Extra Magic Hours worth it?

[kevin75]

my apologies in advance if this is a repost. my gf and i are looking at a trip next may and are trying to decide whether to stay on or off site. one thing in onsite's favor is the EMH. i have heard though, that these can be very hectic. so my question is, what is everyone's opinion on whether or not it's worth it? we are looking at staying for 8 nights from may 14 - may 22.

thanks.

 

[tony609]

I wouldn't stay on site just for extra magic hours. there are so many other reasons to stay on site as well. I use to stay off stite until 1999, now I wouldn't stay anywhere else. If cost is an issue try the value resorts POp centuryt,Allstar movie,Sports etc..they are very affordable.

On site Extra Magic hours are great, but the free transportaion to and from the theme parks is also a huge bonus..no parking hassles,fees, getting lost etc... The magical express is also a bonus, right now it is free..I am sure a fee will be charged at somepoint..but i think it will be reasonable if it does. I have taken a cab and paid $65.00 plus tip each way, done a town car $85.00 total plus tip..so the free magical express is a great savings and allows me more money to play with during my stay.the whole onsite expirence is also wonderful..the themeing of the hotels, the pools..nobody does it like Disney!

 

[Goofy4]

We took an extended weekend trip last mid-May and had a very good MK Evening EMH experience on a Sunday night. But it depends on many factors, which seem to defy any scientific explanation. If you post again closer to your vacation (with specific nights in mind), you may get some more concrete answers.

My current #1 consideration is to avoid non-school nights. You will find many opinions if you search for "EMH".

 

[blessedby3]

I agree. Many reasons to stay on property. I prefer to be surrounded by Mickey and friends 24/7 and it is so convienent to everything. I wouldnt stay off property unless there was some extreme reason.

 

[kevin75]

i am not really basing a decision on it entirely, but i have heard that EMH aren't really worth it due to crowds. i am really just trying to figure out what is going to be the cheapest option that gives the best experience.

 

[ajleone]

EMH can be very worth it. However they can also be crowded. I'd say what you really need to decide is wether you're just going to WDW or if you might go to U/IA or Seaworld or stuff like that. We personally never leave WDW property and have the best time staying on-site. And can usually get some pretty good deals.

 

[Bliss22]

Don't base your decision on EMH do it for the transportation. At the end of the day you are flat out tired. Haveing to deal with traffic busy or not is draining. I know off sit can be quite a bit cheaper but on site IMO is the only way to go.

 

[tmt martins]

Iwould also do on-sight for other reasons.

But with that said EMH are just that EXTRA HOURS in the parks and that just as Magic as it gets.

We hit almost everyone on our June trip but we hop a lot

 

[Robo]

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... WHO CARE'S?
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 ONLY 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!

 

[blondeheroine]

i am not really basing a decision on it entirely, but i have heard that EMH aren't really worth it due to crowds. i am really just trying to figure out what is going to be the cheapest option that gives the best experience.

It really depends on the time you go. I've been during the dates you specified and normally find the crowds to be moderate.

Magic Kingdom tends to be the worst as far as crowds. However, if you're going on a time that isn't SO crowded, you'll find that it isn't so bad.

MGM during EMH always is a success for me. It tends to be open and airy - little crowding and just nice. Everytime I've done EMH at MGM it feels like a company picnic. But that's just my experience.

EPCOT can really go either way. But it's still nice when it's not so crowded. I've yet to do AK EMH.

As others have said, there are many other reasons to stay onsite. Onsite transportation (as much as people complain about the buses, I find them not to be so bad - they can be a little crowded at times, but to me, it beats going to my car, getting out of WDW traffic and leaving that little bubble that WDW creates - also, no parking fee), being able to use your hotel key to pay for items and food within the park and just the trademark Disney service.

I love staying onsite. I feel you really would too and I think it would really make your family's vacation a very memorable experience.

Disclaimer: I swear I don't work for Disney! Just a big fan.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I work my days around EMH's, heading to the parks that do not have them, preferrably ones that had them the day before. I prefer lower crowds, and not really needing the extra time.

 

[starlionblue]

I've stayed on and off property before. The transportation to and from the parks is pretty efficient so I plan to stay off property in the future. I'd only be on property if the rates were extremely low AND the crowds weren't overwhelming. EMH shouldn't be a overall deciding factor on whether to stay on or off property unless you're visiting the parks EVERY single day throughout your stay. I have always spent at least a day seeing other things in Orlando and then, went back. When I went back, I was glad to be off property. Another thing to note: as the monorail passed through Contemporary Resort, I was amazed by how large the crowds were and wondered if some guests were having trouble sleeping with all those kids running around. That may be another factor to consider because the room rates could be affected by the location in the hotel if you stay on property. Also, you sure won't be feeling pepped with energy by the time you get back! My last trip was the longest I ever stayed. I got to the MK five minutes before it opened and stayed until around 7-8. I was so tired I could barely walk! My second day was far better because I left earlier so I personally wouldn't feel any different about EMH unless there was an attraction I was DYING to see (There weren't any that stood out and I was NOT going to stand in line an hour just to see POTC. It makes me mad that they won't allow FPs for that one). Hope this helped a little.