Disney Park Hopping: Animal Kingdom Morning & Magic Kingdom Night (2025 Recap)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom by Day, Magic Kingdom by Night: A Perfect Friday at Disney World
Friday Fun: Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and a Little Hotel Magic
If you’re wondering whether you can fit Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom into one Disney day, the answer is yes—with the right pacing and a little planning. In this post, we’re sharing our full two-park Disney day: what we rode, where we ate, and how we kept things manageable for a neurodivergent family. Whether you’re using a Park Hopper or just curious about a flexible Disney park hopping strategy, here’s how our Friday went from safari rides to fireworks. We had already visited Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios on previous days.
Morning Safari and Thrills at Animal Kingdom
We started bright and early at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with one must-do: Kilimanjaro Safaris. It’s a favorite in our family and an ideal way to kick off the day—especially with little ones or older guests. Early morning is also a great time to see the most animals, who may hide during the mid day heat.
Splitting Up for Maximum Fun
After the safari, we divided and conquered:
- My son and I: Calm, nature-filled morning with the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek—a great pick for animal lovers.
- My daughter and Auntie: All about the thrills. They hit:
- Kali River Rapids
- Expedition Everest
- Avatar Flight of Passage
We reunited for a quick lunch at Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café. The food was fast and gave us a nice break in the shade.
Midday Reset at TownePlace Suites Flamingo Crossings
By 3:00 PM, we were back at our hotel—TownePlace Suites Orlando at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS—for a well-earned recharge. The pool was perfect for cooling off, and the suites gave us space to rest, snack, and reset for the evening.
Evening Magic at Magic Kingdom
We rolled into Magic Kingdom just in time for the fireworks—literally. At 9:10 PM, we watched the show from the monorail, which gave my noise-sensitive son the full visual experience without the loud booms. As we arrived, the fireworks show was still going on, so my husband and son chilled at a quiet shop on Main Street to ride out the final bursts.
In the mean time the girls got creative at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, personalizing Mickey Ears.
(Pro Tip: Buy your Mickey Ears on Main Street first. Then customize them here—they’ll give you a pick-up time!)
Magic Kingdom After-Hours Ride Wins
We got lucky that Magic Kingdom was open till 11 pm during our visit (be sure to check hours as they vary). With the crowds thinning post-fireworks, the line for rides got much shorter. In just an hour and a half, we knocked out:
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- It’s a Small World
We ended the night with Photopass castle shots and that unforgettable late-night park serenity. There is something magical about Disney at night and Magic Kingdom doesn’t disappoint. I highly suggest exploring Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom at night.
Final Thoughts: A Perfect Farewell Day
Animal Kingdom by day, Magic Kingdom by night—the balance was just right. We packed in adventure, made room for rest, and created magic that didn’t feel rushed.
💡 Park hopping adds up—here’s how to save:
Use TopCashback to buy discounted Disney gift cards. Then use them to pay for snacks or in-park meals at both parks in one day.
Or earn Rakuten cashback on everyday purchases and convert those rewards into Amex points you can transfer for your next Disney hotel stay.
Learn more in our Cashback Guide for Disney
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I’m a CPA, mom of two, and the creator of Points to Magic. I help people use points to save thousands of dollars on Disney vacations.
