Changes to Extra Magic Hour

[GoofyDad_STL]

Did anyone happen to notice a paragraph in the official announcement regard Magic Your Way that referenced EMH? Here is what it said:

"Extra Magic Hours: Each day the gates of one of Disney's magical theme parks open one hour early or stay open three hours later so Disney Resort hotel guests can enjoy select attractions. (A valid theme park ticket and Resort ID are required.)"

So it looks like we are going permanently to the trial set up tried last year. My dilemma, 17 days until I can book dining reservations and all my plans may need to change based on the new EMH. I sure hope they get details out quick regarding this.

 

[BCV23]

Isn't that a change in the wording too? During the trial, I think it said "up to 3 hours after closing."

We weren't there during the trial period and actually actively avoid early entry parks. This sounds like it could be much better to me....I hope.

 

[DisneyDVClover]

We never use the early entry but may be inclined to use the extended hours sounds kinda like the E ride nights.

 

[GoofyDad_STL]

I actually plan against the EMH, so things like the Magic Kingdom having the late EMH one night will mean I want to go there the next morning. But I need the new information so I can start playing with my planning spreadsheet.

 

[BCV23]

We do that with EMH....go the day after or sometimes the day before. But people have reported the evenings being walkons which sounds nice to me. Of course not if that means too late.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

What's this 3 hours after closing thing? I've never heard of it!

 

[BCV23]

WDW had a trial of this. I think it was last May. There were some days that one park was open early, another day it was open late. I can't remember the mix though.

 

[KNWVIKING]

We were there for the trial...it was great. We NEVER do early entry but will always do the three extra late hours. If I were an off-property visitor, this perk would get me to stay on property.

 

[BCV23]

Tell us more! Which parks did you visit in the evening and how crowded did you find them. Was it a hassle to get a wrist band...if that is what was used?

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

What's this 3 hours after closing thing? I've never heard of it!

Check out the Theme Parks board. There are a bunch of threads on this.

 

[lsutigger2]

Count us in the "avoid EMH in the morning" but would love to do the extra hours at night.

Is anyone counting??

 

[erikthewise]

Well if everyone else likes the evenings, maybe the mornings will be less crowded! But I might do an occasional evening too.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Humm, the night ones do sound good. I'd definetly rather stay later at night than go earlier in the morning.

 

[tjkraz]

We did the late night EMH at MGM last May. We're night people, too, so this is a huge deal for us.

With that said, I think the results at MGM were fairly predictable. After Fantasmic let out, everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) flocked to ToT and RnR. I distinctly remember getting in line for a FastPass to ToT. Each machine had a line about 6-8 people deep. By the time I reached a machine, the FP return time was 40 minutes later than when I got in line. Not long after that, the FPs were gone for the night.

Anyone who skipped Fantasmic probably rode those two with zero waits for 30 minutes.

I really did enjoy being in the parks later. After all, if they hadn't been running the test, MGM would have closed at 8pm (I believe!) As I was, we could have stayed until 11pm.

My recommendation would be to skip Fantasmic on an EMH night, and get your fill of ToT and RnR while the show is going on. After that, you can probably still hit the other rides with little wait.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

We did the EMH at night last Aug., @ the magic kingdom. It was great !!! after everyone watched Wishes, they started to leave, except those of us who were given wristbands. For 3 hours ,we practically had the park to ourselves
most of the major rides ( HM, POTC, BTM, SM etc. ), were virtually walk-ons.
We`re happy that this perk for resort guests may be perminant.
________________________
maria

 

[DiznEeyore]

We did the EMH at night last Aug., @ the magic kingdom. It was great !!! after everyone watched Wishes, they started to leave, except those of us who were given wristbands. For 3 hours ,we practically had the park to ourselves
most of the major rides ( HM, POTC, BTM, SM etc. ), were virtually walk-ons.
We`re happy that this perk for resort guests may be perminant.
________________________
maria

When did you receive the wristbands? Were they giving them out all day long if you showed resort IDs? I'm curious how this will be "enforced"....?

 

[tjkraz]

When did you receive the wristbands? Were they giving them out all day long if you showed resort IDs? I'm curious how this will be "enforced"....?

I would guess that it will be much easier to enforce than the morning EMH.

They started handing out wristbands around 4pm. All you need to do is show your resort ID to get one. There were multiple locations throughout the park. It took 15 seconds to pick up the wristband.

After the posted closing time of the park, you had to show your wristband in order to ride any attraction. I'm sure that some CMs will be more deliberate in their checks than others, but it's still a valid system. How many people will wait in line for a ride and risk the possibility of being turned away at the last minute?

Non-WDW resort guests are still permitted to remain in the park to shop or browse, but they simply cannot enter any attraction without a wristband.

 

[DiznEeyore]

They started handing out wristbands around 4pm. All you need to do is show your resort ID to get one. There were multiple locations throughout the park. It took 15 seconds to pick up the wristband.

After the posted closing time of the park, you had to show your wristband in order to ride any attraction.

Got it -- sounds good!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

. How many people will wait in line for a ride and risk the possibility of being turned away at the last minute?

.

If i were to guess i would actually say alot. It always amazes me how much people just either do not care or do not know any better.

 

[crisi]

If i were to guess i would actually say alot. It always amazes me how much people just either do not care or do not know any better.

"I don't understand why those people in that line get to go ahead of us, they must be some sort of special guest or paid more."