DHS/Toy Story Land "Early Morning Magic" (EMM) FAQ & Discussion

[JK World]

Our trip is not until mid November, so I'm really hoping EMM is back by then. My whole plan for HS is contingent on knocking out TSL early through EMM so we can focus our FP on other things.

Not looking forward to the increased crowds. They will definitely spill into the whole park. I specifically schedule our trips during lower crowd times for DS, who will be turning 5 on this trip.

I just hope Disney lets us know what type of paid event options there will be in time for planning purposes. I'll have to book multiple ADRs since I won't be able to plan park days properly without details from Disney.

 

[dachsie]

Yeah I was hoping for EMM on Sept 2 so that’s definitely not happening now. Ugh! I think we’re just going to skip HS altogether which is a bummer since SDD was the ride my kiddos were most excited about. Not sure if it’s worth hopping over there in that mess for one ride even if we could get a FP.

I would think if you avoided SWGE you would be fine at HS

 

[Suejacken]

It looks like toy story mania isn’t working for early magic hours today

 

[cakebaker]

It looks like toy story mania isn’t working for early magic hours today

Seems like Star Tours is the default ride to open when 1 goes down.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Do we know for a fact there won't be any September EMM dates? Was it officially stated?

 

[cakebaker]

Do we know for a fact there won't be any September EMM dates? Was it officially stated?

No, no official word.

 

[rxbeth]

Seems like Star Tours is the default ride to open when 1 goes down.

Which doesn't seem like a good replacement because it has a height restriction. Although I guess they have no other options.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Which doesn't seem like a good replacement because it has a height restriction. Although I guess they have no other options.

Yeah there are literally no more rides in the park outside of ToT and RnR.

 

[Suejacken]

The other day when Slinky Dog was down they opened Star tours. Then at some point they opened rock and roller coaster. Then slinky started working and toy story mania went down

 

[CAStevens218]

We attended on 3/6. They didn't get Slinky Dog working until after 8:00...maybe 8:15? I can't say for sure because we went to rise Toy Story Mania and it was working when we came out. I see reports of other rides being open, but if that is true then no one told us and we spoke to several cast members for updates. They should really find a better way to communicate these things, there are certainly enough cast members standing around that they could walk around telling people.

We got right in line for Woody and Jessie when they opened Toy Story land and we were the second family. After that was when we realized slinky dog was down, so we went and did alien swirling saucers twice. We then had some hot chocolate because it was chilly and looked around the land. Since slinky was still down we went to do toy story mania and slinky was working when we came out. We rode slinky dog twice before rope drop crown arrived.

I spoke to a cast member on our way out and he said we could ride slinky dog through 10AM in the fastpass line. I nicely explained that this wasn't acceptable for me because we had other plans from 9:00-10:00 (we wanted to go ride Tower of Terror and do a few other things before lines got crazy) but he said that he couldn't give us fastpasses. We continued on with our day, rode tower of terror twice and met some characters. Then I sent my husband and son over to do their star wars fastpass and I went to guest relations, where I explained to them why their solution didn't work for me and asked for two additional fastpasses for each member of my family. They agreed and loaded them onto our account. I was happy with that solution.

So, while it was disappointing that we didn't get to ride slinky dog more, it ended up working out and it was nice to be able to go over for a couple more slinky dog rides later in the afternoon.

 

[Suejacken]

We attended on 3/6. They didn't get Slinky Dog working until after 8:00...maybe 8:15? I can't say for sure because we went to rise Toy Story Mania and it was working when we came out. I see reports of other rides being open, but if that is true then no one told us and we spoke to several cast members for updates. They should really find a better way to communicate these things, there are certainly enough cast members standing around that they could walk around telling people.

We got right in line for Woody and Jessie when they opened Toy Story land and we were the second family. After that was when we realized slinky dog was down, so we went and did alien swirling saucers twice. We then had some hot chocolate because it was chilly and looked around the land. Since slinky was still down we went to do toy story mania and slinky was working when we came out. We rode slinky dog twice before rope drop crown arrived.

