Animal Kingdom at Night

[TML2012]

I have read that there have been extended hours recently at Animal Kingdom in preparation for the new nighttime attraction coming this spring/summer. For those who have experienced Animal Kingdom at night, what attractions were open and what did you enjoy about the night time experience?

 

[GunnarCharles]

My last trip I remember we had an hour or two of Animal Kingdom at night before leaving to Magic Kingdom. If you enjoy thrill rides I know that riding Everest when its dark adds a whole new element that is really fantastic, especially if you have always done it during the day. Outside of that I don't believe we really did any other attractions but just walking around enjoying the atmosphere and street performers at night was very fun.

 

[TML2012]

My last trip I remember we had an hour or two of Animal Kingdom at night before leaving to Magic Kingdom. If you enjoy thrill rides I know that riding Everest when its dark adds a whole new element that is really fantastic, especially if you have always done it during the day. Outside of that I don't believe we really did any other attractions but just walking around enjoying the atmosphere and street performers at night was very fun.

Were the Dinoland USA rides open?

 

[HopperFan]

Dark is a whole different park, loved it!! Everest is great at night! I hope the new night time there doesn't become too bright and loud.

 

[kaybird]

Dinoland is beautiful, lots of lights; Everest (my favorite anytime) is totally awesome at night. All the pathways through the whole park have great lights that you have probably never noticed during the day, The walk way to TTBAB is filled with the little toadstool and keg shaped lights that glow colored lights from their sides.

 

[amg35]

The lighting is beautiful!!!! It's a magic all its own. The lighting and atmosphere alone is enough a reason to go at night, the rides and show will just be a bonus.

I LOVE THIS PARK!

 

[MissKIA]

We were there at night once, on a rare late opening. It is really DARK! I would imagine they will be adding more lights around the park, especially around the more tree'd in areas. It was pretty cool though and there was hardly anyone there!

 

[Disneylover99]

My kids love Everest in the dark. Personally I find it too dark walking around AK at night.

 

[amg35]

I certainly hope they don't add more lights, would ruin the atmosphere. It's not dark to the point of being dangerous!

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

I have been there on evenings where the park was open until 7 or 8 and it was dark.
I agree with other posters it's so different walking around at night. I liked it.
Most all the attractions were open with the exception of the Safari (It closed at 6p)
and Rafiki's planet watch (early closure as well)

When they have the later evening hours all the time it's my understanding most everything will be open and running including the safari's.
Possibly with the exception of Rafiki's

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We were lucky enough to be there on a night when it closed at 8 pm. It was lovely being there at night. Lighting was dim but sufficient and created a very interesting and pleasant ambience.

Everest is outstanding at night. Such a different experience. Loved it. Seemed scarier and more intense.

All animal exhibits closed by 5:30, including KS and the walking trails. FOTLK had a 6 pm and 7 pm showing. We did the 6 pm.

We had dinner ressies at Yak and Yeti at 7:30. There were still lots of people when we left the park around 8:40.

 

[tracynicole21]

Is there a general reason why AK generally closes before sundown? Is it because of the animals' schedules?

 

[jhaig]

How late will AK be open once the nighttime show begins?

 

[GunnarCharles]

Were the Dinoland USA rides open?

I believe they were yes

 

[TML2012]

How late will AK be open once the nighttime show begins?

Robo had a prediction on another thread that seems reasonable....

These things can be examined to reveal more information, just using logic and comparison to other WDW show practices.

If they intend to do THREE RoL shows AFTER DARK in the summer ("busy season,")
We know that
Show 1 cannot begin until 9PM.
(It's not dark in Orlando until 9PM in the summer.)
So, if the show runs 30 minutes, it would not be over until 9:30.
The theater would not be empty of guests until about 9:45.
The NEXT SHOW'S guests cannot be fully loaded into the theater until about 10:15
(and, that's not allowing any time for the CMs to CLEAN the theater after the first show, something that they DO at Fantasmic!)

Show 2 might be able start at 10:15.
Over at 10:45.
Empty theater by 11:00
Next group seated by 11:15?

Show 3 might be able start at 11:15.
Over at 11:45.
Theater empty at MIDNIGHT.

These times don't seem logical for a park that is not generally viable that late.

But, I do see that they could "close" DAK at 11PM and still run the last RoL starting at 11:15.
(They very often "close" DHS but start a last Fantasmic! 30 minutes later.)

If the show length is actually only 20 minutes (not 30,) they could move the start-times of the later shows
up accordingly.

But in a larger consideration, it's rare for Disney to start things other than at the top or bottom of the hour.

I could go on, but that's enough for one post.

 

[Regan117]

Does anyone know when they will be extending the hours permanently? The website says starting April 22nd, but in checking the park schedule and hours for our trip in September, all of the AK hours for that entire week are 9am to 5pm.

 

[AngiTN]

Is there a general reason why AK generally closes before sundown? Is it because of the animals' schedules?

Yes

Does anyone know when they will be extending the hours permanently? The website says starting April 22nd, but in checking the park schedule and hours for our trip in September, all of the AK hours for that entire week are 9am to 5pm.

No

 

[AngiTN]

I think due to the changes that are coming to AK it is really going to be impossible to say for sure what will be open when they extend their new hours.
I think it will be like all the other parks and everything that is normally open will be open.
Though they may still end the safari a bit before closing time.
They are working on the animals and training them to new schedules but I suspect they'll still want time to put those that stay out late to bed. But that's just a guess on my part

 

[Regan117]

I am not so worried about what is and isn't open...just trying to figure out our schedule for our AK day. If the park is open later, we probably will wait to go until after lunch. Thanks.

 

[agame2323]

this is a great idea. Keep people out of other parks.