Nighttime Entertainment is Returning to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Animal Kingdom is a beautiful park for so much to see and do. However, the short operating hours can make it difficult to see the park after dark. Fortunately, nighttime entertainment is returning soon!

Animal Kingdom

Many people consider Disney’s Animal Kingdom a half-day park, particularly for short trips. It is certainly possible to squeeze in plenty of priority attractions, entertainment, and experiences if you plan carefully and get the timing right.

Many people try to achieve this with touring strategies that involve arriving prior to rope drop. Certainly there are several fantastic strategies, particularly if you can utilize Early Park Entry.

However, you should absolutely consider ending your Day at Animal Kingdom instead of starting there. The park is so beautiful at night! Check out this post for four reasons why you should end your day there.

Tree of Life Awakenings

One of the biggest reasons to explore Animal Kingdom at night is because of Tree of Life Awakenings. Watch in wonder when the animal spirits within the great tree awaken during a mesmerizing showcase of colour and light.

After night falls, pay special attention to the Tree of Life at the center of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. Approximately every 10 minutes, flickering fireflies magically appear and stir to life the wondrous animals spirits carved into the tree’s towering trunk—bringing to light a stunning visual swarming with vivid colour and animated imagery.

The 50th anniversary version of the show ended in March with the conclusion of the anniversary. In addition, since the park closes so early the show would be pointless with Daylight Savings Time pushing everything farther back.

Returning

With Daylight Savings Time ending in November, Tree of Life Awakenings will return to Animal Kingdom at some point this fall. This will allow it to get dark enough for the Tree of Life to illuminate and still make sure Guests leave the park by closing time (usually 7:00 or 8:00 pm).

We do not have an official return date, but this year Daylight Savings ends on November 5, 2023. The return could take place a few weeks before, but I don’t anticipate it returning several weeks after Daylight Savings ends.

Do you miss nighttime entertainment at Animal Kingdom? Are you excited to see the show again? Let us know in the comments below and share this post with a friend who has a fall trip!