What's Up with Extended Hours at AK in February?

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I was just checking hours for our February trip and I noticed that AK now closes at 8 pm several nights of our trip. That seems unusual for AK, especially for February. The last time I checked, the park was set to close at 5 pm. This was a recent change.

I know Rivers of Light is coming, but I doubt it will be ready that soon. Any ideas why the park might be open so late?

I checked our April dates, and those days still have the park closing at 5 pm.

 

[Alesia]

Any ideas why the park might be open so late?

If I had to guess, it's because they are expecting large crowds. When are you going?

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

If I had to guess, it's because they are expecting large crowds. When are you going?

February 14 - 19. It is not for the cheer groups. They should be gone, I think (I hope). I know Valentine's crowds can be large, but hours for the entire week have been extended. AK is not even open until 8 pm the week between Christmas and New Years. Surely they aren't expecting larger crowds in the middle of February than they will have the week after Christmas.

 

[JZCubed]

Ooo, oooo, ooooo, I'll guess:

Soft-opening for Rivers of Light, Ooooorrrrr, start of Nighttime Safaris…..in anticipation of River of Lights keeping AK busy into the evening.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Ooo, oooo, ooooo, I'll guess:

Soft-opening for Rivers of Light, Ooooorrrrr, start of Nighttime Safaris…..in anticipation of River of Lights keeping AK busy into the evening.

That is my favorite answer. It must be so.

 

[abolanwoski]

When is President's weekend?

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

When is President's weekend?

It is that Monday, the 15th.

Princess Half Marathon is coming up that weekend, too, so with three things going on, they may be expecting large crowds.

I still wouldn't expect AKL hours to be extended that late without some sort of special evening activity, but I could be wrong. I was hoping for some sort of fun event or show (maybe related to Rivers of Light), but hours could be extended to simply account for expected large crowds.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

Presidents week is the winner! Although rivers of light sounds more fun. Presidents week runs hours comparable to middle of July and just under spring break.

 

[maryj11]

Ooo, oooo, ooooo, I'll guess:

Soft-opening for Rivers of Light, Ooooorrrrr, start of Nighttime Safaris…..in anticipation of River of Lights keeping AK busy into the evening.

This is what I would guess !!!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

President's week is INSANE. Good luck. You'll need that when you pack a suitcase full of patience.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Presidents week is the winner! Although rivers of light sounds more fun. Presidents week runs hours comparable to middle of July and just under spring break.

Bleh.

I wish our school district would schedule our breaks for less popular travel weeks.

Well, we were there in mid July this year and we waited in shorter lines than in September, so maybe it won't be so bad.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

Yep, President's week is busy - lots of schools are out.

 

[HopperFan]

- Presidents Week, probably the busiest week of February, has been forever. Many schools have off all week.
- Three Day Weekend with the holiday.
- Leads up to Marathon Weekend.
- One big "dance" competition goes through the 15th and they can add to package extra days.
- Season of the Force will be going on, since new this year and not known if a repeat it may draw some extra folks.
- Crowds expected to settle some after the 21st (which when I arrived last year and it was doable).

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I guess we will make the best of it. Already have all the ADRs I wanted and will get 3 fastpasses a day. We will have fun. And I will continue to hope for a special experience at AK.