Disney’s Animal Kingdom Moonlight Magic Overview
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is already known for its stunning landscapes, immersive attractions, and unique wildlife encounters. But if you’re a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member, there’s an extra layer of magic waiting for you—Moonlight Magic. This exclusive after-hours event gives DVC members and their guests a rare opportunity to explore the park in a more intimate setting, with shorter wait times, unique entertainment, complimentary snacks, and more.
In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom Moonlight Magic, from how to register to what to expect during the event.
What Is Moonlight Magic?
Moonlight Magic is an after-hours event held exclusively for DVC members and their guests at select Disney parks. This free event allows members to enjoy the park with much lower crowds, access to select attractions, special character meet-and-greets, complimentary refreshments, and unique entertainment offerings. It’s a way for Disney to say "thank you" to its most loyal members with a dose of extra pixie dust.
At Animal Kingdom, Moonlight Magic brings a whole new level of enchantment, allowing you to experience the park’s most iconic rides and zones in a quieter, nighttime atmosphere.
Key Benefits of Moonlight Magic at Animal Kingdom:
Complimentary Admission: It’s completely free for DVC members and their registered guests.
Low-Crowd Access: Limited tickets mean fewer people, which translates to shorter wait times for rides and attractions.
Complimentary Food and Drinks: Enjoy snacks and beverages throughout the evening.
Exclusive Character Meet-and-Greets: Meet rare and fan-favorite Disney characters who don’t typically appear in the park.
Unique Entertainment: Special shows, dance parties, and more are part of the magic.
How to Register for Moonlight Magic
Since Moonlight Magic is such a popular event, pre-registration is required, and slots fill up quickly. Here’s what you need to know about the registration process:
Eligibility: To be eligible for Moonlight Magic, you must be a DVC member with a valid membership and a reservation at a DVC resort or one of Disney’s other eligible accommodations.
Registration Dates: Registration typically opens a few months prior to the event. Keep an eye on your email for notifications from Disney Vacation Club or check the DVC member portal for the latest event dates.
Guests: DVC members are allowed to bring a set number of guests depending on the size of their DVC accommodations or their membership type. Make sure to register your guests at the time of signing up for the event.
Tip for Success: Since Moonlight Magic is free, spots fill up fast. Be ready to register as soon as the event opens to ensure your spot.
What to Expect at Animal Kingdom Moonlight Magic
1. After-Hours Access to Attractions
One of the best perks of Moonlight Magic at Animal Kingdom is having access to some of the park’s most popular attractions with little to no wait. These typically include:
Avatar Flight of Passage: Experience the breathtaking ride through Pandora’s floating mountains without the usual hours-long queue.
Na’vi River Journey: Sail through the bioluminescent rainforest of Pandora in a peaceful, glowing atmosphere.
Expedition Everest: Brave the heights of Mount Everest and come face to face with the Yeti under the night sky.
Dinosaur: Travel back in time on a thrilling ride to save a dinosaur, all with significantly shorter lines than during normal park hours.
Not all attractions will be open, but many of the park’s headliners are available, so you can experience the best Animal Kingdom has to offer with far fewer people.
2. Exclusive Character Meet-and-Greets
Moonlight Magic is a perfect opportunity to meet Disney characters you may not see on a regular park day. Past events have featured rare characters like Tarzan, Jane, Baloo, and King Louie. The character interactions during Moonlight Magic are often more personal and less rushed, with significantly shorter lines.
Double the Ice Cream Double the Fun!
3. Complimentary Snacks and Drinks
Throughout the event, guests can enjoy free snacks and beverages at various locations around the park. In the past, complimentary treats have included things like popcorn, Mickey ice cream bars, soda, and bottled water. Food and beverage stands are open throughout the park, and some locations may even offer exclusive event-themed snacks.
4. Unique Entertainment
Moonlight Magic at Animal Kingdom typically features entertainment that is not available during regular park hours. You might find:
Special DJ dance parties: These energetic events are usually held in places like DinoLand U.S.A., offering fun music and a chance to show off your best dance moves under the stars.
Unique shows and entertainment: While the traditional park shows may not be running, Moonlight Magic often introduces new and exciting entertainment for guests to enjoy.
5. Pandora at Night
If you’ve never experienced Pandora – The World of Avatar at night, Moonlight Magic is the perfect opportunity. The entire land comes alive with bioluminescent plants, glowing walkways, and breathtaking scenery that you can enjoy with far fewer crowds. It’s an otherworldly experience that feels even more magical during this exclusive event.
