Extra Magic Hours overrated?

[marivaid]

We've done evening and morning EMH during peak seasons (Christmas, summer...). We plan to attend as many as possible, especially at MK. We can do our favorites in Tomorrowland and most if not all of Fantasyland in that one morning EMH. And whenever we've done evening EMH at MK we walked on every ride. The later you stay, the smaller the crowd gets.

I don't know, maybe we're just lucky ? The only disappointment was Epcot. We were only able to do the less popular rides, but we also left way before EMH were over.

 

[khertz]

We loved the evening EMH on our honeymoon last year. We went at an "off" time (first week of October) and found the evening EMH to be practically empty. We didn't get ourselves up early enough for the morning EMH, but the evening EMH allowed us to ride all of our favorite rides over and over again. I had been a little worried about only spending 4 days in Disney (we did 2 in Universal), but between the low crowds and utilizing EMH, we managed to do everything we wanted to without feeling at all rushed. We're staying offsite for the first time ever on our next year (using our Wyndham timeshare instead and staying at Bonnet Creek), and I'm kind of disappointed to be missing out on the EMH. I definitely don't think they are overrated if you go at a good time of year.

 

[Clotho]

We love evening EMH. We are night owls, and being able to stay in the parks until 1am or even later is great for us! And since we stay so nice and late, we definitely get to take advantage of lower crowds. If you don't stay very late, I could see it not feeling like much of a benefit. They don't actively kick people out of the parks, so there is a lingering overlap of crowds between the regular day guests and evening EMH who are getting their wrist bands to get on the rides. Then an initial crush of all the EMH folks trying to get "their money's worth" by hitting the rides...once that all thins out, it is more than worth it for us!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We Love the EMH Morining and Evening, no people or shoulder to shoulder pack.We just love the thought of bening in the park that extra time, ya they can be pretty busy but Its not for every one I understand we love crowds

We have hoppers but when the other parks close, not much to do but hit an evening extra hour park, especially the MK. This is our favorite park and just being in there is heaven, no matter how crowded, we do shopping if it's jammed, something we do not do during the day and catch any attractions with short lines. Just the sights and smells is enough, other than being in a park, you're just hanging around your resort, it's free so why not partake.

 

[Mick&Minn]

EMH gives you more time to enjoy the disney feeling

 

[Clotho]

Pepe and Mick&Minn, I agree wholeheartedly. Just more time in the parks, in the magic, is worth it to me. I love strolling around, people watching, smelling the smells, seeing the sights!

 

[joy13]

Jennifer,
Good hints. Can I ask - your signature line show you have younger kids... my DD is 8 (will be 9 in February) - how do your kids do on the evening hours?

In January, I am going with just my DH and DD8 (almost 9). I was thinking of trying MK EMH evening hours - just to see if it works. Since we are at BWV, I thought about trying DHS evening hours - we can just walk back to the resort if she gets tired or if it seems too crowded.

I like to try "new" things each trip - and the last time we did evening hours was 2 years ago - and we lasted an hour - total bust - long lines, whiney 6 year old. But, maybe we did it wrong...this time, we will go there, eat first, then try to do some rides or just walk around and enjoy...

We did two late nights on our last trip (9/2007) with our 4 year old. On the MNSSHP night and one EMH night at MK. She did fine - but starting around 3 1/2 - 4yo if she took a nap during the day she was up until 11:00 anyway - so that totally worked to our advantage at Disney We just did naps, then stayed up late - she did fine.

 

[bsbrady]

I find that the parks when there are EMH are more crowded during regular hours. But, when the official park closing time comes around it clears out. If the MK closes at 9 and has EMH eve, it will be crowded at 7 or 8, but usually once wishes is over, the park clears out.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Thanks Joy13!

I think my DD will probably do fine now. We just had a "chicks" weekend (DH was out of town), and we both stayed up until 11pm Friday and Saturday snuggling on the couch and watching movies. So - maybe she will be fine now. I think that one attempt at EMH evening hours just gave me a bad taste. Super busy. Lines every where. Getting wrist bands was a pain. No fun... but, just being in MK shopping after hours might be fun!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Jennifer,
Good hints. Can I ask - your signature line show you have younger kids... my DD is 8 (will be 9 in February) - how do your kids do on the evening hours?

In January, I am going with just my DH and DD8 (almost 9). I was thinking of trying MK EMH evening hours - just to see if it works. Since we are at BWV, I thought about trying DHS evening hours - we can just walk back to the resort if she gets tired or if it seems too crowded.

I like to try "new" things each trip - and the last time we did evening hours was 2 years ago - and we lasted an hour - total bust - long lines, whiney 6 year old. But, maybe we did it wrong...this time, we will go there, eat first, then try to do some rides or just walk around and enjoy...

We try and take it easy during the day if we know a late night is ahead. We relax at the resort pool and/or have a nice late breakfast. BW has an amazing pool. Take advantage of it. Also, you could maybe walk over to Cape May (BC) for a nice character breakfast (Minnie, Chip and Dale, Goofy and I think they recently added Donald Duck). Get to the park refreshed and ready for an evening of fun.

We've been to an EMH (PM) before that ended at 2 am and our children were ALL still awake. Now, the boat ride back to VWL they DID fall asleep. But, in the park they were alert and ready for fun. You can't burn the candle at both ends, on any day at WDW. So, I wouldn't expect kids (or even adults) to last all morning and night at a park. Even on regular days, we head back to our resort mid-day for a break. It makes for happy kids and sane parents.

sad2: A lot of people DON'T do this because they think it will take too long to get back to their resort and then back to the park later. It really doesn't take that long. Also, sometimes it is nice to get back to your room and take off your sneakers and get those gross socks off. A fresh pair of socks can make your feet feel so much better too. Also, my DD6 doesn't like public restrooms. So, it's nice to get back and refreshed too. Staying on-property has some major perks. I put some more cold water bottles into my bag and then off for more Disney adventures . . . )

FYI: When we recently went "Home" to WDW, they no longer did the wristbands during EMH (PM). We showed our KTTW at the entrance of the rides. Now, I heard about this previous to our trip and thought it was going to be a major pain. We are a family of five and I was worried about having to keep taking out and putting away 5 cards. However, it wasn't too bad and the line went pretty quickly.

Have a magical trip!

Jennifer

 

[ktbugsmom]

Thanks for the thoughts Jennifer.

Funny - because I am such a morning person, we are usually at rope drop. By 2pm (we see and do more than enough in that time frame), we leave the parks and head back to the resort to nap, swim and relax. Then, since we normally stay at BWV - we usually head over to Epcot for some evening fun/dinner. However, we usually only stay for Illuminations once during our trip. I always book 11 months out - so I get a Boardwalk View Studio - and we end up watching the high fireworks on our balcony in jammies with an adult beverage for the adults and hot cocoa for DD (its cool in January!) However, sounds like changing it up for January might be fun. My DH might enjoy sleeping in and staying out late once or twice. Thanks!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

My DH might enjoy sleeping in and staying out late once or twice. Thanks!

My DH was a BIG fan on getting to sleep in a few days. I did get him and the kids to a few rope drops and an 8:10 am breakfast at CRT. But, DH sat me down at the planning stages of our last trip and pretty much begged for some relaxation during "his vacation" too. It made for a happy DH too. (I didn't want a fourth child to drag around the parks. )

Jennifer