Conservation Station
THE HUB OF DISNEY'S GLOBAL CONVERSATION INVOLVEMENT
Learn interesting facts about animal habitats around the world and in your own backyard. You'll even get a peek at real animal research, veterinary care and food preparation
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This is the hub of Disney's global conservation involvement. Learn interesting facts about animal habitats around the world and in your own backyard. You'll even get a peek at real animal research, veterinary care and food preparation. Find out more about the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, making a difference for wildlife and wild places.
You take the Wildlife Express to Conservation station where you will have a chance to interact with animals and also discover how to become involved in protecting wildlife and wild places.

Our visit to the Conservation Station, located in Africa at the Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, was a rewarding one, as there was something for everyone to learn about, see, and do. We first boarded a train with side-facing seats, and took a relaxing, scenic trip to the animal care and conservation facility, complete with a petting zoo. After arriving, there was a short walk to the area, and since we left our stroller behind at the train station, I carried my son, who was then not quite a year old.
Once we reached the facility, we first entered a building which included a "behind the scenes" look at the animals in addition to a variety of exhibits and information. There were different rooms which you could see into via large windows, which included controlled environments for animals and an operating room where the vets work their magic. I enjoyed catching a glimpse of the care involved, including a room in which food was prepared for different animals, and appreciated the information available which corresponded with the different views. The highlight of the experience was witnessing recently hatched baby birds, as they remind you of how fragile life is.
Next, and adjacent to the building, we headed for the petting zoo, where there were a variety of different animals to see and touch, from sheep and a horse to smaller animals like monkeys and a ferret. My son loved this part of the visit because he is fond of animals, and although he was a bit too young to fully experience petting and interacting with them, the big smile on his face and excited babblings showed us that he was happy.
I did notice that some of the animals were either relaxing or sleeping, and we could not get as close to them as we would have liked. However, I think this was due to the timing of our visit, in the hottest part of the day, right after their feeding time. I thought that there was a fair variety of animals to see, although I found myself thinking that there could have been a bit more, as the zoo is a bit on the small side. I suppose my stereotype of Disney is that they always have to be the biggest and best, but I've seen better petting zoos in my life. Also, you had to wait for some of the animals to be brought out before you could see them, and this was not convenient for everyone.
Aside from my criticisms, the experience by no means should be avoided, because it allows children to interact with animals they might never have seen before, and gives them an opportunity to learn about the care involved with animals. Animal lovers of all ages will enjoy the experience, and it truly gives you a sense of what the Animal Kingdom is all about.
I would recommend timing your visit to the Conservation Station in the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late afternoon), for the heat was enough to wilt us and leave us hurrying for shelter and refreshments, and it was only February! A hat, sun shades, and light dress (shorts and so forth) may help a bit, but Florida heat is enough to make anyone tire quickly. Bring along some bottled water, for you and the little ones. Oh, and you don't want to forget the camera, so that you can catch those candid moments!

I recently completed a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. I stayed off-site with a friend (at no cost). I visited all the (non-water) parks but took no children with me. All of my Disney World reviews will be written from this perspective. I will include this as the opening paragraph for all my reviews for informational purposes. Please forgive the repetition. The following is all original information:
Disney reaches it's politically correct zenith (tied with ItÕs A Small World in Magic Kingdom) at Conservation Station. The attraction is designed to inform visitors about the dangers of habitat destruction, pollution, deforestation, and recycling. Oh, did I mention this is where the petting zoo is too (a must for families with children)!
This portion of Animal Kingdom is only accessible by a short (but enjoyable) train ride to the station. Once you arrive you are led down a path to the main building that houses the propaganda, uh I mean, the attractions. Along the way visitors will see recycling exhibits and other eco-conscious sites. Once inside Conservation Station, you can see veterinarians working to save baby animals in actual live surgeries (ala Emergency Vets on Animal Planet). Different exhibits extol the evils of throwing your newspapers in the garbage and landscaping your yard. Don't get me wrong, I think the environment is an important concern for all Earth's inhabitants, but I'm not sure I want to be force fed Disney's political correctness while I'm paying THEM to be there.
I think Disney knows it could do better with Conservation Station. While I was there I was asked to participate in a survey which questioned my practices and beliefs about the environment (before and after my trip into Conservation Station). The survey also asked about my thoughts on the effectiveness of the Station, etc. I think (and hope) Disney will use the results of these surveys to redesign the Station. By the way, if you can get invited to take the survey, you should. It only takes a few minutes, but they'll give you passes allowing you to go to the front of the line for Kilimanjaro Safari and Countdown to Extinction.
Conservation Station also houses Disney's only petting zoo. The zoo contains the usual sheep and goats. The nice thing about Disney's petting zoo is that they don't allow visitors to feed the animals. This means you (and any children you bring in) won't be mobbed by the goats and sheep trying to get some food off of you. I know some other petting zoos I've been to, the sheep and goats are extremely aggressive (too aggressive for some small children I'd imagine). Also in the petting zoo (but not available for petting) is a donkey and some pigs.
Unless you (or any children you take to Disney) are a real fan of petting zoos, you may be better off skipping Conservation Station if you are pressed for time.

