EMH Complaints?

[foodiddiedoo]

Yup. One of my happiest WDW memories is taking my 3 year old to the pool at the end of each night - mind you it was like 8pm but it was the end of her night - and she would float on her back and sing "zippity do da, zippity day" in 78 degree pool when the air tem was like 65 and I was freezing. lol. Good times. We were the only ones in the pool.

Wilderness Lodge 2005, November.

This is also disappointing that the pools close early. So are the gates around the pool locked at certain times, or does someone yell at you to get out if you go in after life guards leave?

 

[Haley R]

Yup. One of my happiest WDW memories is taking my 3 year old to the pool at the end of each night - mind you it was like 8pm but it was the end of her night - and she would float on her back and sing "zippity do da, zippity day" in 78 degree pool when the air tem was like 65 and I was freezing. lol. Good times. We were the only ones in the pool.

Wilderness Lodge 2005, November.

That is adorable

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Er, there are a few assertions that aren't quite correct in this thread.

The person who said PM EMH was cut form 3 down to 2 is correct.
I'll also trust the person who gave a detailed list of park hours was also correct.
Generally speaking, WDW's practice was to have at least one EMH park every day. The regular rotation was:
Sun: MK PM EMH
Mon: AK EMH + HS PM EMH
Tues: Epcot PM EMH
Wed: AK AM EMH
Thurs: MK AM EMH
Fri: Epcot AM EMH
Sat: HS AM EMH

Over major holiday weeks, WDW generally added EMH hours. Over Easter week, for example, in addition to the above EMH hours, MK had EMH every morning. I recall one year we went to the parks for 4 consecutive days from 8am until midnight. It was also fairly common for MK's regular hours to be 9am-midnight + 3 hours of EMH!

For as long as I can remember, Epcot's regular hours are 9am-9pm. AK's were 9am-5pm most of the year, 9am-6pm summer/holiday weeks. HS and MK's hours have always fluctuated.

Mostly AK has not had PM EMH, but AK did have EMH this past August, and at least once before that, because we were there! It was back when EMH guests had to wear wristbands. I think it was March or April of 2005 and/or 2006. (EE was still new in 2006!)

 

[CAS239]

I wonder if it’s because they’re opening the new Star Wars virtual reality?

The star wars VR is not in the building Cirque is in. It'll be inside Once Upon a Toy

Cirque is ending I believe because their contract is up

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Further, there are a few other important variables:
1. the number hard attractions open during EMH hours has varied over the years. This summer saw an absurd cutback: August 2017 AK PM EMH was ONLY Pandora.
2. the ability to operate many attractions at partial capacity. Like only opening: one side of Space Mtn, one side of BTMRR, operating EE with fewer trains, operating boat rides (PotC) with fewer boats, operating the Speedway with fewer cars, etc. If fewer cars are running, lines are longer. This year, Disney appears to have considerably cut back capacity during all peripheral hours (mornings, late night, and EMH).
3. Number of shows per day. For a time, HS had F! every night, then they cut back, then they brought it back. They also offer extra parades. HS also used to have the Christmas light show every night Nov-early Jan.
4. Extra soft attractions - these are things like street performers and pop-up character greets. On busy weeks, (roughly) the Main Street are of MK used to be flooded with characters. There's be some in front of the train station, more around the flagpole, another set by the Confectionary, and another set by the Plaza! The World Showcase was also s- sometimes- full of characters tucked into little back rooms and nooks. More than once, we saw a group of ten unusual characters ALL in the Italy area! It was awesome!

Other trips - as in more than once- Chip and Dale popped up, late at night- over by Space Mtn! Sometimes they goofed around in the arcade. It didn't matter that crowds were relatively low at that hour.

5. distribution of Fastpasses. I don't think any of us has any idea about these numbers, but even in the days of paper FP, it was clear that the numbers varied. the FP machines were sometimes completely covered. Some years WDW had FP during EMH, other years they didn't.

I'm sure there's more I'm just not recalling right now.

 

[Colleen27]

This is also disappointing that the pools close early. So are the gates around the pool locked at certain times, or does someone yell at you to get out if you go in after life guards leave?

