Avoid Extra Magic Hour or Embrace EMH for Less Busy Weekday?

[thejimmyb]

My wife and I are going to Disneyland and California Adventure on Thursday and Friday, February 27 and 28. I picked weekdays to avoid traffic but my question is this:

Disneyland has Extra Magic Hour on Thursday (I'm not staying on property). Is it worth it to let the EMH crowd go ahead of me for what I assume will be a less busy day than Friday or flip those days for California Adventure on Thursday and Disneyland on Friday.

First time posting here! Thanks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hi @thejimmyb - Welcome to the DIS! FYI, I moved your post to the Disneyland California board so it gets the right audience. Enjoy your trip!

 

[azdisneylover]

I would flip them because onsite hotel guests have early entry into DCA on Friday, so, flipping the days make sense. Being at the DCA gates first thing Thursday morning and at DL Friday morning will level the playing field so to speak. What ever you decide, wishing you and your wife a fun trip!

 

[thejimmyb]

I would flip them because onsite hotel guests have early entry into DCA on Friday, so, flipping the days make sense. Being at the DCA gates first thing Thursday morning and at DL Friday morning will level the playing field so to speak. What ever you decide, wishing you and your wife a fun trip!

Do you think crowd difference will be drastic between Thursday and Friday? The original plan was to enjoy Galaxy's Edge with the lesser crowd but if EMH is that much of a game changer I can flip them.

 

[chickapin parterre]

The advantage to going Disneyland on Friday, especially if you are an early riser and willing to be at gates 45 mins before entry is that you can experince a somewhat empty Main street as you enter onto the rope drop for a few minutes...and opportunity that you will not have thru the rest of the day.

If Fantasyland is your goal, then for sure Friday, but if you are headed to ROA first thing, then Thursday will work for disneyland

If RSR in DCA is your goal, then you don't want to be fighting times that are already booked by lodging guests.

But now matter how you decide, Maxpass will be your equalizer

 

[thejimmyb]

The advantage to going Disneyland on Friday, especially if you are an early riser and willing to be at gates 45 mins before entry is that you can experince a somewhat empty Main street as you enter onto the rope drop for a few minutes...and opportunity that you will not have thru the rest of the day.

If Fantasyland is your goal, then for sure Friday, but if you are headed to ROA first thing, then Thursday will work for disneyland

If RSR in DCA is your goal, then you don't want to be fighting times that are already booked by lodging guests.

But now matter how you decide, Maxpass will be your equalizer

Right! I should have mentioned we are doing MaxPass. Thanks.

 

[chickapin parterre]

no crowd difference, Monday is the worst day, Wednesday is the best day, the other three are equal. Friday mornings tend to be light with folks flying in those hours, where by evening it will be more crowded than a thursday evening.

As for SWGE, you need to continue reading the threads for advice about that is working on your date

 

[sjmac42]

Generally I’d also say avoid the early entry days if you don’t have that perk.

May not be practical but are you aware that anyone with a 3 day or longer ticket purchased in advance also gets 1 Magic Morning for early entry into DL on Tue/Thu/Sat? There are a couple of exceptions but just making sure you’re aware of that as it isn’t offered as WDW.

 

[thejimmyb]

Generally I’d also say avoid the early entry days if you don’t have that perk.

May not be practical but are you aware that anyone with a 3 day or longer ticket purchased in advance also gets 1 Magic Morning for early entry into DL on Tue/Thu/Sat? There are a couple of exceptions but just making sure you’re aware of that as it isn’t offered as WDW.

I was aware of the magic morning perk but we're only doing two days. It sounds like the way to go is just avoid EMH, go to DCA on Thursday and DL on Friday, and just get there good and early to jump on the best fast passes and ROTR boarding group. Thanks for everyone's help!