After Brief Return to Magic Kingdom, Extended Evening Hours Move Back to Animal Kingdom in Late August 2025

Jun 11, 2025 in "Early Theme Parks Entry and Extended Evening Hours"

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Extended Evening Hours at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Posted: Wednesday June 11, 2025 6:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The latest update to Disney’s Extended Evening Hours schedule shows the after-hours benefit shifting back to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, just one week after its brief return to Magic Kingdom on August 13.

After a 5 week July break, Extended Evenings Hours are set to return to Magic Kingdom in August

This suggests that the August 13 event at Magic Kingdom may have been a one-off rather than a full return to the park’s usual Wednesday evening slot.

Here’s the current lineup of Extended Evening Hours:

June 18: Magic Kingdom
June 25: Magic Kingdom
July 2: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
July 9: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
July 16: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
July 23: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
July 30: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
August 6: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
August 13: Magic Kingdom
August 20: Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The Animal Kingdom events are scheduled from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, shortly after the park’s regular closing time. These limited-capacity evenings are available to guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, and other select hotels.

Disney has not provided an explanation for the ongoing shift, but the changes break from the long-standing pattern of Magic Kingdom or EPCOT hosting most Extended Evening Hours. It’s also unclear how long Animal Kingdom will continue in the rotation beyond August 20, as the official calendar does not yet show later dates.

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DCBaker8 days ago

It appears Extended Evening Hours shift to Hollywood Studios on Wednesday, September 16, 2025. Here's a look at upcoming Extended Evening Hours: July 8: Magic Kingdom July 13: EPCOT July 15: Magic Kingdom July 20: EPCOT July 22: Magic Kingdom July 27: EPCOT July 29: Magic Kingdom August 3: EPCOT August 5: Magic Kingdom August 10: EPCOT August 12: Magic Kingdom August 17: EPCOT August 19: Magic Kingdom August 24: EPCOT August 26: Disney’s Animal Kingdom August 31: EPCOT September 2: Disney’s Animal Kingdom September 7: EPCOT September 9: Magic Kingdom September 14: EPCOT September 16: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Mr. Sullivan22 days ago

I just can't get behind this, honestly. I have never had any issue doing a full day open to close at Animal Kingdom. Just a couple weeks ago I did early entry to park close. Between the rides, the shows, and the trails, you can very easily be there all day. I can't imagine how anyone could enjoy the place by just flying through it in a few hours. There's so much to stop and take in.

Jon81uk22 days ago

We did Animal Kingdom last November and filled the day from around 10am to 8pm. Our day was something like - safari, walking trail, train, conservation station, lunch, Nemo show, other walking trail, ice cream, Bird show, Flight of Passage, Avatar boat ride, Tree of Life projections, Zootopia, Dinosaur, Everest x2, Flight of Passage again. Also stopped for some photo ops and really took our time at Pandora. We didn't take things too slow, but didn't rush either and filled the day just fine. After 6pm when it was deluxe guests only there was no wait for Dinosaur, Everest & Flight of Passage hence us saving most of these for those hours and prioritising the animals earlier.

rd80522 days ago

4 attractions open for those 2 hours - it's interesting to think about if you have a park hopper, but there's just not enough to do in that park lol. (Unless this is a fun photo-sesh night?)

Kamikaze22 days ago

I'd be motivated to go since AK is awesome at night, but even with 2 extra hours its not even dark at 8pm.

DCBaker22 days ago

It appears Extended Evening Hours on September 2 will take place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom instead of Magic Kingdom.

IanDLBZF28 days ago

Meaning EMH could run as late as 9 or 10 PM depending on what time Animal Kingdom closes

spectromagic0428 days ago

It closes at 6pm as of rn. The hours can easily be extended to 7 or 8pm as we get closer.

TexasErin28 days ago

Okay, point taken as it is August. I do wish that there were opportunities to see AK in the dark.

Touchdown28 days ago

It won’t be dark, AK closes at 6pm, EMH ends at 8 pm.

TexasErin28 days ago

My family would love to be able to go then. Animal Kingdom is beautiful at night. It's a shame that Pandora is hardly ever able to be enjoyed in the dark. Unfortunately, our trip was last month so it will be awhile before we go again.

Touchdown28 days ago

Are they really going to not do DHS as the replacement for MK this fall, very lame. I understand the strain during Christmas with HWN but for Halloween there is no excuse.

DCBaker29 days ago

It appears Extended Evening Hours on Wednesday, August 26, will take place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom instead of Magic Kingdom.

DCBakerApr 16, 2026

Disney has confirmed Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours will continue through 2027: Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels can take advantage of a 30-minute early entry into Walt Disney World theme parks every day of their stay (including check-in and check-out days). This popular benefit will continue through 2027! Enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks when you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels. This popular benefit will continue through 2027!