Extra Magic Hour Question

[flipperjc]

I'm going on the first trip to Disney that I can remember...last time was about 12 years ago and I am doing some super studying up before I go. I was reading an unofficial guide that recommends that you stay away from the parks on the day they open for EMH due to large crowds. Now we will be staying in a resort onsite, so my question is..do you take advantage of the EMH or do you stay away and do another park that day instead...just wondering from those of you who have been there many times and have more expertise avoiding and navigating the crowds than me...thanks!

Jen

 

[cruiseonmagic]

I never could understand why a book would recommend not taking advantage of an hour in the park without outside guests. If you get up early, go for it! There are a bunch of people who sleep in, so it's not as bad as a lot of people think. Are you coming from Alaska? Take advantage of the evening extra magic hours--it would be like the middle of the afternoon for you, right?

 

[flipperjc]

Thanks for the advice, its not like we have to decide until we get there, but I figured it would be in our best interest to take advantage of the EMHs at the Parks. The late nights would seem like the afternoon to me..its a 4 hour difference between here and Florida. Thanks again for the advice!

Jen

 

[KayakDaddy]

I like the EMH and I usually take advantage of it. Especially if you are there off-peak season when the operating hours are shorter. You really can do it all in one day, but an extra hour really helps.

I will say this though, the rope drop at MK on an EMH day is a cut-throat, dog-eat-dog affair. It is not for the faint of heart, mind, or body. I guess it is because people with naturally agressive personalities and more likely to be at the parks prior to opening. Even the cast members are fearful of the trampeling herds. I was there for rope drop on a non-EMH day, and it was a totally different atmosphere.

The best comprimise is taking advantage of EMH at one park and hitting the biggies. Then hop over to another park that will be less populated.

 

[Michael623]

I am an early riser so it is an easy choice for me. I have taken advantage of emh and ridden every attraction in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland by 10:30. I have always been a comando style park tourer though. I am trying to get away from comando but it is really tough. The other tip I would give is don't waste time shopping early when the parks first open. You will have plenty of time to buy merchandise later when the crowds arrive.

 

[mwerner2]

We almost always take advantage of morning EMH, then leave around 11:00, have lunch, a break, and go to different park in the afternoon and evening. Has always worked for us! You have to have the park hopper option on your tickets though.

 

[Tinkim]

We just got back and we did an EMH evening at MK. We were able to ride just about everything in Fantasyland which we avoided during the day. We didn't leave until 10 p.m. and there was hardly anybody walking out with us. It was very cool. We were at AK on an EMH evening but we didn't need to stay because we did everything we wanted to do during the day and the kids went back to POP to use the pool. We also were at MGM on an EMH evening and didn't stay for that either because it had been raining most of the day and we got a lot done and we were wet and ready to go back to the resort. We never manage to do the EMH morning but we really enjoyed the EMH evenings. You might want to check out that option.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Thanks for the advice, its not like we have to decide until we get there, but I figured it would be in our best interest to take advantage of the EMHs at the Parks. The late nights would seem like the afternoon to me..its a 4 hour difference between here and Florida. Thanks again for the advice!

Jen

Oh, how super for you!!! Stay on Alaska time and have a ball during the late nights!

 

[henrylovespooh]

We went to MK on the EMH morning last week and it was awesome. We arrived at the park around 7:40 a.m. and they let us right in. We got danish in Main Street Bakery and the kids got pictures with tons of characters. We walked right on Dumbo and into Pooh and Peter Pan. The park was still empty at 10:00 a.m. and the crowds didn't pick up until noon. I truly think that MK was more crowded on Monday of last week than it was on the EMH morning on Friday. I would definitely do the EMH morning there again.

I also found that MGM was not crowded on the EMH evening. We walked right into Playhouse Disney for a 5:30 p.m.-ish show.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Here's my $.02 on the morning EMH:

In general, the fact that thousands (tens of thousands?) of WDW Resort guests will be going to the EMH park - on top of all the off-siters - means that it will be busier than usual on that day. Depending on the time of year, the EMH crowd can be a significant percentage of that park's attendance.

We've found that the MK is worth it if you can plan on leaving by 11 or noon. The EMH gives you lots of time for FL and TL, then at the regular rope drop, you can hit whatever rides you wish (except the late-openers in AL). However, as the masses stream in, the park gets busier - that's when we "hop" out.

For the other three parks, we look at which is EMH, then pick one of the other two.

That said, it does depend on your goals & attitude, the time of year and the weather. During a low-attendance season with it being a little chilly out (and with shorter park hours) EMH at any park can be a good choice.

IMHO - YMMV

 

[sk!mom]

In the past we have avoided the EMH parks because my DS and DH are not early risers. Getting to a park by the 9:00 regular opening is early enough for them. I'm excited to try the evening EMH on our upcoming trip.

 

[TTRider]

We loved EMH. At Epcot we got right on TT and MS at the early opening. Then you can leave when it gets really busy and head to your resort or another park. The evening EMH was great at MK (12-3 am). At Epcot more people stayed for EMH after Illuminations since it was still early. Whether you go for EMH or not, definitely be there for park opening. It is so much fun!