Extra Magic Hours or Extra Tragic Hours?

[paigenevan3]

This morning my article "Extra Magic Hours or Extra Tragic Hours?" was published on The DIS! I noticed a lot of comments were suggesting that I was being negative etc. and I thought a discussion here on the boards would allow people to understand where I am coming from! I am an annual passholder from Southern Illinois and tour the parks several times a year. I have always loved EMH and worked my way around the parks to take full advantage of these hours. My last trip,in September 2014, I realized that EMH were changing in a way I did not like. As stated in my article, Anna & Elsa changed the morning operations at Magic Kingdom. This made my morning EMH...less magical. The lines to get your MagicBands scanned were also quite long for popular attractions due to the cast members having to scan each and every guest's band. It took 30+ seconds for the iPhone's to read the bands and determine if the guest was staying on Disney property. After a while of waiting at SDMT one CM decided it was taking too much time and completely stopped scanning all together and allowed everyone onto the ride without being scanned. I completely understand why this CM was getting frustrated and made that decision, however, it sort of rubbed me the wrong way. If there are guests staying on Disney property, they should recieve the EMH perk. This means guests not staying on property should not be able to have access to this perk. This was the night "Extra Tragic" came to mind. I hope they have figured out a more efficient way to scan MB's for my next trip in May. This went on nearly everyday of our trip that we visited during EMH. Keep in mind this was mid to the end of September (lighter crowds for WDW). This was also a 2 week long vacation, so I had plenty of time to feel out the situation. Will I continue to visit during EMH? OF COURSE! My main point was that you shouldn't expect the parks to be empty for Extra Magic Hours. Questions, comments etc. I would love to hear your input! Thanks!

 

[BStew]

Even though we stay onsite, I tried to avoid the parks with EMH just because they were typically busier.

 

[paigenevan3]

Thanks for sharing your point of view! I'm getting eaten alive on facebook! Lol

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I love EMH, and honestly have never encountered any problems. The CM's always scanned bans to make sure you were legit, and politely told non Disney resort guests that they couldn't ride.

 

[minnie mum]

My feelings about EMH aside, I have a question about your poll. Do you seriously think that the only reason people stay on site is for EMH? I've been staying on site for over 30 years and can't remember the last time I went to a park on an EMH day.

 

[paigenevan3]

My feelings about EMH aside, I have a question about your poll. Do you seriously think that the only reason people stay on site is for EMH? I've been staying on site for over 30 years and can't remember the last time I went to a park on an EMH day.

Most definitely NOT! I always stay on site regardless of EMH or any other benefits. I stay on Disney property to stay close to the magic during my entire vacation. This is a simple poll question for fun. EMH are definitely not the only reason people stay on property.

 

[Tom A. Swift]

I saw a lot of merit in your line of thinking Paige. I didnt think your article was a complete "hatin' on magic hours" post... Just an observation you had based on a recent experience compared to past experiences. I found the article interesting and usefull. If nothing else it might give someone a better understanding of what to expect during those extra magic hours. I think you are dead on when you assume that MOST people headed to the parks for extra magic hours (especially in the mornings) have an expectation that the park will be nearly empty.

Some people just prefer to never hear anything "bad" about anything they like. Great article. Coming up with new things to post all the time for a blog can be a real pain.

 

[paigenevan3]

Thanks so much, Tom! I appreciate your positive feedback. I am working on some new material that I hope will be entertaining to all!

 

[hsmamato2]

I voted 'no'- because I have other reasons I like to stay onsite, but EMH is rarely one of them. Ever. The only time it would ever become an issue for me is if I happened to be visiting on the BUSIEST time of year,say a big holiday,and took advantage of the early EMH to grab a few rides....(I never have, and don't intend to, but IMHO that's about the only reason I would use it)

 

[fairy oma]

We avoid EMH because that park tends to be busier that particular day but the question does arise: It was my understanding that non-Disney resort guests did not have access to EMH nor did they have MBs. MBs cannot be linked if you are not a registered Disney resort guest or am I wrong?

 

[msb578]

We avoid EMH because that park tends to be busier that particular day but the question does arise: It was my understanding that non-Disney resort guests did not have access to EMH nor did they have MBs. MBs cannot be linked if you are not a registered Disney resort guest or am I wrong?

The Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green, Hilton DTD, and residents of Golden Oaks also get EMH. Access for guests is by keycard.

Anyone can purchase MBs and link their tickets to them.

Edit: It may also be possible for Swan/Dolphin guests to access EMH via purchased MBs. I'm not 100% sure.

