EMH - night hours recommended?

[ChloeChipper]

We are trying to choose which parks to do which days, and at what time of the day. We'll be there mid-may.

Should we plan on doing the night time EMHs? Some parks will be open until the wee hours of the morning but that might be great for getting in some of the popular rides. We dont have any small children, youngest is 14 so staying up LATE is not a problem. Do you suggest doing them or is it better to be the early birds and get up early for the extra morning hour?

What are your ideas?

 

[Dizneydaz]

I love the nighttime EMH. The parks are pretty empty and if you want to ride the more popular rides it's a good time. I prefer the night time versus the EMH morning. Of course, for us, the early entry is harder to do due to the 3 hour time dif (We are on PST) The time dif also makes the late nights easier to do. It's also harder for us to get my DD6 up and going early. Also, the parks with the Early entry tend to be more crowded that day.Since you don't have young kids, I think the late EMH will work better (if you have to choose one versus another-depending on Park Hopping option, etc.) Just MHO-have a great time-I'm envious.

 

[ChloeChipper]

We also live in S. Cal, about 30 min from Disneyland. We live in Irvine. I appreciate your input and its great to know that with the time change we will have an easier time staying up late. I think I will go ahead and plan to do the nights!

Do you know if you have to be in the park prior to regular closing to do the EMH? Or can you show up after the park has closed to the regular public and still get in? Are restaurants & shops open the same long hours?

 

[drogerstn]

ChloeChipper,
I have not visited WDW since they implemented the EMH for nights. You may want to search this subject to see other posts. From what I've been reading on the boards, it seems to matter on when you will be visiting.

I've read that during the busy time of the year, EMH at nights have been very crowded. Also, the parks may be more crowded during the day when they have EMH; even more so than in the past because fewer people may be purchasing Park Hoppers under the current ticket system.

Just read that you will visit in mid-May...Hopefully you'll get some more input.

We will visit in mid-June this year and will probably do EMH in the mornings. I'd like to visit a park for 3 extra hours at night with very small crowds, but this may not be possible this time of year.

 

[mdoc]

My DD and I went to Epcot last year during an EMH evening, and it was absolutely packed. And this was in the rain!! The lines for Test Track were as long or longer than they were during the day (and eventually it closed because of the weather anyway). Of course, we were there during spring break, not in mid-May, when I'm sure it is totally different. The one thing I'll say is that the park was kind of exciting that late at night, so even though we didn't get to do all that much, we had a great time.

 

[karrit2000]

I don't normally do the AM EMH. As another poster said, The park with The PM EMH does tend to get very busy but if you aren't here at a peak time the crowds do thin out the later into the EMH it gets. I found the PM EMH in AK to be wonderful as it was very quiet when I did it. I got to the park near the end of normal hours and once the non EMH attendees left there was hardly anyone left. It was like I had the whole park to myself. This may change when Expedition Everest officially opens.

You do not need to be in the park before it officially closes but you must have your room key with you. Each person in your party will need their room key in order to get a bracelet which will allow you on the attractions. Only select restaurants & shops will remain open. The list of open attractions will give you a good idea which shops will remain open. Many of the smaller snack counters will close as will some Counter service restaurants.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

We stayed after wishes (which was at 10:00 pm) and walked on everything afterwards. With the time change definitely do the EMH evenings especially since the kids are older.

Have fun!!