But I don't understand.

[funhouse8]

Can someone please tell me why the EMH parks get crowded later in the day. If I couldn't get up for EMH I would avoid that park at all costs. Why does it seem like everyone goes to these parks in the afternoon. I'm just thinking out loud and hoping someone could answer my question. Gina

 

[antmaril]

Thank you for asking this question. I have wondered about this for quite some time - I don't understand either.

 

[B'rer Karen]

This is purely my hypotheses, so take it for what it's worth. I think that it has to do with people who either A) don't know about EMH or B) are limited by schedules and need to go to that park on that day, but aren't able to get up that early. Let's just say that on any given day 10,000 people go to MK. Now, on EE day, let's say 5,000 resort guests decide that they're going to go to MK for EE. So from 8-9 there are 5,000 people in the park. Then, at 9 am, the other 10,000 start showing up. By they time they're all in, you now have 15,000, when on a non-EE day you'd only have 10,000, so it's more crowded.

Another thought about the afternoon, if I know about EE, won't make it up in time for that, but need to hit that park that day for whatever reason, I probably would come to the park afternoon, hoping that by that time many of the EE patrons would have left for their afternoon break.

I have never done EE and always avoid the EE park at all costs. But sometimes it's your only day to do a certain ride, so you bite the bullet. And like I said, there are lots of non-resort guest and non-planners who know nothing about EE and they just go where they feel like it.

 

[honeymo78]

Here's an example of why people go to EMH parks in the afternoon. I'm pretty sure that Sun is EMH for MK. I arrive in WDW on a Sun and our tradition is to go to MK for the first day - really gets me to feel the magic then take the boat over to FW for the HDD. Even though it's crowded I wouldn't go to another park on my first day b/c I have to go to MK. My vacation doesn't start right if I don't go. So I'll be there adding to the congestion but loving every minute of it.

 

[XStAnt]

I think B'rer Karen's theory is correct. If 10,000 people typically go to a park on any given day (regardless of EMH), then adding 5,000 on site guests going for EMH makes the crowds even greater than a non-EMH day. Many off-site guests either don't know about EMH or don't know what days are for what parks (not everyone uses these boards ). They don't think about the extra crowd levels when planning their itinerary.

As for the afternoons, I don't think it has anything to do with extra people coming in the pm. Rather, the parks tend to increase in numbers of guests all morning, reaching their peak by the early afternoon (more guests coming than leaving). When I was a kid we stayed off-site. My parents were not early risers and we never got to MK before 11:00 am. I don't think that is all that unusual. Many people don't arrive until mid-morning because they plan to stay late and don't want to tire out the kids.

Even though EMH adds to the crowds it's still great to ake advantage of if you stay on-site. You can really take advantage of the low crowds by getting to the park at the EMH opening. Even after the official opening the crowds don't really start to get noticeably bigger that first hour. At slower times of the year the parks may never get too crowded to worry about leaving and going to another park, mid-day break, etc. At busier times leave the park when the crowds swell (noon-1:00 pm ??) and go to another park or take a mid-day break (come back around dinner time when the park starts thinning out.)

If you are off-site, or are not going to take advantage of EMH then I think you should go to another park that day. Some people suggest going to the park that had EMH the day before since many resort guests will seen it that day and won't be going the next day.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Wow, I had noticed that phenomenon but had never really thought about WHY--but you all pretty much figured it out, I think!
Interesting!

Though we were staying onsite last month we used the "go to the park the day after its EMH day" tactic (except we did do MK EMH on Thursday) and that worked out great for us. Each day we'd be at the hotel bus stop by 8:15 or so. to get to the park in time for 9a.m. opening. We always noticed a HUGE line at the EMH park bus stop and were glad we were not in that line, especially since we knew those people probably wouldn't reach their park till almost 9, when EMH would be over anyhow.

 

[funhouse8]

Thanks for clearing this up for me B'rer Karen,
I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. I could never figure that one out. We always go to EM and we leave midday to go to another park because of crowds wondering why all these guest arrived later in the day. (It's because they don't know any better.)
But we do Thanks to these boards.

 

[billybaruch1]

I think B'rer Karen gives a good reason for resort guests to avail themselves of EMH if the attractions that are open early are what they want, and if they have park hopper privileges. There is really no downside to EMH as long as the attractions that are open early are what you want, and you have park hopper privileges.

HappyMommy2's comments regarding the lines for the buses add more data to funhouse8's conclusion that "they (the late-arriving guests) don't know any better." But these are Disney resort guests. Why were they in line at 8:15 for EMH that began at 8? Is it a bus problem or a sleeping-in problem?

This seems like a mystery to me. Any input anyone?

 

[XStAnt]

Originally posted by billybaruch1
HappyMommy2's comments regarding the lines for the buses add more data to funhouse8's conclusion that "they (the late-arriving guests) don't know any better." But these are Disney resort guests. Why were they in line at 8:15 for EMH that began at 8? Is it a bus problem or a sleeping-in problem?

This seems like a mystery to me. Any input anyone?

Billy,

From somene who is not a morning person I can tell you: It's a sleeping in problem . It's so tough to get your butt out of bed, shower, get some coffee and be at a bus stop at 7:30. I feel like I'm at work .

 

[billybaruch1]

Thank you, XStAnt, I'm glad it's not a bus problem. A vacation for me is not having to drive anywhere.

I agree with your opinion on EMH. I notice you and your parents are the same with respect to "getting your butts in gear" early in the morning. I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree (or however that saying goes).

 

[XStAnt]

LOL. As I get older I begin to act more like my parents. Very scary!!