AK Extended Evening Hours - July 2025

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Extended Evening Hours for the first two Wednesdays of July have been scheduled for Animal Kingdom instead of Magic Kingdom. I wonder if this trend will continue.

 

[mamaofsix]

I think it might.

There are rumours that the new MK evening parade will start at that time, leading to the end of Extended Deluxe hours for MK altogether.

ETA: Reason being that Disney may try to do 2 runs of the parade each night, which would make Magic Kingdom's hours go late each night as it is. (example: parades at 9 & 11. Fireworks at 10)

 

[japanese maple]

I know for most others, they would not like this change. But we would LOVE it! AK is never open past dark, so in late October when we go, it would be open until 8, so a chance to see it after dark.

 

[Mtraynom]

I'm a fan of this too. We did AK extended hours last December, and we practically had the park to ourselves. Walk on in Pandora, it was amazing. And Pandora is gorgeous at night.

 

[Hubalorian]

I would prefer to keep MK EEH, and have AK replace Epcot. Or you know, just keep AK open until 8 each day

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

There are two issues I see with this AK plan:

1. In July, it’s not dark at 8 pm. The park is pretty nice after dark but this schedule won’t allow guests that experience.

2. The crowds at AK already decrease significantly in the afternoon. It will be less crowded any other day from 4-6 pm than it will be on Wednesdays from 6-8.

 

[5kidsmommy]

I actually enjoy the extended evening hours at HS when they have it. When they've done that we've been able to enjoy Fantasmic and then go ride all the rides. But I wouldn't mind AK just as long as they leave Epcot. It's our favorite use of EEH. We aren't the biggest fans of MK and don't even go every trip but our kids are grown and we just go as adults.

 

[japanese maple]

I actually enjoy the extended evening hours at HS when they have it. When they've done that we've been able to enjoy Fantasmic and then go ride all the rides. But I wouldn't mind AK just as long as they leave Epcot. It's our favorite use of EEH. We aren't the biggest fans of MK and don't even go every trip but our kids are grown and we just go as adults.

We haven't done an Epcot one yet. Why is it your favorite? I think we will like just "being" there late, to take pictures and stuff of the World Celebration area. Is Journey of Water open during it?

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

As an example, this Wednesday AK closed at 6 pm. The posted wait times for Flight of Passage hit 105 minutes in the morning but dropped to 20 in the late afternoon.

Extended Evening Hours will actually cause those afternoon waits to increase and make touring less efficient.

 

[5kidsmommy]

We haven't done an Epcot one yet. Why is it your favorite? I think we will like just "being" there late, to take pictures and stuff of the World Celebration area. Is Journey of Water open during it?

Epcot is our favorite park. We just enjoy walking around with less crowds. We usually do Remy and Frozen and then spend the rest of the time wandering. I believe Journey of Water is open, I know I've taken some nighttime photos of it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Extended Evening Hours for the first two Wednesdays of July have been scheduled for Animal Kingdom instead of Magic Kingdom. I wonder if this trend will continue.

I wish!

I'm a fan of this too. We did AK extended hours last December, and we practically had the park to ourselves. Walk on in Pandora, it was amazing. And Pandora is gorgeous at night.

Yes, Pandora is absolutely beautiful at night! It's such a shame that they did so much work to make Pandora as beautiful as it is after dark, yet so few guests have the opportunity to ever see it after dark. I was fortunate because Animal Kingdom was open one night in January until 7:00, and sunset was about 6:15. I spent that last 45 minutes just walking around in Pandora, soaking up the sights. Didn't dare take time away on a ride. So I'd love an Extended Evening Hours when we're there this September.

 

[Tatebeck]

If only they could expand and have the AK, EPCOT, AND HS have extended hours every week, with MK getting the new late parade. It would be nice to have something to do guaranteed late at night at each park at least once every week

 

[Tom_E_D]

Here's an article speculating as to why the Extended Evening hours switched to AK and whether the trend will continue: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/extended-evening-hours-animal-kingdom-summer-2025-through-2026/

 

[japanese maple]

Here's an article speculating as to why the Extended Evening hours switched to AK and whether the trend will continue: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/extended-evening-hours-animal-kingdom-summer-2025-through-2026/
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I hope they switch between AK and DHS every other Wednesday during October party season because then we can do both!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Does anyone remember, at least 10-15 years, that the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch and Rafiki's Planet Watch itself, was open after dark? I remember the park being open until 8:00 one night, but hardly anyone was there. Restaurantasourus was open as well. I'm sure I didn't just imagine this, so please tell me that someone remembers.
I wish RPW and the train were still open.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Extended Evening Hours for the first two Wednesdays of July have been scheduled for Animal Kingdom instead of Magic Kingdom. I wonder if this trend will continue.

The DFB update yesterday said Epcot would be pausing their extended evening hours which didn't seem right to me at all. (9:45 mark). While I think it's typical Disney fashion to close a park early then open it as late as it used to be but basically make it a paid option now when it used to be free, I wouldn't be bothered replacing MK with AK for a while. Replacing Epcot with AK would really not make me happy.