Evening EMH - go or avoid?

[5terre]

In the past we have avoided EMH parks during President's Day week and have had great trips. We always RD and take an afternoon pool break. I've been reading that avoiding EMH isn't really necessary anymore n the FP+ era. We are doing a short trip, 1 day in EP and 1 day in MK. We are visiting on a Tuesday and Wednesday, and can do both parks with evening EMH. I am intrigued to have extra hours in the park at night, especially on our last night in MK where we will stay the whole time and get in line for something good in the last few minutes. EP EMH I don't care about as much, at night we will be more about the ambiance in WS rather than wanting to ride rides, though I wouldn't mind riding Soarin' one last time on our way out. Yesterday I purchased tickets and the popular FP choices on the two EMH days were basically nonexistent (although I was able to get some and don't mind refreshing, TBH the challenge is actually a little fun for me!). If I reversed the days to the non-evening EMH days, everything (except 7DMT) has availability. Is this a clue that those parks are going to be FAR busier on the EMH days? I can't see the TP recommendations for those days. Am I nuts for doing this? Should I flip flop my days? I figure what's the worst that can happen, maybe I should live on the edge this time!

 

[Meglen]

As a rule for my family I always skip the early emh parks that day but I always hit the emh at night. Remember fast passes are not bookable for emh so even if it is a busy day once the ppl start leaving move rides will be 20 min max I wanna say. Most family's don't want to stay out till 12.

 

[sharonabe]

I figure what's the worst that can happen, maybe I should live on the edge this time!

I say go for it. Everyone's experience is different and I think everyone needs to do it at least once for themselves. This looks like a good time for you to try it. I do think the parks will be a bit busier on their EMH days than non-EMH days, but make a plan, stick it out, and enjoy the later hours. If you could swing hoppers, I'd switch my days and hop to the late EMH park around dinner time in a heartbeat. But even without hoppers, I still say go for it.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

The parks truly clear out a lot of after fireworks and shows. We love late at night. I’ve only made it to rope drop once or twice. I’d definitely say go for it on Evening EMH.

 

[gharter]

Our experience with EMH is the morning be there before it opens to miss the crowds.
Evening EMH, you have to stay till about the end as it takes time for the crowds to thin. The first part of evening EMHs wasn't much different than earlier crowds.

 

[KaSe]

We always do evening EMH. Those late nights are some of our favorite times in the parks!

 

[BritneyBelle]

The first part of EMH I find to be about the same as the day/maybe slightly more crowded depending on the day, but they thin out quite a bit after fireworks. We always do the slow stuff during the first part (ride the people mover, hall of pres, etc) then hit the headliners.

 

[Afabena]

I would do evening EMH at MK for sure. After the fireworks the masses head for the exits and it’s like a completely different experience in the lands.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

Exactly! Fantasyland is almost empty without all the little kids, and Tomorrowland looks incredible all lit up! Those are our two favorite nighttime lands! Pandora is awesome at night too in AK.

 

[finedice]

I have found that PM EMH is pretty insane - even back in the time when we would do a summer trip, MK closed at midnight and (3 hour) EMH went until 3 AM, it was pretty crowded right up until the last 90 minutes. However - that time was really wonderful with roaming characters all over Fantasyland just looking for people to bugger!

I have no idea what Donald had in mind at 2:40 AM!

 

[5terre]

Thanks for the feedback, it will be fun in any case, it’s Disney!

 

[5terre]

So I subscribed to TPs and looking at the calendars I'm having second thoughts - EP 9 (overall 8), MK 10 (overall 8). The 10 at MK scares me, plus TT is down at Epcot so I think RD lines will build even faster than normal.

We have a few options to change. I am leaning toward making our first day the resort day, which would open up Thursday for a park day with overall CL of 6 rather than 8. It might also may make more sense to start with the resort day to get settled in, and have the park days to look forward to. We can handle RD to park close for 2 days.

Currently have scheduled:
Tues - EP 9 (overall 8) with evening EMH (drive in from visiting family right to Epcot, in line by 8am)
Wed - MK 10 (overall 8) with evening EMH
Thur - resort day, drive back to visiting family at some point in the evening

Option 1 (utilizing EMH, one evening, one morning):
Tues - resort day
Wed - MK 10 (overall 8) with evening EMH
Thurs - EP 6 (overall 6) with morning EMH

Option 2 (no EMH, lowest CLs):
Tues - resort day
Wed - EP 6 (overall 8)
Thurs - MK 7 (overall 6)

I appreciate any feedback! I think I am pretty set on changing, just need help deciding if I should go for option 1 or 2. Option 1 may be a little too much with back to back evening/morning EMH. But we are always at RD insanely early, like first at the tapstiles, maybe with that plan we would arrive at a more normal time and still do fine. With the extra morning hour at Epcot, we would get into WS earlier and then out for an earlier pool break, and possibly a nap if needed.