They've been adding gates around the feature pools that open using your MagicBand. Those are locked when the pool closes. I'm not sure if all the resorts have them yet or not, or whether the quiet pools will eventually get the same treatment.

On our last stay at ASMu, the pool didn't have fencing yet and CMs were on hand to scold people who tried to swim after hours. DD went to reach into the kiddie pool - fully dressed and on our way back from the parks - just to check the temperature (because earlier that day it had been almost hot-tub hot and she was curious if it cooled off since it was dark) and a CM was there to shoo us away before she could even get to the edge.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

They've been adding gates around the feature pools that open using your MagicBand. Those are locked when the pool closes. I'm not sure if all the resorts have them yet or not, or whether the quiet pools will eventually get the same treatment.

On our last stay at ASMu, the pool didn't have fencing yet and CMs were on hand to scold people who tried to swim after hours. DD went to reach into the kiddie pool - fully dressed and on our way back from the parks - just to check the temperature (because earlier that day it had been almost hot-tub hot and she was curious if it cooled off since it was dark) and a CM was there to shoo us away before she could even get to the edge.

This is why I have this sense "dread" that 9 days isn't enough to do everything, when I've gone on 7 day trips in the past and felt like everything was "accomplished".

 

[mickeyluv'r]

This is why I have this sense "dread" that 9 days isn't enough to do everything, when I've gone on 7 day trips in the past and felt like everything was "accomplished".

Ah, we've gone the opposite direction for some time. For us, 9 has always been too many days. (Waiting in line for the bathroom gets old in a hurry!) But we've had many 7 days visits to Orlando! Especially if I count our WDW/US combo trips, and our WDW+beyond Orlando trips.

I used to enjoy WDW meals, but the over-priced buffets have grown less appealing every year. I don't know what I'm going to have for dinner tonight, much less what my cousins want to eat for dinner six months from now!

I'm glad WDw is adding a few new attractions, but I wasn't blown away by Pandora. Glow-paint isn't exactly new. And why does the Navi' s River guy's voice so abrasive? Once was enough, thanks. I should add, Diagon Alley still blows me away every visit! Sure, I've been spoiled, but it's still possible to wow! me.

I also used to like to be able to ride space Mountain twice, on the same day, without having to wait in a 120-minute line. It makes me sad.

And that's probably the biggest blow. Gone are the days where peripheral hours = breezing around the MK. (Alas, waiting in line for the bathroom, and everything else gets old in a hurry!)

 

[foodiddiedoo]

Ah, we've gone the opposite direction for some time. For us, 9 has always been too many days. (Waiting in line for the bathroom gets old in a hurry!) But we've had many 7 days visits to Orlando! Especially if I count our WDW/US combo trips, and our WDW+beyond Orlando trips.

I used to enjoy WDW meals, but the over-priced buffets have grown less appealing every year. I don't know what I'm going to have for dinner tonight, much less what my cousins want to eat for dinner six months from now!

I'm glad WDw is adding a few new attractions, but I wasn't blown away by Pandora. Glow-paint isn't exactly new. And why does the Navi' s River guy's voice so abrasive? Once was enough, thanks. I should add, Diagon Alley still blows me away every visit! Sure, I've been spoiled, but it's still possible to wow! me.

I also used to like to be able to ride space Mountain twice, on the same day, without having to wait in a 120-minute line. It makes me sad.

And that's probably the biggest blow. Gone are the days where peripheral hours = breezing around the MK. (Alas, waiting in line for the bathroom, and everything else gets old in a hurry!)

This is my first visit with a child (unless you count when I was 12 and we went for the first time), so I'm worried about not being able to do everything that a 3 year old will like and everything the rest of the family loves within that time frame. Figured we need an extra few days to slow down to her pace.

 

[mark dunning]

Who is making theses bad choices at Disney? We come every year I think this is to be the last.

Agreed Disney quest was dated but isn’t that part of the furniture and good entertainment for the family? Definitely should of invested the money and refurbished this attraction, we were gutted when we parked up and saw it being ripped down.

Disney you are so getting it wrong! A sports attraction (boooo) that’s what espn world is for right? Stick it over their where there are people who will appreciate it so you’re not stuff it down everyone’s throats.

