Extra Magic Hours at Disney World?

[jplee3]

Hey all,

I noticed the extra magic hour only applies to one park out of the four on any given day we'll be going (Wed and Thurs this week). My question is if it's really worth going during that extra hour or if we should expect higher volumes during the hour and if we should just go to a different park instead. Any thoughts on this? We haven't been to Disney World probably for 20+ years so I'm going to consider this a new experience... just want to make the most of it as we're trying to cram 4 parks into 2 days (I know...we're crazy).

 

[wilma-bride]

My advice to you is that the morning EMH is much better 'value' than then evening EMHs IF you can make it to the park for opening.

The only park we tend to utilise evening EMHs at is Epcot but that is more for wandering around WS than experiencing any rides.

Having said that, if you are able to schedule FP+ during evening EMH, that could be the way to go

 

[jplee3]

My advice to you is that the morning EMH is much better 'value' than then evening EMHs IF you can make it to the park for opening.

The only park we tend to utilise evening EMHs at is Epcot but that is more for wandering around WS than experiencing any rides.

Having said that, if you are able to schedule FP+ during evening EMH, that could be the way to go

Thanks! What's FP+ btw?

It looks like the first day the EMH is at AK while the second day the EMH is at MK.

Given this schedule, what other parks would you suggest visiting? My wife was wanting to do AK+MK in a day, but would it make more sense to do AK and another park instead due to MK's EMH the following day?

 

[Robo]

What's FP+ btw?

Click HERE.

(Or read just about every third thread on this forum.)

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks! What's FP+ btw?

It looks like the first day the EMH is at AK while the second day the EMH is at MK.

Given this schedule, what other parks would you suggest visiting? My wife was wanting to do AK+MK in a day, but would it make more sense to do AK and another park instead due to MK's EMH the following day?

In a nutshell, Fastpass+ is the ability to pre-book Fastpasses for certain rides, shows or experiences. More info here

As far as which parks to do and when, it really would (for me) depend on opening/closing times and which rides or experiences were more important. Whichever way you do it, it would probably make sense to be at the first park for rope drop, get as much done as possible and head to the second park after lunch and have Fastpass+ experiences booked for that park.

 

[jplee3]

In a nutshell, Fastpass+ is the ability to pre-book Fastpasses for certain rides, shows or experiences. More info here

As far as which parks to do and when, it really would (for me) depend on opening/closing times and which rides or experiences were more important. Whichever way you do it, it would probably make sense to be at the first park for rope drop, get as much done as possible and head to the second park after lunch and have Fastpass+ experiences booked for that park.

Ah, seems like you have to stay at a Disney Resort to qualify for FP+ no?

From the FP+ page (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/fastpass-plus/):
"During the test period, you can experience our new FastPass+ service when you book a stay at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels—with valid theme park admission. Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guests also receive a MagicBand included with their stay to make their vacation more fun and convenient than ever before.

In the future, all Walt Disney World theme park visitors—including Annual Passholders—will be able to use FastPass+ service. Learn more about Annual Passholders and FastPass+ service."


I'm staying over at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista so it doesn't seem like I'd even qualify for FP+...

Ugh, after the resort fees at the Hilton, even with $$-off coupons I applied through Expedia, I think it probably isn't going to be worth it compared to if I had just decided to stay at one of the Disney resorts. I didn't realize there were that many useful perks with the latter. Ag...

 

[smitch425]

Ah, seems like you have to stay at a Disney Resort to qualify for FP+ no?

I'm staying over at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista so it doesn't seem like I'd even qualify for FP+...

You still qualify for FP+, but you don't qualify for booking them in advance. You will have to do it at a kiosk in the park.

 

[kbmets]

Ah, seems like you have to stay at a Disney Resort to qualify for FP+ no?

I'm staying over at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista so it doesn't seem like I'd even qualify for FP+...

You qualify, just have to wait until you get into the park that day, take time out of your precious schedule and make the FP+ arrangements...as of now. This might change in the future.

 

[jplee3]

You qualify, just have to wait until you get into the park that day, take time out of your precious schedule and make the FP+ arrangements...as of now. This might change in the future.

Ahhh, I started reading the other posts haha. So they've completely done away with the old FP system and replaced it with FP+ entirely?!

EDIT: yep, based on http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3143281, as of 1/23/14 they are now FP+ only... :T


This is going to be really interesting. It says you can only book up to 3 attractions a day, and for a single park?! So if I book 3 attractions at MK I've basically used up my allotment and can't book at AK at all. Or if I book 1 attraction at AK, I can only book at AK (and not at MK)?!

" For the same reason, when park-hopping the best strategy is often to make FP+ selections in the second (or third) park each day."

 

[smitch425]

Ahhh, I started reading the other posts haha. So they've completely done away with the old FP system and replaced it with FP+ entirely?!

Yep.

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

Ah, seems like you have to stay at a Disney Resort to qualify for FP+ no? From the FP+ page (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/fastpass-plus/): "During the test period, you can experience our new FastPass+ service when you book a stay at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels—with valid theme park admission. Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guests also receive a MagicBand included with their stay to make their vacation more fun and convenient than ever before. In the future, all Walt Disney World theme park visitors—including Annual Passholders—will be able to use FastPass+ service. Learn more about Annual Passholders and FastPass+ service." I'm staying over at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista so it doesn't seem like I'd even qualify for FP+... Ugh, after the resort fees at the Hilton, even with $$-off coupons I applied through Expedia, I think it probably isn't going to be worth it compared to if I had just decided to stay at one of the Disney resorts. I didn't realize there were that many useful perks with the latter. Ag...

