Extra magic hour and Magic Morning

[Betsyp]

What's the difference? I think the first is applicable only to those staying on the grounds and MM is for anyone with a 3+ day pass (I intend to buy a 5 day park hopper)

I know that it's important to plan your days at the parks accordingly, at least it was at WDW. When I was there a few years ago, it was in late May, so possibly the parks were more crowded then; I'm not familiar with how DL works because I haven't been for 30 years. I'll be at DL for 5/11-5/15.

I'm not going to go crazy trying to avoid crowds because I think that's sometimes unavoidable and I don't want to stress myself out. However, I think it makes sense to try and plan when the best day to be a a particular park is. For early entry days, does it work the same as at WDW? If I recall, on those days, the park is especially crowded early and then gets less so later as those people who arrive early are exhausted by the time early afternoon arrives. Is this true?

May 12 is odd because DL closes so early, so I wonder if most people will go to DCA that day and maybe L won't be so crowded? Of course people can just hop over to DCA so it's no big deal, but that day is also an EMH and MM day at DL, so...

I wonder if maybe I shouldn't actually plan so much given that I have 5 days, which will give me plenty of time to see and do the things I want to do .......more than once. I'm not suggesting that I don't plan, which I think is a mistake, but over planning is one also (though with the shows, I don't think that's the case).

I'd love to hear from you guys; you've all been so helpful already.
Thanks!

 

[DLR29]

The difference between EMH and MM is exactly what you said. The first is for onsite guests and it alternates between DL and DCA. The latter is for guests with a 3+ day ticket and is only for DL.

Check out the Early Admission Super Thread for more answered questions! http://www.disboards.com/threads/early-admission-mm-emh-apee-super-thread.1675403/

Is EMH at DL like EMH's at WDW? Should I avoid certain EA days at DLR like I avoid EMH days at WDW?
EA is EXTREMELY different from EMH and one should not avoid MM days at DLR to try and beat the crowds. MM does not affect park attendance at DL like EMH's affect park attendance at the WDW parks. If you have EA privileges, definitely don't hesitate to use it. Also, there is no evening Extra Magic Hours at DLR.

One thing that should help you in your planning is that, unlike WDW, the DLR parks are located right next to each other. If one gets to be more crowded than you like, you can walk a couple minutes and be in the other one. This adds a lot of flexibility to your trip, especially if you get 5 Day PHs.

 

[Betsyp]

The difference between EMH and MM is exactly what you said. The first is for onsite guests and it alternates between DL and DCA. The latter is for guests with a 3+ day ticket and is only for DL.

Check out the Early Admission Super Thread for more answered questions! http://www.disboards.com/threads/early-admission-mm-emh-apee-super-thread.1675403/



One thing that should help you in your planning is that, unlike WDW, the DLR parks are located right next to each other. If one gets to be more crowded than you like, you can walk a couple minutes and be in the other one. This adds a lot of flexibility to your trip, especially if you get 5 Day PHs.

OH thank you; I somehow missed this thread and will check it out.

I adore WDW like you wouldn't believe, but DLR makes it incredibly convenient to go from one park to another and that makes me happy.
Thanks again!

 

[cherice95403]

DL is WAY easier than WDW and requires less strategy. Make sure you get a park hopper. The parks are literally a 3 minute walk apart. Use your early day for whatever park appeals to you most. Try to put it toward the end of trip and then you can focus on the rides you haven't been able to go on. Plan to start your day at the park that does not have the early morning for resort guests if you can. Most people have park hoppers and move around during the day.

 

[Geemo]

DL is WAY easier than WDW and requires less strategy. Make sure you get a park hopper. The parks are literally a 3 minute walk apart. Use your early day for whatever park appeals to you most. Try to put it toward the end of trip and then you can focus on the rides you haven't been able to go on. Plan to start your day at the park that does not have the early morning for resort guests if you can. Most people have park hoppers and move around during the day.

