EMH.... avoid it or embrace it????

[NJDisneymom]

What do you do about the EMH's?? We are traveling with our 2 kids (ages 2 & 5) and my parents (in their 60's). We ended up with a few breakfast PS's on the EMH mornings. I thought we'd avoid EMH and some I thought we'd be getting in before park opening and now we are not. I'm disappointed, but some of these are PS's that can't be changed.

So, I'm curious.... do you avoid the extra magic hours like they are the plague or do you try to be the first there for them??? Are the crowds at 8am really that bad??

 

[BelleChick]

I have found that it is very hard to get up out of bed that early in the morning when I have stayed in the parks all night long. EMH mornings are usually pretty packed and sometimes not all of the rides are open; however, if you can get up that early, they are great for getting a jump start on Fantasyland. I have found that the EMH evenings are much more enjoyable. They are still a little packed, but you have more time and there are usually more rides open. I also think there is something a little more fun about staying in the park when it should be closed for the evening....I always hate when I have to leave!

 

[MomofKatie]

I think it depends on the time of year, and if you are going to hop or not. If you are going a busy time of year, since there are longer hours, I'd avoid them. If a slower time of year, the parks aren't open as long, so I'd want to get as much park time in as possible.

If you have the hopping option, it might be worth it to go for early EMH, and when the park fills up, hop to another park. Or, go to another park for the day, and switch to the evening EMH park later.

We will be going during a less crowded time of year (with shorter park hours) and we plan to use evening EMHs each time they are offerred... we probably won't do morning EMHs- we find it reeeally hard to get going that early!

 

[MAKMOM41]

I have not been to the Parks in 3 years We dfound the EE to be terrific Be in line when the park opens & you can get on & off alot of rides. We leaves when the crows get bad around 11:00 or have lunch & head to our resort for a swim & nap.

 

[momof2sons]

I have not been to the Parks in 3 years We dfound the EE to be terrific Be in line when the park opens & you can get on & off alot of rides. We leaves when the crows get bad around 11:00 or have lunch & head to our resort for a swim & nap.

I agree MAKMOM41. Or just hope to another park if you have hop tickets. If at MK we'll monorail to EPCOT. (Nice cool ride and youngest DS took a quick nap in 2003.)

 

[NJDisneymom]

thanks! We usually head back to the resort for rest/naps too, so maybe we should shoot for EMH if we can get up and out on time. I'm just so bummed that I thought we'd be entering the parks before they opened for our PS's and now we are not.

 

[iluvtig2]

We went a couple of years ago with 2 boys that were 2 1/2, plus grandparents. We have gone a few times since, and LOVE EMH. My DS is now almost 5, and is still an early riser, so that does not mess up our schedule. (Nor grandma & grandpa's.) If we go with my nephew, who is not an early bird (neither are his parents!) we go without them and meet them later. We have found it does not work to change schedules on vacation. Kids just get cranky and it is not worth it.

What we can get done, especially at MK and EC during the extra time is amazing, compared to later in the day, but again, we are morning people. (Thus, we do not do well later in the evening.)

When it gets crowded, we leave. We either go back to the hotel, or switch parks. I find with little ones, and older ones, sticking to their normal sleeping and eating schedules is the best plan.

Have a great time!

iluvtig

 

[Lizzybee]

We just got back from Spring Break there and found that early EMH was essential for getting things done at MK. We got there at 7am and had ridden all we cared to ride, saw philharmagic, had breakfast, saw tons of characters and hit the monorail for Epcot by 2pm (of course we went back another evening for Spectromagic and Wishes). We went to AK for early EMH but found it pointless. Just about everyone ran straight back to the Safari. We didn't find EMH necessary for MGM or Epcot, although we spent 4 partial days at Epcot and STILL didn't get the Universe of Energy done, not because of crowds though, just because my kids thoroughly enjoyed each other area to the fullest and that takes time. We didn't take advantage of any late EMH because my kids get evil like Experiment 626 (naughty version of Stitch) if they stay up late.

 

[cdpa4d]

I would say embrace it in the AM, avoid it during the day, then embrace it at night!!!!

ADP

 

[swilphil]

We loved the EMH at MK. We got so much done in such a short amount of time. I would strongly advice hoping to another park right after lunch, or even earlier. MK does get more crowded later in the day when they have EMH.

We also did the evening EMH at MGM. It wasn't really worth it for us, but we weren't doing Tower of Tower or Rockin Rollercoaster because our kids are too small.