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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Sirwalterraleigh28 days ago

Cause they’re trying to sell it to you for $28 an hour later?

ToTBellHop28 days ago

It’s a matter of budgeting. As I said, they’ve opened it for EE in the past.

co1006428 days ago

Is there any justification for TRON not being open for Early Entry, or is it strictly a cost cutting measure? For Tiana’s early closure and not offering it for Extended Evening Hours, they can at least pretend they’re doing maintenance on it

ToTBellHop29 days ago

It has already operated during EE during peak weeks. Experienced it myself.

dmc49329 days ago

A random woman on TikTok claims the new approach includes Fantasyland. She didn't have video proof so not quite verifiable

Sirwalterraleigh29 days ago

I’d think it’s like a 99% chance

bork29 days ago

Could this be in anticipation of adding Tron to early entry?

Purduevian29 days ago

So fantasyland was still roped off? was there a new rope (or 2?) between tomorrowland and fantasyland?

wdwmagic29 days ago

Disney Adjusts Early Entry Rope Drop at Magic Kingdom, Allowing Earlier Access to Tomorrowland https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/extra-magic-hours/news/18mar2025-disney-adjusts-early-entry-rope-drop-at-magic-kingdom,-allowing-earlier-access-to-tomorrowland.htm

DCBakerFeb 25, 2025

Guardings of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has officially been added to the attraction lineup for Early Theme Park Entry:

monothingieFeb 24, 2025

Probably an after hours park buyout at EPCOT that night.

DCBakerFeb 24, 2025

According to updated park hours, Extended Evening Hours will occur at Disney's Animal Kingdom on May 5, 2025, instead of EPCOT.

DCBakerDec 18, 2024

Adding the Extended Evening schedule for February 2025 as there is one date out of the normal rotation: Monday, Feb. 3: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wednesday, Feb. 5: Magic Kingdom Monday, Feb. 10: EPCOT Wednesday, Feb. 12: Magic Kingdom Monday, Feb. 17: EPCOT Wednesday, Feb. 19: Magic Kingdom Monday, Feb. 24: EPCOT Wednesday, Feb. 26: Magic Kingdom

DCBakerNov 20, 2024

Here's a look at the Extended Evening Hours schedule for January 2025: Wednesday, Jan. 1: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Friday, Jan. 3: Disney's Hollywood Studios Monday, Jan. 6: EPCOT Wednesday, Jan. 8: Magic Kingdom Monday, Jan. 13: EPCOT Wednesday, Jan. 15: Magic Kingdom Monday, Jan. 20: EPCOT Wednesday, Jan. 22: Magic Kingdom Monday, Jan. 27: EPCOT Wednesday, Jan. 29: Disney’s Animal Kingdom