Location: Rafiki’s Planet Watch (You will need to hop aboard the Wildlife Express Train for a trip to Rafiki’s Planet Watch.)

Description: Learn about the care of the animal residents of the park, conservation, ecology, and so much more. A great experience for guests of all ages! You will get a sneak peek into the animal veterinary clinic and see some examples of the very interesting cases that have been dealt with right at Animal Kingdom. The Affection Section is your chance to get up close to some of the Animal Kingdom residents such as goats and sheep. If you are a major fan of the animals, head to Rafiki’s Planet Watch first thing in the morning. This will be when most of the veterinary care is being performed, feed is being prepared and cast members are readily available to educate you! If you are lucky you may find Rafiki and Pocahontas! Other characters that have been spotted here include Tarzan and Meeko!

Average Wait Times: This is a relatively low crowd area most times of day since it take a train ride to get over here. It’s worth the time and the look- especially considering it seems the Wildlife Express train may end up closing for good and the land used for the Avatar expansion announced in 2011.

Melissa has created Chip & Company’s ‘Guide to Walt Disney World’ as well as chronicling her Disney baking (and cooking) exploits In the Kitchen. She also writes original articles about her experiences visiting Walt Disney World and finding Disney magic in New York. Melissa is a World History teacher and a bookworm. Oh & you should probably know she believes in fairytales.  Come follow her photoblog Picturing Disney and visit her Facebook!