[LURK]

Does anyone have personal experience with this? Wanting to maximize end-of-the-day time at AK.

Scenario: Park closing time listed as 5:00. Not EMH day.

I'm assuming you can linger in the park at least an hour after the listed closing time, but I have three specific questions:

1. If you are in line for KJ Safari at 5:00, will you definitely get to ride, no matter how many people are in front of you?

2. Can you enter Pangani Forest Trail 15-20 minutes after the 5:00 closing time?

3. Can you observe Tree of Life and Oasis 30-45 minutes after the 5:00 closing time?

And if any of the answers to the above questions is "YES", would you miss out on anything by going at these times?

Thanks for your help.

[Erin]

I don't know, Lurk! I wish I could help you, though!

[dznygrl]

I hope I'm not quoting you false information...because I don't know if things are different for AK! ...but in Attractions training we were always taught that people were allowed in line until park closing. Anyone who was in line by closing time got to ride, no matter what. Sometimes we would even have to open an extra tower at the Maliboomer to get people through faster, because a lot of people would rush into line at the last minute! We could have been there forever.

This info applied to all attractions...but since KS depends on the animals, and they may need to start bringing them in for the night, I just don't know.

Other than that, I really can't help you. I have never stayed in AK after closing. Come to think of it, AK is usually a morning park for me and I don't think I've ever been there past about 2 in the afternoon!

Hopefully someone knows better!

[Dana]

Like dznygrl said, if you are in line by 5pm, then you will get to ride. I would not make times after closing a guaranteed time to see sights or attractions. You will be able to see the tree of life after closing because it's huge and you have to pass it to get out of there. I wouldn't make that your only time to see it though., It's beautiful and derserves a real once over. I am not certain if the trails get closed down or not. They have an entrance/ exit that I believe has gates. I am not certian if they are shut for the night or not. I wouldn't count on seeing them after the park has closed. I know the shops remain open to get that last dollar out of you before you go, but you really should just head there in the morning as soon as it opens. If you get there as soon as it opens, you will have more than enough time to see and do everything that you want before closing time.

[LURK]

Thanks all. Arriving early is super idea. We did this two days in a row on our last trip, did Safari first both times. The 2nd day, we were even chosen as the family to open the park, and got a special escort to the very first Safari of the day.

Unfortunately, morning is not an option for this trip. So, has anyone else had any first-hand experience at closing times with the aforementioned attractions?

[Quidam]

I walked through Pangani +/- 10 minutes of closing time and did not see much. Most of the animals, especially the gorillas, had been 'called in' for the night. While on a Backstage Tour, I learned that the aminals know when it's closing time and are waiting at the gates to get to their night time quarters (and snacks).

[wdwspider]

I was under the impression that the line for the Safari ride closed 15 or 30 minutes early. I may be wrong though. But if you are in the line, you get to ride no matter what the time.