Planning Tips for Moonlight Magic at Animal Kingdom
Arrive Early: Although the event officially starts after the park closes, guests can often enter the park a couple of hours before. Use this time to grab a quick dinner or enjoy one of the less crowded attractions before the event starts.
Bring a Light Jacket: Even though it’s Florida, evenings can get a bit chilly—especially in the winter months. Bringing a light jacket ensures you’re comfortable throughout the night.
Make Time for Rare Characters: Some meet-and-greets feature rare or hard-to-find characters. If you’re a Disney enthusiast who loves photos with characters, prioritize these opportunities.
Check the Event Guide: When you arrive, pick up an event guide or check the My Disney Experience app for up-to-date information on open attractions, snack locations, and entertainment times.
Don’t Forget Your Camera: The unique lighting and atmosphere at Animal Kingdom during Moonlight Magic make it an ideal time to capture beautiful nighttime photos.
My Families Experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Moonlight Magic
We’ve had the magical opportunity to attend Moonlight Magic at Disney’s Animal Kingdom twice, and now we’re gearing up for a third adventure in December 2024! Let me take you on a little journey through our previous experiences.
The first time we went was back in 2019, when our kids were still little. We had two 3-year-olds and a 5-year-old, so you can imagine the whirlwind of excitement and chaos! At the time, there weren’t really any nanny services in the park, which would have been a lifesaver, but we made it work. This visit was all about the characters and activities for the kids. My husband and I, though, had one main goal: to experience Flight of Passage.
I honestly couldn’t even remember if our oldest was tall enough to ride, but it turns out he was! My husband and our 5-year-old braved the 45-minute wait while I stayed back with our toddlers, and we opted for the Rider Switch option so I could ride after them. The ride was a bit intense for our son, and while he enjoyed it, he wasn’t exactly eager to go again. So, I went through the FastPass lane (back when that was a thing) and ended up riding alone. It was eerie and quiet—dark, with hardly anyone around—and to be honest, a bit spooky, but still thrilling!
By the time we left, all the kids had fallen asleep. We only brought one stroller—rookie mistake! We should’ve brought the double stroller because piling all three kids into one was a challenge. But despite that, we had such a great time. We knew we’d return, but Moonlight Magic events are rare and you need a DVC reservation to snag a spot.
Fast forward to our second time. This time, we went with friends and stayed in a two-bedroom villa. I added their kids to our room reservation, but also booked an extra studio just to make sure we could secure early access to the event for everyone. There’s an option now where you can bring up to four friends, but with a 10-day vacation planned, I didn’t want to risk missing out on Moonlight Magic. The extra studio cost a few points, but it was worth it to guarantee our whole group could experience the magic.
The night of the event, it started off rainy, but that didn’t stop us! After picking up our tickets, which now come with food and drink vouchers, we headed straight for Satu’li Canteen—one of our favorite spots in Animal Kingdom—for dinner. Moonlight Magic also offers unlimited ice cream, popcorn, and soda, but the food vouchers meant we could grab some real food, too. Afterward, we treated ourselves to some sweets from Pongu Pongu and set off to enjoy the rides.
This time, it wasn’t so much about meeting characters; it was all about the attractions! The kids had an absolute blast. We even spent a solid hour in Dinoland—RIP to our beloved land—playing all the carnival games, which are free during Moonlight Magic. The kids won a ton of little dinosaur plushies and we somehow came home with 20 of them!
The whole evening was filled with fun, from the rides to the Mary Menagerie, where we enjoyed live music and indulged in even more ice cream. Best of all, this time, all the kids made it through the night without crashing. It was one of those perfect Disney evenings where everything feels a little extra magical.
In both 2019 and 2023, our nights ended the same way—with three kids fast asleep in the stroller! It’s always such a blast, but I always recommend skipping a park day beforehand to fully enjoy the experience. That way, you can make the most of every magical moment without being too worn out!
Moonlight Magic is such a special perk of being a DVC member. When you’re surrounded by fellow Disney lovers, it just adds that extra layer of pixie dust. I can’t wait to see what new memories we’ll make this December!
Be sure to mark your calendars and register early for the next Moonlight Magic at Disney’s Animal Kingdom—you won’t want to miss this after-hours adventure!
Our Who Crew Playing the Carnival Games at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
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As a therapist by trade and a mom of four, I use my expertise in understanding personalities to help you discover your "Disney Enneagram"—a fun way to tailor your Disney vacation planning to suit your family's needs or large group dynamics, ensuring everyone enjoys the magic in their own unique way. With my firsthand experience navigating Disney with babies and toddlers, I'll share all my best tips to make your trip smooth and fun for everyone. Plus, check out some of our family’s favorite rides at Magic Kingdom—there's something for everyone to enjoy!
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