EMH at AK in Sept - would you do morning or evening?

[nuzmom]

If you had to choose between going to AK on the day of an evening EMH or a morning EMH which would you choose? Or avoid EMH at AK at all cost? Why?

Option 1 (the current plan):
Sept 13th - AK (with 8:00 AM breakfast at Donald's Breakfastosaurus) - Now has EVENING EMH (MGM has a morning EMH this day, too)
Sept 15th - MK (with 5:30 PM dinner at Concourse Steakhouse)
Sept 17th - Kennedy Space Center (this is our 1st time for a non-WDW thing)

Option 2:
Switch the 13th & 17th plans, but the 17th is MORNING EMH at AK.

Option 3:
Switch to 13th - KSP, 15th - AK, and 17th - MK.

Oh, btw, we're going to MK on the 12th, too (and probably stop by again on our last day). Hmmmm, I think I'm liking option 3?

Concerned about switching ADRs. Donald's is a "want", but Concourse is a "MUST" for DH.

Oh, we are AP holders and are NOT doing the MYW dining plan, so those are non issues. Park hopping is an option, but it seems like we always spend a full day at AK (but don't go back again).

Thank you so much for any comments.

 

[The Phantom Blot]

I would definetly pick the morning. If you go on the safari ride, the animals are much more active. I've been to AK in the morining and finished the park before noon. Morning is definetly the better option.

 

[ciera321]

We did the evening EMH in June and loved it. The park is very quiet, no crowds and the safari ride was about twice as long as during the day. The driver really took her time and drove very slowly stopping for us to take pictures. I agree the aninals are active in the morning, but we saw a lot of activity in the evening, also.

 

[nuzmom]

So the evening EMH at AK wasn't crowded? If that's the case, I'll leave our itinerary the way it is (option 1).

No matter what the option, we do the safari in the morning, so I don't think that will effect my decision much. I'm more concerned about the opinion on the crowds because of EMH.

Would you avoid AK at all cost because of an EMH? Does it matter if it's an morning or evening EMH? etc.

thanks for your comments!!!!!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Evening EMH days seem to be busier than morning EMH days.

Also, keep in mind, Kilimanjaro Safari's hours of operation are limited by sunset. Even now, during the middle of summer, with long days, Safaris is only open for part of the EMH hours. Depending on Park Hours/EMH Hours/Sunset times, opportunities to ride the Safari during evening EMH would be very limited.

 

[nuzmom]

a blatent bump on my own post - still looking for more opinions (I promise I won't bump again)

 

[TZMOM]

Well Nuz - I've been after that same thing myself for a bit. Trying to figure out if I should try to rouse the 15 yo DS to go to EMH at AK & risk the rath of "The Mood" or wait & go later in the day. I think the later in the day is winning out right.

Good luck on your decision

 

[LeesyUD]

I also went to AK morning EMH in October and we were also done the park by 11:30 - noon! However, we did not stop for breakfast while in the park. I am a little confused though...are you planning on having the breakfast at 8 am if you do the AK morning EMH? And if so wouldn't that just cancel out having the extra hour in the morning? I may be just be reading wrong. I have not done the evening hours yet but I think I would prefer the morning anyway. Here are some positives and negatives that influenced my decision for my upcoming trip:

Postive for morning:
1. I usually only spend about half a day at AK, and by going in the morning I have the option of staying for longer if I want.

2. I have 2 opportunities to hit some rides right when they open. I do a few attractions during the EMH and at official opening hit one of those rides just opening. My DBF and I go right to the Safari, do 1 or 2 other attractions open during EMH and then stroll over to Dinosaur and can usually walk right on at the official opening.

Positive for evening:
1. Depending on how long the EMH"s go, that could mean hitting more rides in less time if the crowd level is decent. :thewave:

Negative for evening
1. I feel that going to the night hrs for AK (depending on what time I would get there), I could end up trying to rush and having to go back to a park, that normally doesnt take too long to get thru, another day or if I don't have the time to go back, will miss out on some things I wanted to see.


Anyway these are just my opinions, I feel less rushed in the morning and the Safari is such a relaxing way to start my morning

 

[mom2rb]

We avoid EMH mornings at AK like the plague. It is the only park that we refuse to go to EMH at. It is just way too crowded. We always go about 1:00, on a non EMH day. It never seems crowded then.