Walt Disney World Resort is making exciting adjustments to its schedule, and with them comes a wave of thrilling updates across its beloved theme parks. This summer, Disney’s Animal Kingdom takes center stage with extended operating hours and plans for transformative experiences that promise to reshape the park’s future.
Animal Kingdom has officially taken over Extended Evening Hours (EEH) following Magic Kingdom’s temporary pause. The nighttime benefit returned to Animal Kingdom on May 5, giving guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and select hotels a special chance to journey through Pandora–The World of Avatar and race through Expedition Everest between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., all with reduced wait times.
More evening adventures are coming. The My Disney Experience app shows that Animal Kingdom will host EEH on July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and August 6. Though Magic Kingdom steps back for now, it briefly returns to the EEH lineup on August 13 before the focus returns to Animal Kingdom on August 20.
These schedule shifts are part of a larger story unfolding at Walt Disney World. Guests visiting Animal Kingdom will soon step into an entirely new realm as the park begins construction on Tropical Americas. Replacing DinoLand U.S.A., this brand-new land will celebrate the vibrant cultures and landscapes of Central and South America. It will feature an immersive experience inside Antonio Madrigal’s room from Encanto and a beautifully crafted carousel inspired by Disney’s animal characters.
While TriceraTop Spin has already taken its final spin, DINOSAUR will remain open until 2025 before being reimagined as an Indiana Jones-themed attraction. The Tree of Life Theater also saw a change earlier this year, with It’s Tough to be a Bug! ending its run on March 16. The space will soon debut Zootopia: Better Zoogether, a heartfelt, tech-enhanced stage show set for winter 2025.
This entire transformation is underpinned by a permit dubbed “Project Ro,” approved by the South Florida Water Management District earlier this year. Valid through 2030, it allows for major infrastructure upgrades, stormwater enhancements, and environmental preservation.
Meanwhile, Magic Kingdom is preparing for its own bold leap forward. A new land—Piston Peak National Park, inspired by Pixar’s Cars franchise—is coming to Frontierland. The reimagining begins with the closure of Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America on July 7. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is also undergoing refurbishment and is expected to reopen in 2026 as part of this larger project.
In the midst of these changes, Magic Kingdom will also launch a dazzling new nighttime parade. Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away debuts on July 20, weaving its way from Frontierland to Main Street, U.S.A., and showcasing moments from Moana, Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, Pinocchio, and more.
As six Disney parks opened their gates on May 21, and Universal Orlando Resort unveiled Epic Universe on May 22, Central Florida’s theme park scene is heading into a vibrant summer full of fresh beginnings.
How do you feel about these changes to Extended Evening Hours? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
