Animal Kingdom Extra Evening Hours in December -- What to do? Safari?

[MouseKids]

I'm wondering whether it would be worth planning to stay at the Animal Kingdom during evening Extra MAgic Hours in December. I'm guessing it will be dark by 5:00 or shortly after then, so the safari won't be running -- is this right? Should we plan to stay or go to another park for the evening?

Thanks!

 

[Simba's Mom]

That's kind of what I'm figuring too-that KS won't be running. Last time I was there in December, the last Safari was at 4:30, shortly before sunset. When i went for evening EMH in August, the last KS was shortly before sunset then, too. However, I'm very anxious to see AK after dark. I've heard the Tree Of Life is lit up and quite impressive looking. If you like AK, evening EMH is very uncrowded. I'm looking forward to going.

 

[Brikate]

However, I'm very anxious to see AK after dark. I've heard the Tree Of Life is lit up and quite impressive looking. If you like AK, evening EMH is very uncrowded. I'm looking forward to going.

OMG!!! Us too!!!

On *our* schedule the EMH for AK falls on one of our non-park days, but that won't stop dh & I from going (we have AP's)! Half of our group is going to KSC for the day and our kids are going to DQ. Dh & I will hang out during the day then head over to AK just before the parade, try to catch the last safari & walk through the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Ideally, we'd like to sit in Harambe, at the Dawa Bar and soak up the ambiance of the park as the day light dims .

Then we'll wander over to DinoLand to check out the lights at Chester and Hester's and all of the Holiday decorations along the way.

We have driven past AK many times at night and have seen the Tree of Life illuminated and wonder just what it would be like to be there. It may be lame, but we can't wait!

 

[Northstar]

I'm wondering whether it would be worth planning to stay at the Animal Kingdom during evening Extra MAgic Hours in December. I'm guessing it will be dark by 5:00 or shortly after then, so the safari won't be running -- is this right? Should we plan to stay or go to another park for the evening?

You must be from up north, too! Sunset is a little later than you think... just checked at www.sunrisesunset.com to confirm my memory that it gets dark sixish, not fivish, in Florida in December... yay! Sunset is around 5:30 all month. So I bet the Safari runs at least a bit later than you were thinking.

At AKL they have "permanent moonlight" lighting on the savannahs... but I don't think they'd put that in just for EMH at AK in December. Too bad.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I've been wondering the same thing! I'm also wondering how the animals will react to not going back to their "homes" at the usual time.

 

[erikthewise]

In early Dec it is pretty dark by 5:30, and the last safari does typically run about 4:30.

The animals are 8-5 employees and return to their hotel rooms for the evening. They have a pretty strong union, and it's hard to imagine they would extend their hours for EMH. But I haven't been during evening EMH so I really can't say/

 

[mickeysaver]

We originally had thought about doing the AK EMH, but when I looked at what was going to be open and realized that KS would most likely be deleted from the list, we decided to skip the experience during this coming trip. But, I would love to see AK at night, if there was more to do. Maybe after E:E opens.......
Maggie

 

[deide71]

In early Dec it is pretty dark by 5:30, and the last safari does typically run about 4:30.

The animals are 8-5 employees and return to their hotel rooms for the evening. They have a pretty strong union, and it's hard to imagine they would extend their hours for EMH. But I haven't been during evening EMH so I really can't say/

!!!!!

Bet they have to pay them time and a half.

 

[disneyholic family]

In early Dec it is pretty dark by 5:30, and the last safari does typically run about 4:30.

The animals are 8-5 employees and return to their hotel rooms for the evening. They have a pretty strong union, and it's hard to imagine they would extend their hours for EMH. But I haven't been during evening EMH so I really can't say/

yup....they work their hours and not a second longer...
if you go on the last safari before dark, you'll often see the animals moving since it's time for them to go to their animal houses for the night....

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Typically, there is not much to "do" at AK during EMH evening. Most of the programs are soon after EMH begins; so don't arrive later if you want to see one of the shows! Because there is so little open, these attractions can be quite crowded. During our last visit, the line to see the Pooh characters was longer than I've ever seen it during the day! Still, I would not pass-up an EMH evening at AKL. This park is beautiful! At night, you notice totally different things than during the day. We missed this our last 2 visits (didn't stay over the "right" nights), so I'm really looking forward to it in Decemeber.