Early Entry during Christmas?

[Julanne]

I just read somewhere that during Christmas, EE is sometimes for all parks on all days. Somewhere else I read that they can switch the regular schedule around. I'm trying to plan our trip (!2/21 - 12/26), and I can't find any more details! Help! Does anyone know which parks have EE on which days?

 

[CamColt]

Last year I believe the general opening time for most parks, most days that week was 8:00am instead of the usual 9:00.

The EMH schedule was the same as usual except they changed Wed & Thurs(Christmas Eve & Christmas). Therefore Wed had EMH at MK and Thurs had it at Epcot. From what we heard this was done because they expect big crowds at MK on Christmas day so they wanted to divert some crowds away from MK.
I should note that on days when the park opened at 8:00 and they had EMH, that began at 7:00.

With that said, Christmas Eve is a Fri this year with Christmas obviously being Sat. Since neither of these days are MK's EMH day, its anyones guess whether they will change anything or not.
Good luck!

 

[Julanne]

Thanks! I just called the resort we are staying at (BCV) and they gave me the regular schedule. I guess we'll plan our days around that and try to stay flexible enough to switch if it turns out otherwise!

 

[CamColt]

Good plan!
I had reservations about the same situation because I had heard the days got switched for Thanksgiving, but no information I was finding said they would change them for Christmas too(like I said, another Thursday last year). But we made sure to double check when we got there and thats when we found out. So to be sure, having a back up plan will be helpful, but hopefully you wont have to worry about it.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[Julanne]

I called again to see if I could get more information - this time to Guest Services rather than the resort. She said the week leading up to Christmas is the regular rotation, but that last year they changed it relatively close to the actual week and to check back. Then she noticed that the week AFTER Christmas has every park with EE, so maybe that is what they are doing instead.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I hope she's right. I planned our days by what we wanted to do on certain days, paying no attention to EMH days. We never go to EMH anyway. Now everything I'm reading makes me think that this is probably the trip that we need to get up and out early. Hopefully we'll be able to, if it's every day.

 

[Julanne]

I'd call and check (407-824-4321), just to make sure. Once she said she was looking at Dec. 26th and on, I kind of tuned out - we are leaving the parks the morning of the 26th.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

Last year I don't think it was that every park had EMH every morning but rather than regular opening, not EMH was at 8 am. EMH was 7 am for one park. I remember hearing they had done this the year before as well but they didn't advertise the earlier hours, last year they did. It was listed everywhere as regular park hours for on site and off site visitors (the 8 am openings, not the 7 am EMH which was at ONE park).

The December schedule usually gets "tweeked" more than once so just be sure to check park hours and EMH schedules and everything again right before you leave...and then again when you arrive.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

8am openings all during Christmas, not necessarily announced.

EMH days moved around at the last minute, with little warning.

Tour Guide Mike has excellent articles and up to the minute advice and email alerts, but you do have to pay for the service.

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by Lollipop Mom
Last year I don't think it was that every park had EMH every morning but rather than regular opening, not EMH was at 8 am. EMH was 7 am for one park.

Exactly! You said it better than I did.

 

[anne60]

I can't tell you how happy this has made me!!! I can never take advantage of the late hours because I just lose all steam at 10 or 11 each night. BUT, I am up and raring to go at 6 every morning, so I'm psyched to know that the parks will be open at 8!!!!