Early Extra Magic Hours

[lklasing]

Help! I thought I had all my ADRs planned out for my trip in early May but now have a new crisis (not really a crisis, but you know what I mean ). I had been planning on having our big MK day on Thursday, starting out with Cinderella's breakfast first thing - as close to 8:05 as possible, so that we could get done right before the park opens and be close to first in line for our first ride. (We're staying Poly Concierge so I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll get the ADR.)

Anyway, I just downloaded the EZ Fun Guide that I read about here earlier today and in barely glancing through it, I see that the morning EMH for MK is said to be on Thursday. That would mean that breakfast that day would actually put us much further behind the crowd, instead of in front. So I guess my question is whether any of you know whether that day for early EMH for MK is always Thursday? What about the other parks? I'm really only interested in the early EMHs, rather than the evening EMHs. It seems like you really need to have that information before you can get all your ADRs figured out as that will impact your choice of parks.

Any help y'all can give me will be sooooo appreciated!

 

[Robo]

There is nothing LESS "permanent" than EMH schedules.

But before too long you can see the "real" posted schedule from Disney and you can decide what to do then.

Now its just anybody's GUESS.

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http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/parkhours/index?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage

Click the above link for the OFFICIAL WDW Calendar.
Then:

1. Pick your Park.
2. Pick your Month.
3. CLICK ON the DATE on which you want the info.

Disney publishes dates and times approximately 6 months in advance.
Make sure to check back often, as times and events are subject to change as the actual dates get nearer.

For EMH, click on the WORDS > "Extra Magic Hours" < on the official calendar.
Or click HERE:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage

Another WDW INFO link:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm#hm-parkhours-quicklink

Again, remember to check back often as your trip approaches.
AND also check DURING your trip, just in case there are last-minute changes.

 

[Bobbybear68]

You can check this site. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...darHome?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage

It looks like every Thursday is Morning EMH at the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Cool-Beans]

There is nothing LESS "permanent" than EMH schedules.

I don't make any plans until I get the official word from Disney about EMHs. Makes it frustrating for those who like to plan early, doesn't it? Can't schedule where you'll be or what you'll eat or anything. I miss the old way.

I wouldn't do a Crystal Palace breakfast first thing on an EMH morning because by the time you get into the park there would already be waits.

Have you considered making it a late breakfast? Do your rides first, then eat and leave? I do that and thought I'd throw that out there just for the heck of it.

 

[lklasing]

I guess I'm freaking out somewhat because I'm scared the May calendar won't come out until after my ADR window opens. Of course assuming I get lucky enough to get Cinderella's breakfast, I know I wouldn't be lucky enough to change my ADR to a different day.

 

[cinderellanne]

Anyway, I just downloaded the EZ Fun Guide that I read about here earlier today and in barely glancing through it, I see that the morning EMH for MK is said to be on Thursday. That would mean that breakfast that day would actually put us much further behind the crowd, instead of in front. So I guess my question is whether any of you know whether that day for early EMH for MK is always Thursday? What about the other parks? I'm really only interested in the early EMHs, rather than the evening EMHs. It seems like you really need to have that information before you can get all your ADRs figured out as that will impact your choice of parks.

Hi! The EMH days can fluxuate, but Disney is doing a better job of releasing the official EMH schedule six months in advance so that you can do a better job of scheduling your dining reservations. In the book, I try to give a few guidelines, but as always, it's best to check the official schedule. Just follow the links that other Disboard-ers have posted.

An option would be to make two Crystal Palace reservations - one for Thursday and one for another day in case the EMH stays on Thursday - then cancel the one you don't need and adjust your MK day. It is good manners to release the reservation you don't need as soon as you can.

Happy day,
Anne

 

[ash1569]

How do you know how late one is open when they have the extra magic hours at night?!

 

[ash1569]

How do you know how late one is open when they have the extra magic hours at night?!

Also how do they know you are at the resorts and someone else doesnt stay or come in early?

 

[Robo]

Also how do they know you are at the resorts and someone else doesnt stay or come in early?

Here's how EMH works for all 4 Theme Parks.