EE is for on-site guests MM is for 3+day tickets

MM DL Tue, Thur and Sat MM is only at DL NOT DCA
EE - DCA Sun, Mon, Wed and Fri DL Tue, Thur and Sat

Geemo

 

[agamble]

Above it says you do not need to avoid early entry/magic morning days. If you have an early entry, use it. BUT if you do not have early entry, you may want to avoid the park that does first thing in the morning. For example, if I had a 5 day pass, but was staying at a non-Disney hotel I would use my Magic Morning on Tuesday at Disneyland, but I would not want to go to Disneyland first thing on Thursday because the park will already be full of visitors. Magic Mornings at Disneyland are usually more crowded than at DCA because they're open to hotel guests AND those with a Magic Morning ticket. We will be visiting with an Annual pass for 4 days. We will go to Disneyland first on Monday and Wednesday and DCA first on Tuesday and Thursday because we want to be the first in the park, not following an hour after other visitors.

 

[Jerryp49]

For early entry days, does it work the same as at WDW? If I recall, on those days, the park is especially crowded early and then gets less so later as those people who arrive early are exhausted by the time early afternoon arrives. Is this true?

Just the opposite. You may get a big rush when the gates first open but the biggest crowds are later in the day. Disneyland is something like 60-80 % locals who pop in at lunch, after school , and after work , stay til Fantasmic and the fireworks, then go home. May 12 early closure of DL may be a media preview of the 60th celebration

 

[Betsyp]

Above it says you do not need to avoid early entry/magic morning days. If you have an early entry, use it. BUT if you do not have early entry, you may want to avoid the park that does first thing in the morning. For example, if I had a 5 day pass, but was staying at a non-Disney hotel I would use my Magic Morning on Tuesday at Disneyland, but I would not want to go to Disneyland first thing on Thursday because the park will already be full of visitors. Magic Mornings at Disneyland are usually more crowded than at DCA because they're open to hotel guests AND those with a Magic Morning ticket. We will be visiting with an Annual pass for 4 days. We will go to Disneyland first on Monday and Wednesday and DCA first on Tuesday and Thursday because we want to be the first in the park, not following an hour after other visitors.

Yeah I'm going on the Tuesday as well....but mostly because DL closes at 7:30pm that night and I want to get as much done as I can.

Jerry, thanks! Hopefully the mad rush will include parents with their kids heading right for Dumbo, lol......where I will not be. I figure I'll be ok - I'm not going to give myself a heart attack on vacation, lol.

I think it's wonderful that locals frequent DL so often...

 

[Jerryp49]

Tue. Thur . and Sat when MM and EMH are valid for DL only Fantasyland and Tomorrow land are open including the Matterhorn and Subs. Sun . Mon. Wed. and Friday for EMH Most of the major rides are open except for Grizzly Peak

 

[Betsyp]

Tue. Thur . and Sat when MM and EMH are valid for DL only Fantasyland and Tomorrow land are open including the Matterhorn and Subs. Sun . Mon. Wed. and Friday for EMH Most of the major rides are open except for Grizzly Peak

Thank you!

I see that on 5/12, Tuesday, there are not only MM hours, but EMH, at DL. I wonder if maybe I shouldn't use my MM at DL that day since it will be swamped. Of course, sadly, the other MM is on Thursday and that's also an EMH at DL, which means there's no way of me avoiding the crush of people. I wonder if I shouldn't use my MM at all?

 

[agamble]

Thank you!

I see that on 5/12, Tuesday, there are not only MM hours, but EMH, at DL. I wonder if maybe I shouldn't use my MM at DL that day since it will be swamped. Of course, sadly, the other MM is on Thursday and that's also an EMH at DL, which means there's no way of me avoiding the crush of people. I wonder if I shouldn't use my MM at all?

MM and EMH happen on the exact same time at Disneyland, always. They're the same thing essentially. The only difference is that EMH is for hotel guests and can be used at both DCA and Disneyland. MM is for guests who buy 3-day+ tickets and they are only valid at Disneyland. So any time there is a MM at Disneyland there will also be EMH at Disneyland. But at DCA there is only EMH. The days alternate as someone mentioned above with 4 days at DCA and 3 days at Disneyland.

