We did DAH on 4/11. It was a surprise for my daughter's birthday (turning 8) - "Surprise! You're going to Disney with Mom... TODAY!" It was so much fun!
We landed about 2:40pm, took ME to CSR, grabbed a late lunch at Rix, settled into our room, and headed over to MK. I had planned to grab some dinner before heading over, but our timeline got messed up with the late lunch. This trip was all about what she wanted to do, so I had to forego my own personal preferences on a few things.
We arrived at the gate at 5:45 and were second in line at our tapstyles. The CMs expected to begin letting us in at 6, but they were told to wait until 6:30. You could see they were unsure and I could hear some conversations going on about why it was later. There was never a definitive answer, but it's nice to know that we weren't crazy for hoping to be let in at 6.
Upon entry, we headed to Emporium to purchase an autograph book (DD's was almost full & she wanted a new one). We headed up Main Street and encountered the marching bands. She wanted to stop to watch, so we did. Made our way back to Fantasyland, and had to hit the restrooms already.
Looking around at wait times, everything was 20-40ish minutes... except 7DMT, which was 70-ish.
Walked right into our 7pm FP for Enchanted Tales at 6:55pm.
After Belle, we mobile ordered a pizza at Pinocchio's.
Journey of LM, 15-minute posted wait, but walked on.
FP Ariel greet (40-minute posted wait at the time. With FP, we were behind 1 family)
Stopped to don our glow sticks - always one of her favorite parts of Disney at night
Splash Mountain, Standby (DD was DYING to ride it... posted 30 minute wait); Watched fireworks from Splash... and got stuck twice.
By the time we were off Splash, it was almost 10pm, and we hustled over to BTM. Posted wait time was 10 minutes, but it was more like 5.
BTM again. Got off right at 10pm
Back over to Splash, where we saw people without wristbands being turned away. Walked on - they were already sending empty logs.
After that, we walked on to everything except for 7DMT.
Pirates (had an entire boat to ourselves)
Aladdin x2
Ice cream (no wait)
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion
Small World
7DMT x2 (20-minute posted wait, but took maybe 10 minutes, less the 2nd time)
Meet Cinderella & Elena
Meet Rapunzel & Tiana
Teacups
Buzz
Space x2 (DD's first time - she LOVED it. We rode Alpha & Omega, but had to walk all the way out & back in.)
Stepped off Space the 2nd time at 12:55
Grabbed more ice cream & popcorn and headed to the hub
Watched the goodnight, snapped a few photos, and walked out of the park. DD had no interest in staying for empty street photos and we were both wiped.
We were on a bus back to our resort by 1:15, back at the resort by 1:30-ish, quick showers, and to BED! It was definitely a full day, but such a good one.
It was a great night. With planning this instead of a full park day, we definitely got our money's worth. I kept thinking that was the only way I would want to do DAH... as a substitute for a full park day. Considering the possibility of the villain overlay, I might still do it, but would likely skip the show. We did a LOT, but felt like there was still more we could've done... and definitely more we WANTED to do.
MNSSHP and
MVMCP are just not for us, but I'd do DAH for my entire family.
As for the ongoing "money grab" and "value" discussions, I really wish Disney would meet in the middle. I'm disappointed they've gotten rid of evening EMH for the time being. I wish they would split it - do 2 nights/week of evening EMH, and 2 nights/week of a ticketed event. That gives everyone the opportunity to stay late with the potential for fewer people in the park. Significantly fewer people at the ticketed event, obviously. And it still gives 3 nights/week of long overnights for the staff to do what they need to do. If that's not enough, swap it and do 3 late evenings, 4 long overnights. Just my two cents.
Except for the EMM part, we're not morning people lol!
