Animal Kingdom extended hours 09/2016

[KT0191]

With the earlier sunsets and much lower crowds I would be surprised if AK hours are extended further. We're going in mid-September and the hours were updated until 7:30. I wouldn't be surprised to see that be it and if they show JB/RoL that it be at 8:00. If they're showing it twice on nights when crowd levels are 7-10/10, I can see them only showing it once when crowd levels in Sept average 2-3/10.

Going in September we find that Park Hoppers don't work for us as the parks we wish to 'hop' to close so early many nights, especially the MK on MNSSHP nights.

Having traveled to WDW in September for a few years now, I wouldn't count on nighttime hours being extended any later than they are currently offering. It would be a nice surprise but it's not common practice, at least from my experience.

Exactly how I feel. I am just happy they were extended some! If they extend them more, then yay. If they don't, oh well.

WAY too early for those hours to remotely be considered "final".

I am well aware that it's too early for these to be "final" as I know they can change even the day of. Just discussing them.

 

[Day-Day]

With the earlier sunsets and much lower crowds I would be surprised if AK hours are extended further. We're going in mid-September and the hours were updated until 7:30. I wouldn't be surprised to see that be it and if they show JB/RoL that it be at 8:00. If they're showing it twice on nights when crowd levels are 7-10/10, I can see them only showing it once when crowd levels in Sept average 2-3/10.

Going in September we find that Park Hoppers don't work for us as the parks we wish to 'hop' to close so early many nights, especially the MK on MNSSHP nights.

Having traveled to WDW in September for a few years now, I wouldn't count on nighttime hours being extended any later than they are currently offering. It would be a nice surprise but it's not common practice, at least from my experience.

Hopping usually works well for us when we visit MK early on days with MNSSHP nights to take advantage of small crowds during the day. We plan to leave the MK by 3pm which is fine for EPCOT but even okay for HS or AK if they are closing at 7:30pm. We can usually get in a lot of rides at AK late in the day but I don't expect much as far as shows go.

Has anyone picked up any late dining reservations in September for the AK? I started checking as soon as I read this thread seeing that the hours had finally been extended for our dates. I have not had any luck finding an opening during the "new" hours.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

I'm super happy they extended them before my FP window opened as now I can get a FP at sunset for Safarri like I wanted and not juggle times later with last minute hour extensions. I'd love to know about a night time show but will be happy if we can at least catch the new Tree of Life stuff and new street performances. And now it looks like we can!

 

[TeresaWen]

I'm so mad about park hours for AK for our September trip that I scheduled a spontaneous trip for July too. Take THAT Disney! That will show them

 

[WEDWDW]

They will probably extend them again mid August.

Or,the way things are now,even LATE August!

 

[DebbieB]

I wouldn't expect 10:00 closings in September, one of the slower months of the year.

 

[WEDWDW]

I wouldn't expect 10:00 closings in September, one of the slower months of the year.

I'm thinking at least 9:00 PM though.

JMHO,but I think 9:00 PM will be the earliest DAK will close from now on(maybe 8:30 PM with JB/RoL starting then(like they do at DHS with F!).

I think it is important to remember that Avatarland(which they are "trying" to finish in time for the Holidays) will be spectacular at night and will be the final and most important "piece" of "DAK After Dark" so I just don't see any real early closings.

But only The Mouse knows for sure!lol

 

[Accident]

it looks like they only extended it to fit in with the show time so far... AK at night though is pretty dead and a great time to quickly ride everything. EE at night, sooooo good.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm thinking at least 9:00 PM though.

JMHO,but I think 9:00 PM will be the earliest DAK will close from now on(maybe 8:30 PM with JB/RoL starting then(like they do at DHS with F!).

I think it is important to remember that Avatarland(which they are "trying" to finish in time for the Holidays) will be spectacular at night and will be the final and most important "piece" of "DAK After Dark" so I just don't see any real early closings.

But only The Mouse knows for sure!lol

Avatarland this year?

