Extended Animal Kingdom Hours Updated for Dec 2019/Jan 2020

Guests planning on visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in the coming months will have some extra time to enjoy its amazing attractions, shows, and exhibits as the park’s operating hours have been extended.

Here is a list that includes the operating hours that were recently modified:

OPENING:

•December 5, 23, 26-30: Park opening at 8 a.m. (the park was previously scheduled to open at 9 a.m.)

•January 2-4, 2020: Park opening at 8 a.m. (the park was previously scheduled to open at 9 a.m.)

CLOSING:

•December 22-26: Park closing at 9 p.m. (the park was previously scheduled to close at 8 p.m.)

•December 27-28: Park closing at 10 p.m. (the park was previously scheduled to close at 9 p.m.)

•December 29-30: Park closing at 11 p.m. (the park was previously scheduled to close at 10 p.m.)

•January 1, 3, 2020: Park closing at 9 p.m. (the park was previously scheduled to close at 8 p.m.)

•January 2, 4, 2020: Park closing at 10 p.m. (the park was previously scheduled to close at 9 p.m.)

 

 

 

Animal Kingdom Closure Adjustments

 

Guests planning on visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in the coming weeks should keep in mind that Pandora – The World of Avatar and Africa will close earlier than the rest of the park on select dates in September and October:

• September 18, 2019: Pandora will close at 8 p.m. (the rest of the park closes at 9 p.m.)
• October 3, 2019: Pandora will close at 8 p.m. (the rest of the park closes at 9 p.m.)
• October 4, 2019: Pandora will close at 8 p.m., Africa will close at 4 p.m. (the rest of the park closes at 9 p.m.)

In addition to that, on October 4th, the last Festival of the Lion King show of the day will take place at 3 p.m.

Additional Disney After Hours Dates Announced

Additional dates are now available for Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with tickets on sale beginning May 30:

•Magic Kingdom Park: Aug. 22 and 29; and Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26

•Disney’s Animal Kingdom: July 2, 8, 15, 22, 29; Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26; Sept. 3, 9, 16, 23

•Disney’s Hollywood Studios: July 5, 12, 19, 26

Disney After Hours events enable guests to experience Disney theme parks after the park closes, which means less wait time for popular attractions and character greetings. These popular, ticketed events provide Guests with three hours of unforgettable adventures after the park closes

Event attendees can enter the park as early as 7 p.m. on event night.

Ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages are also included with event admission, which is a separately priced ticket from daytime park admission.

Party for the Planet Returns to Animal Kingdom

To celebrate the beauty of our planet and all its creatures this Earth Day weekend, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will host the “Party for the Planet” on April 20-22, 2019.

Here is more about some of the activities that will be available to guests during the event:

•Animal encounters and educational excitement:

Guests will be able to discover living magic with special ambassador animals or watch animal keepers train and feed some of the creatures that live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Is animal-themed artwork more your style? Check out the giant penguin sculpture made from reclaimed marine debris near the main entrance. The 11 ft. artwork celebrates Disneynature’s upcoming film “Penguins,” and ASE Educators are on hand to share how you can help keep our oceans clean.

 

•Memorable photo props and rare character opportunities

It wouldn’t be a wild party without picture-proof, would it? Say “cheese” inside themed photo props and critter masks at several spots on Discovery Island daily.

Rare character friends have also been invited to pose and play with visitors, including Jiminy Cricket, Thumper, and Miss Bunny!

•Eco-eats, sweets and events

The popular Tiffins Talks hosted by the world-famous Imagineer Joe Rohde return for another year. Enjoy a feast and hear from the man himself about his adventures, designing Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and more in this event.  Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

•Earth-conscious merchandise

Treat yourself while treating the environment with several special merchandise offerings! Stop by Discovery island to check out whimsical fairy houses, jewelry made from recycled materials, and natural bath and body products.

For another opportunity to meet Joe Rohde, he’ll be signing a limited number of special prints in Mombasa Marketplace on Saturday and Monday.

New Desserts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Are you looking for treats that are as adorable as they are delicious? Then, you are invited to get a taste of two of the newest desserts to debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

•Most Beautiful cake

Based on the iconic mural wall found in the village of Harambe, this coconut and pineapple cake is sure to make you smile! For $4.99, Guests can taste the beauty of coconut crisps, mousse and an artfully designed flower on top. This treat is sold only at Harambe Market for a limited time.

•Briar Rose Gold brownie

A new hue is bursting into the Disney scene, and now it’s in the form of a brownie! Snag the Briar Rose Gold brownie if you have a craving for chocolate with strawberry mousse or just an affinity for bow-tiful mouse ears. Guests can purchase this treat for $5.49 at Creature Comforts for a limited time.

 

 

Disney After Hours is Expanding

Disney After Hours is expanding to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here are the details:

Hollywood Studios

Announced attractions to be open during the event are:

• Slinky Dog Dash
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Toy Story Mania!
• Rockin’ Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror
• and more

Event nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be:

• Dec. 8, 15 and 22, 2018
• Jan. 5, 12 and 19, 2019
• Feb. 2, 9 and 16, 2019
• March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2019
• April 6 and 13, 2019

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Announced offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are the Tree of Life Awakenings, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and select quick-service food & beverage locations.

Dates at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are:

• Dec. 4, 12 and 18, 2018
• Jan. 8, 16, 22 and 31, 2019
• Feb. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 26, 2019
• March 5, 20 and 27, 2019
• April 3, 2019

Tickets for Disney After Hours events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be on-sale November 15 through the Disney Reservation Center by calling 407-939-7795.

All Disney After Hours event tickets cost $125 + tax for advance purchase and $129 + tax for day-of purchases. Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders do receive a discounted price $95 + tax.

 

Names Revealed for Club 33 Locations in WDW

 

Walt Disney imagined an elegant, exclusive club that would serve as a place for conversation, and, in turn, be a conversation piece in its own right. Club 33 would become the private, luxurious, yet relaxed setting Walt had envisioned, and it opened its doors at Disneyland Resort on June 15, 1967.

Now, 50 years later, a new chapter in the club’s history has begun at Walt Disney World Resort, with the opening of four Club 33 lounges beginning in 2018 with the Spotlight Lounge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Each of the planned lounges will have its own unique story and connection to Walt Disney. For example, at Spotlight Lounge, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the elegant space recreates the stylish “green room” experience of a major film awards ceremony and celebrates Walt’s award-winning cinematic career. Club 33 members may now or in the near future also experience Constellation Club at Epcot, Captain’s Quarters at Magic Kingdom Park, and Harambe House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

*EXTRA* Extra Magic Hours Added at Animal Kingdom

For a limited time, guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels will be able to enjoy more days with an Extra Magic Hour to access the most popular experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including Avatar – Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, and Triceratops Spin. This benefit is available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels select days April 29-June 30.

Kilimanjaro Safaris will not be available on these additional Extra Magic Hour Days, but it will continue to be part of the standard Extra Magic Hour offerings, generally on Mondays and Saturdays.

Donald’s Dino Bash Coming to Animal Kingdom

Beginning May 25, Donald Duck will take over Dinoland, U.S.A. to celebrate his recent discovery that ducks are descendants of dinosaurs as part of Donald’s Dino-Bash!

Feathered friends Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and other friends of Donald will be on hand to meet Animal Kingdom guests. In addition to bringing his own decorating touch to the land, Donald will throw a nightly dance party where everyone is welcome to “shake their tail feathers.”

WDW Times Guides for Feb 4-10 2018