Crazy NOT to avoid EMH?

[aadaneboy]

We always plan to visit the parts with the EMH. We enjoy the ability to at least ride some of the popular rides with less people in the parks. We've never made it for RD, but now that they have changed some of that up, I guess we will never see what it was like.

We tend to arrive early for the EMH, tour the parks until noonish, then head back to the resort for some relaxation, before heading back to another park for the evening.

Todd

 

[disneyfanlincoln]

DHS was opening 20 - 30 minutes before advertised time in jan/feb when I was there, so if it's not EMH am get there early anyway and you get an EXtra magic half hour which was great, enabled us to get a fast pass for TSM and ride it with no line.

 

[Love Tink]

Why are almost half the responses about PM EMH when she specifically asked about only AM EMH, and then reiterated that she wasn't interested in the PM ones?

Anyway, in my opinion, AM EMH would be a fine option for you if you
A) Are sure you can actually arrive "on time," meaning about 15 minutes before the EMH starting time.
and
B) Are sure that you want to leave the parks before noon.

The parks will be more busy due to the EMH, yes. But many people will not make it to the EMH, or will be late. So if you are there at opening, you can still get out ahead of the crowds. Also the crowds will build all morning and mid-day, but that won't affect you too much if you are leaving.

My family is a total avoid EMH family, but if we only have a few hours in the morning, we consider EMH because we want that extra hour and we know that the magic hour itself is usually very empty, and as people start pouring into the parks, they head for things we've already done, so we can stay ahead of them.

 

[WC*123]

You will be fine going to EMH parks that week. Most planning sites say morning EMH can be very attractive if you plan to leave early or hop.

We are also visiting the week before Easter and plan to use morning EMH every day. It will be difficult to arrive for the MK EMH days (7AM), but I feel it will be worth it. We plan to limit evening park activities - that is where the crowds are crazy!

I understand the usual reasons to avoid EMH, however, feel Spring Break schedule changes reduce the typical concerns. In my opinion, Disney modifies the schedule so much that every park will be attractive every day. For example, MK has EMH every morning for a week, DHS is open later every day, double the Fantasmic shows, double the parades, etc. Again, IMO, every park will be equally packed, so you need to tour early or very late and use the EMH.

We went Easter week in 2009 and I was worried about visiting the MK since they had EMH every morning. We stayed offsite and weren't eligible. We arrived one day at 8AM (7AM EMH opening), after an evening EMH day (3AM close), and did very well. We were walk on at BTMR, 5 minutes at Splash, and walked right into Haunted mansion. I couldn't tell if everyone was on the other side of the park or if they were still sleeping...it was wonderful.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Wow that is very lucky!!! We went on our recent trip in January/February and even during EMH till 10pm, at 9:45pm the wait time for Toy Story was 70 minutes... and people were still lining up after we got in line. It was our last night in Hollywood Studios and we hadn't had a chance to ride TSM due to longer waits and all fast passes had been given out by 10:30am.

well 10pm extra magic hours arent that late so people tend to stay during them... now 1am and 3am EMH's the parks are pretty much all yours... keep in mind to that when it gets that late they put up wait times way above what they really are to deter you from getting in line

 

[Lees3rwe]

We did every sing EMH park during our June trip last year and plan to do it again this year (and each day was a 10).

As long as you hit rope drop/take a break/ party late you will be fine!

 

[WickedDreamer]

PM EMH are awesome... last night we had the magic kingdom to ourselves for almost two hours and tonight i got to ride toy story 5 times in a row without any line at all... getting up early is for suckers imo

well 10pm extra magic hours arent that late so people tend to stay during them... now 1am and 3am EMH's the parks are pretty much all yours... keep in mind to that when it gets that late they put up wait times way above what they really are to deter you from getting in line

Yep, we ended up getting in line as we really wants to see what the craze was about TSM, and the wait ended up only being about 40-50 minutes, but it seemed to never end, because the queuing line was just zoo long and up and down stairs. The ride was alright, but you can ride Buzz in MK with a lesser wait for basically the same kinda of ride.

 

[wisblue]

Only MK still offers a Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
They will only offer a the show once per day, so it will only be for the AM EMH guests on AM EMH day.
They might not offer the "full-length" Rope Drop Show on AM EMH days.

DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW,
but still has a "rope" (guest holding area) either just inside the gates,
or at a location past the Oasis, near the Tree of Life.

Epcot and DHS no longer offer a Rope Drop SHOW, AND no longer offer an inside-the-gates holding area.

As always, it can be an advantage to arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

When did they stop having inside the gates holding areas at Epcot and DHS? We were at both parks in early December and we were allowed through the gates at both parks before 9 AM, but were held by ropes at the usual spots until 9.

 

[danceteachermom]

Glad to hear all the positive stories about morning EMH. This will allow us to keep our MK on the first day plan. We just love a walk down Main Street to be our first experience on any trip. We are sad that BTMR will be closed but hope to ride Splash Mountain....it is always closed when we go in January and last year on our first March trip our son was about a half inch too short.

so now some EMH questions....if we only want Pooh in Fantasyland, Splash, Space Mountain, and Buzz....which land first?

At Epcot...Soarin first or Test Track?

Someone mentioned extra parades Easter week. This intrigues me as they usually around around 3 pm when we like to be at the pool. When are the extra parades? Any in the AM?

Thanks for all the help and advice. Love the dis.

 

[Laurali]

We always do EMH and love it! I have never ran into a problem. Our DS was 5 the last time we went and we loved going back for evening EMH after a nap and sometimes a swim at the pool. We usually go during low traffic times of the year, but last time the evening EMH were so empty at MK we were able to stay on Splash Mountain and ride it consecutively!!

 

[SFreelove]

I would have to disagree 100% with whoever told you to stay clear of extra magic hours. Thats why there are extra magic hours- for you to enjoy. I've been to Disney over a dozen times and have always took advantage of EMH and never had a problem! I love EMH, we would get into the parks and ride 4-5 rides that would take us half the day to get on and ride (depending on the time of year you go) but by the looks of it, you should be more than fine. Summer months are the hardest any time in the parks along with holiday weeks.. other than that, you will get the most for your money.. extra magic hours or not. We like to enjoy the EMH at night to be quite honest we have noticed less people use those than the morning ones. I once was at MK with my family in the summer at 2AM! and we were about the only ones there!! It was actual very magical in a way. But EMH even in the morning aren't a issue really because alot of people have breakfasts set up or don't rush to the parks always because of childrens scheduales, esp. little ones. ANYWAY- I say take full advantage you wont regret it!

 

[Laurali]

Glad to hear all the positive stories about morning EMH. This will allow us to keep our MK on the first day plan. We just love a walk down Main Street to be our first experience on any trip. We are sad that BTMR will be closed but hope to ride Splash Mountain....it is always closed when we go in January and last year on our first March trip our son was about a half inch too short.

so now some EMH questions....if we only want Pooh in Fantasyland, Splash, Space Mountain, and Buzz....which land first?

At Epcot...Soarin first or Test Track?

Someone mentioned extra parades Easter week. This intrigues me as they usually around around 3 pm when we like to be at the pool. When are the extra parades? Any in the AM?

Thanks for all the help and advice. Love the dis.

Test track closes April 15 I believe so it may be busy with people trying to go before its refurb..and from friends that were just there Splash and Space were really busy with BTR being down, so you may hit them first, but I would just start with the biggest priority to you and your family!

 

[summermac]

Given that you want to be out of the parks by we'll go as late as 1:00 to be safe, I would highly recommend you consider MORNING EMHs. I think they are great. Well honestly I think both are great but prefer mornings. It seems to me that more people are willing to start a little later to take advantage of evening offerings (so IMO you will also be okay with your rope drop touring plans b/c more than likely many ppl will just be coming in as you're leaving so they can hang for evening EMH) than people willing to rise early for morning EMH.

 

[katt789]

I definitely have to agree and say that Morning EMH are the greatest things in the world. I just took a solo trip where I was able to hit them up, and was in & out of Animal Kingdom in 3 hours. That included some shopping, a lite breakfast, 5 rides on Everest, FOTLK, and some character meets.

Now PM EMH, as said, can we wishy washy, we were at DHS and the park was dead, where as MK was a little busier, but if you can wait it out til past 10pm, the park will clear out quite a bit!