EMH Question

[SullyDog]

We are going to Disney World the last week of March for Spring Break and will not be staying on site this time, so we will not be able to take advantage of EMH. We are not getting the Park Hopper option on our tickets this time to try and save a little money that way as well.

My question is this - Is it extra crowded in the evenings in the EMH parks prior to when EMH actually starts? For example, if the park closes at 9:00 but has EMH that night, would we see it start to get really crowded around like 7:00 or 8:00 pm?

Since we won't have Park Hoppers my plan is to go to a park and stay there from open until close, but I am wondering if we should avoid going to parks that have evening EMH? (I am already planning to avoid going to parks with morning EMH for this reason).

Thanks!

 

[JRawkSteady]

It depends on what month you go, essentially. Also, it depends on the park and the day of the week. Guests going to EMH have to make sure they're in the park they want to experience 2 hours before park closing to grab a wristband. So it may not get crazy till then...but everyone else has the same ideas as you.

Avoiding parks with Evening EMH is best for you on this trip, DEFINITELY.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Actually, I disagree with the previous poster. You don't have to be there two hours ahead of time for evening EMH. Maybe during very peak times, but all the times we've been there, we've seen CM's with wristbands standing around well into EMH hours. In fact, the first time we waited in a fairly long line near the park entrance, then felt really stupid.
I would say however, that if you aren't going to be taking advantage of EMH, your best bet would be to avoid the EMH park for the entire day, not just near the EMH hours. Remember there are EMH guests that get non-hopper tickets to save money.
But as the previous poster said, it sort of depends on the general crowd levels - if they are low it's not going to be as bad. It also varies from park to park. MK is the most crowded. Epcot and AK don't seem as bad.
During am EMH, it was our impression that the park wasn't too bad first thing in the am (Even during the regular park am hours) but by 11 am, that park gets really packed, especially MK.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

As noted, you do not have to be in the park 2 hours before the evening EMH begins. This is when the wristband distribution starts so there is no mad dash for them later on. You can arrive at the park after the official closing time for non-Disney resort guests and you will be admitted and given a wristband, provided you have a valid Disney resort ID card.
The crowds for the evening EMH begin arriving towards late afternoon and early evening. If you cannot participate I suggest you skip that park.