Extra magic hours or not...

[Karnak]

If it's crowded, stop and smell the roses. Stop pbsessing over crowds and just enjoy everything.

Probably good advice for those who live somewhere where there are no roses. (We've got a rose garden just outside our back door.) However, I'm not sure I want to spend the money and the time to visit Walt Disney to "stop and smell the roses." I certainly don't obsess about the WDW attractions, but they are the main reason I go to WDW; I try to plan so as to be able to enjoy the parks as crowd free as possible, and as relaxed and easy going as possible while I'm at it.

Works for me.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I always go to AM EMH (virtually every day of the trip that we did not do a PM EMH late the night before)... never ONCE regretted an AM EMH... they are amazingly empty and easy to ride the open attractions.
If that park THEN starts to fill 2 to 3 hours later... its not a problem.
Were happy with "doing" that park for the day and we can HOP elsewhere or do lunch and take a rest until later.

PM EMH's are a mixed bag. I've been when they were PACKED... but on other nights (sometimes within the same trip), the crowds were basically so low that it was like "free rides" on all the open attractions.

Those who have attended PM EMH's and say that "they are TOO CROWDED" are right... but the accuracy of the statement can ONLY be applied for the nights they may have attended.
I can say, from personal experience, that they CAN be EMPTY, or FULL or somewhere IN-BETWEEN for attendance, often within the same week.

It can change so much (either way), that saying it was "like X" on a given night, can be meaningless on another night in the same time-period. So, you simply don't KNOW unless you go. Its similar to saying that you attended on a given night and it rained, so guests should never go on that night because it will probably be rainy.

And, considering EMH's are FREE to attend... if its busy, just people-watch or hit the exit (where ELSE are ya gonna go at 10pm, anyway?)
But if its not busy... you're ALL SET for EXTRA FUN!

We always make our own minds up by attending and if its crowded we leave. We've found the same thing as Robo, sometimes crowded, sometimes not, changes minute to minute and day to day, but we just don't nix the idea of EMH's. If everyone reading these forums nixed the EMH, the parks will be empty. It doesn't cost anything to give it a whirl, what else can you do or go and you may find out to your surprise the park empty. We went this past August end into September, and neither morning nor evening EMH's crowds we evident. Go figure.

 

[bengalfreak]

Out strategy for EMH will be thus. We will utilize all AM EMH's during out dtay. If the park gets too crowded, we will leave about 11:00AM and head to another park. At approx. 1:00PM, we will head back to the resort for lunch and some goof old fashioned relaxation. In the late afternoon, its back to the parks avoiding the one with PM EMH. Only after the park we are visiting is closed, will we venture to the PM EMH park. I figure that even if that particular park is jam packed we can see things that we wouldn't normally see like the street entertainers and some of the shows. And at the very least the PM EMH can extend a very short off season tour day.

 

[teacher31]

We do the AM EMH. We like it a lot. We're there before they open, we play, and then we head out for lunch around 12 or so. We then jump to another park for the evening. I don't feel it's that crowded and I can't imagine doing the mornings any other way.

The PM EMH however, that is a different story for us. Since we're up early, we do like to be in bed before 10. We did it once at Epcot, didn't get to actually do anything. Lines were so long! We did it at MK a couple of times and that was pretty cool. Best of all was AK! We kept going on PW without a wait. That was before EE opened.

Do what works for you. Try it both & then decide. In my opinion, it's not worth it at MGM. Not enough rides open for the non-adventureous one in our group.

 

[Dznypal]

we were at the world 8-8 thru12 and did the park that had EMH the nite before and it was terrific!!!

we got there on tue so wed was our first park day--EC had EMH on tues so we went there on wed


we did the whole park in one day!!!!!

we went to TT first sign said 30min--we were on in 15!!!

then went to soaring (this is were we made our first mistake of the trip)

sign said 45min--well since TT was off we just got in line (FP was return time of 1130 this was at 1055) this time they were right on time wise

we should have gotten a FP so well

we usually got the parks around 1000-1030 so we missed the early group

since we were on a shorter trip we didnt have time to go back but we saw and did everything we wanted to--we saw things we havent been on in a long time since the waits werent bad!! Norway's boats had only a 10min wait it wasnt even that.

we did the park after EMH the whole time we were there and worked out

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

NED, yours is the best post I've read all day ! THANK YOU !

Aw, glad you got something out of it. I don't think any EMH's are inherently good nor bad, it's how you work with them that counts.

A good plan is to go to a park that had EMH the night before. The thought is that everyone went last night so this morning will not be crowded. A side benefit is you get to sleep an hour longer!
Usually the best bet is to think of what the masses will do and then do the opposite!

LOL well that last line is absolutely the best Disney advice ever. It seems like simple common sense, but so many people just don't get it.

The advice about going to a park the morning after EMH is sound; it also applies to the Halloween/Christmas and presumably the forthcoming Pirates/Princess parties as well. To take advantage of it, I've actually left the MK at 12:30am and been back for EMH at 7:45am that morning...I'm usually tired, but it can be SO worth it if you can handle it.

