HEADS UP... Disney just changed the EMH schedule for July all the way thru Dec...

[JimmyV]

But some people are making it sounds like Disney is cutting onsite benefits for everyone, which is not true.

I guess I'm just not following your logic. Everyone who arrives and leaves between July 7 and July 18 gets no evening EMH. That cannot be a small number. Is it everyone who will go to WDW from now until the end of the year? Of course not. But the fact that others get the benefit is cold comfort to those who are traveling during those 12 days. Disney can look at the bigger picture and say: "We always provided EMHs 4 times a month. So now, if we provide them on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th of each month, we won't have diminished the overall hours at all." Well, I suppose that is true. But it does nothing for the people who will visit between the 5th and last day of the month. Disney gets to look at the big picture but each guest has to look at their small picture, and they are right to do so. To wit.....

Well, my onsite benefits got cut and I don't consider open later at night to compensate at all for EMH. Glad it doesn't bother you, but it bothers me!!

In the hottest month of the year, I am certain that many people looked forward to using evening EMHs to enjoy slightly cooler weather and diminished crowds. Yes, guests can stay until midnight or 1:00 a.m.. But they are now paying $450 a night for a room with "benefits" and getting the same treatment as the crowd from 192.

 

[jade1]

I guess I'm just not following your logic. Everyone who arrives and leaves between July 7 and July 18 gets no evening EMH. That cannot be a small number. Is it everyone who will go to WDW from now until the end of the year? Of course not. But the fact that others get the benefit is cold comfort to those who are traveling during those 12 days. Disney can look at the bigger picture and say: "We always provided EMHs 4 times a month. So now, if we provide them on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th of each month, we won't have diminished the overall hours at all." Well, I suppose that is true. But it does nothing for the people who will visit between the 5th and last day of the month. Disney gets to look at the big picture but each guest has to look at their small picture, and they are right to do so. To wit.....



In the hottest month of the year, I am certain that many people looked forward to using evening EMHs to enjoy slightly cooler weather and diminished crowds. Yes, guests can stay until midnight or 1:00 a.m.. But they are now paying $450 a night for a room with "benefits" and getting the same treatment as the crowd from 192.

I noticed June last year went 13 days with no MK EMH evenings.

You may be on to something with the heat-maybe why they added so many later evenings this year.

Also agree that onsite perks should increase, more often EMH-hoping for additional FP+ selections, and like you say-the more you pay the better the "benefits" should be. Hopefully deluxe will get even additional FP+. Good thinking.

 

[mouseclick1]

The DIS calendars are not entirely accurate. There is even an error in next month's hours. July 23rd (I think) is listed as a morning EMH when it should be evening. Archived DIS calendars do not match those from other sources.

Last July, WDW offered 5 EMH evenings. This year they originally offered 5, now there are 4. If they wanted to move nights around, fine. The could have done so without dropping a night, leaving many guests without the possibility of a late night at MK. Not cool on their part.

I get that not everyone is affected, and some even benefit. That's great for them, but not so great for those of us traveling during the transitional period.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

So, Disney is reducing the number of emhs at the mk? Just in July? Or is it a trend that runs through to December?

It's interesting that they have extended the hours, and then cut back the emhs. I feel this is the foreboding of the extinction of emhs altogether. The new resort perk might be the number of fp+ available and the window of booking them. (I've got the stick out, and am beating the dead horse!) They got rid of legacy mighty fast. This new system is still in infancy, and I suspect we haven't seen anything yet regarding some of the changes to come.

I guess I'm just not following your logic. Everyone who arrives and leaves between July 7 and July 18 gets no evening EMH. That cannot be a small number. Is it everyone who will go to WDW from now until the end of the year? Of course not. But the fact that others get the benefit is cold comfort to those who are traveling during those 12 days. Disney can look at the bigger picture and say: "We always provided EMHs 4 times a month. So now, if we provide them on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th of each month, we won't have diminished the overall hours at all." Well, I suppose that is true. But it does nothing for the people who will visit between the 5th and last day of the month. Disney gets to look at the big picture but each guest has to look at their small picture, and they are right to do so. To wit.....

Well, my onsite benefits got cut and I don't consider open later at night to compensate at all for EMH. Glad it doesn't bother you, but it bothers me!!

I never said that it didn't affect the people visiting suring those gaps. Nor did I say that Disney is always right and everyone should suck it up. My original statement was made in response to the first two post above which implied that there would be less EMH's offered in July or that Disney might discontinue offering EMH.

 

[Holly324]

Just have to voice my opinion. We are heading down in September, and our favorite thing is evening EMH at MK. We had 2 during our trip of 12 days. Now we have one. To say we are bummed is an understatement. However, we are going to make the best of it, and stay until they kick us out on the one EMH night.

