DinoLand U.S.A. (permanently closed)
Closed: Feb 1, 2026 (DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus last day) → becomes a Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza, in 2027. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! is not expected to change.
Source ↗Next 7 days of hours
- Fri, Oct 23 8 AM – 6 PM
- Sat, Oct 24 8 AM – 8 PM
- Sun, Oct 25 8 AM – 6 PM
- Mon, Oct 26 8 AM – 6 PM
- Tue, Oct 27 8 AM – 6 PM
- Wed, Oct 28 8 AM – 6 PM
- Thu, Oct 29 8 AM – 6 PM
Extended Evening Hours: Pandora after dark
Animal Kingdom rarely stays open after sunset, so these nights are the easiest way to see Pandora's glowing plants. Disney's calendar lists Extended Evening Hours from 6 PM to 8 PM on:
- Oct 26, Nov 4, Nov 11, Nov 18, Nov 25, Dec 2, Dec 9, Dec 16, Dec 23, Dec 30 (2026)
Who can go: registered guests of Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts, plus select other hotels such as the Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve and Shades of Green (Disney ↗). In October the open attractions were Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, Na'vi River Journey and Zootopia: Better Zoogether! (Disney Food Blog ↗). A recent r/WaltDisneyWorld thread from guests who tried it highly recommends it (Reddit ↗).
Kilimanjaro Safaris keeps shorter hours
The animals keep their own schedule. For late October 2026, Disney's posted hours (reported by Disney Food Blog) have the safari opening at 8:30 AM, so it isn't part of Early Entry, and closing at 4:45 PM on days the park closes at 6 PM, including the Oct 26 Extended Evening night (Disney Food Blog ↗). Plan it for mid-morning or early afternoon, and check the hours in the My Disney Experience app for your date.
What's closed or changing
Coming 2027: Encanto ride, Indiana Jones ride, carousel
Antonio's Fiesta de Encanto (no height requirement), Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent in the former DINOSAUR building, and El Carrusel de los Animalitos. Expect daytime construction noise near the old DinoLand entrance.
Source ↗Kidani Village south lobby corridor (Animal Kingdom Lodge)
Closed: Oct 26, 2026 → Nov 6, 2026. Community Hall, arcade, laundry, Palace Library (temporary check-in), lobby restrooms and terrace deck. Lobby work is behind schedule; Disney now says late 2026.
Source ↗Jambo House guest-room refurbishment (Animal Kingdom Lodge)
Ongoing: May 2026 → January 2027. Possible daytime construction noise; most amenities stay open.
Source ↗Good to know
- Rope drop is the play: the park opens at 8 AM most days (7:30 AM with Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort hotel guests). Check our live waits at opening to pick your first ride. Disney ↗
- Lightning Lane head start: Disney Resort hotel guests can buy Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days before check-in; everyone else gets 3 days. See our Lightning Lane guide. Disney ↗
- Free ice water: ask at almost any quick-service counter. planDisney ↗
- Live waits: our Animal Kingdom wait times and ride reliability pages update through the day.
Animal Kingdom FAQ
When are Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours in fall 2026?
Disney's park calendar lists Extended Evening Hours at Animal Kingdom from 6 PM to 8 PM on Oct 26, Nov 4, Nov 11, Nov 18, Nov 25, Dec 2, Dec 9, Dec 16, Dec 23, Dec 30 (2026). They're for guests of Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts and select other hotels. In October, the open attractions were Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, Na'vi River Journey and Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
Are Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours worth it?
If you're eligible, they're a rare chance to see Pandora after dark, since Animal Kingdom usually closes at 6 PM this fall. Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey are the headline rides. Kilimanjaro Safaris is not on the October list and closes before the park, so do the safari earlier in the day.
What time does Kilimanjaro Safaris open and close?
Kilimanjaro Safaris often opens after the park and closes before it. In late October 2026 it opens at 8:30 AM (not during Early Entry) and closes at 4:45 PM on days the park closes at 6 PM, per Disney's posted hours reported by Disney Food Blog. Check the My Disney Experience app for your date.
Is DinoLand U.S.A. closed?
Yes. DinoLand U.S.A. closed for good on Feb 1, 2026, when DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus had their last day. The area is being rebuilt as a Tropical Americas land (Pueblo Esperanza) with an Encanto ride, an Indiana Jones ride in the old DINOSAUR building and a carousel, set to open in 2027. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! is not expected to change.
What time does Animal Kingdom open?
Through Sat, Jan 2, 2027 the published calendar shows Animal Kingdom opening at 8 AM on most days, with Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort hotel guests 30 minutes earlier. Most days close at 6 PM, with some 7 PM and 8 PM closes.
What's closed at Animal Kingdom Lodge's Kidani Village?
The Kidani Village lobby refurbishment is behind schedule (it was due Oct 9). From Oct 26 to Nov 6, 2026 the south lobby corridor closes, including Community Hall, the Safari So Good arcade, the laundry room, the Palace Library (where check-in had moved), lobby restrooms and the terrace observation deck. Separately, Jambo House guest rooms are being refurbished into early 2027.