Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been staying open late over the summer. A park that used to close at 5 or 6 p.m. is now staying open until 11 p.m. However, it would see that this was only meant to be for the summer.
Looking ahead from August to January 2017, the hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom return to their earlier closing time. Not sure why this is, especially with all the new nighttime activities. The Jungle Book Show was only meant for a limited time, but I think most of us thought there would be a replacement for it. Plus, they have the cool images on the Tree of Life when it gets dark, and Africa and Asia both have parties guests can take part in each night.
I’m pretty bummed that I won’t be able to experience any of the Animal Kingdom nighttime activities. Hopefully, this is a “just for now” case. I know lots of people have been hoping that Rivers of Light would be back, but right now that doesn’t look like it is going to happen. There were some problems with the show when they tried to debut it and maybe they could not fix those problems.
As of right now, these are the times Animal Kingdom closes (through January 2017):
- From now through September 5:
- 11 p.m.
- September 6 through September 29:
- 9 p.m.
- September 30 through October 1:
- 8:30 p.m.
- October 2 through October 11:
- 7:30 p.m.
- October 12 through Halloween:
- 7 pm
- November 1 through Christmas Eve:
- 6 p.m.
- Christmas Day through New Year’s Eve:
- 8 p.m.
- New Year’s Day through the rest of January:
- 6 p.m.
There has been nothing official released from Disney, this information is from looking at the park hours on Disney’s website. I’ll keep an eye on the news for Animal Kingdom. I’m really hoping this is temporary, because all the nighttime activities look like so much fun! We’ll keep you posted if more information comes in about Animal Kingdom’s hours.
Have you had the chance to experience the nighttime activities at Animal Kingdom?
Thanks for reading!
*Liz*
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Liz
I love all things Disney, but my main love is for Disney World and I'm always planning for the next trip. Before becoming a Disney blogger, I was a radio DJ, so I guess I'm just continuing in the communication industry, just in a different form. I love talking Disney and I could talk about Disney all day. That's why I started blogging and created the Facebook group. The Disney community is full of friendly, helpful, and happy people...and I love being a part of it! If there is any Disney subject you would like to see covered just let me know! Need help planning your Disney vacation. Feel free to contact myself or Melissa at Never Stop Dreaming Travel Co. We love helping people plan their trips! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy! Don't forget to check out our Countdown to Disney app! Feel free to email me with suggestions of things you would like to see in the app :-)
Oh no! I am going in November and December and was excited to see Rivers of Light! I hope this changes!!!
Me too, Diane! I was so disappointed to see the hours go back to earlier times. I’m going to keep checking the hours though. It was great to finally have Animal Kingdom open as late as the other parks 🙁
The later in the year the earlier it gets dark so why not do all the shows that require darkness earlier and close earlier
Sounds like a good idea to me, Jim! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this is not the end of the new shows.
Hi!
I would like to add another WDW trip to my Disney Countdown app but I don’t see a way to do that. Can you tell me how to add another countdown? I’m so lucky to have 2 trips in my future!!!
Thanks,
Kim
Hi Kim!
As of right now, the app can only display one trip at a time. We have talked about having the ability to display more than one trip and it might be time to revisit that conversation 🙂 I hope both your trips are filled with lots magic and pixie dust!
Liz