Pandora after dark when park closes at 5

[cruiseconvert]

We'll be at Animal Kingdom Dec. 7. Right now, the park closes at 5 pm. Sunset is at 5:29. Is it possible to order food at Satu'li Canteen just before 5, eat at the slow pace typical of my 8-year-old grandson, and then head out right around sunset so we can see a little bit of Pandora's nighttime bioluminescence on the way out? Or would a better idea be to get in line for FOP or Navi right before 5 so we can leave at sunset and see the evening scenery on the way out? Any other strategies? With current restrictions, I have no info about how long - if at all - guests can be in the park on their way out after closing, or if the pathway to exit is restricted to a certain route. Thanks for any advice!

 

[holden]

If it were me I'd get in line for FOP shortly before 5. We used that strategy in January. Our wait time for FOP was about 45 minutes. Not too bad considering how long the waits were during the day (2+ hours). You'll probably have a long enough wait that you can catch Pandora in the dark.

 

[HiStitch626]

I agree with the line strategy. If you are in line before the park closes, you’ll be able to stay in line until after you have written. If you’re in a dining area, they may ask you politely to hurry your meal and leave.

 

[Robo]

I agree with the line strategy.
1. If you are in line before the park closes, you’ll be able to stay in line until after you have written.
2. If you’re in a dining area, they may ask you politely to hurry your meal and leave.

1. Agree.
2. Strongly disagree.

 

[HiStitch626]

Obviously your experiences with quick service recently may be different than ours. But, we ordered a meal at the Cantina in Mexico not long before closing at Epcot in August. The amount of active cleaning we observed close to our table clearly seem to indicate they were ready for us to go. One cast member even asked if they could throw away anything for us.

 

[dzd]

Good ideas. Its a shame that the park doesn't close late anymore, I haven't ever seen Pandora at night.

 

[goofyernmost]

Obviously your experiences with quick service recently may be different than ours. But, we ordered a meal at the Cantina in Mexico not long before closing at Epcot in August. The amount of active cleaning we observed close to our table clearly seem to indicate they were ready for us to go. One cast member even asked if they could throw away anything for us.

As well they should. Why do you think that you are significantly important that it is ok to just sit there shooting the breeze with no concern about the fact that after you leave the place has to be cleaned? This may come as a surprise but these people have homes and family to get too. All you have to do is go to a club and drink. Part of the problem with the world today is that the only people we think about is ourselves. Who cares about anyone else, it's me, me, me, me and me. Curtesy and concern for others would make everyone's experience so much better. But, that isn't going to happen as long as we are so entitled. They shouldn't have to ask, should they?

 

[MomOTwins]

As well they should. Why do you think that you are significantly important that it is ok to just sit there shooting the breeze with no concern about the fact that after you leave the place has to be cleaned? This may come as a surprise but these people have homes and family to get too. All you have to do is go to a club and drink. Part of the problem with the world today is that the only people we think about is ourselves. Who cares about anyone else, it's me, me, me, me and me. Curtesy and concern for others would make everyone's experience so much better. But, that isn't going to happen as long as we are so entitled. They shouldn't have to ask, should they?

I worked in a restaurant as a waitress and it was often the case that people came in 5/10 minutes before the closing time. That’s just how restaurants work. I always knew my work day would be done ~2 hours after the official close time. But I also would also tidy up, roll silverware, break down the salad bar etc. while the last tables wrapped up. That is not me trying to nudge people out the door, that’s me wanting to get home at 1am instead of 3am. You can definitely go eat late but don’t be surprised if they start shutting down the place early.

I do just want to point out though that it doesn’t get dark right at sunset. So it won’t be Pandora after dark—more like pandora at twilight. Still pretty, but don’t want u to be disappointed.

 

[Trackmaster]

As well they should. Why do you think that you are significantly important that it is ok to just sit there shooting the breeze with no concern about the fact that after you leave the place has to be cleaned? This may come as a surprise but these people have homes and family to get too. All you have to do is go to a club and drink. Part of the problem with the world today is that the only people we think about is ourselves. Who cares about anyone else, it's me, me, me, me and me. Curtesy and concern for others would make everyone's experience so much better. But, that isn't going to happen as long as we are so entitled. They shouldn't have to ask, should they?

Its just hard to take what you say seriously. You raise some legitimate points sometimes, but you just use so many hyperboles you almost sound like a shill for the other side of the argument. In my opinion, all you had to say was, "I mean, that could work, but think of the wait staff too." You didn't have to tear into her for no reason.

 

[Trackmaster]

For the record, Animal Kingdom has been releasing a ton of after dark hours for November and December. If you could just pick a different day you could get a shot at some magical Pandora after dark looks without being hurried and shooed out by Cast Members.

