Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Super Thread

[ArchOwl]

Hi,

We'll be staying at the DLH this week and plan to visit the parks Thursday and Friday. Since we have EMH both days, which day would you recommend doing DCA EE? Thursday when there is also APEE (and might be busier)? Or Friday (but means DL EMH would be Thursday which is also MM)? I keep going back-and-forth.

The other question I had... and asked an another thread... the morning that we (or rather, I) do DCA EMH, I was thinking of going ahead of the rest of my family to stand in the RSR FP line so the rest (who groan at the thought of waking up early) can sleep a little extra and find me between 7:45-8:00 in the FP line. Would they be held back with the regular entry people wanting RSR FPs or could they come ahead to find me in line? Oh the things I do for them!

Thanks!

I would say that regarding EMH, it would depend on your priorities. For me, I was mostly concerned with DCA and doing Carsland, so I made that my priority for EMH. Then I just went to DL on the other days. But perhaps you aren't as concerned about Carsland and would prefer shorter lines in DL. It is really up to you.

Thursday at DCA will be busier based on my experience last week, due to APEE. But it wasn't unmanageable and certainly was doable. I would be tempted to find out if RSR was up and running and factor that into my decision.

I think that from other reports I have read (not my own experience), that if you want to enjoy a relatively empty DL, don't go on a MM day. And that the difference between a DCA APEE day and a non APEE day is not as significant. Both will be busy, with the APEE day slightly busier. So if DL is at all important to you, I would pick a non-MM day.

As far as the FP line goes, in my second photo above that shows the general public behind the rope, there was a small walkway on the left side where EMH folks were allowed to pass. Your family could definitely meet you in the FP line for the EMH people, but as soon as it hits 8am, there is a massive crowd of people that will be surging into that area. So I would tell them to be there earlier than 8am for sure. HTH!

 

[hulamom]

I would say that regarding EMH, it would depend on your priorities. For me, I was mostly concerned with DCA and doing Carsland, so I made that my priority for EMH. Then I just went to DL on the other days. But perhaps you aren't as concerned about Carsland and would prefer shorter lines in DL. It is really up to you.

Thursday at DCA will be busier based on my experience last week, due to APEE. But it wasn't unmanageable and certainly was doable. I would be tempted to find out if RSR was up and running and factor that into my decision.

I think that from other reports I have read (not my own experience), that if you want to enjoy a relatively empty DL, don't go on a MM day. And that the difference between a DCA APEE day and a non APEE day is not as significant. Both will be busy, with the APEE day slightly busier. So if DL is at all important to you, I would pick a non-MM day.

As far as the FP line goes, in my second photo above that shows the general public behind the rope, there was a small walkway on the left side where EMH folks were allowed to pass. Your family could definitely meet you in the FP line for the EMH people, but as soon as it hits 8am, there is a massive crowd of people that will be surging into that area. So I would tell them to be there earlier than 8am for sure. HTH!

Thank you ArchOwl for your thoughts and tips!

DL is defintely important to us, but then again, so is seeing the new Cars Land and RSR. I think as long as we can get a FP for RSR in the morning for whatever time, we'll be good.

Considering my teen woke up this morning at 11:30 and my 9 year old slept until 10 getting them up and about before 8 will definitely be a challenge. I might have to bribe them with waffles or something.

 

[RebeccaMcK]

Hi All,
I'm sorry if this type of question was answered earlier but I haven't read through everything. Here is my situation: I'm going October 22-26 (those are our park days) and I hear I get a MM/EMH every day (Tues and Thurs at DL, Mon, Wed and Fri at DCA)....I have 5 days of Park Hopper tix (we arrive on the Sunday, late afternoon, but we're not going into any parks on arrival day). The only thing I bought directly from Disney was our tickets. We booked the hotel through Cheap Tickets (Paradise Pier, so we'll be on site) and the airfare through another online company. Does it have to be a whole Disney-booked package to get the MMs every morning they're offered? Or does it not matter that I booked the hotel through some other company and have paper tickets for the 5 days of hoppers? I'll be making meal reservations later this month, so I wondered which days I should do whatever (we're good at touring) based on the morning admission plans. And I know the park hours aren't up yet for October and there's just one Halloween Party during our trip (the Tuesday)...I think there's one on Friday but we're leaving in the afternoon to head home. Sorry to go off topic a bit but the main gist of my post here is to clarify what Magic Mornings I'm "entitled" to. Thanks!

