Has anyone been to EMM at HS?

[ConnecticutNonna]

I've read several excellent reviews of MK's EMM paid event, but haven't read anything about the same event at HS. Has anyone done this yet? Thoughts?

 

[HopperFan]

YES!! Did a couple weeks ago, loved it and would do again. Is it for everyone, no, like I wouldn't do MK.

DS LOVES meeting Buzz & Woody together but that line inside is chaos full of loud loose kids. We stopped going. He got to meet them with us the only folks in the whole building! Only ones meeting Minnie, Mickey and Olaf. Was awesome. He enjoys Star Tours so we rode once but the chance to ride Toy Story Mania over and over without getting off .... WOOT!

And to finish the morning with breakfast buffet, he was in heaven. Food was awesome, a CM did his plate and carried it over and got him his drink - was so nice. Had this delicious french toast I asked if they made it in any restaurant and she said no. We took our time. CMs everywhere were great!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Fabulous, we have reservations for MK EMM the week we are there, and have been thinking about doing HS, but there are less attractions open, so I wasn't sure it was worth it.
So we will probably do it...
Thanks for the quick response!

 

[MYD714]

We LOVED it and it's something we will definitely do again in the future if it's still offered. We thought breakfast was even better than the one offered at MK, and we felt like there were fewer people than at MK. Because the rides were a little farther apart than MK, we rode TSMM as many times as we wanted and then headed to Star Tours. We had a leisurely breakfast at 9am and still had enough time to meet Minnie and Mickey with no wait.

I was really skeptical at first, and I was so happy to have had such a wonderful experience.

 

[switch15foot]

where buses running early enough to get there?

 

[AngiTN]

I'm giving serious thought to trying the HS EMM for DD, DGD and I in November, the Saturday following Thanksgiving. It's going to be so busy in the parks during that trip I think we'd enjoy this. DH had to fly out Saturday morning so we'll be up early anyway.

@HopperFan About what time did you arrive to HS?

I assume most guests head straight to TSMM? Like at MK most head to 7DMT. We learned to let them go, do the other things first and then by the time we got to 7DMT, the even small line that built was gone

I'm thinking maybe we arrive, go to meet Mickey, Minnie and Olaf, go to TSMM, ride, meet Buzz and Woody and then do ST, then eat. Timing our meal about the same time the park opens, maybe a little later. I figure we can get in a couple ride on ST, even after the park opens. Maybe even get signed up for JTA before we eat, if DGD wants to do it again. Wonder if anyone else has done that? Signed up for JTA since you are there anyway?

where buses running early enough to get there?

I can answer that yes they do. Buses start at about 6:30, so plenty early enough. We took the bus to the one at MK both times actually. No problem at all.

 

[Stefani P.]

Ok...I am new. Is this a paid event? You enter the parks extra early?

 

[HopperFan]

I'm giving serious thought to trying the HS EMM for DD, DGD and I in November, the Saturday following Thanksgiving. It's going to be so busy in the parks during that trip I think we'd enjoy this. DH had to fly out Saturday morning so we'll be up early anyway.

@HopperFan About what time did you arrive to HS?

I assume most guests head straight to TSMM? Like at MK most head to 7DMT. We learned to let them go, do the other things first and then by the time we got to 7DMT, the even small line that built was gone

I'm thinking maybe we arrive, go to meet Mickey, Minnie and Olaf, go to TSMM, ride, meet Buzz and Woody and then do ST, then eat. Timing our meal about the same time the park opens, maybe a little later. I figure we can get in a couple ride on ST, even after the park opens. Maybe even get signed up for JTA before we eat, if DGD wants to do it again. Wonder if anyone else has done that? Signed up for JTA since you are there anyway?


I can answer that yes they do. Buses start at about 6:30, so plenty early enough. We took the bus to the one at MK both times actually. No problem at all.

We actually were late. DS is disabled and sometimes moves at his own pace. We went through the gate closer to 8 am. Had we arrived on time I think we could have done TSMM a few more times. We did that first until I was nauseous, then Buzz & Woody, then Star Tours, then other characters and had planned to go back to TSMM before eating but out of time. So breakfast about 9:05.

OH and when we got to breakfast the CM out front asked our name and where we were from, opened the door and announced us. We walked down the palm tree hall with other CMs clapping. Got our food and sat down. Restaurant slowly filled up with other families. I would have to go back to post right when I got back but I think there were a total of 19 families. Look on clipboard when you check in to see how many families. TSMM wasn't even full, mostly empty cars.

