Animal Kingdom Park Hours Extended (March 27-28, 2014)

The parks have been really busy in the past few days (blame Spring Break), but it looks like there are even busier times ahead. In fact, just a few hours ago, it was announced that, due to anticipated high attendance, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park will be extending its operating hours for both Thursday, (March 27, 2014) and Friday (March 28, 2014). On Thursday, the park will open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. On Friday, the park will open at 9 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Continue to read for additional information:

Thursday, March 27 – New Park Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• Park open changed from 9 a.m. to 8 a.m.
• Park close changed from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday, March 28 – New Park Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• Park close changed from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

With extended park hours, entertainment times for certain performances and Meet and Greets will be extended. These experiences will also be available for FastPass+ through the extended hours.

• Finding Nemo – The Musical will now be performing a 7 p.m. show both days.
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch will now stay open till 6 p.m. on both days.  
• On Thursday morning, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Pangani Exploration Forest Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek will open at 8:15 a.m. They will all close at their originally communicated time on both days due to early sunset.
• Mickey and Minnie will be meeting at Adventures Outpost till 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
• Most character Meet and Greet experiences will be extended one hour after their originally communicated end time on Thursday. Baloo and Louie will keep their original end time of 5:30 p.m.
• Food and Beverage times are also updated. All Food and Beverage locations will now stay open one hour later than what is listed on the Times Guide.
• Thursday morning, Pizzafari will open with the park at 8 a.m.
• Rainforest Café will maintain their originally communicated opening of 8:30 a.m.

Certain attractions that have special hours different than the park have also been extended.