Extra Magic Hour confusion!!!

[lenshanem]

Why do I bother planning, really....

OK, so for February AllEars has had the parks change three times now. Anyone know what the deal is???

 

[DebbieB]

I don't know but my guess is maybe they are having after hours functions at the parks. If they could rent it out to a convention for thousands of dollars, they probably would switch the schedule.

 

[bubba's mom]

I don't know what is going on either!! We had planned on using EMH on a Sunday evening in July for MGM, only to find out last night (thanks to my DIS friends ) the schedule isn't "constant". What the heck!?!? We only go for a day and like to take advantage of the EMH...so now what happens if I plan (buy air tix, rental cars, hotels, etc) and the EMH isn't when I thought it to be??? Why bother staying on property if we can't take advantage of EMH?? This "screws" people like us who can only go for a day...not the entire week when we would be sure to hit one of the EMH's while there!!!

 

[Leota]

I don't know what is going on either!! We had planned on using EMH on a Sunday evening in July for MGM, only to find out last night (thanks to my DIS friends ) the schedule isn't "constant". What the heck!?!? We only go for a day and like to take advantage of the EMH...so now what happens if I plan (buy air tix, rental cars, hotels, etc) and the EMH isn't when I thought it to be??? Why bother staying on property if we can't take advantage of EMH?? This "screws" people like us who can only go for a day...not the entire week when we would be sure to hit one of the EMH's while there!!!

I think it's probably pretty rare that people travel to WDW from any distance for one day. If you are going to go all the way to WDW from PA for one day,one park, I guess you should just plan on going to your favorite park & hope that you wind up with EMH there. There aren't going to be any guarantees that I can see.... They will still have to accomodate private functions.

 

[lulu71]

I've decided not to plan for my February trip and grab a Times Guide when I get there, LOL. Good luck, it is very confusing!!

 

[lenshanem]

I called WDW and they were completely unaware the schedule was changing for certain weeks. I emailed AllEars and they already emailed me back! that they don't really know what the deal is either. The EMH schedule has now changed THREE times for our trip for the week of February 6th.

I wouldn't be so concerned, except this is a 10th wedding anniversary trip and we'll only be there for 3 nights. (No kids!) I've already changed around our PSs once... We've been looking forward to this trip for forever.

I really don't know why they even let you book 90 days out cause I never seem to plan anything out right with the hours. (Like I booked California Grill for a night Wishes ended up not being scheduled for!)

Really, we're almost at 30 days out.

All I know is for our spring break trip with the kids I'm trying for CRT and that is it! I'll book the rest of our PSs a couple weeks before we get there. It is too much wasted time rescheduling everything.

 

[DutchsMommy]

ITA!!! It has been really frustrating trying to figure out what days to go to what parks. I have pretty much given up on PSs and am hoping that given the low attendance we will be able to sneak a few in. The thing that I am a little ticked with is that we purposely planned on AKL for 3 nights then Poly for 3 nights to do AK and MGM via AKL and Epcot and MK via the Poly for proximity from the resort to the park. Now that is pretty much a write off with the new EMHs. We have Sunrise Safari at AK on Tuesday for sure, so we will be therefore that but pretty much everything else is changing. It also seems to be resulting in more "hopping" than we were expecting, but I am OK with that as I think because of the low-season the transportation really should not be that much of an issue.

Either way, I wish Disney would finalize so I can actually put my itinerary in pen instead of pencil - lol

 

[lenshanem]

Wow DutchsMommy, that pic sure is cute!

 

[rcraw45425]

I agree! We have a quick unplanned trip for the first weekend in Feb. With the early park closings I was hoping for an EMH evening somewhere, no luck for the weekend! Hoping...........

 

[Regina]

Initially, it was thought that the EMH would follow a specific pattern. That proved to be wrong. We were cautious about posting the schedule until we saw the EMH dates in black and white. We're constantly monitoring it for changes, but so far, it's been accurate: FEB Schedule

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks dvcreg. This is the same as the second new changes AllEars has had. Ya know, I called WDW today and they acted like I was crazy.

This totally changes our plans. And maybe not for the best.

One question - On February 8th, the calender shows Future World in blue (or as a late park). Does this mean only Future World is open three hours later (to 10 instead of 7) and if so that doesn't match up with world Showcase closing at 9. I can't imagine Epcot being open until 12...

Thanks for helping out!

 

[aec]

WDWINFO has Sat Jan 22 as evening EMH at AK when you look at the January hours, and as Morning EMH at AK when you look at the link to the EMH.

There is so much confusion on EMH!

 

[freediverdude]

It sounds to me like they're purposely putting out different schedules, and now a schedule that changes from week to week, so that people won't plan around the EMHs. That may actually be part of their strategy so that the EMH park each day isn't as crowded, like it is currently, because not all people will be paying attention to that, lol.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks dvcreg. This is the same as the second new changes AllEars has had. Ya know, I called WDW today and they acted like I was crazy.

If I read dvcreg's post correctly, it sounds like the data that he linked on wdwinfo is the only data they have ever posted as "official". Sounds like Deb's site may have posted some unofficial info, and later had to amend as the schedule fluctuated over given weeks.

That would also explain the response you are getting from WDW--the current schedule has always been the only schedule, but guests, webmasters and perhaps even some CMs jumped the gun by circulating unofficial schedules.

 

[Regina]

Hey tjkraz, I honestly don't know what other sites put up as the schedule. I'm just going by the comments I've seen here about differences between the sites and subsequent changes. (And I'm a Regina )

Lenshanem, if it's less confusing, I can certainly ask that the World Showcase time be blue as well, as that's how it should be. Sorry if having just Epcot Future World blue implied that's the "start" time for EMH.

 

[aec]

DVCREG did you take a look at the schedule for Jan 22? In one place on the dis it was listed as a.m. EMH at AK and other place it was p.m. EMH at AK. I am assuming that it is really a.m. and the color coding was wrong on the calendar.

 

[Regina]

Thanks Aec. I've asked that the calendar be fixed. It is a morning EMH at the AK that day, not evening. (I'm starting to see blue and red spots )

 

[bubba's mom]

It sounds to me like they're purposely putting out different schedules, and now a schedule that changes from week to week, so that people won't plan around the EMHs. That may actually be part of their strategy so that the EMH park each day isn't as crowded, like it is currently, because not all people will be paying attention to that, lol.

DH is so furious about the changes.....he is threatening to never go to WDW again and spend his hard earned money at USO/IOA. Can't say I blame him. Whatever happened to the "family" thing w/ Disney?? If they can't guarantee us a certain park EMH on a certain day, what's the incentive to stay onsite? There would be no EMH "perk"..... I am really frustrated with the whole thing! Wondering what to do...............

 

[Jenny]

on the DIS feb. schedule...feb. 2 should be blue - magic kingdom is EMH evening, right? let's hope so.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks dvcreg!

I'm sorry I got confused about Epcot. I just wondered if only Future World was staying open 3 extra hours past their usual 7 since World Showcase wasn't in blue, too.

So in other words, Epcot will be open until MIDNIGHT on it's EMH days?!? Wow...