I learned last week that Animal Kingdom would be losing a few key character meet-n-greets in December--namely, Jiminy Cricket and Pocahontas, who can currently be found at Rafiki's Planet Watch. (Sad, because this is really the only place where these two characters can currently be experienced in a meet-n-greet setting.) What I didn't know at the time (and still don't
know, as it is merely a rumor at this point) is that the entire area including the Conservation Station, Affection Section, Habitat Habit!, and the Wildlife Express Train may be closing as early as January to make room for the new Avatar Land.
It was originally thought that Camp Minnie-Mickey would be the casualty to the much-anticipated, film-inspired land of the Nav'i--with the relocation of
The Festival of the Lion Kingto another area in the Park--but moving the characters out of Rafiki's Planet Watch is a good indication that Disney has other plans. While I'm not a huge fan of the attractions that may fall victim to the expansion, I do think they have merit but have been under-utilized. The learning potential of the Conservation Station appeals to me as a homeschooling mom, but on our visits we have not seen much in the way of Cast Member/animal interaction. I would love to see Disney give guests a more intimate look into what they actually
do at AK. Instead, the CS exhibits have become rather static, without much CM interaction or views of actual animal care. (I'm not asking them to perform surgery on a giraffe in the viewing area, but it would have been cool to see them giving a turtle an exam...you get the idea.)
So, what do you think? Would you rather see Disney close Camp Minnie-Mickey (assuming they relocate
The Festival of the Lion King) or Rafiki's Planet Watch?
$19.96 (great for older kids and adults!)
$29.96 (includes microphone)
$15.99 (my girls love this!)
$19.46 (ditto on this one!)
$15.99
