EMH, welcome show, and bus

[jvz82]

We're staying at CBR December 18-22nd. There are EMHs on both days that we are going to MK at 7 am and (because we're insane) we're going to try to get there as close to 7 as we can. Hopefully before 7.

I know that they have a welcome show before MK opens. Do they do the welcome show before it opens for EMH or before it opens for the general public?

Also we will probably have to leave our resort fairly early to get to MK before 7. Will the buses run frequently that early in the morning or is it going to be a long wait?

 

[nursejackie]

I can't believe I can't remember! We go every December and always arrive before 7am for EMH on our MK days and we just cannot remember if the Welcome Show is on, how bad is that? We will be there 10-26th December and intend to be there for 7am EMH on 17th December so if I remember (?) I will post a reply to let you know.

 

[Erika Raymond]

I can't believe I can't remember! We go every December and always arrive before 7am for EMH on our MK days and we just cannot remember if the Welcome Show is on, how bad is that? We will be there 10-26th December and intend to be there for 7am EMH on 17th December so if I remember (?) I will post a reply to let you know.

This is our first time going in December. Some of the sites recommend avoiding the parks that have EMH. Have you had any issues with doing EMH or noticing the parks seems really busy these days.

 

[jvz82]

This is our first time going in December. Some of the sites recommend avoiding the parks that have EMH. Have you had any issues with doing EMH or noticing the parks seems really busy these days.

So I think a lot depends on how you're going to make use of the extra hour. If you get to the park early and really use that time well, I feel like it's worth it because you can get so much done. When we've done it in the past, we get SO MUCH DONE from 7-12. Then we plan to go to our resort from like 12-4 for a rest and come back later. We have an evening fast pass and ADR one night, plus we can just walk around enjoying the lights even if it's really busy. If you have a morning ADR then I feel like you miss out on the best part of the EMH morning day, or if you don't get to the park early.

I've also heard the evening EMH days are busier than the morning ones because not as many people are willing to get up early.

It's been 3 years since my last Disney trip though so I feel like a lot has changed!

 

[jvz82]

I can't believe I can't remember! We go every December and always arrive before 7am for EMH on our MK days and we just cannot remember if the Welcome Show is on, how bad is that? We will be there 10-26th December and intend to be there for 7am EMH on 17th December so if I remember (?) I will post a reply to let you know.

Thanks! We've been here in December for EMH before as well, but I had never even heard of the welcome show, lol. We probably just never got there early enough for it. I'd like to see it at least once!

 

[Erika Raymond]

So I think a lot depends on how you're going to make use of the extra hour. If you get to the park early and really use that time well, I feel like it's worth it because you can get so much done. When we've done it in the past, we get SO MUCH DONE from 7-12. Then we plan to go to our resort from like 12-4 for a rest and come back later. We have an evening fast pass and ADR one night, plus we can just walk around enjoying the lights even if it's really busy. If you have a morning ADR then I feel like you miss out on the best part of the EMH morning day, or if you don't get to the park early.

I've also heard the evening EMH days are busier than the morning ones because not as many people are willing to get up early.

It's been 3 years since my last Disney trip though so I feel like a lot has changed!

We don't have any ADR in the morning. Thank you for the great info.

 

[nursejackie]

This is our first time going in December. Some of the sites recommend avoiding the parks that have EMH. Have you had any issues with doing EMH or noticing the parks seems really busy these days.

No, we wouldn't stay on site if they didn't offer early morning magic hours. We find it difficult to adjust to the 5 hour time difference from home so we are always up extremely early. We arrive at MK for 7am EMH and love how much we can do during that first hour or two before the crowds build up. I guess the people who need to avoid it are those staying off site as by the time they enter there are already lines on the most popular rides.

 

[Bailey22]

This is our first time going in December. Some of the sites recommend avoiding the parks that have EMH. Have you had any issues with doing EMH or noticing the parks seems really busy these days.

I've seen those recommendations too! I think it's talking more about what you choose to do after the morning EMH. You should be able to get a good bit done early in the morning, and then maybe head to another park after the crowds start building up after the official park opening? You can always check crowd calendars to try to get an estimate of how crowded each park will be!

As for the OP - someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm almost positive the Welcome Show is for the official park opening, not EMH.

 

[jvz82]

I've seen those recommendations too! I think it's talking more about what you choose to do after the morning EMH. You should be able to get a good bit done early in the morning, and then maybe head to another park after the crowds start building up after the official park opening? You can always check crowd calendars to try to get an estimate of how crowded each park will be!

As for the OP - someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm almost positive the Welcome Show is for the official park opening, not EMH.

OP here... for the record, they definitely did the welcome show at 6:50 with the EMH starting at 7! We barely got there in time though because the bus didn't pick us up until 6:20 and we had a 25-30 minute drive to MK from our resort. Boo! But I sort of got to see it while going through security!

 

[Bailey22]

OP here... for the record, they definitely did the welcome show at 6:50 with the EMH starting at 7! We barely got there in time though because the bus didn't pick us up until 6:20 and we had a 25-30 minute drive to MK from our resort. Boo! But I sort of got to see it while going through security!

Oh wow!! I'm sorry you got held up and didn't get to see it, but that's CRAZY to me that they do the Welcome Show so early! Hope you had a good time regardless!