Extended Evening Hours questions

[ClaraOswald]

Do we need to show some proof that we are staying deluxe (DVC, in our case) once the extended hours start? Or do they just have us scan into rides with our magic band?

Can you book DAS returns during the extra hours?

How are the crowds for the extra hours at Animal Kingdom?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Your MB/KTTW will be scanned before entering any attraction during EMH.

Yes, I believe you can use DAS during EH but I believe someone else will confirm or advise differently.

Unfortunately I cannot assist you with the crowd level at AK.

 

[nherbert]

We did EEH at AKL on 10th December, the crowd was non-existent once the regulars left. At the start of eeh we did EE over and over with no queue. Then moved to dinosaur area, and then went to pandora area as we wanted to maximize time there in the dark. There was zero wait for any rides during eeh, we could have done each one as many times as we wanted, or to be more precise as many times as our legs would make the walk - the FoP walk is very long even if the queue is empty

 

[ClaraOswald]

Good to know! We've never done FoP at all. So maybe my husband will be able to get on this time around.

 

[Skywalker3]

We did extended deluxe hours in Oct at AKL> They scanned our magic band at every ride at AKL, although my son rode Dinosaur 10 times, many in a row, and I think they just let him through at the end....
Could've done FoP several times. Did ride twice. First time, walked ride up the load area where they separate you by party number. Second time, stopped just before that area.....walking the queue took longer than waiting to be sorted at the end.
could ride Everest over and over if one wanted. I think DS did it 3 times, and DD did it 5 or 6, but she didn't do as many dinosaur rides.
nobody wanted to ride Navi, so skipped it. no idea how long that would take.
Initially I was disappointed when I saw that was the extended hours for our trip, and not HS or MK, but it all worked out great. Had a wonderful time. Got the park a couple hours before closing, so rode Safari before it shutdown for the night, saw a few animals out and about, and ate at Satuli Canteen before the extra hours got started.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We have 6-day park hoppers in January. We had actually planned to skip AK completely this trip because when we went January of this year, it was the park that had the least amount of things for our son....plus it was just so crowded when we were there. But when I saw the EEH, I figure it would be a good time to go with less crowds. And I'd like to see the park in the dark.

 

[Genie+]

We have 6-day park hoppers in January. We had actually planned to skip AK completely this trip because when we went January of this year, it was the park that had the least amount of things for our son....plus it was just so crowded when we were there. But when I saw the EEH, I figure it would be a good time to go with less crowds. And I'd like to see the park in the dark.

Did you ever try the animation class? We still have some pictures we each drew as the kids were growing up. My favorite was the baby gorilla from Tarzan, seeing each of our unique style. It’s definitely worth a try if you never. The schedule is usually 10a-5p.

 

[nherbert]

We have 6-day park hoppers in January. We had actually planned to skip AK completely this trip because when we went January of this year, it was the park that had the least amount of things for our son....plus it was just so crowded when we were there. But when I saw the EEH, I figure it would be a good time to go with less crowds. And I'd like to see the park in the dark.

Recommend arriving around 4pm, that way you can do the safari before it closes around 5pm. We did this in December and there were heaps of animals to see at that time (might be colder in January though). We then caught the last Nemo show. You do miss the lion king show when arriving at 4pm, so if that is important maybe arrive a bit earlier. After that you can focus on rides, EE is empty-ish around 5-6pm as all the regulars are trying to get a last FoP which with EEH you can save for later with no queue. Warning: there is almost no food during EEH.

 

[Skywalker3]

That's what we've done the last few trips, arrive to AK, mid afternoon, to take in safari, animal trails, etc.
The extended hours were much more fun than I expected, got so many repeat rides on our favorites.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Did you ever try the animation class? We still have some pictures we each drew as the kids were growing up. My favorite was the baby gorilla from Tarzan, seeing each of our unique style. It’s definitely worth a try if you never. The schedule is usually 10a-5p.

Unfortunately, my son wouldn't be into that at all. Sounds fun though!

Recommend arriving around 4pm, that way you can do the safari before it closes around 5pm. We did this in December and there were heaps of animals to see at that time (might be colder in January though). We then caught the last Nemo show. You do miss the lion king show when arriving at 4pm, so if that is important maybe arrive a bit earlier. After that you can focus on rides, EE is empty-ish around 5-6pm as all the regulars are trying to get a last FoP which with EEH you can save for later with no queue. Warning: there is almost no food during EEH.

Dang...I hadn't even thought about dinner. We typically eat around 6ish in the parks. I hadn't thought about things being closed (or having to waste precious time eating....our son eats SO slow.) Hmm. I wonder what our best option would be for eating that day.

