Extra Magic Hours--use or avoid?

[tasha99]

Hi everyone.

I've only been to Disneyworld once (in the mid 70's as a kid), so I'm trying to learn as much as I can before taking my son in September. Anyway, I had been planning our park days and scheduling dining around EMH, but maybe that isn't such a good idea. I've read a few posts here that hinted at avoiding the parks with extra magic hours.

I can't imagine how the early morning hours could be bad, though I could see the parks crowding up later in the day. Are the evening hours worth it? I'm wondering if all the fastpasses would be gone by those hours anyway. I didn't get a hopper ticket, but maybe I should (this is a somewhat overbudget vacation already. No free dining for me since I planned too late.)

We're going from Sept 10th-14th, and thanks in advance for any advice. I am sooo excited because I haven't been on a big vacation in over ten years!

 

[TinkerTracy]

First off WELCOME TO THE DIS!
You'll find tons of interesting and very usefull tidbits here!
So about EMH the mornings usually aren't that crowded but nights are. But it really depends on the day Like if Magic kindgom had night EMH then MK in the morning wouldn't be as crowded.
It just depends on a lot of things.
Go and try a few see how you like them!
Allright so maybe I am not help
BUT WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sandi]

We always use the EMH. If you're staying on site, and you're willing to get out of bed early, it is some of the least crowded times to visit the parks. We always get park hoppers, too, so you can take full advantage of the EMH. Some days one park will be the morning park and another park will be the late park; other days there will be only one EMH park. We hop a lot and can't imagine not having that option. If you can swing the price difference to give you the flexibility, do it.

You don't say how old you DS is; that might make a difference. Too young or too old -- they won't get out of bed or won't be able to stay out late. Changing time zones also plays a role. You know your DS best. If you can get to the parks for the EMH opening, it is well worth it. Of course, the park does tend to get crowded by 11:00; then, if you have the park hopper, you can go back to your resort for a little rest then head to another park for the afternoon/evening.

Welcome to the DIS! It is a great resource. Enjoy your trip next month.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Welcome Newbie!

We like to use the EMH but only in the evening. I don't know where you're coming from but for us, coming for CA, it's hard to get my DD6 up early enough to use the a.m. EMH.

If getting up early is no problem, then I would use EMH morns and then leave the park(s) when they get crowded (if you decide to get the park hopper-we always do.)

Some of the parks really empty out at night (especially in Sept.) it's almost like having the park to yourself. I really like Epcot late. The only one that was just okay late was AK. KS isn't open late-closes at 5 p.m. One special Lion King performance.

We're going 9/9 to 9/19-when are you going? Maybe we'll see you around!

Feel free to PM with any ?, happy to help a newbie!

 

[tasha99]

Thanks everyone.

Sounds like a hopper is probably worth the extra money. We're getting to Orlando on September 6th, but staying offsite to do Universal and Seaworld till the 10th. Hopefully we'll be used to Eastern time by then (coming from Oregon).

 

[Bev J]

We usually like to give the later EMH a try, how long we stay depends on how busy the park gets. Sometimes it is soooo packed it is not worth staying so we just head back to the hotel. The time of year your going should not be too crowded so try it out and see.

As far as the extra $ for the hopper it is so worth it, we like to get to the parks when they open stay till 2 or so, take a break then head to a different park for the evening. Plus if you do a morning EMH then the park seems to stay busy for the rest of the day, it is good to be able to hop over to a less busy park. And AK closes early in september- at 5, who wants to be done with the parks at 5? On our last day we usually hit 3 of the parks just to go for our favorite rides...

Have a great time and Welcome to the DIS!

Bev

 

[Demosthenes]

Being there in September, the EMH are just a bonus for you. The days won't be too crowded anyway, so EMH, morning or evening, will generally leave very sparse crowds. We prefer to travel in September for just that reason.

 

[barbie78]

One of my favorite things to do is go to a non-EMH park during the day, then go to the EMH park 10-15 mins before it closes! I've never had to wait more than a few mins in line, and once at AK, while riding DINOSAUR, there was no line and the CM let us stay on the ride and go through TWICE! Then we had a switch pass and we brought our entire party of 12 through again. All in all we rode it 6 times!!!