reopen?
We too just watched a video with best things for little kids at ak.

Our daughter was looking forward to this.

 

[rteetz]

Where will you be able to meet Rafiki have they said?

Nowhere as of Sept. 30th.

 

[rteetz]

Does anyone know when it will reopen?
We too just watched a video with best things for little kids at ak.

Our daughter was looking forward to this.

It will reopen when they feel necessary. That could be never though.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I watched a Touring Plans video this morning about the best things at AK for little ones, and frankly there doesn’t seem to be much. They said: triceratops spin (fine, but my nieces are going to ride Dumbo at MK); Na’vi River Journey (which looks fine, but I’m just not enthusiastic about Pandora); the playground at DinoLand (I’m not buying park tickets just to play in a playground - they can do that at home!); Rafiki’s Planet Watch petting zoo (will be shut); and the safari.

I’m not sure the safari is enough to make it worth visiting AK with them. It’s a real shame that they have removed one of the few things for young kids. As someone who likes animals and is very excited about visiting AK, I think it’s also very sad that they are removing something that has educational value and something to do with actual animals.

Interesting...we took our son at 18 months last year, before Pandora opened. I’m surprised that Festival of the Lion King wasn’t on that list...it was his favorite thing in the park. We did both walking trails and the Safari. He really loves animals, so those were all hits with him. We did ride Triceratop Spin as well. The Boneyard was closed at the time or we would have let him play there. We also did a character meal at Tusker House. DH rose EE and I rode Dinosaur. We were there from park open until about 3 PM, I believe. I really thought there was plenty to do. This year, we are going to be adding the Pandora rides (FoP for DH and I and Na’vi for all of us) and hopefully some characters into the mix.

 

[Katie Dawn]

We are going next month and we were planning to go for the first time. DD8 would have loved it.
Thanks for letting us know though!

 

[Ydnameht]

That's so disappointing. I didn't make it out there every trip but I always enjoyed it when I did. The meet and greets with characters and with actual animals were great, the petting zoo was always fun, and the free tours they were doing earlier this year were great and I was hoping those would return in some form at some point.

 

[Tomh]

I watched a Touring Plans video this morning about the best things at AK for little ones, and frankly there doesn’t seem to be much. They said: triceratops spin (fine, but my nieces are going to ride Dumbo at MK); Na’vi River Journey (which looks fine, but I’m just not enthusiastic about Pandora); the playground at DinoLand (I’m not buying park tickets just to play in a playground - they can do that at home!); Rafiki’s Planet Watch petting zoo (will be shut); and the safari.

I’m not sure the safari is enough to make it worth visiting AK with them. It’s a real shame that they have removed one of the few things for young kids. As someone who likes animals and is very excited about visiting AK, I think it’s also very sad that they are removing something that has educational value and something to do with actual animals.

I think you are missing some things that many kids truly enjoy. Most kids enjoy Kali River Rapids (though it does have a height requirement of 38 inches), Festival of the Lion King, and Finding Nemo. There are two different walking trails that have plenty of opportunities to see animals up close. There is a bird show which is educational and entertaining. Navi River Journey is a beautiful ride, whether you like the movie or not. My kids enjoyed the safari ride as well. The awakenings on the tree of life are quite beautiful as well, though that may or may not be of interest for little ones.

 

[ArielSRL]

Even though I haven’t ever visited RPW, my DH loves the vet reality shows and thought seriously about being a vet tech when he was younger so I thought this might be something he’d enjoy - he has proclaimed AK his least favorite park (he’s only been to AK once and I did not plan RPW for that visit). Let’s hope it’s open during one of our future visits.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

There’s also both animal trails, the lion king show, which my kids both loved as toddlers, the Nemo show (long so questionable), and the bird show.

As well as the animal displays around discovery island and the trails around the tree of life.

This is a genuine question, as I have not been nor do I have kids: do you believe these plus the safari are enough to justify taking toddlers to AK? I will certainly go earlier in my trip, but when my young nieces are there, I’m not sure if it is worth the hassle, price, heat and crowds.

Interesting...we took our son at 18 months last year, before Pandora opened. I’m surprised that Festival of the Lion King wasn’t on that list...it was his favorite thing in the park. We did both walking trails and the Safari. He really loves animals, so those were all hits with him. We did ride Triceratop Spin as well. The Boneyard was closed at the time or we would have let him play there. We also did a character meal at Tusker House. DH rose EE and I rode Dinosaur. We were there from park open until about 3 PM, I believe. I really thought there was plenty to do. This year, we are going to be adding the Pandora rides (FoP for DH and I and Na’vi for all of us) and hopefully some characters into the mix.

The Festival of the Lion King was definitely not on the list, though it was a “Top 5”, so not a definitive list. I would have thought that the show would not appeal to toddlers, so that’s really good to know.

I think you are missing some things that many kids truly enjoy. Most kids enjoy Kali River Rapids (though it does have a height requirement of 38 inches), Festival of the Lion King, and Finding Nemo. There are two different walking trails that have plenty of opportunities to see animals up close. There is a bird show which is educational and entertaining. Navi River Journey is a beautiful ride, whether you like the movie or not. My kids enjoyed the safari ride as well. The awakenings on the tree of life are quite beautiful as well, though that may or may not be of interest for little ones.

As I say, it was a Top 5 video, but that’s interesting about the shows - it sounds like they would have been a good addition to the list.

These comments are all really helpful, as it does sound like there is still more to do there for the little ones than I’m imagining. I’m baulking at the idea of using a park entry day for a Dumbo knock-off and a playground, but it does sound like there may be plenty for toddlers to do besides that.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

It will reopen when they feel necessary. That could be never though.

Has there been any statement or info on why they are closing it? It is just not a popular area and not worth the operating costs of the train and keeping it staffed with CMs? It seemed like an interesting and unique part of the park.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

This is a genuine question, as I have not been nor do I have kids: do you believe these plus the safari are enough to justify taking toddlers to AK? I will certainly go earlier in my trip, but when my young nieces are there, I’m not sure if it is worth the hassle, price, heat and crowds.

DS was 3 during our visit to AK back in 2014. He loved AK. The trails, the bird show, the safari, TH lunch, meeting Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, the Lion King show and, yes, the Triceratops Spin, made for a great day. We didn’t RD, but had a full day. The train was operating, but the attractions at RPW were closed for refurb, so we just rode the train up and back. We didn’t make it to Nemo or the playground before leaving for the day. We enjoyed it. It was a nice change of pace and definitely held DS’ attention.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

DS was 3 during our visit to AK back in 2014. He loved AK. The trails, the bird show, the safari, TH lunch, meeting Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, the Lion King show and, yes, the Triceratops Spin, made for a great day. We didn’t RD, but had a full day. The train was operating, but the attractions at RPW were closed for refurb, so we just rode the train up and back. We didn’t make it to Nemo or the playground before leaving for the day. We enjoyed it. It was a nice change of pace and definitely held DS’ attention.

That’s great to hear - thank you! I think I will really enjoy AK, but I had concerns about my nieces. However, it does sound like it may be worth going after all. For some reason I thought the trails would be too much like hiking for little ones, but from the various posts in this thread, it sounds like they will be fine.