Do you by any chance know which quick service places may be open during the EEH times?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Do you by any chance know which quick service places may be open during the EEH times?

I would not plan on any quick service locations being open during EEH. I know at Epcot people have reported everything is closed. I believe there might possibly have been one popcorn cart open towards the front of the park but that was about all. I would anticipate the same being true for AK.

Hopefully someone can report actual experiences here though.

 

[ClaraOswald]

That's crazy since I imagine a lot of people are like us and eat dinner between those hours of 6-8pm!

This has me rethinking things. Our son is autistic and really needs a solid routine, even on vacation. Typically it looks like this....

Breakfast at hotel.
Visit park, go on rides, have lunch. A few more rides.
Break at hotel.
Hop to another park for rides, then dinner. Then a few more rides.
Back to the hotel.

We don't eat meals at the EXACT time every day. But typically in the same range. Like lunch in the 1pm range and dinner in the 6pm range. I don't think he'll be able to wait until we get back to the hotel after EEH end. But I also can't see us wanting to eat dinner at 4:30 either. Hmm....

 

[Mle8308]

Becky Gandillon, who wrote the 2025 Unofficial Guide to WDW (Raisingminniemes on Instagram - good follow), was at the DAK EMH the other night and posted about it. She said the park was empty but no food locations were open. I think she said she was able to get a pretzel at one food cart, but that was it after park closed.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Thanks. I'll go check out her page!

 

[Mle8308]

Thanks. I'll go check out her page!

She is a great resource for information! She loves numbers and data, so just about everything she writes about is supported. She has two young daughters, too, so she does focus on family as well as adults. Highly recommend!

 

[nherbert]

That's crazy since I imagine a lot of people are like us and eat dinner between those hours of 6-8pm!

At Eeh in AK (I am trying not to get confused by other evening events we attended recently) we could not find any open food places, even Starbucks was closed. The only thing was right outside FoP they were selling some snack with pineapple and cream cheese, but the main food place was closed. Joffreys outside the park was open, and so DS got a giant donut at around 7:30pm. Nomad’s had people in it around 7pm, but they were guests finishing up from before 6pm.
If you get there early, eg 4pm, you could do stuff, then get QS around 5:30pm (lots options), even if your DS eats slow they won’t kick you out until done or you could eat outside eg yak n yeti QS has lots of tables outside. Or you could do a 5:30pm yak n yeti TS, take an hour break to eat.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I was thinking food places would be closing at 5 for some reason. If they are open until 6, I think we can make that work. We can usually find something he (might) eat at Flame Tree. So I'm thinking we'll try to grab dinner there by 5:30.

The only rides our son will want to do are Triceratops Spin (is that what it's called?), the Safari, and the avatar boat ride. (Geez...I seriously need to learn the ride names. Ha!) He rode Dinosaur last time but I suspect he won't want to this time.

My husband and I may try to sneak on a couple things alone if lines are short.

Then we mostly just want to wander around a bit. Kind of bummed the trails and stuff close at 5 though.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I was thinking food places would be closing at 5 for some reason. If they are open until 6, I think we can make that work. We can usually find something he (might) eat at Flame Tree. So I'm thinking we'll try to grab dinner there by 5:30.

The only rides our son will want to do are Triceratops Spin (is that what it's called?), the Safari, and the avatar boat ride. (Geez...I seriously need to learn the ride names. Ha!) He rode Dinosaur last time but I suspect he won't want to this time.

My husband and I may try to sneak on a couple things alone if lines are short.

Then we mostly just want to wander around a bit. Kind of bummed the trails and stuff close at 5 though.

What date is your AK EEH? Just a heads up that TriceraTop Spin closes permanently on Jan 13, 2025.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Seriously?! Last time I checked out dates, it wasn't listed as being closed. That really sucks! I'll have to go look again.

Okay...it's still not listed on the calendar as being closed. We will be there January 29th.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/c...ingdom,hollywood-studios,epcot,magic-kingdom/

Can you tell me where you see it will be closed forever on the 13th?

 

[CarolynFH]

Seriously?! Last time I checked out dates, it wasn't listed as being closed. That really sucks! I'll have to go look again.

Okay...it's still not listed on the calendar as being closed. We will be there January 29th.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/c...ingdom,hollywood-studios,epcot,magic-kingdom/

Can you tell me where you see it will be closed forever on the 13th?

I’m sorry to say that it’s on the ride’s own website. It won’t be under refurbishment, it will be closed completely. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/tricera-top-spin/