Animal Kingdom?

[kitkat4622]

we are going in October is it normal for Animal Kingdom to close at 5pm?

 

[nblake05]

Whenever we've gone at that time of year, I believe that's when it closed. They bring the animals in at night, is what I've heard.

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

You can take a look at the link up on the top of this page to see historical hours at all the parks...but the short answer is: yes.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm

 

[kitkat4622]

thank you. my plan is to do this park the day we arrive and hoping 5 hours in that park is enough? then maybe hit downtown disney.

 

[mm1971]

Yes, AK always closes at 5PM.

There are rumors that once the Avatar attractions are up that they will be open later again. The reason given when they originally cut it back to 5Pm was that based on animal needs.

5 Hours should be enough time. You can FP the three most important attractions and we have always been able to get through in a half day, including the animal trails. Have a good trip.

 

[KelleyK75]

The park doesn't always close at 5pm but depending on the time of year depends on when they close. I went the last week of March and the day I was there it was opened until 7pm. One other time during that week it was opened until 8pm. I think it depends on crowd level. They did say when we were on the train going out to Rafiki's Planet Watch that every night they bring the animals into their specific buildings, and it takes up to 3 hours for this process.

 

[amg35]

Don't rush through it though if you don't have to. It's such a beautiful park, I think you can easily spend the whole day there, especially when it's only open until 5.

 

[KelleyK75]

Don't rush through it though if you don't have to. It's such a beautiful park, I think you can easily spend the whole day there, especially when it's only open until 5.

My thoughts exactly. I know a lot of people say they only spend a half day there, but we spend almost a full day and still don't get everything done that we want to. There are so many wonderful animals and things to see, that if you can spend a whole day there it's totally worth it, IMO.

 

[RustManFan]

last trip my sister and I actually spent 2 days there....we certainly take our time on the animal trails and it is particularly interesting if you encounter a cast member to talk to in a spot that isn't busy. we saw the Lion King show on both days and between the wait in line and the show itself that can eat up a chunk of time....about my fav park these days!

 

[starwood]

The closing time maybe changing with the new River of Light Nighttime Spectacular that was announced today for Animal Kingdom.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...spectacular-coming-to-disneys-animal-kingdom/

 

[amg35]

The closing time maybe changing with the new River of Light Nighttime Spectacular that was announced today for Animal Kingdom.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...spectacular-coming-to-disneys-animal-kingdom/

Too bad for me it's probably not until 2017 , I'm there in the fall!

 

[PHXscuba]

Our week in mid-October 2011 it ended up moving the closing to 6:00 when they released the updated schedule the month before.

PHXscuba

 

[jaykorf001]

Don't rush through it though if you don't have to. It's such a beautiful park, I think you can easily spend the whole day there, especially when it's only open until 5.

Totally agree!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[gadisfamily]

last trip my sister and I actually spent 2 days there....we certainly take our time on the animal trails and it is particularly interesting if you encounter a cast member to talk to in a spot that isn't busy. we saw the Lion King show on both days and between the wait in line and the show itself that can eat up a chunk of time....about my fav park these days!

I agree! My 7 year old loves it as much as we do! Definitely can make a whole day out of it.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

we are going in October is it normal for Animal Kingdom to close at 5pm?

~Yes -- unfortunately it is. The good news is Disney has plans to extend AK's evening hours in 2017. AK is such a gorgeous park -- I really can't wait to experience it at night!!! The night safari and ride Expedition Everest is at the top of my list -- Kali River Rapids is up there too!

 

[amg35]

Yay Animal Kingdom fans!! There are so few of us!

I am out of my skin excited for the new show they are planning for the evening/nights - Rivers of Light.

 

[Simba07]

My DD6 asked if we could spend 2 days there on our next trip! She was even willing to take a day away from MK!

 

[hammie59]

Yes, mostly unless it's a busier time of year. It's basically a zoo with some really cool rides. The hours are for the animals benefit. Most regular zoos have similar hours.

 

[pocahontasgal87]

we r usually there a whole day, gorgeous park to look around and I am a big animal lover i actually have an animal kingdom glass cup when mcdonalds had those there, i chose animal kingdom over the other 3 parks

 

[Delirium]

We were there last October and I believe they extended Saturday night to 6 or 7 o'clock, but otherwise it was 5:00

Do not EVER listen to someone that says AK or HS are half day parks. It is totally dependent on what you like to do. We spent 2 days in AK last year, made rope drop each day, and the only thing we did twice was ride Everest because we did it first thing one morning and was able to get right back on with no wait.

There was nothing we did the first day that we also did the second day. And, we left at closing on the first day and after the parade on the second.

People that say it's a half day are only basing that on what they do. They are likely people that go to Disney a lot or are not willing to give certain attractions a chance. My family (me, wife, 2 kids aged 9 and 7) do everything a park has to offer.

AK has rides (of course), three shows, Rafiki's planet, 2 walking trails, a parade, character meet and greets, Wilderness Explorer adventure, the Oasis exhibits, several opportunities to learn about cultures, and of course you have to eat. That is impossible to do from 9:00-5:00.

If your children are the right ages, the Wilderness Explorer Adbventure alone adds 2-3 hours to your visit