That being said, my concern is for the people who have their whole trips planned, FP+ booked, and are leaving in a couple weeks, and Disney changes their hours on them? If you are going to extend hours, fine. But to move around EMH when people (such as my family) will plan their trip most days around said EMH is kinda ridiculous!

I realize that I am not saying anything that hasn't been said before, but I just wanted to add my opinion. Sad Disney is taking such little consideration for the inconveniences of their customers in this instance.

 

[Jack & Monica]

I am an infrequent poster, but I have been a dedicated Disney aficionado. I am also an old fart. I am bringing down 15 other family members (many of whom have never been to WDW 26 JUL -- 2 AUG). We are staying at the Kidani Village Villas. We are using the dining plan. I have spent over 200 hours prepping optimum schedules with many options for my family members to choose from once they get down to Orlando. I have booked numerous extras -- BBBoutique for the princesses, Hoop-de-doo Revue, Dinner at the castle, etc. (As many of you also have done I am sure). Most of my study has been related to missing the experience of standing in long lines. Another major strategy has been (at the request of all of the moms that are going) to try to keep as many of the family members together at the same park so it will be easy to meet for meals. My strategy entailed getting the older kids to put the EMH to good use and to then spend some time with the family later in the morning so we could eat lunch together. (I am aware of the strategy of avoiding the EMH sites).

I have been one of the many who waited for exactly the moment my Fast Pass window opened and got the best slots for the hottest attractions to include Anna and Elsa.

This has all gone out the window with the recent change to EMH. Ironically, on the day I first read this post, I received the notice that my magic bands had shipped.

I am done. I would not tolerate this type of dis-service from any other entity. Universal Studios is not the Evil Empire. I believe Walt would be ashamed of this. He was no saint, but he was a very astute visionary. He understood the importance of building a Disney brand and staying true to it.
But Disney is a for-profit organization. There has been a major paradigm shift at Disney, but it has not happened over night. It has taken place over the past decade.
No more faith, trust, and pixie dust.

 

[RyannB]

I'm irritated. We have 2 days at MK, and it was to be open till 11 the first day we are there. Now that's down to 9. It will be open now till 11 on the 2nd day, but that's the last day of our trip, so there is no way we'll be there that late when we are leaving at 6am the next morning.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Jack and Monica.....from July 28 to Aug 2 the only change is that they added a MK evening EMH on Sat, Aug 2. What on earth could they have changed on July 26 and July 27 that would throw the plans for your whole trip out the window?

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Again, I'm not saying that it's acceptable and as a an uber-planner myself, I can understand why people are frustrated. But some people are making it sounds like Disney is cutting onsite benefits for everyone, which is not true. These changes do leave gaps during some stays. Everyone stays onsite for different reasons. We like to stay onsite, but EMH is not a deciding factor for us, especially once they reduced PM EMH to 2 hours. I heard somewhere that most people book their Disney vacation 14 weeks in advance. I think Disney knows that the uber-planners are in the minority and just assumes we will come anyway.

But they designed the FP+ system around onsite guests planning at least 60 days in advance and offsite guests at least 30 days in advance, not to mention allowing restaurant reservations 180+ days in advance. Disney wants people to "lock in" their vacation schedule. They also want people to stay onsite. It is frustrating that they have made changes negatively affecting the people who are "locking in" their onsite vacations and expensive ADRs just the way Disney wants them to. I personally have never used EMH (when we were offsite we tried to avoid them) or made a high-demand ADR, but I think Disney should have more respect for guests who are doing exactly what Disney wants.

 

[Tinks]

Jack and Monica.....from July 28 to Aug 2 the only change is that they added a MK evening EMH on Sat, Aug 2. What on earth could they have changed on July 26 and July 27 that would throw the plans for your whole trip out the window?

I can't speak for Jack and Monica but I can speak for myself.

My family planned to do the MK LATE EMH on Sunday Aug 3rd as it was scheduled. So I booked fp for later afternoon/early evening in the MK for that Sunday.

For Saturday Aug 2nd I booked fp at Epcot.


Changing the EMH day ruined 2 days of fp that I had booked on a 3day/4night trip.

With a group as large as JandM have, I'm sure it screwed up his dining reservations as well! Luckily, I hadn't booked any ADRs.

Good luck adjusting fp and dining and plans for a group as large as his. I hope you weren't really saying he shouldn't be upset???! I think plenty of us have very good reasons to feel that this is another Disney botch. Ugh!


Editing to add that I only know of the EMH changes because I read the DIS. What about all the other travelers who made their plans and show up to find out Disney changed things? I cannot imagine how upset I'd be in that situation!

 

[Jack & Monica]

That is what is my major problem.

 

[Jack & Monica]

Having older kids do the EMH is how I got everyone to compromise. Now EMH are out the window for Sunday night and Monday day right off the bat.

 

[Love Tink]

Jack and Monica.....from July 28 to Aug 2 the only change is that they added a MK evening EMH on Sat, Aug 2. What on earth could they have changed on July 26 and July 27 that would throw the plans for your whole trip out the window?