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

I hope they at least extend it to 9pm. With a September sunset at 7:30pm, there is no time for darkness and the rides. And I soooo wanted to do EE at night and the nighttime safari. With a 7:30 close, that won't be possible. It'll probably just be the show at 7:30. And I don't even think it'll be dark enough for that.

 

[cindyfan]

Avatarland this year?

That was my reaction too! I didn't think they expected to finish until late next year??
And with no word on Rivers.... I don't expect anything later than 7:30p close for our trip in Sept. But.... it would be great if I was wrong!!

 

[WEDWDW]

Avatarland this year?

"TRYING"

 

[bpadair32]

"TRYING"

Im pretty sure that they are not even trying. From everything that I have read it is fully planned for 2017.

 

[Barbara76]

I wouldn't expect 10:00 closings in September, one of the slower months of the year.

When do you think it will be for December?

 

[DebbieB]

When do you think it will be for December?

I'm sure there will extended hours around the holidays. Before that, a lot may depend on if Rivers of Light opens.

 

[Accident]

Im pretty sure that they are not even trying. From everything that I have read it is fully planned for 2017.

I've been saying that if disney wanted, I think they could pull off a fall opening of it. From a what you can see perspective, the theming looks pretty close to done so it's really about all the other things that happen and how fast can they be put together.

I think we are going to hear a spring opening announced and the question is when will that happen. If they do that too soon then people will stop coming and wait for it. volcano bay threw out a "plan to come here instead" announcement not that long ago. Disney is going to need to counter with something that keeps them as the primary destination. Also many are seeing a couple of the parks (different for everyone) as not worth the time to visit so they can't let AK be ones of those parks.

 

[KT0191]

I hope they at least extend it to 9pm. With a September sunset at 7:30pm, there is no time for darkness and the rides. And I soooo wanted to do EE at night and the nighttime safari. With a 7:30 close, that won't be possible. It'll probably just be the show at 7:30. And I don't even think it'll be dark enough for that.

Same! I couldn't care less about a nighttime show. Yeah, it would be nice to see but I want to do EE at night, all of the carnival stuff and see the Tree of Life all lit up with the projections.

 

[Accident]

Same! I couldn't care less about a nighttime show. Yeah, it would be nice to see but I want to do EE at night, all of the carnival stuff and see the Tree of Life all lit up with the projections.

If the crowds stays the same, EE has been a 10-15 minute posted wait time (real wait more like 5 minutes + walking to where the line starts time) on the nights I've gone so far. Wait until it's really dark also so your eyes can slightly adjust and then the 3 places there is light on the ride really pop.. otherwise it's complete darkness and you can't see when/where your about to enter/exit the mountain. Soooo good It does pop up a little longer after the first jungle book show pops out, but that's 40 minutes after it's dark dark and you've already gone a few times and moved onto another ride. People are lined up for the second show before the first one even starts so anyone seeing hte show, you get a good hour they are just standing in lines and not in the way of rides..

I also highly recommend kali in the dark. It's a different feeling and minimally lit and really adds to the excitement. Just be ready in case you get wet as there is no sun to dry you if you did get wet and don't skip the lockers, put your things in there to keep them dry.

 

[WEDWDW]

I didn't think they expected to finish until late next year??

"Early 2017" is what's been announced so far.

 

[KT0191]

If the crowds stays the same, EE has been a 10-15 minute posted wait time (real wait more like 5 minutes + walking to where the line starts time) on the nights I've gone so far. Wait until it's really dark also so your eyes can slightly adjust and then the 3 places there is light on the ride really pop.. otherwise it's complete darkness and you can't see when/where your about to enter/exit the mountain. Soooo good It does pop up a little longer after the first jungle book show pops out, but that's 40 minutes after it's dark dark and you've already gone a few times and moved onto another ride. People are lined up for the second show before the first one even starts so anyone seeing hte show, you get a good hour they are just standing in lines and not in the way of rides..

I also highly recommend kali in the dark. It's a different feeling and minimally lit and really adds to the excitement. Just be ready in case you get wet as there is no sun to dry you if you did get wet and don't skip the lockers, put your things in there to keep them dry.

Thank you for the tips!! Sounds so awesome