EMH mornings : WWYD?

[newestkg06]

Family of 4, DS 7 and DS4, trying to decide if we should do AM EMH at AK & DHS. Both low crowd days in September (I'm trying to get this figured out for upcoming ADR's).
Here's my thinking: Jedi Training Academy is a huge priority and probably the main reason we are going to DHS at all, so EMH might be a big help there. Between EMH and fastpass, the rest are just shows that we can get to 15 minutes early and see. After the main rides, we could miss the rest (though if Indiana Jones and Lights, Motors, Action are still there, we would try to hit those too). At AK, the hours are so short (9-5) that having that extra hour to do some of our priorities would help a lot. The heat in Sept could also be a factor and having a "cooler" hour in the morning might help a lot as well.
I know the crowd calendars discourage EMH and that it will likely be much more crowded than on the recommended days. But, I'm curious some of you veterans think. What would you choose to do?
Thanks so much for your help!!!

 

[snayak]

I went to EMH at AK this past October.
We got to Dinosaur right at 8am and walked on, then went to Everest and walked on to that too.
However, some attractions were closed (Maharaja Jungle Trek for one) so we ended up killing the rest of EMH until our off-site friends arrived at 9 and continued on with our day/FP+
So, my advice would be to find out which (if any) attractions are not open for EMH and go from there. I didn't account for our friends staying off-site since we wanted to check out the safari & shows with them, otherwise I would strongly recommend AM EMH at AK anyway (and likely at DHS as well).

Also, at Epcot during F&WF the food kiosks aren't open for PM EMH, which kind of dampened our plans too. More of an FYI since I didn't realize only portions (albeit large portions) of the parks were open.

 

[newestkg06]

Thanks! At AK with EMH, I think the plan is to go to Everest first and ride it twice (since our youngest can't ride, we'll swap). Then, to Safari and I read that the Pangani trail is open for Am EMH, so we'll do that. I thought we might grab a bakery item at Kusafari and hit the Lion King show at 10AM.

 

[Veggie]

Following and bumping this post. I have the exact same question.

 

[sharonabe]

If you are sure you will get up and actually be there for the EMH, then go for it! That extra hour in the cooler morning is definitely worth it in the September heat. A lot of people plan to do them, but then don't get out of bed and still end up at that park.

If you have park hoppers, it's even better. You can enjoy those first few hours of lower crowds, then hop to a more recommended park for the afternoon/evening with or without a break back at the hotel.

 

[newestkg06]

No park hoppers for us. With kids so little and the park hours so much shorter in the fall, it just didn't make sense. We're early risers (at least the kids are), so no worries about getting there. A serious benefit of not having teenagers.

 

[Belle61513]

We always go to AK on EMH days. The animals are most active first thing, so we beeline for the KJ Safari and then head to EE.
That said, if JT is such a priority, why not go to HS?

 

[kastoney]

We go in Septmber every year and don't find the EMH necessary due to the low crowds and my penchant for sleeping in ; ). But if you are concerned about the heat it's not a bad idea. We prefer evening EMH vice the morning ones, but sadly they don't offer them at AK. We like the mgm evening hours because of the Disney jr dance party.

 

[newestkg06]

We're thinking of going to morning EMH at BOTH AK and DHS (on different days). Or we could switch them around and hit them on recommended days. I was curious about people's experiences. Thanks, Kastoney, that makes me feel good to hear about low crowds. I keep hearing that fall is getting busier (and the parks are getting busier), but we chose Sept for just that reason. Hopefully it stays true this year! I hear you on sleeping in, but I have no issues getting up early on vacation when I am excited. Jet lag in Italy and Paris were nothing when there is so much to see!