Best strategy for EMH evening at MGM

[scarlett873]

DH and I will be heading to WDW for a quick weekend getaway. We've only got 2 park days planned for our 4 day weekend. One day will be nothing but Epcot as I promised DH he could have one FULL day of no park hopping and lots of exploring of Epcot.

Our second park day happens to coincide with an EMH evening at MGM. That is my favorite park!! We are planning to do most of the day at MK and we have 5:10pm ADR for CRT. I plan to check in early to see if we can get in for dinner any earlier if possible. If we can't, no big deal. After dinner, we then want to hop over to MGM for EMH. I know it'll most likely be insanely busy...but this will be our only shot at seeing Fantasmic and maybe riding ToT and RnR.

So...with that being said...they begin handing out the wristbands 2 hours prior to park closing. If we're done with dinner and we get ourselves over to MGM by 6:30-7:00pm, where would be the best place to get our wrist bands?

 

[scarlett873]

Bump!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We got our wristbands in June near the Rock 'N Rollercoaster. When you walk into that area they had ropes set up on the left side. A Cast Member was checking resort ID's and then allowed you to go further down the line. Another CM then put the wristband on. There was no wait for our wristbands. I understand that the distribution points nearer the entrances get a lot more people.

 

[twinsman]

Don't go.

 

[QuickGold]

Don't go.

That was my first thought as well. It's quite crowded at EMH and I'm not sure you'll reap a whole lot of benefit from it. Look at the EMH schedule are try to do MGM on a non-EMH at MGM day.

 

[scarlett873]

Thank you for the tip wdwgoofeeee!

 

[Harambe]

We'll be doing that EMH this Sunday night right along with ya, Brandie! It's the only park we're going to try for EMH. I've got this Sunday and next planned for the EMH at MGM.

If it's crowded, it's crowded! But we want to give it a go. See you there!

 

[kirbsam]

go and do rnr and tot during fantasmic. and then get as far away from fantasmic as possible when it lets out. and do the other side of the park. it will be crowded, but you will still have fun. you will hear a lot of people tell you not to do it, but i say go for it.

 

[scarlett873]

Thank you for real advice and not a "don't go"...lol...I understand why some say not to do EMH evenings, but when it's my only opportunity to see MGM, I have no choice! DH wants to try to see Fantasmic, but we plan to just wing it once we're there...if we get to ride RnR and ToT BEFORE fantasmic, then problem solved! If not, we'll suffer...lol

and Harambe...we'll be there on Sept 4th, not this weekend...

 

[GrimGhost]

Don't go.

To the OP, I'm not sure this was as much synical as it was sincere advice. I did all the parks EMH, it was insanely busy. If you really enjoy the parks, it can all be worth it, however it really is shifting most of the guests to that time and that park. I also did a search here on the theme parks attractions strategies board and found overwhelmingly the EMH is not too well received by DISers and at this point is VERY, VERY crowded.

 

[chipscinderelly]

From reading here if you want to do RnR, ToT and see Fantasmic I would recommend heading into the park earlier in the day to obtain atleast 1 fast pass as they may be all gone when you arrive later. That way one of your rides you will not have to stand in line.

 

[DebbieB]

Try to get as much in as possible before Fantasmic ends. I was there in May when it was 9 to midnight. I walked on ToT twice in a row with no line right after 9:00. Fantasmic had ended by the time I was done with the second time and there was a huge line at RnR, everyone ran there after Fantasmic.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Scarlett: We're going to be there the same day Sept. 4th. We are taking a weekend trip over Labor Day. Spending the morning at AK, and then going to MGM for EMH. I'm nervous about the crowd for the EMH at MGM too, but I have 2 small kids DD4 and DD7 and we're not going to be doing the big thrill rides. We'll see Fantasmic, and if the kids start to get tired we'll leave.

 

[lacy1101]

Count us among those who will be trying MGM EMH. It is the only evening EMH we will be doing (at least as I have things planned for now). My DH and DS will be golfing at Magnolia that morning and DD and I will be touring Epcot-WS. We plan to meet up around 3:00 p.m. at MGM, tour a little, have dinner at H&V around 5:30 p.m. (we currently have ressies for 4:30 p.m., but I hope to get a later time closer to our trip as suggested on these boards) and then Fantasmic. If the crowds aren't just totally awful, we may stay around for a little EMH, probably not 'til 11:00 p.m. though.

If we don't get to do much, that's okay as we'll be coming back to MGM the following day (in keeping with the plan of visiting a park the day after its EMH - that's the way I have the rest of our trip planned).

I'd at least like to try one EMH just to see what its like!

 

[Harambe]

and Harambe...we'll be there on Sept 4th, not this weekend...

I'll make sure to post when I get back and let you know how me made out!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks Harambee!
I'd love to hear how it works out too.

 

[scarlett873]

I am so glad to hear that I am not the only insane person trying EMH in the evenings!

I realize that the folks who were advising me to not go to EMH meant well, but that wasn't what I had originally asked. I asked where is the best place to get my wristband for the evening...I know it's going to be busy, but when this is my only shot at WDW for awhile, I'm taking advantage of what I can!

Good luck to those brave DISers trying EMH!