Credit: Steven Miller, FlickrDisney is giving select guests a little extra magic this spring—and this time, it’s happening at a park that doesn’t usually get the spotlight for late-night perks.
In May, guests staying at eligible Walt Disney World resort hotels will have the chance to remain inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom after the park officially closes for the day. The offering, known as Extended Evening Hours, is most commonly associated with Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Animal Kingdom doesn’t host these nights nearly as often, which is exactly why this one stands out.
On May 4, 2026, qualifying guests will be able to enjoy Extended Evening Hours at Animal Kingdom from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. That two-hour window might not sound like much at first. But in a park where wait times for headliners can easily stretch past an hour, those extra minutes can completely change the pace of your evening.
A Different Animal Kingdom After Dark
Animal Kingdom operates on a different rhythm compared to the other Walt Disney World parks. Because of the live animals and the overall layout, the park typically closes earlier than Magic Kingdom. That’s part of what makes Extended Evening Hours here feel more special.
Once the general public clears out, the atmosphere shifts. The walkways feel calmer. The lighting becomes more dramatic. And Pandora – The World of Avatar truly comes alive at night. The bioluminescent glow throughout the land feels more immersive without the midday crowds pressing in from every direction.
During this extended window, several major attractions will remain open. Guests can experience Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Na’vi River Journey, and Zootopia: Better Zoogether! That lineup includes some of the park’s most in-demand rides, especially Flight of Passage, which often posts some of the longest waits in the park during regular hours.
Who Qualifies for Extended Evening Hours?
This benefit isn’t available to everyone. Extended Evening Hours are reserved for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, and select partner hotels.
Eligible Disney Deluxe Resorts include Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.
For those staying in Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, participating properties include Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House and Kidani Village; Disney’s Beach Club Villas; Disney’s BoardWalk Villas; Disney’s Old Key West Resort; Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows; Disney’s Riviera Resort; Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa; The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (specifically Disney Vacation Club Cabins); and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, and Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort are also eligible.
If you’re booked at one of these properties in early May, this perk suddenly adds even more value to your stay.
Why This Perk Feels Bigger Than It Sounds
Extended Evening Hours have quietly become one of the most meaningful on-site benefits. Over the last several years, Disney has adjusted many of its perks. Some have evolved. Others have disappeared. In that landscape, Extended Evening Hours stand out because they offer something tangible: time.
Time without the same level of crowds.
Time without feeling like you’re racing the clock.
Time that can potentially save you from stacking Lightning Lane purchases all day long.
Two hours in a lower-capacity park can mean multiple major attractions back-to-back. It can also mean riding Expedition Everest under the stars or strolling through Pandora without feeling rushed.
Animal Kingdom, in particular, transforms at night. Expedition Everest feels more intense against a dark sky. Pandora’s glowing pathways feel more cinematic. Even just walking from Africa to Asia becomes a different experience once the sun dips.
Will There Be More Dates?
As of now, park hours in the My Disney Experience app are only visible through May 4. That means additional Extended Evening Hours dates later in May haven’t been announced yet.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see more nights added as the calendar continues to roll out. Animal Kingdom has hosted these evenings before, just not as frequently as other parks. Guests planning trips later in the month will want to keep an eye on updates as additional operating hours become available.
How to Plan Around It
If you’re eligible, your entire day strategy can shift.
Some guests may choose to rest during the afternoon, especially if they’ve rope dropped earlier in the week. Others might spend the first half of the day focusing on shows, animal trails, and dining before saving the headliners for the evening window.
Because the pool of eligible guests is limited to higher-tier resorts and select hotels, wait times during Extended Evening Hours are typically much lower than during standard park operations. That said, Flight of Passage will likely remain the most popular choice. Going in with a loose plan—rather than wandering without direction—can help you maximize every minute.
A Small Change With a Noticeable Impact
On paper, two extra hours doesn’t look like a game-changer. But at Animal Kingdom, where closing times are often earlier than the other parks, it can feel significant.
It also reinforces the growing gap in perks between resort categories. Guests staying at Deluxe and select partner hotels continue to receive access to benefits that value and moderate resort guests do not. For families deciding where to stay, offerings like Extended Evening Hours can influence that choice.
For now, May 4, 2026, offers a rare opportunity to experience Animal Kingdom in a quieter, more relaxed setting. Whether Disney adds more dates remains to be seen. But if you happen to be staying at an eligible resort that night, it might be worth adjusting your plans.
Sometimes the best part of a Disney day isn’t rushing to fit everything in.