We loved down town Disney with your family fun, now Disney springs just seems to be focused around shops and restaurants it’s like a freaking shopper centre, where’s the fun it that?

Also does anyone think they spoiled planet Hollywood?

I do, I know it looks ultra-modern now and it’s got a huge Imax type screen which I must admit is very impressive – however the old one had much more of a wow factor with its countless ceiling and wall mounted props glittered around the place, the atmosphere was so much better. The outside looked cooler, entrance, the jenny ship in the pond that surrounded it and right up to the funky photo you could get when you reached the top of the stairs!

We’ve came here every year for the last 7 years and watched the building progress and this year with the current plans and Disney’s so called progress has been the most disappointing year yet I’m sad to say.

Somebody up in the Disney clouds is getting it so wrong!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

This is my first visit with a child (unless you count when I was 12 and we went for the first time), so I'm worried about not being able to do everything that a 3 year old will like and everything the rest of the family loves within that time frame. Figured we need an extra few days to slow down to her pace.

In no way was I trying to question your choice.

To put the matter in context, I've visited WDW many times dating back to the 1970's.

I'm sure your little one will have lots of fun. Kids that age often love many of the WDW details that adults (might) overlook. They often revel in all the sensory experiences.

Disney character autographs are great for little pre-readers! Many characters sign with a pictograph- like Pluto makes the "O" in his name into a paw, and the pictographs are a valuable educational device. Children are highly motivated to remember which page each character signed if you get (or bring) an autograph book. I highly suggest having one if you plan to meet characters, though, some kids that age are afraid to approach the larger characters. They often prefer to have an adult hand over the autograph book!

 

[foodiddiedoo]

In no way was I trying to question your choice.

To put the matter in context, I've visited WDW many times dating back to the 1970's.

I'm sure your little one will have lots of fun. Kids that age often love many of the WDW details that adults (might) overlook. They often revel in all the sensory experiences.

Disney character autographs are great for little pre-readers! Many characters sign with a pictograph- like Pluto makes the "O" in his name into a paw, and the pictographs are a valuable educational device. Children are highly motivated to remember which page each character signed if you get (or bring) an autograph book.

Oh no worries, I didn't think you were questioning me!
I was thinking of doing a splurge purchase of one of those "Mickey's Best Friend" packages where you get a stuffed Mickey, Lanyard, Hat, Autograph book, Pen, and a Mickey Picture to be signed at a meet & greet. We're doing Chef Mickey's for her the first night so I thought it might be a neat idea. Normally I would scoff at spending like 80 bucks on a bunch of stuff like that, but I also think it might be cooler than me just getting her the autograph book. Anyone ever done that?

 

[buzznina]

Only MK and Epcot have evening EMH; it used to be all four parks. They're two hours now, compared to three up until a couple of years ago. And when it comes to the MK, the regular hours tend to be short on EMH nights so instead of the late nights we used to get, it is just a normal length day with the onsite-guest-only restriction in the last two hours.

In Jan 2012, with crowd levels of 1 to 3 according to Touring Plans, evening EMH ran until 1am at the MK. In March 2011, with crowd levels 4 to 6, MK EMH ended at 3am. This year, EMH ended at midnight over 4th of July and 1am over Easter.

ETA: I think the cuts have been more obvious to those of us who like the late hours. There's still 4-5 morning EMH most weeks, and they're the same 1 hour they've always been, but there's less and less for night owls at WDW (pool hours are shorter than they used to be too).

THIS!

 

[jjjones325]

Didn't they do 24 hours at MK near Memorial Day two years in a row? Any chance of that coming back?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Oh no worries, I didn't think you were questioning me!
I was thinking of doing a splurge purchase of one of those "Mickey's Best Friend" packages where you get a stuffed Mickey, Lanyard, Hat, Autograph book, Pen, and a Mickey Picture to be signed at a meet & greet. We're doing Chef Mickey's for her the first night so I thought it might be a neat idea. Normally I would scoff at spending like 80 bucks on a bunch of stuff like that, but I also think it might be cooler than me just getting her the autograph book. Anyone ever done that?

