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Is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Planning on Expanding Park Hours?

animal kingdom entrance
Credit: Disney

When it comes to Walt Disney World Resort, each theme park serves a totally unique purpose and niche. But the most memorable Disney Park is undoubtedly Animal Kingdom.

pandora the world of avatar animal kingdom

Credit: Hansun Kim

READ MORE: This “Secret” Animal Kingdom Hack Could Be Disastrous If Guests Start Using It

Animal Kingdom is the second most visited Disney Park behind Magic Kingdom. It’s also the most visited zoo and the largest theme park in the entire world.

In short, Animal Kingdom is one of the neatest things about Walt Disney World Resort. However, some Guests can never be fully pleased, as many visitors often complain about the early closing time.

lion king animal kingdom

Credit: Brian McGowan

READ MORE: Is Animal Kingdom’s Most Popular Attraction Beginning to Fall Apart?

While Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios close from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., Animal Kingdom typically closes at 8 p.m.

For most Guests, that means leaving shortly after grabbing dinner, not giving them enough time to explore the theme park. But it’s not for nothing! Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other Disney Parks purely for animal welfare.

However…the Disney Park used to close even earlier, as early as 5 p.m., according to Disney Dining’s own Jill Bivins. Around 2016, Disney expanded Park hours from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This begs the question: will it happen again?

dugan white rhino dead animal kingdom disney world baby rhino mylo ranger logan

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

READ MORE: Popular Attraction In Disney’s Animal Kingdom Has Officially Closed

If Animal Kingdom was set on closing as early as 5 p.m. for the sake of animal welfare but pushed the close time by a few hours, who’s to say the Disney Park won’t do it again someday?

As Guests urge for even more time to explore the Disney Park, there’s always the chance that Disney will fold under pressure.

animal kingdom hippo

Credit: Disney

READ MORE: How Walt Disney Imagineering Could Improve Animal Kingdom’s Most Divisive Attraction

However, at Disney Dining, we hope for whatever is best for the animal residents of the theme park, even if it means having to budget our time a little stricter when visiting.

About Isabella Reimer

Isabella Reimer grew up visiting Walt Disney World and relocated to Central Florida to be even closer to The Most Magical Place on Earth. She earned her Bachelor’s from Florida State University, where she studied Creative Writing and Women’s Studies. Her biggest hobby is bonding with the ikran at Avatar Flight of Passage, and her retirement plan includes becoming the 1,000 Happy Haunt of the Haunted Mansion.