Something unexpected is happening at Walt Disney World this October, and it’s a change Animal Kingdom fans have been waiting on for years. The park that built a reputation for closing its doors before dinnertime is finally being handed a late-night spotlight. On Monday, October 27, 2025, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will host Extended Evening Hours — a perk typically reserved for EPCOT and Magic Kingdom — giving Deluxe Resort guests a rare opportunity to see the park come alive after dark.
For decades, Animal Kingdom has been viewed as the “early closer” of Disney World. A normal operating day ends around 6:00 p.m., sometimes even earlier outside peak months. The reasoning has always been tied to the animals that call the park home, but that practical reality has also meant generations of guests never see one of the park’s most remarkable transformations: its nighttime glow. With the October update, the schedule changes to 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., plus two bonus hours for Deluxe Resort and Villa guests from 8:00–10:00 p.m.
Why Pandora at Night Is the Real Prize
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about extra time on rides. This is about giving people the chance to experience Pandora – The World of Avatar the way it was meant to be seen. During the day, Pandora is jaw-dropping with its floating mountains and lush alien vegetation. But at night? The land literally lights up underfoot. Pavement glows in shifting blues, plants glimmer with fluorescent detail, and waterfalls radiate with neon-inspired hues.
The bioluminescent landscape was designed to recreate the visual magic of James Cameron’s Avatar, but the irony is most park guests never witness it. Animal Kingdom’s typical closing hours leave the land dark and inaccessible when the sun goes down. On October 27, that changes. Deluxe guests will finally get the chance to wander through a fully illuminated Pandora without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and yes — rides like Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey should see dramatically reduced wait times.
More Than Just Avatar
The after-dark lineup is likely to feature many of the park’s most popular attractions, and each one carries its own charm when the sun sets.
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Expedition Everest becomes an entirely new ride at night. Racing through the Himalayas under a moonlit sky amplifies the speed and sharp turns of one of Disney’s most intense coasters.
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DINOSAUR is even easier to re-ride when crowds thin out, which is perfect for thrill-seekers who want back-to-back trips into the Cretaceous.
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Kilimanjaro Safaris has been known to stretch into twilight during select events, offering a much different perspective of the savanna and its animals. If it joins the October lineup, expect it to be one of the evening’s most memorable experiences.
And then there’s the park itself. Lantern-lit walkways, reflections off the water, the hushed atmosphere of Discovery Island — Animal Kingdom transforms into a totally different space at night, something closer to a serene escape than a bustling theme park.
The Perk That Still Feels Exclusive
Extended Evening Hours aren’t for everyone, and that exclusivity is part of the appeal. The benefit is limited to guests at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and a select handful of partner hotels. It’s not a paid add-on like Disney After Hours events, which anyone can buy a ticket for. Instead, it’s included in the cost of the hotel stay, making it one of the most significant perks still tied directly to premium accommodations.
Until now, EPCOT has traditionally anchored Monday nights in the program, while Disney’s Hollywood Studios handles most Wednesdays. Magic Kingdom shows up on select dates, but Animal Kingdom only joined the schedule this past summer on a trial basis. This October marks the first time the park officially takes over a Monday slot.
October is already a jam-packed season at Walt Disney World. Between EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival, Halloween events across the resort, and heavy fall vacation crowds, park-goers know to expect longer waits and denser crowds. That’s exactly why this Animal Kingdom event is such a standout.
On October 27, the sun will set in Orlando at 6:45 p.m. By the time the park closes at 8:00, darkness will have settled in, setting the stage perfectly for Pandora to shimmer, Everest to race under stars, and Discovery River to glisten with lantern light. It’s essentially the only way most guests will ever see the park in its full nighttime splendor without paying extra for a special ticket.
A Glimpse of What’s to Come?
Animal Kingdom has always carried the challenge of being both a theme park and a working animal habitat. Disney has tried in the past to balance late-night entertainment with animal welfare, sometimes with mixed results. But adding Extended Evening Hours into the official rotation — and now handing Animal Kingdom a coveted Monday slot — shows Disney is at least experimenting with letting the park breathe after dark.
Whether it’s the start of a larger trend or just a one-off calendar adjustment remains to be seen. What’s certain is that for many Deluxe guests, October 27 will deliver a brand-new way to see a park they thought they already knew.
If you’re staying Deluxe this fall, don’t miss it. Two hours may not sound like much, but when the park is dark, quiet, and glowing, it feels like you’re seeing Animal Kingdom for the very first time.
