EMH - why does Disney make them difficult?

[Williamsfamily7]

OK: Don't jump all over me for this, but:

Why doesn't Disney try to make their EMH a little more enjoyable for their resort guests? We tried to take advantage of a few of them when we were there 8/13-8/21, but in the end, I really don't think they're worth it. If they're not going to make it "worth it" for resort guests, why even do it?

For example, at MGM in the morning, why can't they open more rides? There aren't that many there to start with. We did TOT, got a fastpass for RNR, then hung around until Backlot Tour was supposed to open at 9:00 a.m. - and guess what. We found a sign there that said it wasn't opening until noon that day!!! So basically, we got up an hour early and rushed over there just to do the two rides. Our night time visit there was even worse! First, they had us in a REALLY long line to get the bracelets. They ran out. They moved the entire line to another location. By the time we got our bracelets, the only ride that was open and didn't have a super long line (it was about 30 minutes) was The Great Movie Ride. We waited, but I don't really think that's even worth a 30 minutes wait, especially during Extra Hours?

We went to MK and Epcot night time hours. Really, they were better than MGM, but still the lines were too long and too many things are closed. I just think that if they are going to open early or stay open late for Resort guests, they should try and make it a little more enjoyable. As far as I could tell, they don't do FastPass during EMH's, so you really do end up waiting in line for whatever few rides they have open. I'd gladly pay the extra $ for E-nights or whatever they used to call them. As I recall from one of our earlier trips, there were never lines then. I really think that Disney likes to keep you in line!! I don't get it.

 

[goofy4tink]

There are many here who would prefer that Disney go back to the E-nights. I also, would rather pay the $12 pp to enjoy the extra time in the parks, after hours. I can't tell you the last time I did a morning EMH and I've been to WDW 4 times since June '05. We do the EMHs in the evenings, at MK, during the summer months, but thats because of the heat during the day. Otherwise,I prefer to head to the park that had an evening EMH the previous night...most people will be at an EMH morning elsewhere and there just aren't as many people in this particular park.
I sometimes wonder if Disney figures that if they can get us into a park either early or keep us there late, they can get us to spend more money in the shops since they don't open all the attractions.

 

[Magickndm]

I love being in the MK till 3 in the morning, my only complaint is they don't have enough food options open.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I would also rather fork out the $12 for the E-ride bracelet too. I liked E-ride night much better than EHM.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We really don't do EMH. We haven't done a morning EMH since the '90's when it was called "early entry", too crowded. We have tried evening EMH at MGM, that was a nightmare, we ended up not riding anything but watching Voyage of the Little Mermaid and taking a cab home because the line for our bus ASMov was backed up all the way to the security checkpoint! In MGM's defense, it was raining and Fantasmic was cancelled so I'm guessing this added to the problem.

The only EMH we will do again was MK in the evening. The crowds were not that bad and the park really started to thin a little after midnight. We did have to wait in line, but it was not 100 degrees like it was during the day, so all in all it was a good experience for us.

I do prefer E-Ride nights, now that was great!

Our strategy continues to be: Avoid morning EMH and go to a less crowded park and arrive before opening.

 

[Straughn]

I would also rather fork out the $12 for the E-ride bracelet too. I liked E-ride night much better than EHM.

I totally agree!

 

[Judge Fudge]

E-Nights was the best at the MK. I miss those days. $12 was wholely worth it.

 

[mandy200587]

I'll take enights anytime. It was never crowded badly when I did it.

 

[flortlebap]

I always thought the E ticket nights were a bit of a rip off.

It just seemed to me like... well, if they're keeping the park open anyway, WHY charge people extra money for the privelege of going when they've already paid admission?

JMO of course.

I think EMH is better... but with the capacity of Disney resorts (and i dare say most people stay on property these days) they're bound to be busy!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would also rather fork out the $12 for the E-ride bracelet too. I liked E-ride night much better than EHM.

A little secret.....Go where the EMH is not, less crowded, lots of fun.