 

[BelleBriarRose]

There are a lot of benefits to staying on property, but for me personally I just like to stay within the Disney Bubble for the duration of my vacation, rather than traveling back and forth. That said, I love extra magic hours! I've gone to the parks on a few days that had them, and during the EMH themselves it hasn't been too busy. It's often a good time to do rides, take cool pictures of the park, and either get a jump start on your day or linger there a bit longer. I'm a high-energy Disney tourist and have no problem staying in Magic Kingdom till 2 AM if it means my favorite rides will be walk-ons, so I'm a huge fan of EMH even though I wouldn't stay on property if I didn't love the resorts in their own right.

 

[fairy oma]

The Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green, Hilton DTD, and residents of Golden Oaks also get EMH. Access for guests is by keycard.

Anyone can purchase MBs and link their tickets to them.

Edit: It may also be possible for Swan/Dolphin guests to access EMH via purchased MBs. I'm not 100% sure.

I was not aware of the change that anyone can purchase MBs and link their tickets to them...it must have changed in the last 9 mos or so. That being said, we were still scanned during evening EMH before entering a ride queue but it did not seem to back us up.

 

[Labelleauboisdormant]

I love EMH because it makes the other parks slightly less busy! I avoid parks with EMH.. Unless I go for a lat late night MK (12-2am or so!)

 

[superrach]

Late night EMHs at MK is the best!!!

 

[wdwjeffc37]

We stay on-site for a lot of reasons and EMH is one of them. We always have Park Hoppers and use the EMH to our greatest advantage. We especially like evening EMH at the MK.

 

[capegirl]

We have always taken advantage of EMH, but OP, your comments about this MB scanning has given me food for thought. We are staying at SOG so we will have EMH privileges, but now it looks like we'll need to drag our SOG key card out for every FP+ attraction. We were planning on getting MB's just because it would make it easier...now I will STILL need to dig out cards from my purse! Guess I'll have to get my old card holder lanyard out of moth balls for EMH days.

 

[mamasmurf]

This morning my article "Extra Magic Hours or Extra Tragic Hours?" was published on The DIS! I noticed a lot of comments were suggesting that I was being negative etc. and I thought a discussion here on the boards would allow people to understand where I am coming from! I am an annual passholder from Southern Illinois and tour the parks several times a year. I have always loved EMH and worked my way around the parks to take full advantage of these hours. My last trip,in September 2014, I realized that EMH were changing in a way I did not like. As stated in my article, Anna & Elsa changed the morning operations at Magic Kingdom. This made my morning EMH...less magical. The lines to get your MagicBands scanned were also quite long for popular attractions due to the cast members having to scan each and every guest's band. It took 30+ seconds for the iPhone's to read the bands and determine if the guest was staying on Disney property. After a while of waiting at SDMT one CM decided it was taking too much time and completely stopped scanning all together and allowed everyone onto the ride without being scanned. I completely understand why this CM was getting frustrated and made that decision, however, it sort of rubbed me the wrong way. If there are guests staying on Disney property, they should recieve the EMH perk. This means guests not staying on property should not be able to have access to this perk. This was the night "Extra Tragic" came to mind. I hope they have figured out a more efficient way to scan MB's for my next trip in May. This went on nearly everyday of our trip that we visited during EMH. Keep in mind this was mid to the end of September (lighter crowds for WDW). This was also a 2 week long vacation, so I had plenty of time to feel out the situation. Will I continue to visit during EMH? OF COURSE! My main point was that you shouldn't expect the parks to be empty for Extra Magic Hours. Questions, comments etc. I would love to hear your input! Thanks!

agree totally. I believe Elsa and Anna have changed the benefits of getting to the Magic Kingdom early whether its a regular or day EMH and not for the better.

 

[peg110]

Maybe I am missing it, but morning EMH should not be an issue. You should not be allowed in the park if not "Qualified" (whatever that is) for EMH. I would think there should be no need to scan in the "Queue" lines to validate this for Morning EMH.

For evening EMH, I would almost think they should have an "Extra" person scanning the line to validate the guests (and politely ask those not qualified to leave). Maybe they do these things, I don't know. I don't recall ever taking advantage of actual EMH hours. We have done the Christmas Party but they have separate bracelets for that, so it's a bit more obvious.

Also a lot of what I have read is that if you want to truly take advantage of the EMH, then you should "AVOID" the parks with EMH on the day they are offered as they tend to be busier with folks taking "Advantage" of it, however the other parks then tend to have lesser crowds, thus shorter lines. THEN the day after a park had EMH is the day to visit it, because many folks don't do the same park 2 days in a row (so lesser crowds) AND they are probably visiting a different park with EMH that day.

So while EMH may be an advantage for some to Go to the parks, it might be a bigger advantage to avoid the EMH parks that day. Either way, I don't stay on property because of EMH. It is nice, however, to know that if we wanted to take advantage of it we could. We stay on Property (at Fort Wilderness) for other conveniences, mostly location and transportation.

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

Late night EMHs at MK is the best!!!

I agree!!! I was sad when they went to only two hours from three. That last hour was golden. I still love it though!