Also... EMH are for Disney Resort guest only, so I'm not thinking you would have access to that staying offsite.

However...: we did AK EMH one day on a recon trip and it's not to missed- you can get a lot done before the masses show up. I'd maybe pair it with DHS.

 

[smitch425]

Also... EMH are for Disney Resort guest only, so I'm not thinking you would have access to that staying offsite.

However...: we did AK EMH one day on a recon trip and it's not to missed- you can get a lot done before the masses show up. I'd maybe pair it with DHS.

Some of the offsite hotels are eligible for EMH, and OP's hotel is one of them.

 

[jplee3]

Also... EMH are for Disney Resort guest only, so I'm not thinking you would have access to that staying offsite.

However...: we did AK EMH one day on a recon trip and it's not to missed- you can get a lot done before the masses show up. I'd maybe pair it with DHS.

Apparently, the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista is affiliated and offers the EMH (not sure how we would prove this though - do we have to show them our reservation with Hilton or something?)

Good news on AK EMH - we'll hit that one up first and I'll consider doing DHS after. I think the FP+ for Toy Story Mania would be fitting as we'd probably get over there after lunch too.

 

[jplee3]

So now I'm considering this:

AK (w/ EMH) + HS on Wednesday
MK (w/ EMH) + Epcot on Thursday

Sounds like AK will be pretty doable in the morning and HS will be OK with the FP+ later. There are less rides my wife listed out that she's interested in going to, so I'm just *hoping* it'll be less "stressful" that day.

I'm anticipating that MK+Epcot will be crazier since we have a longer list of rides... not only that but we want to take advantage of the free photo op/meet and greet with our Disney Chase Visa Debit. If Wednesday isn't too bad, we may even stop by Epcot to get a photo on Wed in addition.

One other question: should we immediately go to the FP+ kiosk as soon as we get into the very first park we're in, and get our FPs? e.g. As soon as the gates open at AK, get all 3 FPs for HS. And the same for MK and Epcot, respectively?

EDIT: On second thought...looking at the list of rides my wife wants to go on at MK+Epcot, the list is pretty extensive. I wonder if we should do AK+Epcot and MK+HS instead.

 

[jplee3]

Anyone know if the Undercover Tourist crowd estimator is pretty accurate?


http://www.undercovertourist.com/planning/when-to-visit.html

They say:
2/12 - MK neutral, EP good, and HS good.
2/13 - MK bad, EP good, and AK good.

This seems to negate the EMH - I'm assuming they mark the parks with EMH as "red" because they anticipate larger crowds. I've read this before where EMH isn't much of a secret and in fact draws a larger crowd because more people want to take advantage... reverse psychology 101 I guess?

 

[jplee3]

General question: do you guys even think it's worth trying to take advantage of the EMHs if our schedule is already super-aggressive? I mean, we want to visit all four parks in two days. Will the EMH really be that helpful? For example, if we really wanted to do Toy Story Mania, but the EMHs are only available at MK and AK, we would probably expect that we wouldn't be able to get any Fastpasses (dunno how good the new FP+ system will be at preventing sell-outs). Else, we could hit up HS and TSM as the very first thing, forfeiting our EMH at AK or MK, and get on the ride plus a FP. And would we really be losing as much time doing that and waiting in lines later at AK versus doing AK first and waiting in seemingly longer lines at HS?
I figure we'll have to do a lot sucking it up and waiting at least for the second park we'll be at on either day.

 

[summerskye]

IMO, I think your first plan has the best shot of working. AK-HS then MK-EP. From my experience, the guides generally steer you away from the EMH parks because they do get busier. (many people don't park hop) If you hit the morning EMH, then hop to another park you get the best of both worlds. Using the new FP+ for the 2nd park each day. Use the EMH/RD for the 1st park of the day. Somewhere in there just remember to relax and enjoy. Best of luck.

 

[summerskye]

General question: do you guys even think it's worth trying to take advantage of the EMHs if our schedule is already super-aggressive? I mean, we want to visit all four parks in two days. Will the EMH really be that helpful? For example, if we really wanted to do Toy Story Mania, but the EMHs are only available at MK and AK, we would probably expect that we wouldn't be able to get any Fastpasses (dunno how good the new FP+ system will be at preventing sell-outs). Else, we could hit up HS and TSM as the very first thing, forfeiting our EMH at AK or MK, and get on the ride plus a FP. And would we really be losing as much time doing that and waiting in lines later at AK versus doing AK first and waiting in seemingly longer lines at HS?
I figure we'll have to do a lot sucking it up and waiting at least for the second park we'll be at on either day.

From what I have read, Disney is holding back slots for "day of" FP selections. I would hit the kiosk early. Oops, I just remembered something about only being able to use the kiosk for the park you are in. That would cause a hiccup. Hopefully this will change before your trip. Oops, I just saw that you are going this week. Good Luck. Hope for lower crowds...

 

[jplee3]

From what I have read, Disney is holding back slots for "day of" FP selections. I would hit the kiosk early. Oops, I just remembered something about only being able to use the kiosk for the park you are in. That would cause a hiccup. Hopefully this will change before your trip. Oops, I just saw that you are going this week. Good Luck. Hope for lower crowds...

Yea... we'll see how it goes I guess. Good thing I came on and found out about/read up on the new FP+ implementation. Hopefully it's not too painful :T