 

[ttig34]

Hi All,
I'm sorry if this type of question was answered earlier but I haven't read through everything. Here is my situation: I'm going October 22-26 (those are our park days) and I hear I get a MM/EMH every day (Tues and Thurs at DL, Mon, Wed and Fri at DCA)....I have 5 days of Park Hopper tix (we arrive on the Sunday, late afternoon, but we're not going into any parks on arrival day). The only thing I bought directly from Disney was our tickets. We booked the hotel through Cheap Tickets (Paradise Pier, so we'll be on site) and the airfare through another online company. Does it have to be a whole Disney-booked package to get the MMs every morning they're offered? Or does it not matter that I booked the hotel through some other company and have paper tickets for the 5 days of hoppers? I'll be making meal reservations later this month, so I wondered which days I should do whatever (we're good at touring) based on the morning admission plans. And I know the park hours aren't up yet for October and there's just one Halloween Party during our trip (the Tuesday)...I think there's one on Friday but we're leaving in the afternoon to head home. Sorry to go off topic a bit but the main gist of my post here is to clarify what Magic Mornings I'm "entitled" to. Thanks!

It doesn't matter who you booked thru- if you are staying at a Disney hotel, you have the same early morning perks as those booking directly through Disney.

 

[RebeccaMcK]

Thanks, ttig34! I had a feeling that was correct but just wanted to doublecheck.

 

[engo]

We have been here a couple of days and wanted to update everyone on how APEE/EMH affects crowds the past 2 days. We hope this information will be useful for those without any kind of early entrance.

APEE days felt more crowded at Carsland than non-APEE days as expected. DH was at DCA for RSR fp both mornings. On Aug 9 (APEE & EMH) he lined up for RSR fp at 7:43am, and again today at 7:55am (EMH only) and he was actually about 20 people ahead today compare to yesterday, getting in line more than 10 minutes later but without APEE.

We were also in DL this morning for EMH along with APEE. If you have been to a DL MM in previous years, the crowd at the turnstile was less than 50% of crowds on a MM in previous years. We also noticed most people headed towards Tomorrowland for Matterhorn and Star Tours. The park didn't get too crowded after 8am.

 

[zeferjen]

Really need expert advice. We will be in the area 8/27-8/29, staying at VGC. For EE, I had planned Monday CL, Tuesday DL, and Weds CL. Now I am seeing that these CL days coincide with APEE. The kids REALLY are excited about Carsland, hence the decision to go there on the first day. Is it worth it to change all of this around to avoid APEE? Note that this is at a time when all APs are unblocked.

 

[KalamityJane]

zeferjen - what about doing CL the first day and the second day and DL the 3rd day? Then you get to hit CL the first day, but you are hitting the other 2 on days opposite MM.

 

[DLR29]

zeferjen - what about doing CL the first day and the second day and DL the 3rd day? Then you get to hit CL the first day, but you are hitting the other 2 on days opposite MM.

Sounds like a good plan.

But in all honesty, when people are talking about APEE days being more crowded than regular EMH days...we're not talking big differences. The perk of Extra Magic Hour is still to be one of the first people in the park on that given day. As long as you're there before 7 each day, you'll be fine.

 

[zeferjen]

Thanks guys! I guess I will stick with my Monday plan and reevaluate that night if I want to swithc around the other two mornings.

 

[Ride Junkie]

Just wanted to add something we experienced last week regarding DL MM.