 

[Betsyp]

MM and EMH happen on the exact same time at Disneyland, always. They're the same thing essentially. The only difference is that EMH is for hotel guests and can be used at both DCA and Disneyland. MM is for guests who buy 3-day+ tickets and they are only valid at Disneyland. So any time there is a MM at Disneyland there will also be EMH at Disneyland. But at DCA there is only EMH. The days alternate as someone mentioned above with 4 days at DCA and 3 days at Disneyland.

Oh yeah, I get that......... what I can't figure out is how this effects the crowds.. if it does at all. Am I wrong in thinking that they don't?

 

[Stryker]

What's the difference? I think the first is applicable only to those staying on the grounds and MM is for anyone with a 3+ day pass (I intend to buy a 5 day park hopper)

I know that it's important to plan your days at the parks accordingly, at least it was at WDW. When I was there a few years ago, it was in late May, so possibly the parks were more crowded then; I'm not familiar with how DL works because I haven't been for 30 years. I'll be at DL for 5/11-5/15.

I'm not going to go crazy trying to avoid crowds because I think that's sometimes unavoidable and I don't want to stress myself out. However, I think it makes sense to try and plan when the best day to be a a particular park is. For early entry days, does it work the same as at WDW? If I recall, on those days, the park is especially crowded early and then gets less so later as those people who arrive early are exhausted by the time early afternoon arrives. Is this true?

May 12 is odd because DL closes so early, so I wonder if most people will go to DCA that day and maybe L won't be so crowded? Of course people can just hop over to DCA so it's no big deal, but that day is also an EMH and MM day at DL, so...

I wonder if maybe I shouldn't actually plan so much given that I have 5 days, which will give me plenty of time to see and do the things I want to do .......more than once. I'm not suggesting that I don't plan, which I think is a mistake, but over planning is one also (though with the shows, I don't think that's the case).

I'd love to hear from you guys; you've all been so helpful already.
Thanks!

I'm going the same week as you & trying to figure out the best strategy for this. We were planning on using it Tuesday because of the shorter park hours I figure that will help make the most of the day. But now I'm wondering if everyone is going to have that same plan maybe saving the MM for Thursday might be a better strategy. Sorry I don't have advice for you but just know you're not the only one over planning & worrying about the small stuff.

 

[agamble]

The early hour is the least crowded time of day. I don't know if there is a difference between Tuesday and Thursday crowds. Both days are lighter days in general. It may be that people won't go to Disneyland at all on that day since it has shorter hours. Like those with non hopper tickets or those who haven't chosen their dates yet. Since your early entry isn't until 9am, it probably doesn't matter which day you go. Usually the recommendation is to go earlier in your trip so you're not too tired. But you don't have a 7am entry, so that's not a big deal. Either day you choose, get there at least half an hour early to make sure you're in the park when they open and not still waiting to get in.

 

[Betsyp]

The early hour is the least crowded time of day. I don't know if there is a difference between Tuesday and Thursday crowds. Both days are lighter days in general. It may be that people won't go to Disneyland at all on that day since it has shorter hours. Like those with non hopper tickets or those who haven't chosen their dates yet. Since your early entry isn't until 9am, it probably doesn't matter which day you go. Usually the recommendation is to go earlier in your trip so you're not too tired. But you don't have a 7am entry, so that's not a big deal. Either day you choose, get there at least half an hour early to make sure you're in the park when they open and not still waiting to get in.

I think it's at 8 am actually.... thank you, I will! I like to be up early, so that's not a problem!

 

[agamble]

I think it's at 8 am actually.... thank you, I will! I like to be up early, so that's not a problem!

You're right, since the park closes at 7:30 that night they're opening it earlier than the rest of that week. Another reason to go that day. The earlier early entry is the less people that will be there. People have a hard time getting out of bed. LOL! A park opening at 10am is a lot busier than one at 8am, even though overall crowds on a 10am day are (should be) less than an 8am day.