Early ADR access during morning EMH for offsite guest - WDW official response

[jaysmom4285]

There had been discussion in a couple of earlier threads (some of it by me) about whether an off-site guest could enter the park during morning EMH time for an early ADR - would Disney enforce their rule about having to have a valid resort ID to enter a park during morning EMH? I emailed Disney with this question, and here's the response:

"Please know that guests who have an early dining reservation will be permitted to enter the park to attend their dining, however they will not be permitted on any attractions until the park opens for day guests."

So there we are. Presumably the CMs would check for a valid resort ID before allowing anyone on an attraction during morning EMH, so the off-site guests wouldn't have any advantage in that regard.

 

[vicki_c]

Well they don't check IDs for AM EMHs at the attractions, but it's pretty irrelevant since you will still be eating breakfast during the EMH - you might get out 10 minutes early if you had an ADR that started at the same time as the EMH, but that would be about it.

And off-site guests have always been able to get into the park for breakfast ADRs before the park opens or during EMHs. I must have missed that debate here on the DIS.

 

[Condorman]

Disney's policy on this is absurd.

Their policy SHOULD be that no off-site guests should be allowed into the parks during EMH mornings because they can book the same TS breakfasts beginning at 9:05 am. CMs do not check IDs for EMH mornings so it's a ridiculous statement by Disney -- basically, the Dining Division having no clue as to how the Parks Division operates.

For the same reasons no one can get into a park that has been closed for capacity (even if they have an ADR) no off-site guest should be allowed in during that first hour of an EMH.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I had the same thought, Condorman. The CMs at the attractions probably assume that everyone in the park for morning EMH had to have their resort ID checked at the turnstile just to get into the park, so they'd be a lot less apt to check IDs at the attraction. I'm not sure what would stop someone from making an early ADR that doesn't have a credit card guarantee and just ditching the ADR to ride the attractions during morning EMH.

 

[Scrooge Jr]

I had the same thought, Condorman. The CMs at the attractions probably assume that everyone in the park for morning EMH had to have their resort ID checked at the turnstile just to get into the park, so they'd be a lot less apt to check IDs at the attraction. I'm not sure what would stop someone from making an early ADR that doesn't have a credit card guarantee and just ditching the ADR to ride the attractions during morning EMH.

It’s simple don’t let off-site guest inter the park! I don’t care if they have an ADR or not, change the rules or make better rules. No off-site guest in the parks during EMH! Finish!

I also think that Disney should kick (escort) off-site guest out of the parks during EMH. Guest can also schedule ADR for a restaurant When EMH begin and eat then go out and have fun with all the park's guest. CM's are human some check and some don't. I am in favor of bringing back the wrist bands!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I agree that offsite guests should have to wait until the AM EMH is over to make an ADR, on the off chance some offsite guests might make a fake ADR in order to gain early access to the attractions. Now I am not saying everyone syaying offsite would be doing that, so it's more of a pre-caution.

Now as for Cast Members checking for KTTW cards whenever I have gone to Epcot for AM EMH, there was always two Cast Members asking for everyone to show their KTTW cards before going up to the entrance gates.

 

[Jillpie]

deleted, rethinking post

 

[ScubaCat]

I also think that Disney should kick (escort) off-site guest out of the parks during EMH. Guest can also schedule ADR for a restaurant When EMH begin and eat then go out and have fun with all the park's guest. CM's are human some check and some don't. I am in favor of bringing back the wrist bands!

Riiiiiiight... so they should kick out 30,000+ retail customers and not allow them to shop in any of the shops on mainstreet, eat counter service food, etc.? That'll never happen! (And to be honest, I'd do the same thing if I owned the place.)

I will DEFINITELY vote to bring back the wristbands, though. Anyone could bring an old KTTW and just flash it to get on rides whether staying onsite or not. They used to scan them before giving out the wristband and that worked well I thought.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Riiiiiiight... so they should kick out 30,000+ retail customers and not allow them to shop in any of the shops on mainstreet, eat counter service food, etc.? That'll never happen! (And to be honest, I'd do the same thing if I owned the place.)

Well that does happen to those guests during the hard ticket events at the Magic Kingdom if they don't have tickets for it and you can tell since they use wristbands for those who are attending the event. Now I know the hard ticket events are different then Extra Magic Hour since it's a perk, but you can argue it's paid for by just staying at a WDW Resort and it's something the offsite guests are not doing. Plus if WDW has no problems kicking out guests who should not be at the parties then why not do the same thing to the offsite guests?

 

[Scrooge Jr]

Well that does happen to those guests during the hard ticket events at the Magic Kingdom if they don't have tickets for it and you can tell since they use wristbands for those who are attending the event. Now I know the hard ticket events are different then Extra Magic Hour since it's a perk, but you can argue it's paid for by just staying at a WDW Resort and it's something the offsite guests are not doing. Plus if WDW has no problems kicking out guests who should not be at the parties then why not do the same thing to the offsite guests?

I concur.