Extra Magic Hours Opinions

[Pearle1]

WOW!! Thank you all so much for responding - so many suggestions and opinions - all of which are very helpful!! Feel free to keep on adding more! I am hooked on these message boards!
Kristy

 

[HLDisney]

We did morning EMH at MK on Thanksgiving Day the past 2 years and it was great! We did most of Fantasyland by 11am (we had 5-7 year olds so we weren't headed for the big rides)

Helen

 

[shyjade]

We will be going Nov. 9-15 (last year we were there Nov. 10-17, so essentially the same time). We love the morning EMH's but do not do the evening EMH's (too crowded).

We love morning EMH's and stay until late morning, then usually hop over to another park, head back to the hotel, etc. We can get a LOT done the first few hours - this holds true for going at "park opening" even on non-EMH days.

We avoid parks with nighttime EMH's at all costs, even during the day, because of the crowds. However, we MAY head to the MK on our first night for the EMH since we are staying at the Poly (flight arrives at 3pm). But that's a big "maybe"...we'll probably enjoy the hotel and watch Wishes from the beach instead and turn in early so we can arrive at AKL before 8am the next morning.


Now my sister's family would never head to the parks as early as we do, or skip nighttime EMH's. They have a completely different touring style than us. It really comes down to your own style when figuring out if EMH's are for you or not.

 

[Pearle1]

Shyjade - I see that you will be there at the same time as us and that you went last year around that same time - In general , how do you find the crowds?? We went before at the end of March and it was quite crowded. However, we did not stay on site and made the mistake of getting to the parks after opening.

This year we are staying on site (YEA!!) and plan on getting to the parks right at opening. The first night I am thinking of too trying the EMH at MK - just because our flight doesn't arrive until 4pm.

Sorry this is so wordy - my question is how do you find the crowds at that time of year??

Thanks!

Kristy:

 

[shyjade]

Shyjade - I see that you will be there at the same time as us and that you went last year around that same time - In general , how do you find the crowds?? We went before at the end of March and it was quite crowded. However, we did not stay on site and made the mistake of getting to the parks after opening.

This year we are staying on site (YEA!!) and plan on getting to the parks right at opening. The first night I am thinking of too trying the EMH at MK - just because our flight doesn't arrive until 4pm.

Sorry this is so wordy - my question is how do you find the crowds at that time of year??

Thanks!

Kristy:

Hi Kristy!

We found the crowds to be rather low last year during that time, which is a big reason we're returning the same week again this year. The parks weren't empty like they were in Sept. 06, but we still thought the crowds were very manageable and low.

We utilized FastPass for popular rides (like Soarin') and really found the best way to "see more" without standing in line was to arrive before park opening and utilize morning EMH's. We seldom waited in line, and the longest line was Soarin' (about 15-20 minutes I'd say).

We never attended a PM EMH.

We made the mistake of going to Epcot on our first day, which was the last day of the F&W festival. It wasn't super packed, but much busier than it was at Epcot the rest of the week. This year we'll skip our "go to Epcot on arrival day" tradition because it will be the last day of the festival again.

Here is a picture I took on Nov. 12 - it wasn't completely empty, but there were so few people I was able to "wait" and get several pictures without others in the background, which says a lot IMO:

 

[Pearle1]

Shyjade - Thanks for getting back to me so quickly and for all that useful information. We are all getting soooexcited - can't wait!! That picture is beautiful - I love looking at all the different pictures. Thanks so much - hope you all have a wonderful time!!
PS I think the new Toy Story Manai will require a fastpast - I definately would like to ty the AM EMH for that one. Thanks again!


Kristy

 

[shyjade]

Shyjade - Thanks for getting back to me so quickly and for all that useful information. We are all getting soooexcited - can't wait!! That picture is beautiful - I love looking at all the different pictures. Thanks so much - hope you all have a wonderful time!!
PS I think the new Toy Story Manai will require a fastpast - I definately would like to ty the AM EMH for that one. Thanks again!


Kristy

Yes, most definately FastPass for Toy Story Mania. We aren't big DHS fans but would like to ride TSM, but not if we have to wait a long time to ride it. Not sure yet if we'll make it there at park opening or not.

Hope you have fun too! Where are you staying? I'll warn you...after staying onsite, it will be hard to "go back" (offsite). At least that's how it was for us...I know we could save a lot by staying offsite (and have a nice, large condo instead of a hotel room) but it's SO nice & convenient being onsite.

 

[Pearle1]

Shyjade - We are staying at the CBR; I know there are quite a few negative reviews, but it seems like it usually has to do with distance and size. I am very confident that we will be happy there. I have decided to pay a little extra for preferred so that way we are closer to main pool, food, etc. We are doing the dining plan and have our ADR all set up - so the food court will mostly be used for quick snacks, drinks, etc. I also love the looks of the new pool. I think you said you are at the Poly!! I would love to stay on one of the monorail resorts someday. I am just do happy to being going - WDW is probably my favorite place - don't think I will ever get sick of it. (and I know I am not alone in that!!:>) Like you said, once you stay on site it if very tough to go off site again - I have a feeling that is just how it will be for me. Have you ever stayed at any of the other on site resorts??
We have one of our ADR at Ohana's (which I think is at the Poly) I am hoping to see that electric water parade from there - I have to research that one because I do not know too much about it. Are you all doing the MVMCP??

