EMH in January- what's the best strategy?

[isbella]

Hey all-

Last time I went to WDW was in Nov 2013 when FP+ was fresh on the scene. Back then I used crowd calendars, leading to awesomely low waits. The prevailing wisdom used to be to avoid parks that had EMH to avoid crowds, but now with no clear "recommended" park for the day and waits being all over the place I'm wondering if that still holds. Does it make more sense to still avoid EMH parks to avoid crowds, or is it more worth it as an on-site guest to utilize the time for shorter waits. I'm going Jan 18-22 if that influences anyone's answer- I also wonder if in January the difference between a "recommended" and "not recommended" park for the day is really that different

Thanks!

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[EdmondD]

I would say if you can get everyone in your party up-and-at-'em to do the EMH, do it. We used to, and then had another kid and so we avoid it because it's just too early for us to have a fun and productive day.

Will you have hoppers? If so, hit the EMH park in the morning and then hop by mid-morning....at least that's the conventional wisdom. But really, overall January is a good time to go in terms of crowds generally, as long as you avoid MLK weekend, which you are.

But if it's a hardship to get up in time for EMH, just go elsewhere.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I also wonder if in January the difference between a "recommended" and "not recommended" park for the day is really that different

Yes. On "low crowd" days it's even more important to be in the best park than it would be if they were all 7/10+.

I've always just operated with the strategy of not being in a park that had EMH after 11 am and not hopping there unless I had my FP+ waiting for me or planned on sitting down and seeing shows, dining, etc.

 

[isbella]

Yes. On "low crowd" days it's even more important to be in the best park than it would be if they were all 7/10+.

I've always just operated with the strategy of not being in a park that had EMH after 11 am and not hopping there unless I had my FP+ waiting for me or planned on sitting down and seeing shows, dining, etc.

Great advice- I will have hoppers so I like the strategy of going to that park in the morning and then giving it a break midday before heading somewhere else. For evening EMH is it worth hopping to that park for the evening or will it still be packed? HS has EMH 7-9 one night I'm there which could be fun, but I don't want to have to rely just on FP+

 

[isbella]

Will you have hoppers? If so, hit the EMH park in the morning and then hop by mid-morning....at least that's the conventional wisdom. But really, overall January is a good time to go in terms of crowds generally, as long as you avoid MLK weekend, which you are.

We will have hoppers, and we are both adults without kids which makes it a little easier. Except for the fact we are both teachers, and may want the luxury of a lie in...
Will look at my itinerary and see where will be good to hop to based on starting location. Thanks for the tips!

 

[LSUfan4444]

For evening EMH is it worth hopping to that park for the evening or will it still be packed? HS has EMH 7-9 one night I'm there which could be fun, but I don't want to have to rely just on FP+

I mean, when all other parks are closed, yeah I think it's worth it but only you know what it costs.

Would I sacrifice a rope drop the next day for EMH the day before, possibly but not all the time. You've got to find the balance of rope drops, late nights, disney springs, etc that works for you but if it's the only park open due to EMH and you want to be in a park, yeah....most definitely worth it.