Newly Re-imagined Animation Experience at Animal Kingdom
Last October Disney’s Animal Kingdom closed Rafiki’s Planet Watch for refurbishment. Since Disney hadn’t released any information regarding the changes, we made one last visit to reminisce all the memories made over the years. Surprisingly, when Rafiki’s Planet Watch opened back up, it included a newly re-imagined Animation Experience at the Conservation Station.
Our young budding artist was excited about this, since the original Animation Experience in Hollywood Studios closed quite some time ago. We stayed on property recently, and got us some Fast Passes for check out day.
I hadn’t seen any pictures, so we weren’t sure what to expect, as we traveled the train back to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and the Conservation Station.
We entered the Conservation Station through the main entrance, or at least what used to be the main entrance. Only to find out it’s now the exit.
I took the opportunity to pop into the restroom, and they still have “The Scoop on Poop” signs in the stalls! A nice added educational touch, don’t you think?
Now you enter on the left, past the merchandise area. We arrived so early for our Fast Pass, we decided to sit in on the session before, because they run every 45 minutes.
What’s New?
Instead of just having an artist guide your drawing of a Disney character, you now work more like the actual artist. What exactly does this mean?
It means you observe the animal you are about to draw. Walt Disney was the first to use this technique. For Bambi, he brought in deer for artists to observe details, posture, and movement. Even director of the new Lion King, Jon Favreau, continued to use this technique.
Our first session we got to draw Pumbaa. Animal Kingdom houses families of Red River Hogs, but they are not the easiest to bring in for observation, so we had to settle for learning more about them on screen.
With several screens, the artist can project the guided drawing for everyone to see.
In order for us to get back in for our Fast Pass, we had to go out the exit, and come back around to the entrance. Session two we got to draw Zazu, and meet Peggy Sue, a Trumpeter Hornbill.
Josephine convinced me to take a pencil to the paper, and I was quite surprised with my results. In the past, my creations had not been as good as these. I may be hooked now!
Our Thoughts
All and all, we were shocked to see not much had changed inside the Conservation Station. The upper wall had new painting for the Animation Experience. You can still view the animal caretakers through the viewing windows.
With girls who love to draw, we are happy to see the Animation Experience return, but we sure will miss all the special animal educational events throughout the year. Below you can see our last visit to the Conservation Station before the closure.
What If?
During the refurbishment, we did a little brainstorming of ideas. Thinking about what Disney could possibly be doing with Rafiki’s Planet Watch. The grand idea of this becoming a Zootopia experience was our favorite. Who else would have loved that??? I think it would be a perfect fit. Who knows, maybe in the future.
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Love the Zootopia idea! I haven’t been to Rafiki’s planet watch since the year 2000. I don’t even remember much about it. Looks like it has a great program if you love to draw!
Sounds like a lot of fun, especially the drawing
I love Disney and especially Animal Kingdom. Hubby and I keep saying that when he retires we are going to go back to Disney, but this time take at least one day per park, or more. It’s hard to see and do all four parks and really get the most out of each one when you are rushed.
What a cool experience!! Great photos too!
I gotta go here! Very cool. As a kid I was a big drawer.
Right??? I think it could be amazing!
I’m happy I decided to join in!! It was fun!
So true. It’s no fun to be rushed. Being passholders, we aren’t rushed, but still have not done and seen everything.
Thanks!! It really is a neat experience!
If you like to draw, then yes, this is a must do!!
oh wow! I haven’t been since 2013, looks like a lot has changed. We may have to go again!
This is such a cool idea. I had no idea that Disney had this event to learn about drawing live animals. I do like your idea to create a Zootopia experience. That was a great movie!
I think all my kids would really enjoy this…learning how to draw a Disney character! I’m so excited to check this out the next time we’re in Animal Kingdom.
I can’t wait to go back and do this. Thanks so much.
That would be so amazing. Yes!!!
My daughter and I did this on our recent girls weekend. It was a lot of fun! I remembered something similar years ago at DisneyQuest too. We drew Scar and both our pictures turned our really well.
This place looks like a ton of fun. I know my girls would love it.
Oh fun this is a a cool addition to that area!
Such a cool and alternative Disney experience…awesome that they cater to the artists among us…so fun!
I’ve never been to Animal Kingdom but now that I’ve read your post, I need to change that asap! I’m pinning this to my travel wishlist board for future reference. Thanks!
Oh my gosh, my daughter would LOVE this. She wants to be an animator when she grows up. I think they have something similar at Disney California but not this cool with the animals!
I am really hoping to experience this with my son who is a huge Disney and drawing fan. We never made it to this part of Animal Kingdom, but will make it a priority next time!
That’s Disney….Always changing!!
Happy everyone likes the Zootopia idea!! Maybe someday!!
Fun!! I think most kids would love it!
You are welcome!! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Hope you get to check it out!!
Awesome!! Yes, I totally forgot they did this at DisneyQuest too. I miss that place!
I know we sure had fun!
It really is perfect a fit!
Happy they cater to the artist, since that’s how it all began.
No way?? Yes, you must visit.
My daughter does too!! We like the added animal touch!
He will love it!! Hope you get there next time!
We haven’t been to Animal Kingdom in years. We need to go back soon. Love the scoop on the poop signs haha
It’s a nice added touch, right? All about education!!
one thing i love about a disney park is that they are always reinventing and changing and making the experiences relevant and meaningful to the current patrons. very fun to see it grow and morph.
So true!! Keeps us coming back for more!!
I’ve heard so many good things about this! Can’t wait to do it myself.
This is so cool, I want to go back to Animal Kingdom to check this out!!!
This looks like such an awesome experience! I will definitely have to keep this in mind for Payton!
We have SO much to catch up on at Disney World! This experience is something our youngest son would absolutely love. So fun!
Happy they incorporated the animals into the experience!
I hope you get to check it out!! It’s fun!!
You know she will love it!!
Is there such a thing as “catching up” at Disney?? I know we are never caught up!
I never knew they offered something like this! We will have to check it out next time we are there. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Interesting. I never would have thought they’d move this to Animal Kingdom. of course they make it work by drawing animals, but still seems like it should be at the Studio.
Happy to share!! Hope you get to check it our yourself next time!!
Yeah, I’m wondering how long it will stay there. Still hoping the Zootopia attraction will happen!! That would be so cool!
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