Jungle Book/Rivers of Light Dining Package Lookout thread for Dates After Sept 5th

[_auroraborealis_]

yet in October for example the park currently closes right at sunset (7pm), that makes no sense even if there isn't a JB or ROL show

Or, it makes sense because even with a JB show, attendance in the evenings hasn't been sufficient to justify the park staff required to keep attractions open later, and the thought is that without a show at all, you have attendance decline even further. Profit margin.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

I've got no insider info, but I don't think they'd unveil all this new stuff and then curtail it. This was on the Disney Park Blogs under

Or, it makes sense because even with a JB show, attendance in the evenings hasn't been sufficient to justify the park staff required to keep attractions open later, and the thought is that without a show at all, you have attendance decline even further. Profit margin.

Has that happened? I haven't been following the current situation extremely closely outside of the JB/ROL thing, but I hadn't seen that. Thanks.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I've got no insider info, but I don't think they'd unveil all this new stuff and then curtail it. This was on the Disney Park Blogs under


Has that happened? I haven't been following extremely closely, but I hadn't seen that. Thanks.

That's the rumor. Lower than expected attendance for night stuff, even with Jungle Book. I'm just drawing the "no show" conclusion on my own -- if you have lower than expected attendance in summer, where evening is one of the nicest bits of the day, I can see where they'd worry for fall. Park staff is fairly significant overhead cost.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

That's the rumor. Lower than expected attendance for night stuff, even with Jungle Book. I'm just drawing the "no show" conclusion on my own -- if you have lower than expected attendance in summer, where evening is one of the nicest bits of the day, I can see where they'd worry for fall. Park staff is fairly significant overhead cost.

That would certainly change things up, thanks.

 

[mississaugamom]

Going September 16 - park closes at 8 pm. Probably no JB show (although Touring Plans lists it at 9 pm) but will the Tree be lit before that closing time? Thanks for any insight/answers!

 

[MommyinHonduras]

Our AK day is 9/16 too. Not hoping for much at this point.

 

[Micharlotte]

Our AK day is 9/16 too. Not hoping for much at this point.

Ours is the 16th too. I'm really still keeping my fingers crossed for night stuff. If not, I guess we'll have fun swimming at the hotel instead.

 

[Vohdre]

How soon before / after official sunset do they light up the tree?

 

[jon18uk]

Going September 16 - park closes at 8 pm. Probably no JB show (although Touring Plans lists it at 9 pm) but will the Tree be lit before that closing time? Thanks for any insight/answers!

Considering that DHS has 8pm Fantasmic with a 7:30 park close (although it is extending to 8:30 as St Wars fireworks get scheduled at 8:15), its quite possible for them to do same at Animal Kingdom with an 8pm show at park closing. Only issue could be capacity if its just one show, I would expect Jungle Book might cope on one show a night but Rivers of Light will draw a bigger crowd and need two performances. The might just get away with an 8pm and a 9:15 show (with a 9pm park close). But at the moment, who know what is happening!

 

[amandals2007]

park attendance in general is wayyyy down. i think they thought the nighttime stuff would draw people into the park more. wish that was true

 

[HatboxHaint]

Wdw prep school seconds rumor that JB is done sept 5th. Night time activities expected to continue until ROL rolls out late fall. Sept and Oct trippers probably out of luck on ROL.

 

[HopperFan]

Wdw prep school seconds rumor that JB is done sept 5th. Night time activities expected to continue until ROL rolls out late fall. Sept and Oct trippers probably out of luck on ROL.

Well night safari will not be running, and hours are going back to the old time frame.

 

[Candycane83]

Well night safari will not be running, and hours are going back to the old time frame.

Are they discontinuing this???

 

[ichabody]

My guess is that Animal Kingdom will return to their normal operating schedule pre-Jungle Book and Tree of Life lighting. Rivers of Light and other night time entertainment offerings will be revisited closer to when Pandora opens.

 

[HatboxHaint]

Well night safari will not be running, and hours are going back to the old time frame.

Is that your speculation or news from your cm contact?

 

[megster1123]

I'm at the point where I honestly don't care anymore either way, I just want a solid timeline and reliable park hours.

 

[HopperFan]

Are they discontinuing this???

Is that your speculation or news from your cm contact?

On the Hub.

Makes sense, with park hours reduced, turning on the sunset/lighting etc seems a lot of work for an hour. Now if they decide to extend hours it would seem this might change.

Of course if we have learned anything the last 18 mos ............. even when Disney says it, it doesn't make it true. When it is actually happening or not, then we know.

 

[mstephen87]

We are just planning for published schedules. Anything additional will just be a pleasant surprise.

 

[mississaugamom]

Sunset is 7:30 and park closing is 8:00 on the day we're there. Last shows are scheduled for 6 pm. So there's probably nothing other than rides for the last two hours?!?

 

[HopperFan]

AK hours have been extended to 9 pm for September dates.
Sunsets around 7:30 so not sure if this means Night Safari will be online or not.
I asked the person who shared the info before if they see anything.