Tree of Life Awakenings returns to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Sunday, November 1st, bringing the park’s glowing centerpiece back to life after dark. Disney has posted showtimes for the first week, with evening performances beginning at 6:10pm. We clicked through each date on Disney’s calendar to see how the schedule looks, and the first week mixes longer weekend windows with shorter weekday ones. Some days have no performances at all. Here’s what Disney has announced.
Tree of Life Awakenings Return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- The return date and the showtimes Disney has posted for November 1st through 7th
- Which days have longer performance windows and which dates list no times
- What the show looks like and how Daylight Saving Time has shaped its schedule
Disney’s calendar lists no performances for the remainder of October. November 1st is the first night guests can see the show this holiday season. That date is also the day Daylight Saving Time ends, giving Animal Kingdom more “after dark” time. Disney pointed to the same milestone when it brought the show back in November 2023.
Performance windows for the first week break down by day:
- Sunday, November 1: 6:10pm to 8:00pm
- Monday, November 2: 6:10pm to 7:00pm
- Tuesday, November 3: no times listed
- Wednesday, November 4: no times listed
- Thursday, November 5: 6:10pm to 7:00pm
- Friday, November 6: 6:10pm to 7:00pm
- Saturday, November 7: 6:10pm to 8:00pm
Saturday and Sunday get the longest windows due to longer park hours, which gives weekend visitors nearly two hours of performances after dark. Weekdays shorten to 50 minutes, ending at 7:00pm. Disney lists no times for Tuesday and Wednesday, November 3rd and 4th. Animal Kingdom closes at 6:00pm on both days, which is too early to hold the show. We hope Disney extends park hours as those dates get closer so the show can play every night. The calendar has no times for any date after November 7th, but more showtimes will likely be added on a rolling basis.
What Tree of Life Awakenings Looks Like After Dark
Disney’s description starts with fireflies that appear and stir the animal spirits carved into the tree’s trunk, followed by animated imagery in bright color. Highlights include a young doe setting out on a journey, two hummingbirds falling in love, and a fox handing out gifts in a snowy forest. The Tree of Life looks great lit up at night.
Disney says the show plays about every 10 minutes after dark until the park closes. Guests do not have to hit one exact start time inside those windows.
How Daylight Saving Time Has Shaped the Show
The November 1st start fits a pattern we have tracked before. In March 2023, the show left the schedule on the day Daylight Saving Time began, and Disney brought it back that November once the clocks fell back.
Disney has also added special versions to the rotation. In December 2024, a Mufasa-themed awakening played for a limited time alongside the other shows after sunset. Disney’s page for this year’s return does not mention a special themed show.
Keep Reading
- Look back at the Mufasa Tree of Life Awakening show that played in rotation for a limited time in December 2024.
- See how Disney announced the 2023 return of Tree of Life Awakenings, including the three shows it highlighted.
- Visit the lemurs back on Discovery Island after months of refurbishment, with the Tree of Life rising behind the habitat.
- Grab an $11 snack before the show with mobile order churros at Nomad Lounge To Go.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!