AK at Night?

[Mewissy]

During each of our past visits (September visits), AK always closed early evening. Now, as I try to catch-up on all that has changed, I've seen things about AK being open at night. So, a few questions...

What time is AK usually open until? We're going again in September 2020.

Is there a mad rush to leave after Rivers of Light - like at MK and EPCOT after fireworks/show?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hours can vary, but FWIW, DAK closed at a mix of 9 and 9:30pm closing times this past September. The year before that it was mostly 8 and 8:30pm closings. The year before that it was mostly 9 and 9:30pm closings.

 

[photo_chick]

We didn't experience a mad rush to leave.

I will say, you absolutely must ride Kilimanjaro Safari at night. I though my son was crazy when he wanted to, but it was really awesome.

 

[gharter]

I haven't noticed a big rush at closing (nothing like MK). There usually isn't that big of a crowd for RoL. Not sure i've ever seen it full (unlike Fantasmic).
Pandora at night is well worth seeing.
have not done the safari at night, yet.

 

[scooterD]

We didn't experience a mad rush to leave.

I will say, you absolutely must ride Kilimanjaro Safari at night. I though my son was crazy when he wanted to, but it was really awesome.

Yes to this! We rode it Friday night and the difference between that and daytime is amazing!!! So much fun not being able to see a thing. And the sun was setting as we went up the lift hill and it was stunning!

 

[grannyminnie]

So if you can't see anything, why ride the safari??

 

[Meglen]

So if you can't see anything, why ride the safari??

I think they mean the environment. They have lights in the animal areas.

 

[Toolulu22]

We rode Everest at night and had a blast!

Busy in August, but nothing like MK leaving. RoL was not at capacity.

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

I think they mean the environment. They have lights in the animal areas.

Barely. Which is understandable. But it's still really hard to see any of the animals at night

 

[Wild4Walt]

We stayed so we could see Pandora at night. The park was open until 9P and we left just as River of Light ended. We used Disney bus transportation and were 3rd in line for the bus. We waited about 10 minutes and the question was full but not wrapping into the walkway.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Pandora is stunning after dark.

 

[ArielSRL]

Yes to this! We rode it Friday night and the difference between that and daytime is amazing!!! So much fun not being able to see a thing. And the sun was setting as we went up the lift hill and it was stunning!

So if you can't see anything, why ride the safari??

I think they mean the environment. They have lights in the animal areas.

I think he means Everest because he mentions a lift hill.

 

[Meglen]

I think he means Everest because he mentions a lift hill.

oh haha woops

 

[cgattis]

I agree—if you’ve never been in AK at night, you’re in for a treat. It’s beautiful! My only word of caution is to think about a dinner reservation somewhere if you plan to stay late. We thought with ALL the great new food kiosks, we’d just snack around for dinner. All that stuff closes at like 5. We ended up leaving a little before we wanted (like 9) because we were so hungry

 

[CogsworthTN]

We love AK at night. It is stunning and Everest is way better at night.

 

[Harambe]

I agree—if you’ve never been in AK at night, you’re in for a treat. It’s beautiful! My only word of caution is to think about a dinner reservation somewhere if you plan to stay late. We thought with ALL the great new food kiosks, we’d just snack around for dinner. All that stuff closes at like 5. We ended up leaving a little before we wanted (like 9) because we were so hungry

My plan is to ride the safari at dusk, then grab dinner at Harambe Market before we go to Pandora to do the Navi river ride. Are you saying all the kiosks close early, or do the QS places close early, too?!? That would be a bummer. Not really looking to get a dinner ADR here.

 

[cgattis]

My plan is to ride the safari at dusk, then grab dinner at Harambe Market before we go to Pandora to do the Navi river ride. Are you saying all the kiosks close early, or do the QS places close early, too?!? That would be a bummer. Not really looking to get a dinner ADR here.

We were there last June, with park open until 10 IIRC and we were walking around in the 5:00-ish time frame and the Market and all the kiosks were already closed. Do some research before you count on that plan. My daughter didn’t want Satuli again, although in hindsight we should’ve just done that (it’s quite good).

 

[loves to dive]

Just be aware even when the park is open at night, the walking trails for the gorillas and tigers close early, I thing sometime between 5 and 6. It is worth staying to see the tree of life awakenings even if you don't do anything else. Pandora is nice at night with all the lights. Not sure about the food options, we tend to go to Nomad lounge.

 

[grannyminnie]

Is the Tree of Life awakening done several times? That's one reason I wanted to be in the park after dark. Also I've never seen Pandora at night and have heard more than one poster say how beautiful it is.

 

[loves to dive]

Is the Tree of Life awakening done several times? That's one reason I wanted to be in the park after dark. Also I've never seen Pandora at night and have heard more than one poster say how beautiful it is.

Yes, it goes a number of times. If I'm not mistaken (and I could be) I think it's just a continuous thing, with different awakenings happening.

As far as Pandora, hmmmm, beautiful is subjective. I would say it's pretty and it's a different atmosphere than the day time. It can be very dark, at least for me since I'm night blind. It's worth walking through if you plan on being there.