Well, okay, so it's not a secret, LOL.

 

[jordanyosh]

I liked E-nights better myself. However, I do believe that Disney has done a good job responding to guests. For awhile Disney did away with Early Entry. The feedback to that decision was overwhelmingly negative. So, they brought it back. They have further added to the program by adding Evening Magic Hours. I agree that they are crowded, but it's nice to have additional time in the parks especially in the evenings. It gives our family much more flexibility when planning our vacation.

 

[Lizziejane]

We've always travel in January, when the parks close quite early. I'm looking forward to evening EMH's. I understand they may be really busy, however, my only other option anyway is DD or shopping. Quite honestly, I don't buy a whole lot of Disney paraphenalia, so a crowded Epcot beats DD for me any day of the week!

I will admit though, we tried E-night last time we were there and LOVED it!! It will be interesting to compare E-night and EMH.

 

[Williamsfamily7]

I don't think Disney has done a good job with this. Why does it have to be a crowded Epcot? Why can't it be a time where the lines really aren't that long - even under 30 minutes would be an improvement from my experience 2 weeks ago. And more rides should be available!!! How much is it going to cut into their profit to have more rides open and running? The whole point is that it should be an "perk" for people staying at the WDW resorts. Getting maybe one ride out of the EMH isn't really much of a perk as far as I'm concerned. I just feel that people spend so much money to stay on-site at WDW, it might be nice if the EMH were a little more of a reward - which is how they are billed. I don't think they come through. Just my own opinion......

 

[Inga]

I think I agree with the OP...we LOVED e-nights when they existed. We don't go near evening EMH because it has never been anything but nuts. Morning EMH's seem to be better, probably because of the time difference for many travellers (we are 1 hour later here in eastern Canada, so getting up at 6am Florida time is like 7am at home, so it isn't a big deal but would be for many guests) and so it might keep the crowds lower than the evening.

In our experience, e-nights were really neat, of all the ones that we went to the park was practically to ourselves. There have been many posters over the years, however, who say e-nights were getting pretty crazy busy. IMHO, however, evening EMH's have never been like our experience with e-nights.

We have also gone to EMH mornings at Epcot, and if test track is down (which it often is) you can either do an early morning Mission Space (yikes, hard on the digestive tract first thing in the morning) OR Ellen's Universe of Energy. Not that I don't love Ellen, but not worth getting up early for, really.

My two cents

Inga

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Wasn't e-ride night just for MK. At least now there are options at the other parks. But I think it might still be wisest to go to a non-EMH park, especially since not everyone pays for hopping privileges.

 

[sunny_]

There are many here who would prefer that Disney go back to the E-nights.

I miss E-nights!!!!

 

[Jambo!424]

I love being in the MK till 3 in the morning, my only complaint is they don't have enough food options open.

I completely agree. We always get stuck being hungry b/c all the food places close so early in the parks. And then its not even like you can go back to the hotel and get food b/c food courts close at 11. It's very annoying, although understandable I guess since the workers want to get home too. However it always seems to be a problem for my family.

 

[BillSears]

I miss E-nights!!!!

Same here. I loved E-nights and am willing to pay for them.

 

[princessgirl2238]

e-ride nights were only at mk and they weren't so crowded because they seperated the resorts so that only a few could go on one night and then others would go the next night. but with emh, it is impossible to seperate the resorts because guests would always complain. also, sometimes the rides aren't open for early mornings is due to the fact that some of the cast members are running late/call in sick, etc... and it's really hard to run an attraction with out people to run it and disney does try to run everything, but sometimes it's just impossible.

 

[BabyFu18]

When I was at Disney in July my sister and I did evening EMH at Epcot and even though we didn't stay the entire time I thought it was worth staying and experiencing it. The park was much less crowded and Ecopt looks so beautiful at night, it was cooler, the stores seemed to clear out and so shopping around was more enjoyable, rides and restaurants were still open, etc.

I enjoyed it and I think next time I go to Disney World I will take advantage of EMH again.