Extra Evening Magic Hours

[beaniejawa]

I'm vacationing in June on property at WDW and I would like to take advantage of evening magic hours. How crowded do evening magic hours tend to be? (I did see the early hours, but I don't think it's realistic to get my family up that early). Also, I'm mostly interested in evening magic hours at MK.

Any advice would be most helpful. Thanks!

 

[koolaidmoms]

We just returned from WDW on Wednesday. One of the best days of our trip was the day we spent at MK for EMH. The park closed Sunday night at 11:00 but was open until 2:00 for resort guests. It had been horribly hot and humid so we made late dinner reservations we never went to the park until 5:00 pm so we could have dinner at 5:30. We were out of the restaurant by 7:30 and began our night.

We rode on Buzz (2xs), COP and went to the Laugh Floor. By now it was 8:30 and people were getting ready for Spectromagic. We went to Tea-cups (kids rode 2xs no wait), then we went got FP for Pooh and rode Snow White. Back to Dumbo (15 minute wait) then to Honey Pots. We watched Wishes from Fantasyland - awsome!

Then went to Philharmagic, IASWAA. Peter Pan was a 20 minute wait so we by passes as we had already rode twice this trip. It was now almost 11:00 so we headed to Splash Mount. and BTMRR. 5 minute wait for Splash and 15 for BTMRR. After riding both twice we headed out via Adventureland. POC was broken so no ride but we had been told there was no wait after 11. We rode Carpets and had Dole Whips.

We left at 1:15 am. So between 7:30 pm and 1:15 am we went on or saw 16 rides or shows plus Wishes. I think we made out great and we weren't melting in the heat!

Hope this helps some.

 

[beaniejawa]

We just returned from WDW on Wednesday. One of the best days of our trip was the day we spent at MK for EMH. The park closed Sunday night at 11:00 but was open until 2:00 for resort guests. It had been horribly hot and humid so we made late dinner reservations we never went to the park until 5:00 pm so we could have dinner at 5:30. We were out of the restaurant by 7:30 and began our night.

We rode on Buzz (2xs), COP and went to the Laugh Floor. By now it was 8:30 and people were getting ready for Spectromagic. We went to Tea-cups (kids rode 2xs no wait), then we went got FP for Pooh and rode Snow White. Back to Dumbo (15 minute wait) then to Honey Pots. We watched Wishes from Fantasyland - awsome!

Then went to Philharmagic, IASWAA. Peter Pan was a 20 minute wait so we by passes as we had already rode twice this trip. It was now almost 11:00 so we headed to Splash Mount. and BTMRR. 5 minute wait for Splash and 15 for BTMRR. After riding both twice we headed out via Adventureland. POC was broken so no ride but we had been told there was no wait after 11. We rode Carpets and had Dole Whips.

We left at 1:15 am. So between 7:30 pm and 1:15 am we went on or saw 16 rides or shows plus Wishes. I think we made out great and we weren't melting in the heat!

Hope this helps some.

Actually, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear! It's good to know your kids did well at such late hours. I'll be traveling with a 7-year-old myself.
Thanks for the input!

 

[Wooden Eye]

Beanie, Moms gave a great description of MK evening EMH. We really enjoy MH evening EMH more than EMH at the other parks. We take our big summer trip to WDW every year in June, and we always go to MK evening EMH. It's usually fairly crowded for about an hour after closing. Then, during the 2nd hour, the crowd starts to thin. By the time the 3rd hour rolls around, it feels like you have most of the park to yourself!

 

[rutgers1]

I asked about this the other day and didn't get many responses before it scrolled off the front page of this board. I had asked because, the last time I went to EMH, I experienced a similar situation, with the park almost being empty by the time it closed. I was wondering if that was typical. I was also wondering if EMH is as good (parks being super less crowded) for Animal Kingdom, as that closes earlier and you don't get the same benefit of having it closing so late that only the super night owls can stay awake.

 

[Wooden Eye]

Rut, I think the 'low crowds' EMH phenomenum is only due to the very late hours at MK (i.e. 2 am). For example, Studios evening EMH usually seem crowded up to the end since it's typically only 11 pm or so (unless the park is open late, say 10 or 11 pm). Now crowds at Epcot are a bit lower, since EMH will end at midnight, so it's a little less crowded that last hour or so. As far as AK, a lot of folks leave before the park even closes anyway, so evening EMH is relatively uncrowded (sort of).

 

[janeapplemeadow]

In the summer months we always do EMH especially the Magic Kingdom. When the kids were younger (8-11) we would go back so to resort around 1 pm and swim in the pool and rest or nap in the room until about 5pm. We'd head back and grab a snack or supper and then we would have enough energy to stay until the very end. We would also plan on sleeping late the following morning. The funny part was the kids got a real kick out of being up at midnight "way past their bedtime".

 

[Nikisha421]

In the summer months I think it is always easier to do evening EMH...the cool breeze...the light crowds...no pushing...rush...no excuse meeeeees

 

[minnierocks]

This is so good to hear! We have always done morning EMH, but both DS16 and DD(almost)14 asked if we could do all the evening EMH this time instead. It has been hard to get them moving so early now that they are teenagers, so I told them we could give them a try on our next trip. Thanks so much for the input!