Animal Kingdom Hours

[luvdisney14]

Typically when does animal kingdom stay open later?

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I just read that AK hours in late March have been extended to 8:00 p.m. Previously, the closing time was 6:00 p.m. So, I would expect that the hours will fluctuate from month-to-month but as the parks get busier during spring break and Easter holiday, the hours get extended.

 

[luvdisney14]

I guess I’ll keep hoping hours change in May.

 

[emilyann704]

I've never been to AK and am hoping to go during my August trip - but right now the way I've planned out my park days the best time to visit would be on my arrival day. If I only have about 5 hours in the park (say 3pm-8pm). I'm not sure I'll waste a park ticket for that day. Historically, in the summer, has it ever been open later than 8pm?

 

[Tom_E_D]

I've never been to AK and am hoping to go during my August trip - but right now the way I've planned out my park days the best time to visit would be on my arrival day. If I only have about 5 hours in the park (say 3pm-8pm). I'm not sure I'll waste a park ticket for that day. Historically, in the summer, has it ever been open later than 8pm?

I don't know about "ever," but in the past year AK has only stayed open until 8:00 during the busy times. Last August, it was open only until 7:00.

 

[Tom_E_D]

I guess I’ll keep hoping hours change in May.

Last May had some 8:00 days but mainly 7:00 closings.

 

[luvdisney14]

Better than 6:00 pm. Do they ever have something show?

 

[TikiRob]

Dang... they are 8pm all of March except the week I'm there! I'm so sick of not seeing this park at night. At least give us an After Hours!

I guess that means at least they are not expecting the same crowds....

 

[leeroy1798]

Shortly after Pandora opened, we visited (in July) and were there after dark - if you've not seen Pandora after dark and get the chance, do it. It's amazing!!
We were there last year and even at 20:00 it was nowhere near dark so we must have been there quite late previously.
We're dying to see it by dark again but seems like Disney don't do that anymore.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Shortly after Pandora opened, we visited (in July) and were there after dark - if you've not seen Pandora after dark and get the chance, do it. It's amazing!!
We were there last year and even at 20:00 it was nowhere near dark so we must have been there quite late previously.
We're dying to see it by dark again but seems like Disney don't do that anymore.

AK’s hours have been reduced since re-opening in 2020. Unfortunately now, seeing Pandora after dark is not possible for much of the year as it’s still daylight when the park closes. Guests visiting from Nov-Mar are more likely to have the opportunity to see Pandora at night due to the earlier sunset time.

 

[leeroy1798]

AK’s hours have been reduced since re-opening in 2020. Unfortunately now, seeing Pandora after dark is not possible for much of the year as it’s still daylight when the park closes. Guests visiting from Nov-Mar are more likely to have the opportunity to see Pandora at night due to the earlier sunset time.

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Yeah, it's a shame - many of us from other countries won't get chance to see it again

 

[nursejackie]

Yeah, it's a shame - many of us from other countries won't get chance to see it again

Can i ask, why won't we see it again?

 

[leeroy1798]

Can i ask, why won't we see it again?

For us, a trip to Florida is a once every couple of years vacation. That's always in the summer and November to March isn't an option for us.
Not sure why Disney left this policy on place after COVID though.

 

[Duck143]

We're going in June and hoping AK's hours get extended to at least 7pm. I made a Yak and Yeti ADR for 5pm and we want to get in line for FoP at close (right now 6pm) That's cutting it close. I tried moving up the ADR and there's no availability.

 

[Simba's Mom]

To anyone who's lucky enough to get to Animal Kingdom after dark-be sure to get to Pandora. It's absolutely beautiful to just walk around at night. It's such a shame that Disney spent all that time, effort, and money to make it look like it does at night, then the park never stays open that late. I was fortunate enough to be there in late January once when it stayed open until 7:00, and as a CM in Satuli Canteen said "It looks like a totally different place."

 

[Simba's Mom]

Fortunately I found some photos.

 

[CarolynFH]

I love walking out of FoP into a nighttime Pandora!

Not sure why Disney left this policy on place after COVID though.

I've assumed it was because so few guests stay that late in AK nowadays - they come for rope drop, then make it a half-day park. OTOH, if Disney extended the hours, maybe people would stay!

 

[lew4949]

To anyone who's lucky enough to get to Animal Kingdom after dark-be sure to get to Pandora. It's absolutely beautiful to just walk around at night. It's such a shame that Disney spent all that time, effort, and money to make it look like it does at night, then the park never stays open that late. I was fortunate enough to be there in late January once when it stayed open until 7:00, and as a CM in Satuli Canteen said "It looks like a totally different place."

I second all of this. Pandora is an experience in the dark. We were lucky to be there in December '23 and January '24 when the park was open until 7, so we got a few good hours of dark on multiple nights during those periods. Pandora was the highlight for sure, but the rest of the park is wonderful at night too, especially during the holidays. And Everest in the dark is hard to beat!

 

[richsole]

Hi my daughter and family are going very soon. As my guests at DVC. Planning to see FOP and pandora on an evening during their stay. We realize that the park closes at 7. Anyone if there will extended hours last days of June, first few of July? Thanks.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Hi my daughter and family are going very soon. As my guests at DVC. Planning to see FOP and pandora on an evening during their stay. We realize that the park closes at 7. Anyone if there will extended hours last days of June, first few of July? Thanks.

Given that those dates begin less than a week away, my guess is they might but I would plan as if they are going to stay the same. Disney can change park hours up to and including the actual day so they’re never set in stone.