Disney's Animal Kingdom Gets Extended Evening Hours in May 2025, Replacing EPCOT

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Extended Evening Hours at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Posted: Monday February 24, 2025 7:15am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World is making a rare shift in its Extended Evening Hours schedule, with Disney's Animal Kingdom set to host the perk on May 5, 2025.

Extended Evening Hours at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Typically offered at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, Extended Evening Hours give eligible guests additional time in select parks after regular closing.

On May 5, Animal Kingdom's hours will be:

7:30 am – 8:00 am: Early Entry for Disney Resort Hotel guests
8:00 am – 6:00 pm: Regular park hours
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Extended Evening Hours

Extended Evening Hours are available to guests staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and select other Disney hotels. While Disney has not yet confirmed which attractions will be available during the event, past after-hours offerings at Animal Kingdom have included Avatar Flight of Passage, Na'vi River Journey, Expedition Everest, and Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Disney has not announced any additional Extended Evening Hours dates for Animal Kingdom beyond May 5.

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jrhwdw13 hours ago

Please correct me if it's not the plan but I would not be shocked if July 3-5th were soft Opens. Spectro & MSEP were always later in the Night on July 3-4th...

jrhwdw14 hours ago

Yes, we know! 7pm-12am! LOL!

ToTBellHop14 hours ago

Have you heard the good news about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?!?!

Disgruntled Walt14 hours ago

I don't suppose there's any chance they actually keep MK open until Midnight once Starlight begins? I mean, I'll take 11pm, but it would be great to get on some rides during that last hour while the parade is going. I don't know when MK was last open until 12am, but I don't think it ever was during my visits.

nickys17 hours ago

I assume they will want a few full run-throughs after the park closes before it officially starts. It’s been so long since a new parade, I have no idea if there are usually previews for the “usual” groups, or just for CMs. Maybe some of our CM members will be able to answer that.

Sirwalterraleigh18 hours ago

Because it emptied out everyday well before that and they’re not in the business to pay to keep things open?

jrhwdw18 hours ago

I've been wondering, If we're not expecting Starlight till after the 4th why move July 2nd to AK??? Might MK be planning some sort of Preview on the 2nd?

Touchdown1 day ago

DHS would be far more preferable

spectromagic041 day ago

Well expect no MK probably until January. MK usually goes on hiatus when the Halloween and Christmas parties start.

Disgruntled Walt1 day ago

I'm quite disappointed at this news, actually. I (wrongly) assumed things would go back to the way they were back when Spectro & MSEP were there. They had EMH when those parades were there. And there's barely anything to do at Animal Kingdom.