I bet she'll love it!

In all our trips, we've only ever done one thing like remotely that, and I have to preface this by saying that AKL no longer offers what we ordered.

Once upon a time, the AKL candy chefs used to offer a "chocolate zoo" on the room service menu. It was expensive, and wasn't delivered in time for our arrival (as I'd hoped), but it was absolutely amazing! The dessert chefs at AKL made us an entire tray of handcrafted chocolates and decorated cookies. It had the AKL logo in multicolored chocolate, a handcrafted chocolate elephant (with a blue chocolate blanket), plus an assortment of cookies and smaller chocolates! All on a chocolate slab sprinkled with Mickey rainbow sprinkles. I'm glad we did it once!

A recent thing that amazed us happened just before Easter. We visited the Grand Floridian one night for dinner and a last view of Wishes. (Sniff! Sniff!) We just happened to walk through the lobby, and discovered about 40 handcrafted giant Easter eggs! That doesn't come close to doing them justice. Each was a work of art, all made of chocolate! Most depicted a Disney character or movie, each was about two feet tall. If you search "GF Easter eggs" you'll see what I mean. The level of detail was amazing! I was also totally surprised that I'd never even heard of them before! If you ever happen to be at WDW near Easter, I highly suggest visiting the GF lobby!

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I bet she'll love it!

In all our trips, we've only ever done one thing like remotely that, and I have to preface this by saying that AKL no longer offers what we ordered.

Once upon a time, the AKL candy chefs used to offer a "chocolate zoo" on the room service menu. It was expensive, and wasn't delivered in time for our arrival (as I'd hoped), but it was absolutely amazing! The dessert chefs at AKL made us an entire tray of handcrafted chocolates and decorated cookies. It had the AKL logo in multicolored chocolate, a handcrafted chocolate elephant (with a blue chocolate blanket), plus an assortment of cookies and smaller chocolates! All on a chocolate slab sprinkled with Mickey rainbow sprinkles. I'm glad we did it once!

A recent thing that amazed us happened just before Easter. We visited the Grand Floridian one night for dinner and a last view of Wishes. (Sniff! Sniff!) We just happened to walk through the lobby, and discovered about 40 handcrafted giant Easter eggs! That doesn't come close to doing them justice. Each was a work of art, all made of chocolate! Most depicted a Disney character or movie, each was about two feet tall. If you search "GF Easter eggs" you'll see what I mean. The level of detail was amazing! I was also totally surprised that I'd never even heard of them before! If you ever happen to be at WDW near Easter, I highly suggest visiting the GF lobby!

That's sort of my concern. Since it's through the Disney Floral and Gifts, I'm worried it won't actually show up in time for us to use it for the character meal. That AKL zoo sounds amazing!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Didn't they do 24 hours at MK near Memorial Day two years in a row? Any chance of that coming back?

I've been in MK on a 24 hour day, but it was on February 29th, leap day; not Memorial day.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

That's sort of my concern. Since it's through the Disney Floral and Gifts, I'm worried it won't actually show up in time for us to use it for the character meal. That AKL zoo sounds amazing!

Back then, CM's weren't allowed to have an item waiting in your room before your official check-in, but that was back when guests had to go to the font desk in person to get a KTTW room key. Clearly, much has changed! They may well be able now to have it in your room for your arrival. It is worth a call to ask.

******
To bring it back to the discussion of this thread:

What makes me sad isn't just the obvious cutbacks in big things like park hours, but the loss of many little extras like the chocolate zoo. They still do some amazing things, and still employ many highly talented staff members, but so many cutbacks have changed WDW.

I just don't feel like a guest any more at WDW. Now we're all just customers.

 

[LSUmiss]

Also when park closes early like this summer it’s not as valuable IMO. When MK EMH is from 10-12 I find it stays packed the whole time vs if park is open til 12 & EMH are from 12-2 you get better crowds.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

Also when park closes early like this summer it’s not as valuable IMO. When MK EMH is from 10-12 I find it stays packed the whole time vs if park is open til 12 & EMH are from 12-2 you get better crowds.

MK used to always be open till at least 11 PM in my previous summer experiences