 

[cruiseconvert]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice! Trackmaster, I definitely will keep an eye on hours. Although we're committed to the particular week we're going, I've already seen hours extended a little bit for Magic Kingdom while we're there.

 

[Tormania]

Our first AK day on Nov 28th has the park closing at 8pm so we'll get plenty of night time park time that day.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

As well they should. Why do you think that you are significantly important that it is ok to just sit there shooting the breeze with no concern about the fact that after you leave the place has to be cleaned? This may come as a surprise but these people have homes and family to get too. All you have to do is go to a club and drink. Part of the problem with the world today is that the only people we think about is ourselves. Who cares about anyone else, it's me, me, me, me and me. Curtesy and concern for others would make everyone's experience so much better. But, that isn't going to happen as long as we are so entitled. They shouldn't have to ask, should they?

While I respect what you are saying and they do have homes to get to, you are stating this like it's not their job. Their job is not 8-5. They probably did not come in when the park opened, but came in like 11 or something. If they are done early, they get paid less hours. If they work late, they get paid more hours (something most of them appreciate). Their "scheduled" time is probably around 7pm.

 

[HiStitch626]

Didn't mean to cause such a ruckus. Robo said that he disagreed about cast members encouraging you to hurry and I was just sharing an experience.

 

[auntlynne]

Didn't mean to cause such a ruckus. Robo said that he disagreed about cast members encouraging you to hurry and I was just sharing an experience.

“It’s not you, it’s him.” Don’t take it personally. And this is a forum where we share experiences, not just facts. Talk about Disney with those who will indulge our interest in this special place.

As For the cleaning and offer to clear, you probably knew you were at the end of the day and read it as “move along.” Some waiters would be hoping you would get out of there, others would just be being helpful. You can’t always know what people are thinking. At Disney, I would attribute it to being helpful (plus wanting to finish their shift).

I think the OP even doesn’t want to break the rules of official closing time, but wants to get that special lighting At the end of the day, knowing that people are allowed to be in the parks after it’s “closed.” Otherwise, they wouldn’t let riders get in a 45-minute wait line just before closing. Or let people into the parks - and onto rides - 45 minutes before rope drop.

Have a great day.

 

[Trackmaster]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice! Trackmaster, I definitely will keep an eye on hours. Although we're committed to the particular week we're going, I've already seen hours extended a little bit for Magic Kingdom while we're there.

Well, no matter when you go, Friday-Sunday are going to have more generous closings for DAK. So you could do a switcharoo to try to make sure that one of your DAK days is one of them. Ironically, I've considered DAK to be an important night time park, despite it being the animal park. Everest and Pandora are just so much better at night. And now without the fireworks, the need for night time at Epcot and MK are greatly diminished. Either way, theme parks are always so much better at night, but some rides and sections are more important than others. I've just never understood the obsession with so many broad day light hours at parks. Just seems weird to me.

 

[MomOTwins]

Well, no matter when you go, Friday-Sunday are going to have more generous closings for DAK. So you could do a switcharoo to try to make sure that one of your DAK days is one of them. Ironically, I've considered DAK to be an important night time park, despite it being the animal park. Everest and Pandora are just so much better at night. And now without the fireworks, the need for night time at Epcot and MK are greatly diminished. Either way, theme parks are always so much better at night, but some rides and sections are more important than others. I've just never understood the obsession with so many broad day light hours at parks. Just seems weird to me.

I think a big part is that if you have small kids, odds are they are early to bed, early to rise. Evening hours were never an option for us when our kids were nodding off at 8pm and waking at 6am.

 

[gharter]

I agree with the line strategy. If you are in line before the park closes, you’ll be able to stay in line until after you have written. If you’re in a dining area, they may ask you politely to hurry your meal and leave.

Unless things have changed, we have never been hurried when eating after a park has closed.
However, at AK, we get in line for FoP just before closing.

 

[Moliphino]

Obviously your experiences with quick service recently may be different than ours. But, we ordered a meal at the Cantina in Mexico not long before closing at Epcot in August. The amount of active cleaning we observed close to our table clearly seem to indicate they were ready for us to go. One cast member even asked if they could throw away anything for us.

That doesn't sound unusual or like they were trying to hurry you out. If it's getting to closing time they're going to start cleaning up. Why wait until the last guest leaves to start? And I've had CMs ask if they can take anything for us in the middle of the day (like at Satuli last trip in the middle of eating lunch a CM asked if she could take our tray), they're just trying to be helpful.

 

[HiStitch626]

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