I had a free 1-day park hopper pass, and a 2-day park hopper pass that I bought. DH and DD both had 3-day park hopper passes. I went to one of the ticket booths to ask if they could exchange my two passes for one 3-day pass so I could get into DL MM with them. While they couldn't give me a 3-day park hopper ticket (since my one free ticket had no value, and they don't want someone scamming them & selling their 3-day ticket), they did give me a ticket to get into MM. I love that they are willing to accommodate guests this way! We did MM on Thursday and it was great to ride so many Fantasyland rides in that extra hour.

 

[Jeanine25]

I'm sure this has been asked already, but there are 50 pages in this thread and didn't read all of them. We are staying at DLH for 2 nights, but have a 3 day park hopper. Are we allowed early entry all 3 days or just 2 since we're only staying 2 nights?

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

I've read several pages back, as well as the first page, and maybe Ive missed it, so forgive me if I have... But what attractions are open in DCA for extra magic hour? Is it just CarsLand? Or do other poplar rides open early? I have no desire to do anything in cars land aside from maybe visit Ghiradelli's, but other than that the rides look more kiddo geared, and I really did not like Cars the movie so it's no big draw for me... Any info on this? What's open for EME vs EMH, or are they they same attractions?

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

I'm sure this has been asked already, but there are 50 pages in this thread and didn't read all of them. We are staying at DLH for 2 nights, but have a 3 day park hopper. Are we allowed early entry all 3 days or just 2 since we're only staying 2 nights?

Your park hopper should entitle you to one early mornings entry, and your two nights at DLH should get you two EMH. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

 

[Jeanine25]

Your park hopper should entitle you to one early mornings entry, and your two nights at DLH should get you two EMH. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

Yea! I'm originally from So Cal, so I've never stayed in the Hotels and don't know all the ins and outs of it. We're going towards the end of Sept, so both parks should be open for early entry the days we are staying. So excited!

 

[Jeanine25]

I've read several pages back, as well as the first page, and maybe Ive missed it, so forgive me if I have... But what attractions are open in DCA for extra magic hour? Is it just CarsLand? Or do other poplar rides open early? I have no desire to do anything in cars land aside from maybe visit Ghiradelli's, but other than that the rides look more kiddo geared, and I really did not like Cars the movie so it's no big draw for me... Any info on this? What's open for EME vs EMH, or are they they same attractions?

It's on the first page, just a little ways down.

 

[wamommy2four]

I am so confused. I hope this isn't an annoying question. My dh and I will be at the parks Sept. 19-22 staying at the DLH. Is EMH only available on alt. days on those dates? That's what it looks like on the Disney website. If that's the case, we will only have that Fri. for EMH at DCA because we will arrive to late on Wed. Is that going to be a busier day just because it's Fri.?

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

I am so confused. I hope this isn't an annoying question. My dh and I will be at the parks Sept. 19-22 staying at the DLH. Is EMH only available on alt. days on those dates? That's what it looks like on the Disney website. If that's the case, we will only have that Fri. for EMH at DCA because we will arrive to late on Wed. Is that going to be a busier day just because it's Fri.?

Thanks!

Where does it say that on the DLR website? Unless it has changed the EMH is every day both parks until Sept 30, and then going to alternate days Sat/Sun/Tue/Thu at DL, Mon/Wed/Fri at DCA.

 

[wamommy2four]

Where does it say that on the DLR website? Unless it has changed the EMH is every day both parks until Sept 30, and then going to alternate days Sat/Sun/Tue/Thu at DL, Mon/Wed/Fri at DCA.

Maybe I'm looking at the wrong place? I went to the entertainment schedule on the DLR website and on the days we are going it shows the daily hours and then the early admission hours. The early admission hours say not available every other day alt. between the 2 parks. Oh, but when I clicked on the link next to that, it does say that early addmission is available both days at both parks through Sept. 29th. Oops. Are those alt. dates for APEE?

Sorry, if I added to anyones confusion. I guess that's what I get for staying up so late at night planning our trip.

Thanks!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Your park hopper should entitle you to one early mornings entry, and your two nights at DLH should get you two EMH. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

The EMH is good for all the days listed on your ticket. For 2 nights, that means 3 days. You do have to check in to the hotel, however, before you can go to EMH. -- Suzanne