Guests heading to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in August are going to find a park that looks and operates a little differently than it did throughout the summer.
Several limited-time offerings are reaching their final days, Annual Passholders are losing some valuable perks, and Disney is preparing to shorten the park’s operating day. Meanwhile, construction on the park’s next major expansion continues to become increasingly visible.
Here’s what’s changing.
Animal Kingdom Cuts Its August Hours
The biggest adjustment for most guests will happen on August 9.
Animal Kingdom will close at 7 p.m. during the beginning of August, but Disney will move that closing time to 6 p.m. starting August 9. The earlier closing time will then remain in place through the rest of the month.
Losing an hour could make planning more challenging, especially for guests who prefer arriving later in the day.
Animal Kingdom already typically operates fewer hours than Disney World’s other parks. Guests hoping to experience attractions such as Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Na’vi River Journey may need to make better use of their morning and afternoon.
There will be one exception.
On August 26, eligible Disney Deluxe Resort and other qualifying hotel guests can take advantage of Extended Evening Hours. Animal Kingdom will remain available to those guests from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
For everyone else, the regular park day ends at 6 p.m.
Annual Passholders Are Losing Several Extras
Another round of removals arrives even sooner.
Disney’s V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days promotion officially ends July 31, meaning the Animal Kingdom perks connected to the event disappear August 1.
Passholders have had access to several exclusive merchandise items at Discovery Trading Company, including a zip-up hoodie, T-shirt, Loungefly crossbody bag, baseball hat, and Corkcicle canteen.
A special popcorn bucket featuring artwork by Ashley Taylor has also been available at Chakranadi.
Those limited-time offerings are tied to the summer promotion, so Passholders shouldn’t expect them to continue into August.
A 40% Dining Discount Is Also Ending
The merchandise isn’t necessarily the biggest loss.
Passholders have also received a substantial 40% discount at Tiffins Restaurant and Tusker House Restaurant on select days.
The promotion applies to dinner at Tiffins and lunch and dinner at Tusker House on Mondays through Thursdays through July 31.
Once V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days ends, that special 40% offer goes with it.
Anyone planning an August dining reservation should keep that change in mind when calculating the cost of their visit.
Construction Is Changing the Animal Kingdom Skyline
While some offerings disappear, guests will continue seeing signs of what’s coming next.
Disney is transforming the former DinoLand U.S.A. area into Tropical Americas, with Pueblo Esperanza eventually bringing new experiences inspired by Encanto (2021) and Indiana Jones to Animal Kingdom.
Construction is moving forward on the future Encanto (2021) attraction, including steel structures atop its large show building.
Those structures will eventually support themed rockwork designed to help disguise the building and create a more immersive environment.
That means August visitors should expect construction equipment and cranes to remain noticeable around the park.
Animal Kingdom is firmly in a period of transition. Beginning next month, guests will have fewer operating hours and Passholders will lose several summer benefits, all while Disney continues building toward the park’s next major era.
