Change in June morning magic hours

[pink0212]

I noticed today that the morning magic hours for Hollywood Studios and Epcot have flipped for June 5th and June 9th. I am staying onsite and have the dining plan so I have already booked all my dining and fast pass reservations. I base on my plans on taking advantage of the early morning magic hours. So I have lunch and FP reservations at the original parks. I tried looking tonight and Hollywood Studios doesn't even have an open lunch reservation at any restaurants for the changed day. Does Disney assist you at all in these types of situations to make changes to your reservations? It doesn't seem right to post one set of hours, put you in a situation where you have to make the reservations months of ahead of time, then just change the times and mess up the plans. I feel like I'm stuck now with the original parks and will be missing out on two early morning magic hours, which is one of the most important perks to my family. Very frustrated right now....this is a very expensive vacation for a family of 5 and I feel like I'm losing part of the perks that we paid for.

 

[SabresFan]

I haven't heard of Disney doing anything to help in this case. But there are 2 things that may allow you to make switches as the dates get closer:
1. People make their reservations well in advance in many cases, but don't really review them until shortly before they are due - so cancellations do come in, especially the day before, since if they wait too long they are stuck with paying the no-show fee
2. Some people try to avoid Early Morning Extra Magic (most of the tour plan sites make this recommendation) - the reason being that the parks with EMH are generally busier on those days than non-EMH days, so some people might be trying to make the opposite move of what you are trying to do.

I absolutely agree that switching EMH hours at a late date is not cool - I have been burned by it myself in the past.

 

[MainMom]

I see this is your first post. Just to avoid confusion for others (because I was momentarily confused), what changed is Extra Magic Hours (EMH), correct? Early Morning Magic (EMM) are the new paid events. I just wanted to clarify this.

 

[ArielSRL]

This actually happened a few weeks ago.

 

[capegirl]

I noticed today that the morning magic hours for Hollywood Studios and Epcot have flipped for June 5th and June 9th. I am staying onsite and have the dining plan so I have already booked all my dining and fast pass reservations. I base on my plans on taking advantage of the early morning magic hours. So I have lunch and FP reservations at the original parks. I tried looking tonight and Hollywood Studios doesn't even have an open lunch reservation at any restaurants for the changed day. Does Disney assist you at all in these types of situations to make changes to your reservations? It doesn't seem right to post one set of hours, put you in a situation where you have to make the reservations months of ahead of time, then just change the times and mess up the plans. I feel like I'm stuck now with the original parks and will be missing out on two early morning magic hours, which is one of the most important perks to my family. Very frustrated right now....this is a very expensive vacation for a family of 5 and I feel like I'm losing part of the perks that we paid for.

Lately this seems to be a trend. It is frustrating, because all it takes is one flip like this to turn your plans upside down. I'm planning for mid/late July, and still waiting for updated park hours.
Since last minute changes are in the wind, I planned an alternate day for each park with duplicate ADR's. Hopefully this will somewhat minimize the aggravation should Disney continue this trend into July.

 

[CAS239]

EMH's are always subject to change. Best thing you can do now is just rework your plans.

 

[Nancyg56]

Hours tend to change. Every trip I have been on in the last several years MK opening and closing times have changed. If it the one thing I warn friends about when they plan those PPO breakfasts, envisioning that long quiet walk down Main Street....just like you see on the commercials. I always tell them to be aware that that breakfast may only give them breakfast, so just be prepared.

 

[Darklord77]

Now I know I am not crazy. I thought Epcot's morning EMH was previously posted on June 9. Last week it changed to HS on June 9 having EMH's. I don't do spreadsheets or any crazy planning so I thought I wrote it down incorrectly when I was doing our fastpass selections for that week. This is not a huge deal for me, but I see how it can be frustrating if you have morning ADRs.

 

[slbgnb]

What would Disney's reason be for changing the EMH park? They want you to book EVERYTHING so far out - the least they could do is have the courtesy to not make changes like this at the last minute. How extremely frustrating to have your PPO breakfast at a park to then get burned that now the park will be open at that time for everyone.

 

[Nancyg56]

What would Disney's reason be for changing the EMH park? They want you to book EVERYTHING so far out - the least they could do is have the courtesy to not make changes like this at the last minute. How extremely frustrating to have your PPO breakfast at a park to then get burned that now the park will be open at that time for everyone.

The last thing you want to do is count on PPO breakfasts being set in stone as far as a jump start for touring. If it is going to be busy, the MK will often open at 8 AM. You are never promised anything other than breakfast when you book these meals. MK also extends their closing hours when the crowd seem to swell, so be aware of that as well.

 

[slbgnb]

The last thing you want to do is count on PPO breakfasts being set in stone as far as a jump start for touring. If it is going to be busy, the MK will often open at 8 AM. You are never promised anything other than breakfast when you book these meals. MK also extends their closing hours when the crowd seem to swell, so be aware of that as well.

We go in Sept, so it's probably a safer bet for us than those that travel during busier times. Having said that, I still think if Disney wants us to plan our vacation so far out in order to get what we want, then they should respect the fact that we've done that and not make changes that effect people's touring. They know what the crowds are going to be like well in advance, just like we do. They can base their hours on that well in advance...and not make changes to EMHs 3 weeks ahead of time. That's just my opinion of course...obviously Disney will continue to do what it wants...I just think it stinks when it messes up peoples well thought out plans.

 

[Delirium]

EMH's are always subject to change. Best thing you can do now is just rework your plans.

