Jambo, Ashley!
I'm so glad you've found your way to planDisney and I really appreciate you dropping by with your question. As someone who likes to plan a Walt Disney World Resort vacation
way in advance, I always love when I come across a fellow advance planner –– after all, how else would be able to dream up all those details that make a Disney vacation practically perfect in every way!
If you ask me, the only thing more magical than visiting a Walt Disney World theme park is getting to spend a little
extra time enjoying everything the parks have to offer. And as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration, Guests who stay at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel can do just that with
Early Theme Park Entry and
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. During Early Theme Park Entry, Resort Guests can enter any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks, including Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, up to 30 minutes early each day. All you'll need to enter is valid admission and a
Disney Park Pass reservation. With the Extended Evening Hours Benefit, Guests staying at a Deluxe Resort hotel or a Deluxe Villa Resort can take advantage of up to two hours in the park after it closes to the general public in select parks on certain nights. And while we haven't seen these extended evening hours for Animal Kingdom so far, there's always a chance that we could see them scheduled down the road.
As I mentioned, these two extended hours benefits were announced as part of the
Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration, which ends on March 31, 2023. So far, Disney hasn't shared any information about whether this type of benefit will continue after the celebration ends, so since you'll be visiting in late April, I can't say for sure whether there will be any type of extended hours at that time. As your visit gets closer, be sure to keep an eye on the Park Hours (which can be found on the Walt Disney World website), as well as
Disney Parks Blog for all the latest news and updates about everything happening across Walt Disney World.
When it comes to late-night fun in the parks, Walt Disney World also recently announced that
Disney After Hours would be returning in 2023. These specially-ticketed events include an extra sprinkle of pixie dust, with smaller crowds, typically-shorter wait times, and even plenty of your favorite snacks included in the price of admission. While only dates for these events have only been announced for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios at this time, we have seen after-hours events at Animal Kingdom in the past, so it's always possible that more dates and parks could be added in time for your visit. Again, be sure to check Disney Parks Blog for any announcements about future events –– that's always my top source for all the scoop that's happening around Walt Disney World Resort!
Thanks so much for visiting planDisney, Ashley. If you think of new questions as your Walt Disney World Resort visit gets closer, I hope you'll stop by again –– we're always here to lend a helping hand!
Happy Planning,
Amy