Why is AK closed so early?

[Disneymom1102]

Animal Kingdom is closed at 6:00pm (super early!) on June 9. Anyone know why??

 

[leiaorgana]

The Special Olympics are at Disney that week so it’s probably something to do with that or a different AK buy out probably

 

[legler2250]

It is unfortunate AK closes so early in general as it is one of the most beautiful parks at night when all the lights are on. Oddly enough I've only ever experienced AK at night one time in the many years / trips to Disney.

 

[tentaguasu]

It is unfortunate AK closes so early in general as it is one of the most beautiful parks at night when all the lights are on. Oddly enough I've only ever experienced AK at night one time in the many years / trips to Disney.

Agreed. I love AK at night, and it's rarely dark, at least outside of winter months (when I rarely travel).

Two weeks ago I purposefully did the "hop in line at Flight of Passage right before close" in part to avoid paying for the LL, but also because I figured it'd be dark by the time I got off. Worked out perfectly. It was dusk when we got in line, but dark by the time we got off. We were able to walk through Pandora and back out of the park with very low crowds and the evening lights.

 

[Juventus]

About 4 years ago they had Kilimanjaro safari at night...it was pretty cool. Couldn't see as much as during the day, but still a pretty cool experience.

 

[legler2250]

Agreed. I love AK at night, and it's rarely dark, at least outside of winter months (when I rarely travel).

Two weeks ago I purposefully did the "hop in line at Flight of Passage right before close" in part to avoid paying for the LL, but also because I figured it'd be dark by the time I got off. Worked out perfectly. It was dusk when we got in line, but dark by the time we got off. We were able to walk through Pandora and back out of the park with very low crowds and the evening lights.

Now that seems like a good strategy!! I will definitely have to do this next time visiting AK!

 

[gharter]

Two weeks ago I purposefully did the "hop in line at Flight of Passage right before close" in part to avoid paying for the LL, but also because I figured it'd be dark by the time I got off. Worked out perfectly. It was dusk when we got in line, but dark by the time we got off. We were able to walk through Pandora and back out of the park with very low crowds and the evening lights.

That's been our standard plan. We love walking out of Pandora and AK at night with all the lights.
About the only areas that are about as good would be Toy Storyland and Galaxy's Edge

 

[tentaguasu]

About the only areas that are about as good would be Toy Storyland and Galaxy's Edge

I think pretty much every part of every park is better after dark! I always want more evening time. That said, I agree that those lands are some of the best.

In fact, I think Toy Story goes from "meh" (or even aggressively hot and messy) during the day to really cool with an awesome vibe at night. It has the biggest "after dark improvement" of any area that I can think of.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Likely a buyout or some event not listed (at least from google) but I did see that it has been the case of closing at 6pm for a while. Article show park hours were updated about a month ago to be open at 8am rather than 9am but the park close had already been listed as 6pm (as early as mid-April from what I can find).