Walt Disney World is known as the Most Magical Place on Earth, and nobody can deny that! Between Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, Walt Disney Imagineering has done everything possible to ensure each Disney vacation is as magical as possible.
Over in Animal Kingdom Park, however, Walt Disney Imagineering has truly outdone themselves. The trouble is, Guests never get to see it!
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Animal Kingdom is home to over 1,000 animals, made up of nearly 250 different species, including the largest groups of African Elephants and Nile Hippos in North America!
The Disney Park’s dedication to conservation and animal research cannot be swept under the rug by the outward appearance of a vacation destination. In fact, Walt Disney World scientists have even discovered two entirely new vocalizations while studying the elephants at Animal Kingdom!
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In short, Animal Kingdom Park’s top priority is the safety, comfort, and welfare of its animal inhabitants. That’s why the Disney Resort has more foliage than others, offers fewer single-use plastics, and absolutely no fireworks.
Not only that, but the Disney Resort closes earlier than the rest of the Disney Parks.
Hollywood Studios and EPCOT typically close around 9:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. respectively, while Magic Kingdom typically stays open until 11:00 p.m. But Animal Kingdom usually closes at 8:00 p.m.
While closing earlier is better for the welfare of the animals, it does give Guests less chance to experience one of the wonders of the Disney Resort, Pandora: The World of Avatar at night.
@disneyparks This day to night transition is a vibe ✨🌌 #Disney #DisneyWorld #Avatar #AnimalKingdom #Transition
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In the Avatar film series, you may recall that the nights on Pandora are full of bioluminescence, and Walt Disney Imagineering has definitely brought that to life in the Disney Park.
However…many Guests complain that they rarely see it due to the theme park’s limited hours.
One TikTok user writes, “If Animal Kingdom would stay open so I could visit Pandora at night more often, I would.”
Another user writes, “I never get to see Pandora at night [because] it closes so early.”
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It’s worth mentioning that during the Florida summers (which last longer than in most states), the sun sets anywhere from 5:00 p.m. to past 8:00 p.m., making it especially difficult to see Pandora: The World of Avatar’s bioluminescence.
Did Walt Disney Imagineering make a grave mistake while designing the themed area? Or does the rarity of the sight make it even more special when you get to see it? While we can’t say for sure, we can undoubtedly agree that Pandora: The World of Avatar is stunning once the sun goes down.