I spoke to a cast member on our way out and he said we could ride slinky dog through 10AM in the fastpass line. I nicely explained that this wasn't acceptable for me because we had other plans from 9:00-10:00 (we wanted to go ride Tower of Terror and do a few other things before lines got crazy) but he said that he couldn't give us fastpasses. We continued on with our day, rode tower of terror twice and met some characters. Then I sent my husband and son over to do their star wars fastpass and I went to guest relations, where I explained to them why their solution didn't work for me and asked for two additional fastpasses for each member of my family. They agreed and loaded them onto our account. I was happy with that solution.

So, while it was disappointing that we didn't get to ride slinky dog more, it ended up working out and it was nice to be able to go over for a couple more slinky dog rides later in the afternoon.

Good for you for being persistent. I only noticed those rides because I check the wait times on my Disney experience every time they have the early Toy Story event. I am trying to plan my day when we do it on 7/1. I am trying to determine the wait times for other rides after the toy story event ends.

 

[cakebaker]

We attended on 3/6. They didn't get Slinky Dog working until after 8:00...maybe 8:15? I can't say for sure because we went to rise Toy Story Mania and it was working when we came out. I see reports of other rides being open, but if that is true then no one told us and we spoke to several cast members for updates. They should really find a better way to communicate these things, there are certainly enough cast members standing around that they could walk around telling people.

We got right in line for Woody and Jessie when they opened Toy Story land and we were the second family. After that was when we realized slinky dog was down, so we went and did alien swirling saucers twice. We then had some hot chocolate because it was chilly and looked around the land. Since slinky was still down we went to do toy story mania and slinky was working when we came out. We rode slinky dog twice before rope drop crown arrived.

I spoke to a cast member on our way out and he said we could ride slinky dog through 10AM in the fastpass line. I nicely explained that this wasn't acceptable for me because we had other plans from 9:00-10:00 (we wanted to go ride Tower of Terror and do a few other things before lines got crazy) but he said that he couldn't give us fastpasses. We continued on with our day, rode tower of terror twice and met some characters. Then I sent my husband and son over to do their star wars fastpass and I went to guest relations, where I explained to them why their solution didn't work for me and asked for two additional fastpasses for each member of my family. They agreed and loaded them onto our account. I was happy with that solution.

So, while it was disappointing that we didn't get to ride slinky dog more, it ended up working out and it was nice to be able to go over for a couple more slinky dog rides later in the afternoon.

Good to know that using the FP line is a possibility if it’s down. Good for you for taking it to guest services. That’s usually the place that if it can be done, it will be. I would’ve done the same thing. Undoubtedly the CM just didn’t have the authority to do it.

I actually kind of like the idea of having FPS later in the day to stretch out riding SDD rather than back to back.

 

[CAStevens218]

Good for you for being persistent. I only noticed those rides because I check the wait times on my Disney experience every time they have the early Toy Story event. I am trying to plan my day when we do it on 7/1. I am trying to determine the wait times for other rides after the toy story event ends.

We got over to Tower of Terror a little after 9 and walked on the first ride, then my son wanted to go again so we got back in line and waited maybe 5-10 minutes. I didn't notice the times for Rockin Roller Coaster because my son isn't tall enough so I wasn't looking.

Good to know that using the FP line is a possibility if it’s down. Good for you for taking it to guest services. That’s usually the place that if it can be done, it will be. I would’ve done the same thing. Undoubtedly the CM just didn’t have the authority to do it.

I actually kind of like the idea of having FPS later in the day to stretch out riding SDD rather than back to back.

Yes, the CM was very nice but definitely couldn't have done anything for me even if he wanted to. It actually worked out very nicely because we had a Toy Story Mania fastpass for later in the afternoon so we were able venture back into Toy Story Land for 2x slinky dog and 1x Toy Story Mania.

Even with slinky dog being down, we thought the event was worth it, and can imagine how amazing it would be if slinky were open and we could have ridden it over and over and over like we planned. Even with this experience we will do this and similar events in the future.