Conservation Station is located at the back of Animal Kingdom in the land of Africa. It has quickly become one of our favorite parts of Animal Kingdom. Here's our review.
Location: Conservation Station is accessible only by a train that departs from Africa about every ten minutes. The train is one-way in that you must get off and take a separate train back from Conservation Station.
Description: The 5 - 7 minute train ride (Wildlife Express) itself is your first experience. It gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the way the animals on the Safari are taken care of. You see many of the nighttime holding areas for the animals along with a back view of the Safari. It's really interesting and one of the few times guests can actually take a look at what goes on "backstage".
When your train arrives you disembark onto a nature exploration trail. On both of our visits there was at least one guide but for the most part it's strictly a self-exploration trail. It doesn't have much in the way of animals but does have a few interesting exhibits.
When the trail ends you'll be at the actual Conservation Station. Immediately to your left is the major attraction of Conservation Station - the petting zoo. This is not-miss for younger children. It's very similar to most petting zoos at major zoos but my preschooler just can't get enough of the animals.
Also at Conservation Station is a large building that houses some exhibits, a nursery for baby animals, and a rehabilitation center for injured animals. It's really hit-and-miss as to what you'll see. We were lucky enough to see an actual vet. procedure going on one time but on our next visit there wasn't a whole lot to see. Summary: I think Conservation Station is a worthwhile part of Animal Kingdom. For families like ours that have little ones it's a must-do. For other families I'd definitely suggest a look but maybe after you've done Animal Kingdom's other headliners or perhaps while you're waiting for that Fastpass time. Take a short ride from Harambe village, in Africa, on the Wildlife Express train to Conservation Station. This is the heart of Disney's Animal Kingdom's conservation efforts. Here you will learn the challenges both animals and humans face everyday to survive.
The center show place is a nature-inspired stage area where you will get to meet up close some of our endangered animals. Their handlers will be glad to answer your questions and help you learn what you can do to protect these and many more animals on the endangered lists.
In alcoves around this show place you will have a chance to view a veterinary lab, see the animal nursery, and see interactive videos. Here you will have the chance to ask our hosts and hostesses questions, speak directly to our veterinarians and animal-care specialists in side the lab and you might get a chance to watch an exam, immunizations and treatment for illnesses or injuries.
In Rafiki's Planet Watch you will find a giant world map. You will be able to see the ll areas of the world where animals are most threatened by the destruction of their habitats and the interference of human factors.
Then look through the Animal Cam, and see the animals backstage and in their habitats at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
The Eco Web computer will help you find out what you can do in your own hometown to help with conservation efforts and how to protect our environment.
Affection Section is where you can get a look at some of our domestic animals such as a goat, rabbit, guinea pigs, a sheep and even a miniature donkey. Then you can see some unusual and exotic animals like a llama, porcupine, aardvark and an anteater.
Environmentality is an attitude and a commitment to our environment, where we, "As the Disney Organization" activity seek ways to be more friendly to our planet. We are committed to making smart choices now to preserve our world for the future. We encourage environmental awareness among our cast, out guests, and the community. This awareness is not a new element for the company, it began with Walt Disney more then 40 years ago, in an era when it was not as fashionable. Through the years we have researched and adapted the way we utilize our resources and share the Environment. Today, in cooperation with the reedy creek improvement district, we use Environmentality wherever possible, through conservation, waste minimization, education, awareness and research.
Of the 30,500 acres at The Walt Disney World Resort, nearly 1/3 of the property remains in it's natural state as a dedicated wildlife conservation area. Here, dozens of native species and many protected plants thrive.