Anyone notice Animal Kingdom is now open later a few dates in October? AK in the dark

[amg35]

I've always wanted to see it at night!!

The day we have planned there (Wednesday) it's only open until 6, still going to do that.
Then I'm thinking on our Friday HS day (one of them) we will go to HS in the morning and then save a fast pass for AK and head there around 4 and stay until 8pm to soak up the nighttime ambiance and ride Expedition Everest.

So excited!

 

[JasonDeyoung30]

I got to run through AK in May at night and it is awesome at nighttime! Whenever they get all the new attractions and shows up, that'll be a great park at night. Sometimes during peak season like Summer, emh they'll stay open till 8pm. Was just there Thursday actually

 

[amg35]

I got to run through AK in May at night and it is awesome at nighttime! Whenever they get all the new attractions and shows up, that'll be a great park at night. Sometimes during peak season like Summer, emh they'll stay open till 8pm. Was just there Thursday actually

I'm so happy about this. I've never been there at night, it's my favorite park, fantastic!

 

[MichiganDVC]

And once AK becomes a full day and night park for most, I think AKL will become a more popular resort, perhaps taking the burden off Beach Club/ Wilderness Lodge/Poly, etc...

 

[amg35]

I'm guessing they know how crowded October will be by room bookings, so they are adjusting hours now? It wasn't open this late last year during the same time frame.

Oh well, crowds or not, I'll be on vacation!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I've always wanted to see it at night!!

The day we have planned there (Wednesday) it's only open until 6, still going to do that.
Then I'm thinking on our Friday HS day (one of them) we will go to HS in the morning and then save a fast pass for AK and head there around 4 and stay until 8pm to soak up the nighttime ambiance and ride Expedition Everest.

So excited!

@AMG35

You are in for a treat!

AK at *night* is unlike any other experience at WDW...not to be missed!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

And once AK becomes a full day and night park for most, I think AKL will become a more popular resort, perhaps taking the burden off Beach Club/ Wilderness Lodge/Poly, etc...

Michigan DVC...does the AKL really struggle to attract guests? It seems like such an amazing resort.

 

[amg35]

@AMG35

You are in for a treat!

AK at *night* is unlike any other experience at WDW...not to be missed!

Alright!

I was bummed because it was only open until 5 while we are there, so this is a great update for us - even if it's because of bigger crowds!

I love it, I get to see all the parks at night this trip.

 

[pixiesprite]

Woo hoo Thank you so much for posting this, amg35! I had checked a few weeks ago and was disappointed to see no late evenings but now .

We did 2 late evenings in AK last October (one with an almost empty park in a light rain) and it is amazing, so excited to go back! Such fun attempting to walk on those tree-rooty paths in the near-dark. Yak & Yeti is lovely to eat in after dark

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I assume you're going over Columbus Day weekend? I think that weekend has gotten busier and busier (we've been there the last three years during that time) so this is probably an attempt to pull people away from the less popular parks. I personally don't think it's going to work, and I think you're going to have an AMAZING time there that late. I've been shocked at how the park totally empties out after the parade, and without that to keep people there since the parade has ended, I'm betting that the park empties out even earlier now.

I'm so jealous. We're skipping October and going in December instead this year and I can guarantee no "late" nights at AK for us.

 

[amg35]

Woo hoo Thank you so much for posting this, amg35! I had checked a few weeks ago and was disappointed to see no late evenings but now .

We did 2 late evenings in AK last October (one with an almost empty park in a light rain) and it is amazing, so excited to go back! Such fun attempting to walk on those tree-rooty paths in the near-dark. Yak & Yeti is lovely to eat in after dark

I read it on easywdw this morning and I was so happy to see that!

 

[amg35]

I assume you're going over Columbus Day weekend? I think that weekend has gotten busier and busier (we've been there the last three years during that time) so this is probably an attempt to pull people away from the less popular parks. I personally don't think it's going to work, and I think you're going to have an AMAZING time there that late. I've been shocked at how the park totally empties out after the parade, and without that to keep people there since the parade has ended, I'm betting that the park empties out even earlier now.

I'm so jealous. We're skipping October and going in December instead this year and I can guarantee no "late" nights at AK for us.

Actually we are arriving 10/21 and it's open until 8pm a few weekends (Columbus included) during the month and then from 10/23 through 10/26.

It's also open until 6 and 7pm some other dates.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Michigan DVC...does the AKL really struggle to attract guests? It seems like such an amazing resort.

I was thinking more DVC related. But Animal Kingdom Lodge has tons of rooms and never seems to be sold out.

 

[JasonDeyoung30]

I stayed at AKL in May over a rundisney race weekend and it wasn't very busy, I enjoyed it a lot. Wasn't over crowded, quiet and I didn't have to fight for a pool chair lol. Was given all my room request and it was a great resort, the bus system runs possibly the best I've seen at Disney as well. It is kinda out in no mans land but I'll recommend it every day of the week

 

[tinkerhon]

I've always wanted to see it at night!!

The day we have planned there (Wednesday) it's only open until 6, still going to do that.
Then I'm thinking on our Friday HS day (one of them) we will go to HS in the morning and then save a fast pass for AK and head there around 4 and stay until 8pm to soak up the nighttime ambiance and ride Expedition Everest.

So excited!

Labor Day weekend as well!!! One of the nights, AK open till 8 !! Must check it out!!!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I stayed at AKL in May over a rundisney race weekend and it wasn't very busy, I enjoyed it a lot. Wasn't over crowded, quiet and I didn't have to fight for a pool chair lol. Was given all my room request and it was a great resort, the bus system runs possibly the best I've seen at Disney as well. It is kinda out in no mans land but I'll recommend it every day of the week

That is great to hear! It's always a Resort that we *consider* booking but never actually pulled the trigger on it...mainly because of it's remote location. Hearing that the bus system runs the best on property is a HUGE selling point. Also, the fact that it is the least expensive of the Deluxe Resorts is also a big plus.

 

[Laura's Dad]

We are going the Monday before Thanksgiving. We are considering arriving around 10 with FastPass+and staying until 8. We can't wait to see the place at night.

 

[wendybeth75]

This is exciting! I have not been there at night and it would be something different for sure! Thanks for sharing I had not caught that!

 

[hydrotony]

I've always wanted to see it at night!!

The day we have planned there (Wednesday) it's only open until 6, still going to do that.
Then I'm thinking on our Friday HS day (one of them) we will go to HS in the morning and then save a fast pass for AK and head there around 4 and stay until 8pm to soak up the nighttime ambiance and ride Expedition Everest.

So excited!

You can't save a fastpass.

You need to use your 3 selections at HS in the morning then go to AK and make a new fastpass at the kiosk when you arrive.

 

[MataHari22]

Yay! This is great! I just checked and AK will be open until 8pm when I am there on 10/23. I'm so psyched.