Does anyone have any guesses how late Animal Kingdom will stay open

[Robo]

Exactly. Which if they do, they're not going to be able to wait until after dark, or else the park wouldn't be closing until 11 or 12 in the summer, and I really can't see that happening there.

I can't agree with this.
A. The show uses water screen projections, which require absolute darkness to be seen.
B. The theater seating is much, much smaller than Fantasmic!, so it would not require 60-90 minutes to clear and reload the seating.
C. We don't know how long the show runs for RoL, but if it's closer to 15 min. (F! runs 30 min.)
it won't require the shows to start so far apart as F! shows do.

 

[mshanson3121]

I can't agree with this.
A. The show uses water screen projections, which require absolute darkness to be seen.
B. The theater seating is much, much smaller than Fantasmic!, so it would not require 60-90 minutes to clear and reload the seating.

It still has significant seating (around 4000 I believe?). You're not going to fill and clear 4000 people in 5 minutes. So even if it's a 15 minute show, a safe estimate is that they're still going to need 45 minutes in between show times. 9:00, 9:45, 10:30 <-- likely an 11:00 pm closing. I'm amazed they'd be allowed to do that with the animals. I do wonder if they'll close off certain areas of the park?

Sunset in summer is typically 8:15 to 7:40. Given the way it's designed, sunk down in, fair amount of trees/shade, it will appear darker there than in other areas, so is it possible they can do earlier show times?

But regardless, it's going to be a big change in their operating hours, year round, and a huge adjustment for the animals.

 

[mrzrich]

In addition to what Robo said, Without the pyrotechnics of other night time shows, I think ROL will require less down time between shows as well

 

[AngiTN]

I'm curious as to why it's only AK they extended, if it truly is "summer hours". Wouldn't they just wait and show all the parks extended hours at once? Just seems odd. Also, anyone know if/when they might open up later ADRs for those extended hours?

The whole way they do park hours is odd. Not just for AK but for all the parks
They always change times from the date the hours are released and when we get to that month.
For example, when they make the hours the first time they know darn well they are not going to leave AK closing at 5:00 in August.
They'll still release the Aug calendar with a 5:00 close.
99.9% of the time by the time July rolls around and they have the updated Aug calendar out the close times are 8:00, or later.
Why they don't just release the hours they actually operated at the prior year is beyond me.
Another example is MK during the Holiday time. 99.9% chance it will have EMH at 7:00 and open at 8:00. It does every year. Yet when the December calendar first comes out it will be a 9:00 open.
It will NOT stay that way. So why not just put the hours you know it will be from the start?
Only someone smarter than me knows

 

[ArielSRL]

1. 8PM will not be nearly late enough during the actual summer months, as it will not be dark enough for the RoL show by 8PM.

2. Nobody knows.

Thank you for the reply.

The whole way they do park hours is odd. Not just for AK but for all the parks
They always change times from the date the hours are released and when we get to that month.
For example, when they make the hours the first time they know darn well they are not going to leave AK closing at 5:00 in August.
They'll still release the Aug calendar with a 5:00 close.
99.9% of the time by the time July rolls around and they have the updated Aug calendar out the close times are 8:00, or later.
Why they don't just release the hours they actually operated at the prior year is beyond me.
Another example is MK during the Holiday time. 99.9% chance it will have EMH at 7:00 and open at 8:00. It does every year. Yet when the December calendar first comes out it will be a 9:00 open.
It will NOT stay that way. So why not just put the hours you know it will be from the start?
Only someone smarter than me knows

Its so frustrating, isn't it? Its so hard to plan this vacation that we are spending thousands on, trying to insure we do everything we would like and have a fun family time, when everything keeps changing.

I am happy to be going, regardless, but they could make it easier, couldn't they? LOL

 

[rteetz]

I can't agree with this.
A. The show uses water screen projections, which require absolute darkness to be seen.
B. The theater seating is much, much smaller than Fantasmic!, so it would not require 60-90 minutes to clear and reload the seating.
C. We don't know how long the show runs for RoL, but if it's closer to 15 min. (F! runs 30 min.)
it won't require the shows to start so far apart as F! shows do.

It's not much much smaller. Fantasmic seats 7000, this seats somewhere between 5000-6000.

I've heard the show is around 22 minutes.

 

[Robo]

It's not much much smaller. Fantasmic seats 7000, this seats somewhere between 5000-6000.

I've heard the show is around 22 minutes.

From looking at photos (and from just coming back from 12 days at WDW)
I'm see 10 sections (built as two "halves" on either side of Exp. Everest) of about 8 rows of benches, each, at RoL. (That's 80 rows.)


I see 10 sections of about 30 rows of benches, each, at Fantasmic! (That's 300 rows.)

That is a major difference.

 

[larryz]

So, based on what I've read so far, I'm going to guess...

a) from Jan to Apr, closing time will be 9 pm
b) from May to Aug, closing time will be 11 pm
c) from Sep to Dec, closing time will be 10 pm.

 

[rteetz]

From looking at photos (and from just coming back from 12 days at WDW)
I'm see 10 sections (built as two "halves" on either side of Exp. Everest) of about 8 rows of benches, each, at RoL. (That's 80 rows.)


I see 10 sections of about 30 rows of benches, each, at Fantasmic! (That's 300 rows.)

That is a major difference.

There are the concrete/stone benches in the front and then they are currently putting in metal benches behind those stone ones. Yes there is a different but if this seats 1500 less that's not a major difference. It was never expected to hold as many as fantasmic anyways, this isn't in a stadium like fantasmic.

 

[larryz]

There are the concrete/stone benches in the front and then they are currently putting in metal benches behind those stone ones. Yes there is a different but if this seats 1500 less that's not a major difference. It was never expected to hold as many as fantasmic anyways, this isn't in a stadium like fantasmic.

Holy cow! Those metal benches act like massive heatsinks in cold weather... be sure to bring a blanket or something else to sit on; your gluteus maximus will thank you!

 

[gorjus121]

Here's a little more info on ROL that was posted on All Ears recently: http://allears.net/tp/ak/rivers-of-light.htm
Just wish there was a date.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

So, based on what I've read so far, I'm going to guess...

a) from Jan to Apr, closing time will be 9 pm
b) from May to Aug, closing time will be 11 pm
c) from Sep to Dec, closing time will be 10 pm.

I think Larryz hit the nail on the head with the most likely estimates. They have planned to minimize impact on the animals, and this will probably include closing some of the walkways. Hopefully they won't close too many but will add appropriate lighting. I am very excited about walking this park at night, it will be gorgeous!