Evening Extra Magic Hour! (VERY LONG POST)

[bballmom56]

stm61 asked an interesting question. Why are SOG guests excluded from the evening hours? It says they can take advantage of the early morning hours, but not late nights. LBV Hilton guests can do both. Why on earth would they exclude SOG ?

 

[Barb]

On that same note, does anyone know why it's only the Hilton that can take advantage of this and not the other LBV hotels? This and the SOG exemption just doesn't seem right.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Barb
On that same note, does anyone know why it's only the Hilton that can take advantage of this and not the other LBV hotels? This and the SOG exemption just doesn't seem right.

Hilton paid for the perk, the others didn't.

 

[RescueRanger]

I could be wrong about this but I don't think the extra evening hours will be much of a perk during busier times of the year. The thing about E-nights was that it was limited to a certain number of guests and alot of guests didn't want to pay the extra money. However, this will be free to resort guests and will not be limited. When WDW resorts are at capacity, can you imagine how many people will be at the park with the extra hours? I don't think the middle of May is a good time to test it because it is generally not as busy. JMHO

 

[ChairborneRangr]

*sigh*

I know this is streching back a ways, but remember when MK was open till 1am? If not every night, then everynight I went there when I was younger. Both at WDW and DLR.

no onsite requirement
no wristbands
just fun!

 

[laurabelle]

WOW! A Mack truck full of pixie dust!
On May 9th I have a 1 day 1 night trip planned, just me and my sister and I had been bummin' over the short hours in May... I'm sorry it's messing with some people's plans, but I'm thrilled!!!

 

[BrianMonk]

There's been a poster or two that has alluded to the fact this is in ADDITION to their normal EMH days.

Can anyone confirm this to be true?

If so, it wouldn't mess plans too bad and would be a good thing (as far as I can tell)!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I'm looking forward to this -- interested in seeing how it plays out. I think it's good to try new things - but I do feel bad for the people who are going in May who already have their PS and all planned out. It seems like it may not make that much difference to the guests in reality (longer hours, but still kind of crowded), but it is a good perk for Disney to offer its guests -- seems like people would be more likely to stay on property.

Anyhow, I like to see new things tested -- I just do NOT want to give up at least one early am in Magic Kingdom. That is golden with toddlers and preschoolers!!

 

[d96j97]

If my family could just get one night at MK open until very late I would just be thrilled. There is magic all day long but something more magical about evenings.

Also, some of these posts are saying that this could extend up to 3 hours? I thought EMH was only for one hour?

Can someone please clarify this for me?

 

[PatriciaH]

I LOVE this! I hope it stays for October. It is like E-Ticket night in all the parks with no charge. Yes, I wish the MK still stayed open till 1am but I will take all the extra hous I can get.

 

[JKanownik]

To clarify on the days and hours, I called WDW Information yesterday and was quoted the first two posts of this thread word for word. The only other thing the CM had was a list of FAQ's and answers for guests calling with questions. One of answers to the FAQ's stated that the exact hours would be posted on a specific WDW URL as soon as they were available. However they did not have the URL or know when it would be posted.

Also, some posters are stating that there will be 3 extra hours at the parks in the evening as if it is a fact. If you read the statement, it says:

"The revised schedule will give Guests eight opportunities to enjoy the Extra Magic Hour each week (one hour prior to and as many as three hours after regularly scheduled park hours)."

So, the evening EMH at any of the parks could very well only be an hour, not three. I find it particularly hard to believe that they would add 3 hours to AK in the evening because they put many of the animals away at night and they are on a set schedule.

Here's to hoping that all of the evening EMH are 3 hours! Again, I agree that this is all good news, but I'm dying to get the specific hours so I can get back to planning!!

-DH

 

[Sarahsmom85]

So is there anything that someone off site can do?
Are we able to buy into this programs. I believe $12 was mentioned before?

if not can we still walk around, eat, shop and see shows during this time? if so I would rearrange my plans to watch later show and do rides while I could. We could do our site seeing then.

Hope we can buy into it.

