Walt Disney World has made another adjustment to its Thanksgiving-week operating schedule, giving guests two additional hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Monday, November 23, 2026.
The park will now operate from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on November 23, extending its previously scheduled 6 p.m. closing by two hours.
The latest change follows last week’s broader Thanksgiving operating-hours adjustments, which extended hours at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
Unlike those earlier changes, this update specifically addresses November 23, which had remained on Animal Kingdom’s shorter operating schedule.
Disney has also updated several attraction, entertainment, and dining schedules to accommodate the later closing.
Animal Kingdom Will Stay Open Until 8 p.m. on November 23
The new operating hours give guests 12 hours inside Animal Kingdom on November 23.
Early Theme Park Entry remains scheduled for 7:30 a.m. for eligible Disney Resort hotel guests and visitors staying at other participating hotels.
The adjustment means Animal Kingdom will now offer extended evening hours on four consecutive dates leading into Thanksgiving.
The updated schedule is:
- November 21: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- November 22: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- November 23: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- November 24: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The November 23 extension is the newest change. The other three dates had already received adjustments in previous schedule updates.
For guests planning Thanksgiving-week visits, the additional evening hours provide more flexibility, particularly for attractions that are popular throughout the day.
Major Attractions Will Remain Open Later
Disney’s updated schedule indicates that several major Animal Kingdom attractions will operate until the new 8 p.m. closing time.
These include Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey in Pandora – The World of Avatar.
Expedition Everest and Zootopia: Better Zoogether! are also scheduled to remain available until 8 p.m.
The later closing is particularly useful for guests interested in experiencing Pandora after sunset.
The land’s bioluminescent landscaping and nighttime lighting create a substantially different atmosphere from its daytime appearance.
Although Animal Kingdom is frequently associated with shorter operating hours than Walt Disney World’s other theme parks, the additional evening time allows visitors to experience more of the park after dark.
Attraction availability remains subject to operational conditions, and guests should check the My Disney Experience app for updated schedules.
Additional Festival of the Lion King and Feathered Friends Performances
The November 23 adjustment also brings additional live entertainment.
Festival of the Lion King will offer an added performance at 5 p.m. on November 23 and November 24.
The popular theater production in Africa combines music from Disney’s animated classic with acrobatics, singers, dancers, and elaborate costumes.
Feathered Friends in Flight!, the bird presentation at the Anandapur Theater in Asia, will also receive an additional performance.
Disney has scheduled the show’s added performance for 4:45 p.m. on both November 23 and November 24.
These additions are significant because extending park hours does not automatically mean every entertainment offering receives more performances.
Guests who prefer to experience attractions earlier in the day will have additional opportunities to attend the shows during the late afternoon.
Tree of Life Awakenings Added to the Evening Schedule
The updated entertainment calendar also includes Tree of Life Awakenings on November 22, 23, and 24.
Performances are scheduled to begin at approximately 6 p.m.
The nighttime projection experience transforms Animal Kingdom’s iconic centerpiece through animated imagery, music, and lighting effects.
During the holiday season, the park also presents a seasonal version of the experience.
The extended operating hours provide additional opportunities for guests to enjoy the Tree of Life after sunset.
On November 23 and 24, visitors will have approximately two hours between the scheduled start of the nighttime presentations and the park’s closing time.
Actual performance availability can change because of weather or operational considerations.
Several Animal Kingdom Restaurants Will Stay Open Later
The operating-hours extension also affects dining.
On November 23, Tusker House Restaurant is scheduled to serve guests until 7:30 p.m.
Yak & Yeti Restaurant will remain open until 7:50 p.m., while Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom is scheduled to operate until 8:30 p.m.
Tiffins Restaurant will remain open until 7:30 p.m. on both November 23 and November 24.
These changes give guests additional opportunities to enjoy table-service meals without having to leave the park during the late afternoon.
Dining reservations and restaurant operating hours remain subject to availability and may change.
What About Thanksgiving Day?
The latest extension does not currently apply to Thanksgiving Day itself.
Animal Kingdom remains scheduled to operate from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, through Saturday, November 28.
However, eligible Disney Deluxe Resort and other qualifying hotel guests will have access to Extended Evening Hours on November 25, scheduled from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Disney could make further operating-hours adjustments as Thanksgiving approaches, although no additional changes have been confirmed.
For now, November 23 represents the newest extension.
With more time for attractions, additional entertainment performances, later restaurant availability, and nighttime Tree of Life presentations, the adjustment provides a meaningful improvement for guests visiting Animal Kingdom during one of Walt Disney World’s busiest holiday travel periods.