Rafiki's Planet Watch is an attraction and area in the Africa section of Disney's Animal Kingdom. It has a backstory and setting tying into Kilimanjaro Safaris along with shared elements.
History[]
Backstory[]
Rafiki's Planet Watch is a behind-the-scenes look at the ecology and zoology behind Disney's Animal Kingdom. In-universe, the attraction is set in Conservation Station, outside of the port of Harambe in East-Africa. Said station is also themed to being run and/or founded by Rafiki, a wise and mystic mandrill who served as Royal Mjuzi of the Pride Lands. Guests take the, "Wildlife Express" of the Eastern Star Railway from the Harambe Railway Station to the station.
Development history[]
The area originally opened simply as, "Conservation Station".
Summary[]
Affection Section[]
Conservation Station[]
Habitat Habitat![]
Out of the Wild[]
Wildlife Express Train[]
Jungle Cruise connections[]
Kilimanjaro Safaris[]
A map of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve shows that the Wildlife Express passes through it.[1] On the attraction itself, the reserve is visible most notably via the lion habitat nicknamed, "Pride Rock". The Harambe Railway Station is also located in Kilimanjaro Safaris' setting of Harambe.
Wilderness Explorers[]
There are four stations for the Wilderness Explorers at Rafiki's Planet Watch.
Trivia[]
- The character Grandmother Willow from the controversial Disney film Pocahontas (1995) makes a cameo int he station's artwork. This might be a tribute to the defunct show Pocahontas and her Forest Friends which ran in Disney's Animal Kingdom.
- This attraction has served as a meet 'n' greet location for Rafiki, Jiminy Cricket, Pocahontas, Chip & Dale.
Gallery[]
