Hi Susan,
Karibu! Welcome to planDisney! Thank you so much for stopping by to bring us your question. I am so excited to learn about your wild and magical plans for the
Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. I just know it’s going to be a night to remember!
Susan, since your Starlight Safari begins at 10:00 p.m., it will likely wrap up right around 11:00 p.m. or shortly after. While
Disney Springs does offer bus transportation to Disney Resort hotels until one hour after it officially closes, heading to Disney Springs directly after your safari would be cutting it too close using Disney transportation, and you’d need to arrange your own ride. On top of that, with Disney Springs closing at 11:00 pm, many locations may already be winding down by the time you arrive.
My recommendation would be to choose a smooth and stress-free end to your evening and consider heading back to your home resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, after your safari. You can’t go wrong with the Poly at night; it offers its own kind of magic. You could enjoy a fun nightcap at
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, soak in the tropical ambiance, or even catch the Electrical Water Pageant as it floats across Seven Seas Lagoon. It’s such a relaxing and enchanting way to wind down after an adventurous evening.
I’d also suggest an earlier dinner before your adventure so you’re not stuck eating grubs like Timon and Pumbaa! I highly recommend any of the
dining options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. They are all fantastic! My personal favorite is
Sanaa. Their bread service is famous for a reason. Yum!
One last tip: Be sure to check the
My Disney Experience app while you’re there so you can view the most
up-to-date schedules for restaurants, theme parks, and Disney Springs, and plan accordingly. It’s the best map and key to the kingdom there is!
I hope this helps you as you dream up and plan your adventure to the savanna. For any additional planning tips, please don’t hesitate to come back to see us!
Kwaherini and see ya real soon,
Emille