There is another thread going on about how long you spend in the parks each day, and I try to maximize that, especially with nighttime hours. I can't imagine not being in whatever park closes last just about every night. Again, though, this is because I go so often when the MK and MGM close up shop at 7 or 8PM most nights.

The reason so many places say "nay" to EMH is because it's easier to say "avoid it" instead of teaching people how to work with it, or to help them adjust their expectations as to what one can expect from it. There is no right or wrong, just choices. As long as you have the information, no one can fault you for making whatever choice works for you.

NED

 

[Starstruckdancer]

To get emh does it cost money or how do you get them?
I'm the one who is basicly planing out our agenda when my and my friends go in Feb and we would probably want to do EMH.

 

[Robo]

To get emh does it cost money or how do you get them?
I'm the one who is basicly planing out our agenda when my and my friends go in Feb and we would probably want to do EMH.

Here's how EMH works for all 4 Theme Parks.

Look up the POSTED open and close times
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/parkhours/index?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage
Pick your Park. Pick your Month.
>> Click on your DATE> <<
Disney publishes dates and times approximately 6 months in advance.
Make sure to check back often, as times and events are subject to change as the actual dates get nearer. The hours listed do NOT INCLUDE the EMH hour(s) so they would be in ADDITION to the posted hours.

For EMH, click on the WORDS > "Extra Magic Hours" < on the official calendar.
Or click HERE:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage

Only WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed EHM privileges and it COSTS NOTHING EXTRA to attend the EMHs.
There are slightly different situations for MORNING and EVENING EMH's.

-------MORNING EMH FACTS--------------------------------------
If it is a MORNING EMH, then WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed entry to THAT park on THAT day starting ONE HOUR before the posted opening time.
At least ONE person in your party should have a room key-card with them (sometimes EACH person needs to show one) to verify your current hotel status and gain entry.
So, only WDW resort guests will be ALLOWED INTO the park.
Once inside, only selected attractions will be open.
See the official WDW website for the latest attractions that will be open during EMH.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage

-------EVENING EMH FACTS--------------------------------------
If it is a EVENING EMH, then WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed to stay and ride attractions at THAT park on THAT day for THREE HOURS after the posted closing time. (Don't worry that the site says, "UP TO 3 hours." Thats just legalese... EMH will be 3 hours in the evening.)
You do NOT have to be in the park BEFORE scheduled closing time.
You CAN enter the park at any time during EMH and still get a wrist-band.
You can leave and re-enter the park at will (just like any normal time).

(So, YES, if MK is sched. to close at midnight, the EMH will run til 3AM! Yep, that's 3 in the morning. No, its not a mistake, that would be 3 full hours after the posted time.)
At Epcot, all of the EMH attractions in both FW and WS will remain open. (Ignore FW's "7pm Closing Time".)

All adults and children 3 years and older will be issued a room key-card when you check in to your WDW resort (if they are listed on your ressie). If they are issued a key-card, you will have problems with EMH, because EACH guest (except for very small children) will need to show a room key-card to a CM at special "EMH kiosks" set up in various locations throughout the park. Kiosks are well-marked and are very easy to spot as you are walking in the parks. They open up these kiosks approx. 2 hours before the "regular" park closing time, and a wristband will be snapped on by the CM to each adult and child.
So make SURE the check-in desk issues EACH person in your party a room key-card. An adult can hold onto all the cards for the kids, but don't forget to bring the cards to the park.
Most nights the CMs will SCAN your room-key-card so that it can only be used to get a single wrist-band that evening. The ride CMs will then check for these wrist-bands at each attraction before allowing guests to enter the queue.
So, even though non-resort guests may still be INSIDE the park, only those with wrist-bands will be allowed to ride any open EMH attractions.
See the official WDW website for the latest attractions that will be open during EMH.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage
--------------------------------------------------------------------
You can enter the parks for EMH EVENINGS anytime... during "regular" hours, or even during the actual extended EMH hours.
This 1-hour morning EMH and 3-hour evening EMH rule applies at all 4 parks. Enjoy!

For more info go to the following links:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/earlyentry.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/emhour.htm

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The simple solution to this is park hoppers. We go to one park during the day, then go to the EMH park during the evening EMH hours...or maybe we head over there around dinner time. Logic would say that an EMH park will be more crowded due to non-hopper guests, but we've seen it go both ways. I think it was more true early on, but less true now (Except that AK was quite crowded on it's EMH day this last time due to EE being new. Then again AK was very crowded on it's non EMH day too.)
Sometimes lots of people avoid the EMH park too. Just as more and more people are heading back to the room for an afternoon swim now.
On our last trip, AK was PACKED early on. Fastpasses ran out allover the place. WE were ging to leave, but we stayed to see FOTLK. After the show was over, we were just amazed at how muchthe park had cleared out. It was practically empty, and we could almost walk on anything, even without fastpasses.

 

[Karnak]

It's in several guidebooks that the emh park is more crowded, so if you can't take advantage (ie. you stay off site or know you will sleep late), it would make sense to plan to avoid that park. Even if you think you will get there early, if you end up oversleeping, wouldn't you change your plans at the last minute, and do that park another day? Assuming it's not your last day.

