EMH at 7am???

[frogmommy]

So the MK will have EMH every day we are there. The park officially opens at 8:00 those days, so we can get in at 7:00. YIKES. I'm not sure that I can convince DH to go that early, nor am I sure that I'd even want to. The rest of our family includes DS who will be almost 5 and DD who will be almost 2.

So, anyone else take advantage of EMH that early? What was your experience? Would you do it again?

Thanks!

 

[missymagic]

It is always nice to be able to get to the parks early but not at the risk of miserable children. I always let them sleep and whenever they wake up & we got ready we went. Sometimes in the beginning of the week (before they are staying up late & getting more tired) they were still on home schedule and awake at 6am (ya to early for me) so it worked to be able to use EH but I wasn't about to wake them because I would rather go an hour later then deal with crabby girls.

 

[poohfriend]

If you like to ride rides, but hate lines, get up and go!

Because emh is offered every day during the spring break period, not everyone staying at WDW resorts feels compelled to go to MK on a particular day.

Go to bed early on your choice of nights and make every effort to be there at opening.

We did during the week between Christmas and New Year's (the busiest week) and were able to ride 11 rides before noon. We have young kids and fantasyland was a blast with no crowds. We'd left there by the time the crowds were thickening up (9). We had a dining reservation for lunch at the Castle. By 2 pm we left the park. It was so thick with people you couldn't walk -- nevertheless ride a ride. We spoke with other families that showed up closer to 9 am and they rode 3 rides before 4pm! Yuck!

Get up early, enjoy ,and return to the resort for rest and relaxation/ pools. I wouldn't worry about going back that night -- enjoy a nice dinner.

If you plan your trip appropriately one or two days of early rising won't hurt.

 

[pedro2112]

Last spring break we were at WDW. Every morning was EMH morning at MK. Wednesday had EMH evening at MK that lasted until 3AM. I figured the following morning was a good time to try out the emh at MK.. boy was I right!

We basically showed up at around 20 minutes after 7am. We had fantasy land practiclly to ourselves. We did the entire magic kingdom except for tomorrowland and toontown fair before 10:30am. We were able to get an early lunch at around 11ish before the crowds hit. And then staked out a good spot for Cindarellabration and the parade (two parades that day). After the parade, at around 1:30ish, we went back to the resort for a nap, while the MK was at its busiest. We came back to MK for an ADR at Crystal Palace at around 8pm.. ate during the first spectro parade, then watched wishes after dinner, and then watched the second spectro parade after the fireworks. We had time to catch some rides in tomorrowland after that.

The only attractions we missed during the whole day (and remember, we spent five hours at the resort relaxing during the busiest part of the day), were space mountain, hall of presidents and toontown fair. In my opinion, EMH morning worked like a charm.

 

[luvmy2sams]

We always take advantage of morning EMH at the MK. It's wonderful to be able to get through all the big rides...especially multiple trips through Fantasyland...without waiting in lines. Walking up Main Street and having it virtually to yourself isn't too bad, either.

Our kids are not morning people by any stretch of the imagination, but knowing they'll be able to ride all their favorites without waiting in line is all the motivation they need to get going in the early morning hours. We usually run through the park until lunchtime (around 11 or so) and then schedule a park character lunch before heading out of the park for some rest back at the hotel.

 

[JenniferW]

With an almost 2 year old, I would go with the flow...

If you can get everyone waking up early and really get there for EMH that would be ideal, spring break is a busy time so cranking through Fantasyland is a high priority. The other option is to go to MK on a day that does not have EMH so you get there right when it opens probably more like 8am. Either way, get there right before they open whether it be an EMH day or a regular day to minimize your wait time. I've done EMH before, but I also have tried waking up a child who then stayed grumpy and in that case it wasn't worth it. Just depends on them...

Jenn

 

[frogmommy]

Hi everyone-

Thanks for all the posts. My first impression about this was maybe we would pass and just get there at 8:00. We are not early morning risers when we don't have to be - especially DH. I can get the kids up and going if I have to. DH is another thing. But the more I read and think about Spring Break the more I realize that we really do need to be there unless one of the kids is having a meltdown. My plan is to do as much as we can before 11:00. We have Chef Mickey ADRs at 11:20. We'll go back to the hotel after that and relax until we feel like returning.
Now I guess I need to convince DH. Hopefully he will get on board when he sees how much easier our time at the park will be by doing it.

Pedro, did you use any particular touring plan when you were there? I'm amazed that you got so much done so quickly!

 

[sarahsmom73]

I usually do EMH at Mk only so we can do DUmbo etc before the crowds.. We leave early, go back to the hotel, swim, have lunch and nap... It works great!

 

[pedro2112]

Pedro, did you use any particular touring plan when you were there? I'm amazed that you got so much done so quickly!

No, instead I joined several internet message boards dedicated to Disney (like this one!) and read a lot. It's better than buying any plan. I felt so prepared, that once we got down to WDW, we had a very peaceful, relaxing vacation, despite the fact that the crowds were enormous. Just plan out which parks you are going to be at on which days, get your ADRs set, and then go with the flow...

 

[frogmommy]

Great Pedro, thanks!