Any truth to this rumor??????

[YoHo]

Well, it isn't Midnight closings, but then, this will extend to the offseason too, so it has its advantages.

I'd like to pat myself on the back for correctly guessing the way it would be implemented.

 

[barreloflaughs]

This looks very promising. I wonder how long it will take to fully implement this program.

By the way here is some more info which I somehow failed to post last night. Note that the FAQ below indicates that E-Ride nights will be available this summer:
***********************************************

. Will the morning and evening experiences be the same?

No. The attractions available during the morning and evening Extra Magic Hours offerings will be slightly different based on the number of Guests we anticipate attending each event.


3. Who can attend Extra Magic Hours in the evening?

Both the morning and evening Extra Magic Hours will be available from May 9 through May 22 to Guests staying at Disney owned and operated resorts, as well as Guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin and the Lake Buena Vista Hilton. Guests staying at Shades of Green may participate in the morning offering only.


4. Is there an additional charge or separate ticket required for Extra Magic Hours?

The offering is at no additional charge for eligible Guests with valid theme park admission. Guests using single-day ticket media will need to visit the theme park offering Extra Magic Hours on that day to enjoy the offering while Guests using multi-day and park-hopping tickets can visit any Disney theme park prior to attending the evening Extra Magic Hours.


5. Where will the schedule for both the morning and evening offerings be available?

The schedule and available attractions for the Extra Magic Hours offering for May 9 through May 22 will be available to eligible Guests on a designated URL on disneyworld.com and in the World Update.


6. Why is the evening offering three hours as opposed to only one hour in the morning?

As we anticipate more Guests wishing to experience the evening Extra Magic Hours offering, we have planned additional time for Guests to enjoy certain attractions with a minimal wait time.


7. Will FASTPASS be available?

FASTPASS will be offered during the evening Extra Magic Hours as needed on certain attractions. Because of the reduced number of Guests in the park during the morning offerings, we do not offer FASTPASS during the morning offering.


8. Is this replacing E-Ride Nights at the Magic Kingdom?

No. This summer, the Magic Kingdom will be offering E-Ride Nights on certain dates.


9. Why are we only doing this for two weeks?

Many Guests told us that they wished they had the opportunity to enjoy Extra Magic Hours in the evening, as well as in the morning hours. To fully understand the impact of the later hours, we need to test the revised schedule for two weeks.


10. How are we communicating this change to eligible Guests?

Guests staying at a Disney-owned and operated resort will be notified by postcard before their arrival of this change to assist them with planning their stay, which will direct them to website with details of the offerings. The schedule and details of the offering will also be distributed to resort Guests with the World Update.


11. I have a dining reservation for breakfast in a theme park on a morning when they would have typically offered Extra Magic Hour, but won’t now because of this change? What do I do?

Dining locations at the theme park will honor existing reservations and will operate as if the park was offering Extra Magic Hour.


12. What dining options will be available during the evening Extra Magic Hour?

Certain dining locations will operate in each park during the evening Extra Magic Hours. Information regarding the locations that will operate can be obtained by visiting Theme Park Guest Relations or the Resort Guest Services desk. Guests wishing to book priority seating for table dining during the evening Extra Magic Hours may do so at the specific location.


13. Will transportation be available later in the evening for resort Guests?

Yes. During the test, WDW Transportation will extend their service hours from the theme park offering Extra Magic Hours.


14. I have heard rumors about this. Will the evening Extra Magic Hour become a permanent offering?

At this time, we have adjusted the Extra Magic Hour offering for a limited time from May 9 through May 22. We will share details about future offerings once we a decision has been made.


15. I know that most Magical Gatherings Guests are staying at a Disney resort. Will Magical Gatherings Guests who are already in a park, but are not staying at a Disney resort, be allowed to stay for the evening Extra Magic Hour?

During this test, all Magical Gathering Guests staying in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel that offers the Extra Magic Hours benefit will be eligible to stay in the evening Extra Magic Hour. Other Guests would not be eligible for this offering.


16. How will the park exit work for Guests who are not eligible to remain for the evening Extra Magic Hours?

Park exits will occur similar as they do today. Guests who are not eligible for the Extra Magic Hours benefit will be directed to the park exit upon park close. Locations near the entrance of each park, such as merchandise locations, will follow current closing procedures, which allow Guests some additional time beyond park close.