The fact that EMHs are 'subject' to change does not lessen the blow to those impacted. It stinks. It does not impact us as much when it happens, but that's because we have hoppers. But, regardless, I think Disney could exhibit a little more respect for those that planned ahead and only do this as a last resort. But, with the frequency that is has been occurring lately, I don't think that's the case.

 

[JimmyV]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of "Lock It In".

You have to lock in your plans. But they don't. I call it "Goofy's Law". Anything that you can lock in can and will be changed between 1 and 59 days of your arrival.

 

[Nancyg56]

We go in Sept, so it's probably a safer bet for us than those that travel during busier times. Having said that, I still think if Disney wants us to plan our vacation so far out in order to get what we want, then they should respect the fact that we've done that and not make changes that effect people's touring. They know what the crowds are going to be like well in advance, just like we do. They can base their hours on that well in advance...and not make changes to EMHs 3 weeks ahead of time. That's just my opinion of course...obviously Disney will continue to do what it wants...I just think it stinks when it messes up peoples well thought out plans.

Since you now know that this can and does occur, I think it is best to have a plan B. There are some things that just are not worth getting stressed about, and for my family, this is one of those things. If park opening changes to an earlier time, and I am more invested in the touring than breakfast, I ditch breakfast. If what I wanted was breakfast, I go with that. The problem I see is that people book the PPO meals as a way to gain an advantage over other guests, and the bottom line is that while we can use them in that manner, Disney has never once that I know of, advertised them as a means to that end.

Now if you booked the Poly and were never told that the monorail would be down for your length of stay, and found that out upon check in, I'd be backing your outrage 100%. The monorail resorts transportation benefits are often used by Disney as a reason to choose those Deluxe Resorts, and you are paying for that perk. You are not paying for an empty Main Street or a "free" ride on the Mine Train when you book Crystal Palace. You are paying for puffed french toast and Pooh.

 

[Sona99]

I noticed a change in our days, too. Morning EMH at HS was removed and changed to EP, and evening EMH was added to HS on a different day.

Won't change my plans since morning EMH isn't something I consider and the new evening EMH isn't enough of a draw for me - HS is my least favorite park at the moment...

 

[JimmyV]

Since you now know that this can and does occur, I think it is best to have a plan B.

This is great advice. Not only do those of us who love to plan, plan to the "nth degree", we also have backup plans and backup plans for our backup plans. And this is why it works to keep checking back for ADRs even at hard to get into places. Lots of people double book and then cancel once their plans become solidified. And now that ADRs carry a no-show penalty, I am finding that people are a bit more vigilant about cancelling their unwanted ADRs.

 

[Nancyg56]

This is great advice. Not only do those of us who love to plan, plan to the "nth degree", we also have backup plans and backup plans for our backup plans. And this is why it works to keep checking back for ADRs even at hard to get into places. Lots of people double book and then cancel once their plans become solidified. And now that ADRs carry a no-show penalty, I am finding that people are a bit more vigilant about cancelling their unwanted ADRs.

Yes. I am not an uber planner, but I keep track of park times. They change A LOT. Remember the whole Fantasmic dinner package thing last year? DHS with routinely extended evening hours, extra Fantasmic but at 7 instead of 10, and parking nightmares to boot? Holy Moly! My plan had always been an early dinner late lunch because I hate rushing anywhere, and I knew that my MM ADR was just a place in line at what can be a wicked busy restaurant. That time I was a step ahead, but I know that when it comes to Disney hours and shows, you need to be a step ahead, and flexible. It does not pay to be stressed over things you cannot control.

 

[slbgnb]

I'd be backing your outrage 100%

Just for the record - I wouldn't be outraged. Annoyed - yes. Outraged - no. I'm at Disney after all -

 

[Nancyg56]

Just for the record - I wouldn't be outraged. Annoyed - yes. Outraged - no. I'm at Disney after all -

I understand!!! Me too. No outrage in Disney!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Since you now know that this can and does occur, I think it is best to have a plan B. There are some things that just are not worth getting stressed about, and for my family, this is one of those things. If park opening changes to an earlier time, and I am more invested in the touring than breakfast, I ditch breakfast. If what I wanted was breakfast, I go with that. The problem I see is that people book the PPO meals as a way to gain an advantage over other guests, and the bottom line is that while we can use them in that manner, Disney has never once that I know of, advertised them as a means to that end.

Now if you booked the Poly and were never told that the monorail would be down for your length of stay, and found that out upon check in, I'd be backing your outrage 100%. The monorail resorts transportation benefits are often used by Disney as a reason to choose those Deluxe Resorts, and you are paying for that perk. You are not paying for an empty Main Street or a "free" ride on the Mine Train when you book Crystal Palace. You are paying for puffed french toast and Pooh.

I agree that we need a plan B. Sometimes even a plan C.

Unfortunately, with more and more people choosing to have plan Bs and Cs, that just means more hoarded ADRs not available to others- and more last minute ditched ADRs. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on whether you are a person who wants to plan or a person who wants to be spontaneous.

Regardless of whether Disney advertises the breakfasts as a way to get into the park early, the company is fully aware that people expect this benefit. It is a very reasonable expectation, based on years of past practice and experience. As a company that is known for customer service, they should make every effort to meet guest expectations. Failure to meet reasonable guest expectations does not bode well for the company's image. Although the failure to meet these expectations may not rise to the level of fraud, it certainly contributes to negative feelings associated with the company.

The company may not want too many people spreading the word that we are paying for Pooh.