Kristy

 

[shyjade]

Yes, we are doing MVMCP...we did it last year and loved it (much more than MNSSHP the year before, but we are "Christmas" people). We stayed at the AKL 2 years ago and it was nice but we had some issues which is why we didn't return there last year. We stayed at the Poly last year and fell in love with it and are returning this year because it's a special trip for my parents. I certainly plan on staying at a Mod (or even Value) in the future, just because the Poly is way out of my budget, especially in this economy.

Yes, Ohana is at the Poly...we ate there for breakfast last year and enjoyed it. It's very neat to watch the EWP and Wishes from the Poly beach...be sure to see them if you can!

I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[Pearle1]

Hello Shyjade again - I have another quick question for - since you have been to the MVMCP - what time do you usually plan to get there and how are the crowds at that in early November?? We are going for the for the first time on Nov. 11th (tuesday) We have the earliest reservation we could get at 1900 Park Fare and then plan to head to the party. I hope that we are able to make all those shows. (Our ADR is for 4:30pm) We did the Halloween one last year and it was very crowded, but it was also on the 2nd to last one. We still had a great time though.
Sorry to get off the topic!

Kristy

 

[shyjade]

We got there around 4:30pm (had 5pm ADR's at LLT) and found it to be very crowded with the influx of party-goers and day guests hanging around on Main Street before the 6pm showing of Wishes. It was also a Friday night, which is probably busier with locals. We thought most of the ride lines were longer than during the day, but that was fine for us because we were there to enjoy the party offerings instead. This year we will probably wait till after the day crowd thins out a bit before going to the party.

 

[beckyjovi]

I found that the only problem with EMH was that not all rides are open. Some of the ones we were interested in doing either in the am or pm were not open during the EMH. You should check with each park to see what may not be open. If you are staying on property, the front desk can give you this info.

 

[shyjade]

I found that the only problem with EMH was that not all rides are open. Some of the ones we were interested in doing either in the am or pm were not open during the EMH. You should check with each park to see what may not be open. If you are staying on property, the front desk can give you this info.

Our you can look at the info on Disney's site (or the Dis) now and decide if you want to do the rides which will be open during EMH. That's what we do...

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

We just got home from the World and stayed at the Polynesian and did all the extra hours that we could.

Next time we will go to the parks that are not having the EMH because they make it even more crowded. At least that was our experience with them.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Mick West]

The only EMH we take advantage of is the extra hour in AK in the morning. It doesn't seem to be as "popular" as the other parks EMH. We find the EPCOT early EMH seems to be the most crowded and with World Showcase not opening early we tend to head to MK or DHS when EPCOT opens early.

 

[shyjade]

The only EMH we take advantage of is the extra hour in AK in the morning. It doesn't seem to be as "popular" as the other parks EMH. We find the EPCOT early EMH seems to be the most crowded and with World Showcase not opening early we tend to head to MK or DHS when EPCOT opens early.

Good to know, as we are thinking of doing the AM EMH at AK 2 weeks from today!

We enjoy the AM EMH at MK; we always get a lot done in a short time, then hop on over to Epcot for the day.

 

[eyor44]

I like the AM EMH if I can get there when they open. and it is really neat to be at AK during the evening EMH. The park looks a lot different then. Not as many people stay at AK for the evening because the safari isn't open, might be different now though with them having Everest.

 

[travelin' tigger]

Good to know, as we are thinking of doing the AM EMH at AK 2 weeks from today!

We enjoy the AM EMH at MK; we always get a lot done in a short time, then hop on over to Epcot for the day.

Hey shyjade - looks like we'll be at the same AK EMH!!

We'll be doing a couple of spins on EE before heading to the Safari and Lion King...

 

[shyjade]

Hey shyjade - looks like we'll be at the same AK EMH!!

We'll be doing a couple of spins on EE before heading to the Safari and Lion King...

We aren't a coaster family so we'll be headed right to the Safari and then Lion King...I'm hoping for nice cool weather that day - mid 60's would be perfect!

 

[denisegold]

Hello all - not sure if I am posting in the right section - but here goes - I am looking for feedback or opinions on what you all think of the EMH. I have never stayed on site before and am so excited about my upcoming trip Nov9th - Nov 16th. How do you think the EMH are at that time of year and do you like to use them??


Kristy

Our trip is about the same as yours (Nov 8-12) and we plan on using the night EMH for MK and MGM. We won't hit any of the morning EMH, just with how I have things planned out. I have never used the morning EMH, so I can't say how that's been. I have used the night time EMH, and it's worked out well. The day we go to MK, with EMH, we can be in the park from 9am until 1am- we'll go back to the hotel for a while in between all those hours. I am hopeful that our dates are on the less crowded side, anyway.

I say, if you have never stayed on property before, take advantage of any EMH you can, because crowns can wax and wane day to day, anyway. You won't know until you try!!