Extra Magic Hour Advice

[asta]

We tried evening EMH last week at the MK twice and MGM once and were very disappointed. We are late night people and absolutely loved every E-ticket night that we have ever attended. In my opinion, EMH has none of the magic of E-ticket nights. The parks were very crowded until the very last minute of EMH. I kept thinking that we could if we could just make it to 1:00 am, that some of the crowd would go away but it never happened. The stand by lines for SP, Thunder Mtn, Peter Pan, RNR and TT were always very long. The FP machines were reopened for EMH but after getting the first one, by the time you were able to get a second one the FP were either gone or the return time was very late. We were never able to get in more than four rides on a major attraction in any of the late EMH.

Now for my personal rant, please don't read if you are easily offended. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of very young children at the EMH last week. Parents were keeping an incredible number of babies and young children out until 1 and 2 in the morning. Most of them looked so tired and cranky that you just wished that their parents would take them home and let them go to bed. There were so many strollers that it was still hard to move around. If you were ever lucky enough to experience E-ticket nights, you probably never had to dodge strollers or deal with all the crying children. It was more of a magical experience for older, school-aged children and adults. I don't understand why, but the nominal cost of E-ticket seemed to discourage part of the crowd. The Disney executive that thought this one up needs to have his head examined. Could someone tell me what was wrong with E-ticket night?

I am not a morning person, but we found out the hard way that the only way to avoid the long lines was to get up early and hit the parks and be done before noon. I would advise you to follow this and skip the late EMH.

 

[snowmouse]

What a bummer. We were looking forward to a couple of late nights, but you're not the first poster to express this frustration. I'm thinking the strategy of opening the park the day after its EMH may be far more effective than closing with the crowds.

 

[elastigirlfan]

I agree. We avoided all the parks on EMH days but on our last night it was the EMH night at MK and we thought we would do it anyway since it was our last night. It was very very crowded. Everything had a wait - I think we only did 1-2 rides. We didn't stay until it closed. The crowds in general were much heavier this year than last year (IMHO )

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

The evening EMH are really a nightmare. The wait times are sometimes longer than during the middle of the day. We tried only one last month at the Studios and quickly gave up after riding TOT with FP. We found the mornings at all the parks much better (EMH or not). We got a lot done in a couple of hours at the opening of the MK. The funny thing about the MK early in the morning was that Frontierland and Fantasy Land were empty. We tried Tomorrowland another morning and it was crowded. So we walked over to Splash and Big Thunder and there were no waits at all. Definitely do the parks early and forget the evening EMH.

 

[KayakDaddy]

I too was surprised by the crowds at the evening EMH. You can definitly get way more done in the morning. In the first 1.5 hours this past Friday, we did everything in Fantasyland two times plus Astro Orbiter, and used our Fastpasses for Buzz. Then we got on the Goofy coaster before it got too crowded.

We got nowhere near that much done during the EMH. We finished a snack just a little before 11 at Cosmic Ray's and stayed until the end, and this is all we got to do. Space Mountain (used Fastpass from earlier in the day), Haunted Mansion, Liberty Belle paddlewheel (DS insisted), Balked at the crazy line at Splash Mtn, waited in line at BTMRR until it broke down, Pirates, Magic Carpets of Aladin, Stitch, Indy Speedway, and then back to Splash Mtn at 1:55 AM. It was fun, but nowhere near as efficient as the E-ride Magic night from last year. We did Splash Mtn & BTMRR 3 times each last year with very little wait, and still did all of the other stuff. I would rather part with the small fee for the e-ride night than endure the crazy EMH crowd. I wish we had an option of both each week - one with fee and one for free.

As for the OP concern about small kids at EMH, we got around that problem this way. We had DD(1.5) with us all day at MK and AK. Then my mom showed up from Sarasota after work and watched her at POR that evening. That worked out well for all parties involved. They even issued my mom her own room key with no charge. We still had DS(5) with us, but he had more energy than the rest of us. I too found it odd how many little bity kids were there right up until the end.

 

[miste76]

I agree... Just back from a 10 day stay in the world... the Late Nights were so crowded, we didn't get on many rides!!! We did stay until 2am and felt that the lines decreased between 1am and 2am. - Still not like the e-ticket nights... I'm sure this is good for Disney though - I can't imagine how much money they must make just by staying open another 3 hours.

 

[NC Disney Family]

We are arriving on Aug. 14th. I had hoped to go over to MGM and see the 10:30 Fantasmic that night after going to MK for the day). Will it even be possible to get into Fantasmic? Any recent WDW travelers with experience? Please advise!!

 

[Bushman]

I figured the main attractions would still be packed at night, but are even such staples as Pirates and Haunted Mansion packed? Those are two of my favorites, and we've never had to wait very long for them in the apst. Thanks!

 

[cindyfan]

asta........ditto to everything you said!
And I agree about taking the little ones there so late! Don't want to get flamed..... I understand it some what..... maybe there are older kids in the family too.... but toddlers out after midnight....

In June, after our first night's attempt at MK EMH in the evening....and only rode BTMRR, POC and couple smaller rides.... no way were we waiting in those long lines for everything else.

Best thing is to go to the park the morning after they have evening EMH!!!

 

[frannn]

We are coming early to mid Oct, and were looking forward to the extra time in the parks. Last Sept, everything closed early (although it was not crowded during the day), so the only park to go to late was Epcot. I like having all the other choices, and am hoping that the large crowds are partially due to the fact that its summer. We will probably take DD2 to the early part of the EMH, then DD12 and I will try to coax DH to take her back to the room, so we can play some more!

 

[Kaybee]

I hate to disagree but we absolutely loved the late magic hrs!! I guess it all depends on the time of year you go. We went in May and had no problems at all. A lot of the popular rides were virtual walk ons. We took advantage of the fast pass and never had a problem. I sure hope they continue the late night hrs as we are not early risers and enjoy staying at the parks late!!

 

[babby]

To NC Disney Family: We were there in Late June, we went to the 9pm Fantasmic and it was standing room only, upon exiting there was this huge crown of people forming a line all the way to the main street when you enter MGM and turn down to go to Tot anf Rnc and Fantasmic. The line was that long and not single formed either !! It was 6-7 people wide!!!! I would recommed going to the early Famtasmic and to be seated for 7:45pm unless you do the dinner package. Just my 2cents!

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

We're leaving Aug. 11 and were planning on taking advantage of the EMH. Not planning on going on the major rides (Splash Mt., Space Mt., etc...) so was wondering if the "smaller" rides such as Pirates, Haunted Mansion, etc are less crowded. Also, are you able to obtain fastpasses for the EMH before they begin?