Saying Goodbye to Rafiki's Planet Watch | Walt Disney World

I took a trip down memory lane this week and visited Rafiki’s Planet watch before it closes tomorrow. I haven’t been there in years and my visit felt very nostalgic. Almost everything is the exact same from my last visit in 2011, perhaps a reason why it’s closing.

I forgot how incredible the train ride to Rafiki’s was! The behind the scenes look of the animals and their enclosures was thrilling because we got to see the new baby elephant and several rhinos!!

In third grade, I decided I wanted to be a veterinarian. Not just any vet, but a Disney vet. The reason why? Because of this zoo hospital in Rafiki’s Planet Watch. I remember being 8 years old and standing here for 2 hours watching a lion on the surgery table get his wisdom teeth removed. Several of our family trips to Disney there after were planned around the surgeries at Disney’s animal hospital.

Last week my love for this place came full circle as I lucked out on getting to see this bird get examined while under anesthesia. No, I never did wind up becoming a veterinarian, but my love for wildlife and conservation hasn’t lessened a bit!

Of course, it’s not a trip to this side of Animal Kingdom without stopping by the petting zoo! Growing up I was always surrounded by goats, sheep, and farm life so this area never interested me, but now that I have lived away from them, I loved petting these cuties!

Even though we are saying Kwaheri (goodbye) to the beloved Rafiki’s Planet Watch, there are rumors it will be getting a facelift and returning next spring! What would you like to see happen with this space? I would absolutely love a Zootopia themed land here!

Let me know your favorite thing about Rafiki’s Planet Watch in the comments!

Have a Magical Day!

-Abi <3