Update: Rafiki’s Planet Watch is now expected to permanently close in October 2018.
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Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will reportedly become a seasonal attraction, according to a report from an insider over at WDWMagic.com. Rafiki’s Planet Watch is accessible by the Wildlife Express Train and features a fun petting zoo and the Conservation Station, which houses the park’s animal hospital.
If you haven’t visited, the Conservation Station is home to several interesting things, including an area where guests can watch medial procedures on animals from the park. Guests may also learn about nutrition for the animals. The Affection Section brings guests up close and personal with goats, pigs and other barnyard animals.
The decision to turn a large section of Animal Kingdom into a seasonal attraction appears to be a financial decision. Though tourism in Orlando is surging, Disney appears to be concerned by some of its attendance numbers and projections. Most of the cuts come in the form of entertainment being scaled back, but here it looks like the decision to make a chunk of Animal Kingdom seasonal has been approved.
Disney has not confirmed this report at this time. Stay tuned.
