Can someone please explain the Extra Magic Hours?

[ncbyrne]

I know that you could enter the parks an hour early for the Early Entry if you were staying onsite. But, now I've read about extra P.M. hours too. Does that mean that particular park stays open an extra hour at night? Does that mean the Illuminations would be at 10 p.m. on that night? Do the extra hour days change? How far in advance will I know which park has what hours? Do you usually avoid, or embrace, the parks with extra hours?
Our trip is Oct 15-23. I'm trying to plan our itinerary, but with MNSSHP, the Food and Wine Festival, Extra Magic Hours and being on the new dining plan, I'm having a hard time sorting thru it all to come up with the right plan.

 

[baileybelle]

check out this link http://allearsnet.com/tp/emhour.htm The days and hours are usually the same.

 

[DisneyWorldDad]

You are almost correct. Different parks stay open 3 hours later for resort guests. They distribute armbands at certain locations during the day and you have to show your Disney room key to get one. After official closing time, you have to show the armband to get in line for a ride. They typically announce these dated the same time as early entry.

Our family enjoyed the later hours, as we tend to go to the parks later in the day anyway. We love to see the exhausted families leaving at around 3 pm as we arrive refreshed after a swim and nap!

DWD