Animal Kingdom at Night? Limited attractions?

[WDWOswald]

I am not a huge fan of animal kingdom at 2 pm in the heat. I love the park, but I have never had the chance to be there after sunset. The calendar shows the park closing at 9:30 pm now. That being said, if we were to arrive at about 5 pm, would it be possible to still see most of the animals and ride most of the rides? I want to go to rivers of light but it depends on how long the standby line is. We will have our three year old with us and I'm not sure how rivers of light will go with him- he could have a meltdown trying to wait in in line that long.

Anyways, looking for anyone to describe their experiences at AK with the extended park hours! Thanks.

 

[wilkeliza]

We have been on nights where it was open that late. The safari is open but it is so dark the later the night goes that you don't see much. I would FP that around 5. Then since your little one is probably not big enough for dino or everest get a FP for dino for the other adult and a FP for everest for you and use rider swap to get the other a FP. That leaves you final slot for Pandora (if it is open). You can either all do Navi River as your final FP and standby/riderswap banshee or one of you do Navi river with the 3 year old and another do standby and another adult do the Banshee ride and get the addition fast pass through rider swap. I would think you could get everything pretty much done and still possibly catch a late rivers of light.

 

[Hopefully]

The 2 animal walking trails are closed. Flights of Wonder is closed.
Those are both big AK attractions for us

 

[ryukage]

We saw RoL two weeks ago (great by the way, unless you're hoping to see popular Disney characters). There was very little in terms of animal viewing by the time we got to the park at 8, but stuff like Festival of the Lion King sometimes has shows past the old closing times, like 6 or 7 pm. Even the kids' Boneyard is closed by the early evening. Otherwise, it's thrill rides and a "sunset" safari.

If at all possible, get a FP for RoL or do the RoL Dining Package. A nice dinner could really make better use of your time in the park.

 

[WDWOswald]

Thanks for the input. We are going next week so world of pandora won't be open. How bad is the line for rivers of light?

 

[WEDWDW]

You'll LOVE "DAK After Dark"-it is the prettiest Park at night IMHO.

Discovery Island Carnivale is fun if you like to dance!


Courtesy Of OTPN

 

[Klayfish]

We enjoy AK after 5pm. A sunset safari is really cool, literally and figuratively...better than the heat of the daytime. Yes, a few of the shows and walking paths are closed, but there is still plenty to do. Many of the rides are still open. I haven't seen RoL, but can't wait to see it. The street festivals are pretty fun, your three year old may like those.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Thanks for the input. We are going next week so world of pandora won't be open. How bad is the line for rivers of light?

It's been a bit inconsistent from what I've heard. But, not insane. I will say, it LOOKS insane each time. But, when I went a few weeks ago, they had people in a seated pretty easily before the posted showtime. I will say having a treat or small activity helps pass the time. I was on my own, had a FP (which was a crazy line) and grabbed a beer near EE and rebooked my FP's for the next day. Was pretty simple. I saw several families with small children doing the same with ice cream and either Wilderness Explorer's guide, park maps for another park or phone game.

With that, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend the park at night. As others have said, it's beautiful. The carinvale is very fun, the tree projections are great and there is just a unique atmosphere. The safari is great both during the day and at night. But, for little ones, I may suggest the day version - since it can be difficult picking out the animals in the dark (part of the fun, honestly). Arriving at 5:00pm should let you hit one or both of the trails.

 

[Branflakes]

It is really beautiful after dark. unlike All other parks. The Tree of Life Awakenings is really neat! Worth a few hours in the evening. It's super low key and relaxed imo. Even with all the stuff going on. It's become a must do for us.

 

[Tigger1965]

I can't wait to see the AK at night! Thanks for posting the park hours pamphlet....gives an idea what attractions will be open with the later hours so I can plan accordingly.

 

[WEDWDW]

View attachment 232166 It is really beautiful after dark. unlike All other parks. The Tree of Life Awakenings is really neat! Worth a few hours in the evening. It's super low key and relaxed imo. Even with all the stuff going on. It's become a must do for us.

And NOW is the time to enjoy "DAK After Dark"-once Pandora opens the nights will be SLAMMED!

 

[Branflakes]

And NOW is the time to enjoy "DAK After Dark"-once Pandora opens the nights will be SLAMMED!

Completely agree. We are doing passholder preview on 5/13, and I'm excited and feel super lucky to see it before the masses take over!

 

[iheartbelle87]

DH and I will be there on opening day (kind of scared about all crowds! Haha!) is Kali River Rapids open later?

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I think there is plenty to do even with a 3yr old. It is very pretty in the evning. And it will definitely be better temps!

 

[barbliny]

A ride on the Safari right around sunset brings a look at a whole lot of different animals. Yes, when I booked FP+ on my notes was the time of sunset for the week we are there (and back in January).

When we last did it almost all of the lions were awake and moving about - and a couple of roars. A lot of the animals that hang out in the water even early in the morning were stirring. I think we definitely saw less animals, but different ones than during the morning trips.

 

[stinkpickle]

Expedition Everest is a must-do experience after dark, so definitely single rider that (or FP+) while you swap turns with the youngster.

 

[WEDWDW]

DH and I will be there on opening day (kind of scared about all crowds! Haha!) is Kali River Rapids open later?

Kali closes with the Park-it is awesome after dark.

 

[iheartbelle87]

Awesome! Thank you!! It was closed when I was there in January and its one of my favorites! haha!! IDK why I just love it!

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

We did the Kilimanjaro safari after dark. Although you couldn't really see some of the animals, others were more active at night. As we approached where the lions are kept, we could here the male lion calling out in the night. It kind of makes the hair stand up on your arms to hear that sound coming out of the darkness. As we rounded the corner we could see him on top of the hill calling out. Very cool. It was a different experience for us at night.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I'm going to AK at night for the first time this evening, and I'm reading this thread with my morning coffee and getting very excited!