While visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently, we noticed that the tarp covering the former Rafiki’s Planet Watch sign has changed. In fact, it looks like the sign that it’s covering has changed as well. Notably, the bump where Rafiki used to hang from the sign appears to be missing. Here’s a closer look!
Rafiki Removed from Conservation Station Sign at Animal Kingdom
To track the changes, we’ll have some before/current photos, showcasing the change in shape for the sign. While some of the sign outlines appear to be similar, it looks like Disney has removed Rafiki, and probably the Earth as well. Ultimately, we’d imagine that the corrugated metal base could remain, with an all-new sign reflecting the fact that Disney is removing references to Rafiki after dropping the Rafiki’s Planet Watch name.
First, here’s a look back at the sign before Rafiki’s Planet Watch closed for a Bluey takeover.
And here’s a before/current of the sign following what appears to be the removal of Rafiki.
A Name With a Long History
The changes at Harambe Station are part of a broader transformation that has been in motion for months. As we reported earlier this year, Disney has been quietly removing references to Rafiki’s Planet Watch across its website and in-park signage. The area originally opened as Conservation Station when Disney’s Animal Kingdom debuted in April 1998, and was later renamed Rafiki’s Planet Watch in October 2000. Now, more than two decades later, the pendulum is swinging back.
The Conservation Station name makes things considerably cleaner for guests. Previously, the area required some explanation: there was the Wildlife Express Train to board, then the Rafiki’s Planet Watch area, and then the Conservation Station building inside that sort of mini-land. The return to a single, unified name simplifies the experience considerably.
What Closed and What’s Coming Back
Conservation Station, the Wildlife Express Train, and the Affection Section all closed temporarily on February 23, 2026, as Disney prepares for the arrival of Bluey’s Wild World. The Animation Experience at Conservation Station closed permanently on the same date, and it will find a new home within the Walt Disney Studios Lot area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios later this year.
As we reported, Walt Disney Imagineering filed permits for construction work at Conservation Station in connection with the transformation. The Affection Section, while staying in name, will see its current animal residents replaced with animals native to Australia, tying into the Bluey theme. In the meantime, a limited-time character meet and greet with Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Goofy has been offered at Harambe Railway Station while the train remains out of service.
Bluey’s Wild World Opens May 26th
When Conservation Station reopens, it will be the home of Bluey’s Wild World, debuting May 26th as part of Cool KIDS’ Summer at Walt Disney World. While the new offering will debut for Cool Kids’ Summer, Bluey’s Wild World will stick around after the limited-time activation ends.
At Bluey’s Wild World, guests can take a fun excursion to Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where they can play and dance with Bluey and Bingo! Play some of your favorite games from Bluey episodes with a fun animal twist, like butterfly Keepy Uppy. Grab the whole family and snap some pictures alongside your Blue Heeler pals to remember this one-of-a-kind adventure. Plus, as part of your wild excursion, step outside to discover an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia!
The Harambe Station sign transformation we’re watching right now is one of the final visual steps in that changeover at the train station. A new Conservation Station sign, free of Rafiki, will be one of the first things guests see when the Wildlife Express Train begins running again later this month.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!