Extra Magic Hour...worth it?

[Familyof6]

Is the Extra Magic Hour worth it? We will be staying at the Contemporary arriving on Tues in late Apr/early May. That would mean that our first morning at WDW, Epcot would be open early. I've heard that there is no need to go to the EMH at Epcot. I also think that the kids won't stand for going to any other park that first day, except MK. Advice? Should we go to MK that first day and then again the next morning for EMH? Should we just by-pass EMH and plan our touring to our tastes or try to take advantage of it at each park. The last time we went (first WDW, basically) Early Entry was no longer in effect. It didn't seem to make a big difference, as the crowds seemed rather light anyway. Just thought I'd ask for advice here.

Thanks,
Lisa

 

[DNBois]

We usually go in May also and have been very lucky with the Magic Hour at the MK; we were there at least an hour before the park opened and we were able to go on Space Mountain about ten times in a row without a wait. We always noticed for some reason that the other parks were overcrowded during magic hour so we usually go to whatever park did not have magic hour. But I would recommend using the magic hour when you go to the MK but be wary of the other parks. Have fun! We'll be there in 26 days - yahoo!!!!

 

[candleonwater]

Being morning people, we just went to whatever park had EMH - did our thing for a while and then head over to the park we really wanted to do for the remainder of the day.

 

[RescueRanger]

I would have to echo what candleonwater said. We do EE and then go to another park when it starts getting busy. You can get alot of riding done with little or no wait. If you like Test Track at Epcot, even Epcot EE is worth it.

 

[TreeOfLife]

YES YES YES EE mornigs are well worth it!

Get up early, either eat something light of schedule a breakfast for when the crowds arrive - by 10:30 AM or so. By then you'll be done and ready for a midday break or a nap... Sweet

 

[Familyof6]

Dh is definitely a morning person! Up every day at 5am...even on weekends! He can get us going, I guess. We plan to grab something quick for breakfasts. No PS's or anything like that. I hope to have quick foods in the room to get us started and then snack around mid-morning is whatever park we're in. We loved TT the last time we went! The kids got to ride twice since they have a little sister that couldn't go on! Yipppeeee for Baby Swap! I guess we'll try to hit Epcot on Wed. morning and go from there. (although, I'm not sure the kids will agree to that, as I expect they'll want to go to MK first.) But they don't even know about this trip yet! I don't know how I've been able to keep it a secret for so long! I'm not sure when we're going to tell them. Maybe not until we head to the airport or get on the plane!
Thanks for your help!

Lisa

 

[Nanajo1]

EE is terrific at AK. Go to KS first thing. The animals are all out because the food has just been dropped off.

 

[Bob NC]

For the past 4 years we have gone to WDW the last week of April into the first week of May. In OUR experience, during this time period, there really is no reason to take advantage of EE. Crowds will be low, you will be able to do anything you want to without EE.........unless you just like getting up early and rushing breakfast to get to a park. We usually go to the park that had EE the previous day.

 

[MinnieGi]

Lisa, I'm with your kids - straight to MK first day!!! Since you are staying at CR I don't think I could look over and see MK and then head to Epcot. Personally I would do MK to mornings in a row. The first day just b/c I NEED to see that Castle and the next day to take advantage of EE! EE at MK is really a great time saver. This is the park we make sure we do EE at even if we don't take advantage for the other parks. Even though we go during slow value season times it is still sooooooo nice to be able to just walk on all those Fantasyland rides early in the morning. Maybe you could park hop to Epcot later in the day. But first thing for me would be MK!!