A Rare Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours in May 2025

Hey Disney Vacationers! Walt Disney World is changing things up with a special Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours event on May 5, 2025. This is a rare opportunity, as Extended Evening Hours are usually only available at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

What Are Extended Evening Hours?

Extended Evening Hours give extra park time to guests staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and other select Disney hotels. This perk allows eligible visitors to enjoy select attractions with shorter wait times after the park closes to regular guests.

Animal Kingdom’s Extended Evening Hours Schedule

On May 5, 2025, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will operate on the following schedule:

• 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

What Rides Will Be Open?

Disney has not officially confirmed which rides will be available during Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours, but looking at past after-hours events, guests may expect:

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Na’vi River Journey
• Expedition Everest
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Dinosaur

With fewer guests in the park, this could be one of the best chances to ride Flight of Passage with minimal wait or experience Expedition Everest at night.

Why This Event Is Special

Extended Evening Hours at Animal Kingdom are rare. Unlike EPCOT or Magic Kingdom, which frequently host these extra hours, Animal Kingdom closes earlier due to its focus on live animals. Having two extra hours in the park after dark is a unique opportunity to experience rides and lands in a way most guests never do.

Will There Be More Dates?

As of now, Disney has only announced May 5, 2025, for Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours. There is no confirmation of additional dates, so if you want to take advantage of this limited-time event, make sure to plan accordingly.

Who Can Access Extended Evening Hours?

To enter Extended Evening Hours, you must be staying at one of the following:

• Deluxe Disney Resorts (e.g., Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
• Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
• Select other Disney hotels (e.g. Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin)

Complete List of Disney Resorts with access to Extended Evening Hours.

If you’re staying at a Value or Moderate Resort, you won’t have access to Extended Evening Hours, but you can still enjoy Early Entry, which allows resort guests to enter the parks 30 minutes before the official opening.

Tips for Making the Most of Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours

If you’re attending this exclusive after-hours event, here’s how to maximize your time:

• Prioritize Avatar Flight of Passage: This is one of the most popular rides in the park, and wait times should be significantly lower. My preference is to look to ride Flight of Passage as my last ride, as the queue and pre-show can use up a lot of your time.
• Ride Expedition Everest at Night: The experience feels completely different after dark.
• Check for Kilimanjaro Safaris Availability: If this ride operates, evening safaris provide a unique look at animal behavior.
• Enjoy a Less Crowded Pandora – The World of Avatar: The land glows beautifully in the dark and is perfect for photos.

Final Thoughts

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours on May 5, 2025, is a rare and exciting opportunity. With shorter wait times, a different nighttime atmosphere, and the chance to enjoy popular rides after dark, this could be one of the best ways to experience Animal Kingdom.

Since no additional dates have been announced, this could be your only chance to enjoy Animal Kingdom with Extended Evening Hours in 2025. If you’re staying at a Deluxe Disney Resort, don’t miss out!

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!