I suspect that quite a few people don't change their plans even tho there's a crowd at their selected park for the day because they have meal reservations that they have been looking forward to.

Just a thought.

 

[scjo68]

I guess your'e right, I hadn't thought about meal ADR's. But, If it were me, I still might see if I could change it, assuming it wasn't a hard-to-get ADR (I would brave the crowds to keep my CRT ADR). I guess some people aren't as worried about crowds as I am. And good for them-I wish they didn't bother me as much. I admire people who can just roll with the punches and not overly analyze crowd predictions.

 

[Karnak]

Out strategy for EMH will be thus. We will utilize all AM EMH's during out dtay. If the park gets too crowded, we will leave about 11:00AM and head to another park. At approx. 1:00PM, we will head back to the resort for lunch and some goof old fashioned relaxation. In the late afternoon, its back to the parks avoiding the one with PM EMH. Only after the park we are visiting is closed, will we venture to the PM EMH park. I figure that even if that particular park is jam packed we can see things that we wouldn't normally see like the street entertainers and some of the shows. And at the very least the PM EMH can extend a very short off season tour day.

Very interesting plan. It could work as you describe, BUT at least for me, there's one huge disadvantage.

You are spending a large part of your day traveling from place to place within the resort instead of enjoying attractions, or as some have suggested, taking time to "smell the roses."

Consider: Every move you outline will take TIME to walk from the park and your car or bus (boat, mono), if using WDW transportation; TIME to drive or ride to the new location; TIME to walk to or ride a tram to and enter the next location.

You have six internal moves planed per day. If it only takes an hour for each move (and it will take at least an hour for most of those moves), you have lost six hours that could have been used enjoying a park.

Just a thought.

PS: I'm also a Bengal fan.

 

[lbarnes]

We did EMH at AK and MGM and loved it. Kilamanjaro Safari was so much better early in the morning than later in the afternoon. We saw tons of animals. And, at MGM, we rode RnR twice without any wait.

Another tip, although not EMH related is to get the earliest ADR available at MK for breakfast. We went to Crystal Palace and had an 8:05 seating. We were done eating by 9:00, and while everyone else was back at the main entrance, we were up near the hub. We went straight to Fantasyland, and rode almost every ride there without any wait. Better than EMH!

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

Avoid magic hours as much as possible. Think of all the hotel rooms on WDW property. Now think of 3 people per room. Now picture the Magic Hour Park!!! That math was proved right in August when I went with my husband. 8:25am, EPCOT - Soarin' 70 minute wait. AK 8:35am - ME - 70minute wait. I bet Dumbo is the same way!!

 

[Spartan]

We were at Epcot evening EMH last Friday, and it was much less crowded than I expected. At about 11:45 PM, we rode Test Track 2 times in a row without getting off - which was a first for me with that ride. When we came in the second time, a family was just walking in, and they were the only ones there (they weren't showing the pre-show movie, you just walked straight through to the ride). Previous to that, we walked onto Soarin with no wait as well, although I think it was pretty full. When we left at the closing, we only had a handful of people on our bus to POR, which was rare for our trip in which we stood more often than sat.

We were also at Epcot on Sunday, and it was much more crowded than Friday, but that was probably due to F&W I'm guessing. But I was a little surprised since MK had evening hours, and I was expecting everyone to be there.

 

[BlindTyldak]

Any EMH is great to hit if you go with the proper expectations. Morning EMH's are great no matter what if you expect to do no more than snag a fastpass for one of the bigger rides and get a smaller one ridden before you stroll over to get a seat for a morning show. And if you get to do more (as you most often will get to do) then you'll never be disappointed. Evening EMH? snag the perfect seat for the parade and Wishes and people watch. and again, if you get to do more, you're not disappointed.

 

[PlutosFriend]

The past 2 years we have used the extra magic hour days. I've also read that those days are typically more crowded for those particular parks. So I was thinking this year to not do the magic hour. What do u think? Does this sound like a good plan?

Anyone find this to be true?

Our trip is Dec. 2 - 9

Wooo Whooooo!!

We tried the EMH evening in MK this past trip. I doubt I would do that again. It was crazy busy.

 

[bengalfreak]

Very interesting plan. It could work as you describe, BUT at least for me, there's one huge disadvantage.

You are spending a large part of your day traveling from place to place within the resort instead of enjoying attractions, or as some have suggested, taking time to "smell the roses."

Consider: Every move you outline will take TIME to walk from the park and your car or bus (boat, mono), if using WDW transportation; TIME to drive or ride to the new location; TIME to walk to or ride a tram to and enter the next location.

You have six internal moves planed per day. If it only takes an hour for each move (and it will take at least an hour for most of those moves), you have lost six hours that could have been used enjoying a park.

Just a thought.

PS: I'm also a Bengal fan.

Actually, I guess I didn't type the plan very well. We'll go to the AM EMH park and tour. If it gets too crowded, we'll leave and go to the hotel, have lunch and hang out. In the early afternoon, we will go to a non-PM EMH park and stay until close. At that point, if its still open we will head over to the PM EMH park and do whatever we can.