Oel ngati kame, Gemma!
Welcome to planDisney, the most magical place in the galaxy. As a big fan of Disney's Animal Kingdom and
Pandora: The World of Avatar myself, I am so happy that you sent us this question. Pandora's bioluminescent wildlife is absolutely breathtaking, and I completely understand why you would like to experience it all.
Unfortunately, when
park hours end early during the summer, there is no way to see the planet's nighttime glow. As you mentioned, you could get in line at one of the attractions before park closure, but this would not be an option if you cannot stay in line, and you may not get the full experience when leaving either. In addition, although you can get dinner reservations that will make you exit the park later, Guests are typically encouraged to exit the theme park the quickest way possible, and you will not be able to wander off to Pandora. I am sorry that you may not get the experience you wanted!
One thing you can still do to experience this beautiful sight, however, is to visit the two attractions available on Pandora:
Avatar Flight of Passage and
Na'vi River Journey. Indeed, Flight of Passage has sequences showing this bioluminescence, and Na'vi River Journey gives you plenty of time to enjoy the sight as you slowly go down the river. I always love going on Na'vi River Journey for this reason specifically as you can truly see everything that you would otherwise see at night, but even more! This attraction is alive with so much wildlife, and you may even run into a Na'vi or two. Also, after going to the parks for many years, I have learned that you never truly know what will happen with the Disney Parks. Indeed, park hours may still change, so I suggest keeping an eye on the
Walt Disney World website and the
Disney Parks Blog for any updates! Lastly, my little tip for bringing the magic home is to visit the gift shops near Avatar Flight of Passage and at the front of the park. They each have multiple glow-in-the-dark items and light-up toys that you can purchase to recreate the ambience of Pandora at home.
I know this probably wasn't the answer you were looking for, but I hope it was helpful anyway and that you and your fellow Na'vis will have the best day ever on your next Disney vacation. If you have any other questions in the time leading up to your trip, please don't hesitate to reach back out. Besides, answering your questions brings us Disney magic too!
Have a magical day,
Ariane