First time Disney goer here! What type of animals do you see in the AK’s Affection Section? I’m trying to decide if it’s worth the trip there on our AK day. I have a 7-year old. She loves animals, but we live on a farm, so I want it to be more than goats and chickens that she can have at home
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It’s mostly goats in the petting area. There are a couple of donkeys too.
Inside there are reptiles and insects behind glass to view. You can also do the Animation Experience in there, it’s a fun thing where you get to draw a Disney character with a CM.
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And also one of my favorite pass time the Veterinary Treatment Room, where you can watch veterinary care and procedures. Check with the CMs before boarding the train to see if anything is happening at the Veterinary Room, if you are only going for that.
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Yes this is cool too! I’ve heard you can even ask at GS in the front of the park so you know what time to head out there. 
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Yes, that was the highlight of our AK trip - we loved seeing the bird x-ray. I like the train ride over there better than the MK train too.
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Check at guest services before entering the park 
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The Affection Section is, in and of itself, probably not worth the time and effort. But there are - as others mention - other things to enjoy over there that, in combination, sure make for a nice side quest in an AK day. I find it’s very low key over there as well, so it can be a bit of a reprieve when the park gets busy. I’ve seen a couple of veterinary treatments which is about the coolest thing ever, and I try never to miss the animation experience
Definitely think about it!
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Yes. It’s like the Tom Sawyer Island of MK. Guests seem to blow it off, so it’s a lovely reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the hottest park on Disney property. The train ride alone is worth it, IMO.
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One more plus for taking the time to go out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch (irrespective of the Affection Section)–if your child is doing the Wilderness Explorers quests. there are one or two badges to earn along the path.
I think I’d been to AK quite a few times before I ever made it down that way, and now I feel thoroughly disappointed if I don’t get down there when I visit AK. It’s a great part of the park for all the reasons discussed above!
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Oop that’s for sure! Good call out!
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The Affection Section may not be worth it, but DH likes the train ride there and back.
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The Affection Section was a “must do” when my kids were little and AK was my favorite park. That and Boneyard and Camp Minnie Mickey and the bird show helped to make AK a great park for little kids. (Though no strollers could go over back then.)
For a 7-year old who lives with all those animals I think my POV for you would be to include it if it fits and if the other items appeal to you. I’m not up to date on what they have out there. They used to have a “Sounds of the Rainforest” item. We’ve definitely waited too long for the train before.
(I always thought it would be cool to reimagine that area as Zootopia.)
I love the train ride! Sometimes you see animals in their barn areas - I know I got to see Ranger from the train before he was out on show!
(Fun fact: Ranger and Mylo are now at the Knoxville Zoo - they officially go on display there tomorrow!! Currently just an all-female crash at DAK.)
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