It was pretty chilly (low to mid 40s), so it does seem like cold weather is a common denominator most times that slinky dog has been down, at least from what I've seen. So hopefully with more consistent warm weather coming others won't have this problem.

 

[Jennie2003]

We are booked for TS EMM on 8/26 (did it before the announcement lol). Maybe they will let us into GE as a way to test the land without people flipping about a soft opening g (crossing my fingers!)

 

[Woody412]

We went to the MK EMM over the summer, before they expanded it, and they were offering unlimited fast passes until noon for 7DMT if it was down during EMM. I’m not sure if they’re still doing it now that they have more attractions open but it seems like a far better solution than 2 fast passes for SDD. Although I can see the appeal of using them at any time during the day.

 

[CAStevens218]

Yup, I would have taken that as a solution! But 9:00-10:00 was not enough of a service recovery for me to be satisfied. Aside from short lines in Toy Story Land, the other part of the appeal is that you knock those rides out and can rope drop other things. If I was riding slinky dog from 9:00-10:00 then I miss that opportunity.

Since riding until noon wasn't the option offered, and I didn't want to take that morning time standing at guest services, the two to use any time that day ended up being the best solution for us.

I will also add that no one was loudly announcing that we could ride in the fastpass line from 9:00-10:00, or seeking guests out to tell them. We only found out because we went up to a cast member to see if he could load extra fastpasses for later on to our account. So who knows how many people left Toy Story Land without knowing they had an option.

 

[Brett Wyman]

We went to the MK EMM over the summer, before they expanded it, and they were offering unlimited fast passes until noon for 7DMT if it was down during EMM. I’m not sure if they’re still doing it now that they have more attractions open but it seems like a far better solution than 2 fast passes for SDD. Although I can see the appeal of using them at any time during the day.

They did this for us in November when SDD was down until about 8:30 or so. Oddly enough they didn't announce the free anytime FP at all. You just had to see the line forming in front of the lady with the ipad. I knew exactly what it meant, but I can imagine tons of guests would not. On top of that if you didn't ask they gave you ONE anytime FP, but if you said "I heard some people got 3", they would give you THREE. I only knew about the three from overhearing someone in the SDD queue. I guess they try to limit the FPs only to those who seek them out.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I’ll be there with my brother on 3/27! We finally found a reservation after about a week of checking and checking.... and checking. Lol.

We have the 7am reservation, but from what I’m reading, it doesn’t really matter. This event’s perfect for us because I have to be back in South Florida by the early afternoon for a presentation. At least we’ll have something fun to do before we leave!

 

[Suejacken]

We got over to Tower of Terror a little after 9 and walked on the first ride, then my son wanted to go again so we got back in line and waited maybe 5-10 minutes. I didn't notice the times for Rockin Roller Coaster because my son isn't tall enough so I wasn't looking.



Yes, the CM was very nice but definitely couldn't have done anything for me even if he wanted to. It actually worked out very nicely because we had a Toy Story Mania fastpass for later in the afternoon so we were able venture back into Toy Story Land for 2x slinky dog and 1x Toy Story Mania.

Even with slinky dog being down, we thought the event was worth it, and can imagine how amazing it would be if slinky were open and we could have ridden it over and over and over like we planned. Even with this experience we will do this and similar events in the future.

It was pretty chilly (low to mid 40s), so it does seem like cold weather is a common denominator most times that slinky dog has been down, at least from what I've seen. So hopefully with more consistent warm weather coming others won't have this problem.

Thanks for the info. I was hoping those lines would be within the 15 min range after toy story land early magic hours

 

[Iowamomof4]

Well, the lack of DAH announcement for May has surely thrown a wrench in my plans. We had a family meeting this morning and decided to book EMM at both TSL and NFL for now and will switch to DAH if they end up announcing new events during our trip.

We'll be doing DHS EMM on 5/15!

What is everyone doing about fastpasses for their EMM day? Clearly I need to go back and read through some of your event reports since I have been up to this point 100% sure I was NOT going to do this! lol