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Old 09-22-2018, 04:00 PM   #1
Straitlover
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Conservation Station & Rafiki's Planet watch closing?

I read over on the "other" board that Conservation Station and Rafiki's at AK are closing at the end of September. Any other confirmation that this is true?
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Old 09-22-2018, 04:05 PM   #2
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I belong to a Passholder FB group and yes, it appears to be closing 10/21. No idea what might be going in there yet.
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Old 09-22-2018, 05:56 PM   #3
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It's fiscal cuts. Several live entertainment options are ending, including the live dancers in Rivers of Light and the Streetmosphere actors at Hollywood Studios.
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Old 09-22-2018, 10:12 PM   #4
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Luke has seen it on several different boards, so we're assuming it is most likely true.
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Old 09-23-2018, 08:57 AM   #5
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What a shame. We seem to be losing more and more educational aspects of WDW. They will probably add another coaster that I can't ride.
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Old 09-23-2018, 10:25 AM   #6
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I read that at Kenny the Pirate but they seemed to hint that while it may be closing, it may actually be replaced with something else. Unless they can find a better, quicker way for people to get there, (the times we've gone it's taken forever and we've gotten stuck on the train too) I don't know if it will help any.
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Old 09-23-2018, 03:00 PM   #7
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I am very sad about this. I loved going back to the Conservation Station and observing the various animals get their physicals. It was very interesting and informative. I also loved riding the train back and forth.
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Old 09-23-2018, 08:44 PM   #8
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That is a shame. It was a great place to visit with some unique observing and hands on experiences.
I wouldn't have thought they would need to make fiscal cuts with the attendance rates DW experiences. Though admittedly I don't follow that aspect of DW.
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Old 09-29-2018, 11:19 AM   #9
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I read last night that it's not closing for good, but instead getting an extensive refurb and re-opening in Spring 2019. I am so happy!!
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Old 09-29-2018, 05:39 PM   #10
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Kenny the Pirate also reported that it's only closing through the spring of 2019. They didn't give any details however.
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Old 09-29-2018, 10:17 PM   #11
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I think we need to maintain more of the educational aspects of Disney as well. JB loved the Conversation Center and was looking forward to doing some tours that they were testing while we were on this past trip. [emoji852][emoji23][emoji20]

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Old 09-29-2018, 10:28 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Ashli View Post
I read last night that it's not closing for good, but instead getting an extensive refurb and re-opening in Spring 2019. I am so happy!!
Luke just read this to me. I'm another who is very happy with this.
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Old 09-29-2018, 11:24 PM   #13
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We will be going in May. I hope it is back open by then.
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Old 09-30-2018, 02:02 PM   #14
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That's great news to hear that the closure isn't permanent!
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