 

[jsmla]

I went yesterday. It was beyond empty. I (and the family in the next car) were able to reride over and over without editing. I got off after 6 rides.

Star Tours was also a walk on. Didn't do any character meets.

Breakfast was actually better than expected. The fruit was nice-melon slices, berries and I love the combination of cheese and potatoes in any form!

I finished up breakfast just after nine and was able to ride R&RC once and ToT twice with little to no wait.

It definitely lived up to the low crowds claim but I probably won't do this one again. I definitely would repeat EMM at the MK. It was more crowded but also more enjoyable for me.

 

[AngiTN]

Ok...I am new. Is this a paid event? You enter the parks extra early?

Yes to both. See in MDE under Extra Magic Mornings - Hollywood Studios or Fantasy Land (under Dining)

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks to you both. I'm going to book this for us for November. With Thanksgiving crowds it will be a nice respite to get out of crowds for even a little while.

 

[tlmadden73]

Great reviews -
How far out have they scheduled these? I am planning a trip in March (at 180 days) .. and running into the usual dilemma of having to book dining reservations without knowing hours, special event dates or fast passes.

I am seriously considering this for a few reasons (if available):
1) No lines on two of my favorite rides? Yes please!
2) Going with a 4 year old and an infant. It will make it a lot easier to child swap when lines are non-existant.
3) Seeing some characters with little line. Thanks! (IF my son is not scare of them this time around).
4) Getting in line early for Jedi Training also seems like a side benefit.
5) Have a big meal AFTER doing some of the big stuff? Awesome!

In general when going with two young children the less waits the better in my mind and potentially gives us the opportunity to take an afternoon break without worrying about missing out.

 

[snowybelle]

I did this last Monday. Loved it. Park was EMPTY. Got to ride TSMM as many times as I wanted without getting off the ride. (Honestly 4x was enough for me, I thought my arm was going to fall off.) Got my own vehicle for Star Tours! Met Buzz, Woody, Mickey, Olaf, and Minnie with ZERO wait. Really enjoyed the breakfast. And I was able to "rope drop" Tower of Terror... I shared an elevator with only ONE other person.

It was awesome, and I would do it again!

 

[RachaelA]

I'm going to book this for early November. I'm curious if the new Saturday days will be better attended then the current week day ones!

 

[jsmla]

Great reviews -
How far out have they scheduled these? I am planning a trip in March (at 180 days) .. and running into the usual dilemma of having to book dining reservations without knowing hours, special event dates or fast passes.

I am seriously considering this for a few reasons (if available):
1) No lines on two of my favorite rides? Yes please!
2) Going with a 4 year old and an infant. It will make it a lot easier to child swap when lines are non-existant.
3) Seeing some characters with little line. Thanks! (IF my son is not scare of them this time around).
4) Getting in line early for Jedi Training also seems like a side benefit.
5) Have a big meal AFTER doing some of the big stuff? Awesome!

In general when going with two young children the less waits the better in my mind

If Toy Story and Star Tours are a priority-I could have ridden them even more than TS X 6 and ST X 2 if my stomach could have stood it!

I would say be careful of the huge, greasy breakfast if planning on rope dropping Rock 'n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. I thought I was immune to motion sickness but a big greasy breakfast followed by multiple goes on thrill rides was NOT a good idea for me.

The main reason I preferred EMM at the MK was that the attractions were more appealing to me, I'm not a huge Star Wars fan.

 

[beesly]

If Toy Story and Star Tours are a priority-I could have ridden them even more than TS X 6 and ST X 2 if my stomach could have stood it!

I would say be careful of the huge, greasy breakfast if planning on rope dropping Rock 'n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. I thought I was immune to motion sickness but a big greasy breakfast followed by multiple goes on thrill rides was NOT a good idea for me.

The main reason I preferred EMM at the MK was that the attractions were more appealing to me, I'm not a huge Star Wars fan.

Were the breakfast offerings the same at both EMM events?

 

[jsmla]

Were the breakfast offerings the same at both EMM events?

Not the same but there wasn't a huge difference in quality. Can't speak for eggs but in general HS had better hot dishes, MK better fruit, cheese and charcuterie. Beverages and pastries were identical.

 

[snowybelle]

Were the breakfast offerings the same at both EMM events?

No, they're different. I slightly preferred the HS breakfast (Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Sticks and Cheesy potatoes) to the MK breakfast (regular french toast and skillet potatoes with peppers/onions if i recall). They are both good though!

 

[HopperFan]

Not sure if this just happened or I missed it but EMM now bookable through December 17th at DHS, only Saturdays.