Look up the POSTED open and close times
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/parkhours/index?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage
Pick your Park. Pick your Month.
>> Click on your DATE> <<
Disney publishes dates and times approximately 6 months in advance.
Make sure to check back often, as times and events are subject to change as the actual dates get nearer. The hours listed do NOT INCLUDE the EMH hour(s) so they would be in ADDITION to the posted hours.

For EMH, click on the WORDS > "Extra Magic Hours" < on the official calendar.
Or click HERE:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage

Only WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed EHM privileges and it COSTS NOTHING EXTRA to attend the EMHs.
There are slightly different situations for MORNING and EVENING EMH's.

-------MORNING EMH FACTS--------------------------------------
If it is a MORNING EMH, then WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed entry to THAT park on THAT day starting ONE HOUR before the posted opening time.
At least ONE person in your party should have a room key-card with them (sometimes EACH person needs to show one) to verify your current hotel status and gain entry.
So, only WDW resort guests will be ALLOWED INTO the park.
Once inside, only selected attractions will be open.
See the official WDW website for the latest attractions that will be open during EMH.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage

-------EVENING EMH FACTS--------------------------------------
If it is a EVENING EMH, then WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed to stay and ride attractions at THAT park on THAT day for THREE HOURS after the posted closing time. (Don't worry that the site says, "UP TO 3 hours." Thats just legalese... EMH will be 3 hours in the evening.)
You do NOT have to be in the park BEFORE scheduled closing time.
You CAN enter the park at any time during EMH and still get a wrist-band.
You can leave and re-enter the park at will (just like any normal time).

(So, YES, if MK is sched. to close at midnight, the EMH will run til 3AM! Yep, that's 3 in the morning. No, its not a mistake, that would be 3 full hours after the posted time.)
At Epcot, all of the EMH attractions in both FW and WS will remain open. (Ignore FW's "7pm Closing Time".)

All adults and children 3 years and older will be issued a room key-card when you check in to your WDW resort (if they are listed on your ressie). If they are issued a key-card, you will have problems with EMH, because EACH guest (except for very small children) will need to show a room key-card to a CM at special "EMH kiosks" set up in various locations throughout the park. Kiosks are well-marked and are very easy to spot as you are walking in the parks. They open up these kiosks approx. 2 hours before the "regular" park closing time, and a wristband will be snapped on by the CM to each adult and child.
So make SURE the check-in desk issues EACH person in your party a room key-card. An adult can hold onto all the cards for the kids, but don't forget to bring the cards to the park.
Most nights the CMs will SCAN your room-key-card so that it can only be used to get a single wrist-band that evening. The ride CMs will then check for these wrist-bands at each attraction before allowing guests to enter the queue.
So, even though non-resort guests may still be INSIDE the park, only those with wrist-bands will be allowed to ride any open EMH attractions.
See the official WDW website for the latest attractions that will be open during EMH.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage
--------------------------------------------------------------------
You can enter the parks for EMH EVENINGS anytime... during "regular" hours, or even during the actual extended EMH hours.
This 1-hour morning EMH and 3-hour evening EMH rule applies at all 4 parks. Enjoy!

For more info go to the following links:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/earlyentry.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/emhour.htm

 

[ash1569]

Thnaks so much! This has helped a TON! This will be our first on property stay so I wanted to check it all out and defintely take advantage! So the kiosk are easy to find?

 

[Robo]

So the kiosk are easy to find?

Yes.
They are distributed at many places around the parks.
Look for the portable signs.

This list is a bit older, but most of it should be correct.

Wristbands: starting 2 hours before the posted park closing to the public at:

MAGIC KINGDOM-
*Castle Hub *Caribbean Plaza *Riverboat Landing *Seven Dwarf's Mine *Timekeeper (Monsters, Inc.) Entrance

EPCOT -
*Main Entrance *Future World East & West Breezeway *International Gateway *Mexico

DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS-
*Main Entrance *Tough2BBug Fastpass *Harambe School (Africa) *Asia Entrance *Boneyard

ANIMAL KINGDOM-
*Main Entrance *ABC-TV Theater *Sunset Blvd./Fantasmic!

 

[ash1569]

thanks so much!