I remember when we went back in the 80's the parks where always opened late. I don't believe we left before 11 pm.

 

[4greatboys]

I think its awesome. We are not early risers either and would love to have evening hours. Our trip May 29-June 12 hopefully the test period will be a big hit.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by Sarahsmom85
So is there anything that someone off site can do?
Are we able to buy into this programs. I believe $12 was mentioned before?

if not can we still walk around, eat, shop and see shows during this time? if so I would rearrange my plans to watch later show and do rides while I could. We could do our site seeing then.

Hope we can buy into it.

I remember when we went back in the 80's the parks where always opened late. I don't believe we left before 11 pm.

It sounds like they are handling this similarly to the E-Ticket Nights. Now, I've never been to an E-Ticket Night, but here is what I have been able to extrapolate.

2-3 hours before the posted park closing, CMs will begin to distribute wristbands for the EMH. These wristbands will only be available to those who can produce a valid hotel/park ID showing that they are a current guest at one of the eligible WDW resorts.

After the posted closing time, only folks with the wristbands will be permitted to ride the attractions that are still operating.

I sincerely doubt that CMs or security personnel will be herding people out of the park that do not have a wristband. In fact, if they have to keep the shops and restaurants (or at least food carts) open to service the people taking advantage of EMH, then why WOULDN'T they want to let YOU spend your money there too?

My guess is that you will be entirely welcome to browse the park, the shops or just people-watch as long as they are letting people stay in the park.

I doubt you will be able to buy into the program. EMH was always designed as a benefit to encourage people to stay at WDW resorts. In the past, E-Ticket Nights would keep the Magic Kingdom open for 3 additional hours with limited attendance of about 5000 guests. This perk was also limited to WDW resort guests, but you had to pay $12 per person for it.

If you find yourself willing to pay for an event like this, then maybe you should consider paying a little extra to stay at a WDW resort next time.

 

[disneyjunkie]

If they allow people to buy into the program, then it's no longer a perk for onsite guest.

I don't think they'll stop anyone from spending money in the shops and restaurants. However, I don't think they'll let you onto the rides or into the shows.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I think that SOG and some of the other hotels opted not to pay for the additional transportation costs for the extended hours. They most likely did not budget for it this FY.
I am eligible to stay at SOG, and I dont feel slighted by this omission. Im sure WDW presented the opportunity to these hotels to participate, just not for free.

I think it is a great idea and I agree that WDW is attempting to maintain their market share with US/IOA FOTL being so popular. Before FOTL, I found much better rates at US hotels, now they have no problem reserving their rooms and their rates have increased. Many WDW guests are staying at US for a few days out of their trip, which was unheard of a few years ago.

 

[Barb]

In October, for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party they ushered us all in to Tomorrowland while they cleared the park. I wonder if they'll do something similiar.
I wouldn't think they'd offer this for payment, then it would be the same as an e-night and wouldn't be the resort guest perk they want it to be.
Also, we're one of those that stay at a Universal resort for part of our trip now. The resort guest perk of FOTL access is a big one.

 

[CanadaPT]

Originally posted by Barb
I wouldn't think they'd offer this for payment, then it would be the same as an e-night and wouldn't be the resort guest perk they want it to be.

I think that E-Night was always just for resort guests, they just had to pay $12 in addition to being a resort guest. Off site guests were not allowed into E-Nights.

 

[Sammie]

Just my opinion, but I am not sure it will get very specific. I think the determination for how many hours at which parks will be a last minute decision made on occupancy rates of Disney resorts.

I know many, especially those on these boards, are very compulsive planners. But many people are not and do not ever read Internet forums before going.

I think Disney will release information to the guest at check in or on their website possibly on a weekly basis.

As to whether the OP is official information, it was quoted from the Eyes and Ears which is the WDW Cast Member newsletter.

I really can not see the advantage of this to Disney over E-Nights though.

 

[Barb]

Yes, that's right. I guess I forgot it was for resort guests only.
I wonder if this is why there were never any E-Nights announced for May. Sounds like they may have been planning this for a while.