No.

They didn't add EMH - they changed the days for EMH. So:

On July 27 there is no longer a MK evening EMH.
On July 28 there is no longer an AK morning EMH.

Late night MK EMH, in particular, are one of many peoples' very favorite things about summer at WDW. Changing them is not insignificant.

As for the AK morning EMH, I can mostly imagine that causing a problem for people who were planning a pre-opening breakfast at Tusker House.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I'm not saying J&M don't have a reason to be a little mad.......but to call Disney the Evil Empire, state that the plans for their whole 8 day vacation are out the window.....that I don't get. Sure, EMH evenings at the MK can be a fun experience, and not having those 3 hours in the park on Sunday the 27th is something I wouldn't be happy about. However, it's not something that should ruin an entire trip. At most 2 out of 8 days of their trip could be affected. None of their Anna and Elsa meet and greets or primo FP+, or dining reservations, have to change. Claiming that an entire trip to WDW is out the window, ruined, because of not having 3 extra hours in the MK on June 27 is a bit ridiculous, IMHO. Keep some perspective, there are a lot worse things that one could have to deal with in life.

I was a little sad I wasn't going to have a MK evening EMH on our trip.....I accepted that with disappointment and moved on, and will have a great trip. I suggest J&M do the same.

 

[Jack & Monica]

Just don't tell me you are going to have them, and then take them away with less than 30 days out. It is totally unacceptable. It is also how it occurred. There was no announcement. There was no apology. There was no reason given. If it weren't for the DIS Boards, I wouldn't have found out until I got down to WDW. Would you accept this from any other entity? I wouldn't, and I won't accept it from Disney. This time I will not let this one go. I will await Disney's response, I still hold out hope that they will do the right thing. There are too many people affected for them to offer anything but an apology. A sincere apology admitting that they screwed up would go a long way in mitigating what I feel is a major break in faith with their core fan base.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I completely agree it's wrong of Disney to change EMH, especially past 60 days out, because they force everyone to plan in advance now. People should make their displeasure known, and complain to Disney. They listen. I've written letters on other issues and Disney has responded. However, once you do that you can't bite off your nose to so spite your face. There is still a wonderful trip to be had if you don't let the change give you a bad attitude that ruins what will otherwise still be a great trip. I'd hate to see you miss out.

 

[Jack & Monica]

My family will have a tremendous trip; as will I. I just refuse to take unacceptable service from someone to whom I am paying thousands of dollars.
This is just worse IMHO because it is coming from Disney which has a reputation for putting customers first.

 

[itchin2go]

Just don't tell me you are going to have them, and then take them away with less than 30 days out. It is totally unacceptable. It is also how it occurred. There was no announcement. There was no apology. There was no reason given. If it weren't for the DIS Boards, I wouldn't have found out until I got down to WDW. Would you accept this from any other entity? I wouldn't, and I won't accept it from Disney. This time I will not let this one go. I will await Disney's response, I still hold out hope that they will do the right thing. There are too many people affected for them to offer anything but an apology. A sincere apology admitting that they screwed up would go a long way in mitigating what I feel is a major break in faith with their core fan base.

IMO, you are justified in being upset. It's the level of upset that seems kind of out of whack.

There is never going to be an apology. "Break in faith? I'm sorry, but what?

These changes were an ill-advised move on Disney's part. I feel like some executive did this without even knowing what he was monkeying with.

Regardless, you regroup and move on.

Vent if you want... if it makes you feel better, but please don't buy into the idea that your vacation is now ruined.

 

[SimonSez]

I can't speak for Jack and Monica but I can speak for myself.

My family planned to do the MK LATE EMH on Sunday Aug 3rd as it was scheduled. So I booked fp for later afternoon/early evening in the MK for that Sunday.

For Saturday Aug 2nd I booked fp at Epcot.


Changing the EMH day ruined 2 days of fp that I had booked on a 3day/4night trip.

With a group as large as JandM have, I'm sure it screwed up his dining reservations as well! Luckily, I hadn't booked any ADRs.



Good luck adjusting fp and dining and plans for a group as large as his. I hope you weren't really saying he shouldn't be upset???! I think plenty of us have very good reasons to feel that this is another Disney botch. Ugh!


Editing to add that I only know of the EMH changes because I read the DIS. What about all the other travelers who made their plans and show up to find out Disney changed things? I cannot imagine how upset I'd be in that situation!

Yep Tinks, we lost our Aug. 10 EMH We booked late FP+ that day also, but it was more so we could ride the 7DMT at night Understand your disappointment though.

 

[Jack & Monica]

In fact, I would expect Disney to have folks that are in tune to what is posted on the large forums. The only way to impact future performance is to let them know when they drop the ball. Why would they not apologize? I have more hope in their expertise in customer service. I also would not be surprised to learn that Disney has posters on this site.