Starting today, November 5, 2025, Disney World deluxe resort guests looking for extra park time will find themselves heading to Animal Kingdom instead of Hollywood Studios for Wednesday Extended Evening Hours. The shift marks the beginning of a seasonal change that will last through early 2026—and it’s all because of Jollywood Nights.
According to Disney Tourist Blog, Extended Evening Hours are moving from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom due to the park’s new Jollywood Nights Christmas Party, which takes place on Wednesday evenings from November 8 through December 22.
What This Means for Your Visit
Extended Evening Hours give guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts two extra hours in the park after regular closing time. While Hollywood Studios had been hosting Wednesday Extended Evening Hours through October, Animal Kingdom takes over starting today and will continue through early 2026.
The November schedule includes Extended Evening Hours at Animal Kingdom on:
This follows a predictable seasonal pattern where Extended Evening Hours shift between parks based on special events. When Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs at Magic Kingdom, Extended Evening Hours move to Hollywood Studios. When Jollywood Nights begins at Hollywood Studios, they shift to Animal Kingdom.
Why This Change Actually Benefits Guests
There’s a silver lining to this transition that many guests overlook: Extended Evening Hours at Animal Kingdom in November and December take place entirely after dark, thanks to earlier sunset times. This creates a more appealing nighttime experience compared to summer Extended Evening Hours at the park, which often begin while the sun is still up.
Animal Kingdom transforms at night, with the Tree of Life illuminated by projections and ambient lighting creating an entirely different atmosphere than daytime visits. Having two extra hours to experience attractions like Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, and the Pandora area after dark—with reduced crowds—is a significant perk for qualifying resort guests.
The timing also means you can experience Animal Kingdom during regular daytime hours, leave for dinner or a break, and return for Extended Evening Hours without feeling like you’re sacrificing daytime exploration at other parks.
The Bigger Picture
This shift is part of Disney’s ongoing effort to balance capacity across its parks during the busy holiday season. Jollywood Nights, which runs from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM, requires Hollywood Studios to close to regular guests earlier on event nights, making it impossible to offer Extended Evening Hours there.
By moving Extended Evening Hours to Animal Kingdom, Disney ensures deluxe resort guests still receive their advertised benefit while maximizing Hollywood Studios’ revenue potential through separately ticketed events.
For guests staying at deluxe resorts through the holidays, this means you’ll want to adjust your park plans accordingly. Wednesday nights are now your Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours opportunity, giving you a chance to experience the park’s attractions with significantly lower wait times and a magical nighttime ambiance you won’t find during the day.
If you’re planning a Disney World trip between now and early 2026, factor these Animal Kingdom Extended Evening Hours into your itinerary—especially if you’re staying at a qualifying resort. The combination of cooler November and December temperatures, nighttime atmosphere, and reduced crowds makes this a particularly valuable benefit during the holiday season.
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