17. If the morning Extra Magic Hour changes, will resort Guests still be allowed to enter the park early if they arrive before the scheduled operating hours?

No. Guests will be notified of the change to the Extra Magic hour before arrival and again on check-in via the World Update. If the location changes for the Extra Magic Hour and a resort Guest is not aware of this, the resort Guest will be provided with the revised schedule.

**************************************************

carl
barrel

 

[TiggerFreak]

Originally posted by YoHo
EE is only good for those "freaks" that are morning people. Those people chap my hide.

Some of us don't sleep when we are in WDW

So we are both morning doves and night owls

But at the end of our visit we usually on the plane.

 

[Lesley]

Tigger Freak....we used to think that's what mid afternoons were for at WDW...SLEEP (well, and other things....). Now I agree with YoHo. The kids have a lot to do with that, especially in the years when they don't read clocks or do abstract reasoning.

If only they would extend this to our trip over Memorial Day....time to fire off an email I suppose! Now this will keep me staying on property...we had been venturing off from time to time this past year.

 

[rwodonnell]

Thanks for posting that FAQ, barreloflaughs. I assume the first point is number 2?

I was surprised that in question 3, they indicated that Shades of Green guests will only be eligible for the morning. Hopefully that would only be during the test - seems like poor timing to limit the options of the military guests.

On question 16 regarding the park exit, I still don't see how this works.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

The non-Disney resorts have the option to participate in both parts of the plan. Shades of Green chose only to join in the morning program.

Park exit will work like this...

At normal closing time the attractions not scheduled to remain open will stop allowing guests into line. The attractions scheduled as part of the Extra Hour program will allow only guests with wristbands into line. This wristbands can be obtained at select locations by presenting your WDW resort ID. Guests without wristbands will be told that the park is closed and will be directed to the exits.

 

[DisOrBust]

It just sounds to good to be true!! Maybe you will get "banded at checkin" then they will know if you should be in the resorts pool or not! But thats another thread.....

 

[rwodonnell]

Thanks for the answers, OnWithTheShow. I guess this is getting close to being off-topic, but is Shades of Green run jointly by the Army and Disney? Why would they choose not to participate in the evening plan, unless there is some money that needs to change hands? By "non-Disney resorts" do you mean the Swan, Dolphin, Hilton and Shades of Green only? (Resorts that are on Disney property but run by someone else...)

 

[mickeymule]

we are showing up on May 21 and leaving May 25. I was hoping for a late evening, but only mornings on the days we will be there...

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Shades of Green is run entirely by the US Army.

http://www.armymwr.com/shades/

It was originally the Disney owned Golf Resort but the land is now leased by the Army from Disney.

 

[LoveThatDarnMouse]

Coming from a mom of 3 young kids, I'm telling you that this is going to do wonders for my trip scheduled during this time period. It's going to allow several things for us.

1. We don't have to get up early and CHARGE out of the resort into the parks. We can kick back a bit and have a nicely leisurely breakfast at the resort.

2. We will be able to come back to the resort in the afternoon to take that mid-day swim and a little nap to re-charge the batteries and gear up for the late night.

3. We'll have the time at night to go back and enjoy the rides that were to long to stand in in the hot sun of the day and hopefully get on these rides 10 X's faster then the day because of the more limited crowds.

I'm jumping for joy over here in Jersey!

 

[HoosierFantasia]

I think this will work great for Disney resprt guests and for Disney. I am sure that non disney resprt guest will be directed towards the front and will drop some coin on the way out. Ice Cream, ballons, shopping for a few hours and not feel rushed to leave. While us resort guests will be riding the rides. The last 2 hours will be the best.
Hoping the figure this all out by our June trip
Bill

 

[ford family]

Originally posted by Barrelloflaughs from a FAQ
7. Will FASTPASS be available?

FASTPASS will be offered during the evening Extra Magic Hours as needed on certain attractions. Because of the reduced number of Guests in the park during the morning offerings, we do not offer FASTPASS during the morning offering.

But Fastpass was available for EE (or EMH) when we visited last Autumn. Has that changed recently or is it being omitted just in this new set-up?

ford family