If you’re planning a Disney World escape this August, you might need to rearrange your itinerary. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has already closed early on Saturday, August 16, 2025, leaving many guests late at night scrambling to replan their evening. Now, a second early closure is on the horizon: Disney’s Animal Kingdom will shut its gates at 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 28, 2025, cutting into some of the park’s best after-dark experiences.
Hollywood Studios Already Shut Early—How Did You Miss That?
Let’s get one thing out of the way: Hollywood Studios gave park-goers an early send‑off on August 16, wrapping up operations by 6:00 PM and canceling the beloved Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular. In case you missed it, that’s now in your rear-view mirror—but a sharp reminder: these surprise shutdowns are real and they do happen.
Animal Kingdom: Say Goodbye at Sunset on August 28
Now the forecast calls for an early sundown at Animal Kingdom. The park will close to day guests at 5:00 PM on August 28, 2025, shortening the day by an hour—just when Pandora’s bioluminescent glow becomes the show-stopping highlight. Expect a cut in operating hours from the usual 8:00 AM–6:00 PM to just those nine action-packed hours.
Why Is This Happening? Guess: Private Buyouts
Disney hasn’t given an official explanation yet, but insiders and regulars know the drill. These early closures usually mean one thing: private park buyouts. Big corporations, star-studded private events, or VIP groups pay top dollar for exclusive access—cleaning out the park for the regular crowd. Guests get exclusive perks—rides with no lines, open food and drinks, and empty pathways. But for us? It’s a sudden finish to a full-price day.
Why Late Nights at Disney Parks Matter—And How They’re Dwindling
Long evenings in Disney parks are the essence of vacation magic. In years past, Magic Kingdom might stay open until 2:00 AM in summer, EPCOT’s World Showcase thrived under moonlight, and even Animal Kingdom lit up until 10:00 or 11:00 PM—offering glowing vistas of Harambe, illuminated silhouettes in Pandora, and Everest under the stars.
Even when Animal Kingdom closed “early,” Disney used to finesse around it—keeping Pandora, Asia, and Discovery Island open beyond twilight while quieter, animal-heavy areas like Kilimanjaro Safaris closed early. That way, the magic remained accessible without disturbing its real-life residents.
Now, closing the park early for the general public while private events run late is a bitter twist—and a troubling trend.
What This Means for Your August Visit
If you’re at Animal Kingdom on August 28, your day will max out at just nine hours—eight if you count that sunset transition. That’s precious little time for Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, or even capturing sunset photos in Pandora. If you’re riding rollouts like Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes, your window just shrank.
For packing in everything on your schedule—dinner reservations, park hopping, or evening transportation—you’ll need to pivot now. Surprisingly, early closures often go unnoticed until guests are in the parking lot, already booked. Don’t let that be you.
October Alert: Magic Kingdom Might Close Early, Too
Looking further ahead: Magic Kingdom is expected to close early on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, for the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo. While timing hasn’t been finalized, historical patterns suggest a 5:00 or 6:00 PM closure to make way for the evening corporate event.
So Halloween party season isn’t the only cause of early exits—big conferences have become part of the equation as well.
Tips to Make the Most of Disney Hours
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Check park hours daily—especially for Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom in fall.
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Plan early—get in first thing, use Early Entry if eligible, pace your must-dos early in the day.
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Build flexibility—have backup plans for dinner, entertainment, or park hopping.
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Consider after-hour events—sometimes paying for limited access provides a more reliable experience.
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Alert travel companions—this info is essential if you’re coordinating with friends or family.
The sweet summer fantasy of long Disney evenings is shrinking—first we lost Hollywood Studios after 6 PM on August 16, now Animal Kingdom is shortening its day on August 28. And looming ahead, Magic Kingdom may follow suit in October.
If you want a full evening experience—especially in Pandora’s glow or by castle fireworks—you’ll need to plan smart. Because right now, the parks are closing early—and yes, that includes some of Disney’s best night magic.
