Help me DL vets- what to do about EMM when I don't have it

[Kebby]

We only have 2 days at disneyland prior to our trip to hawaii.

We arrive on Monday April 8 at 10 am, anticipate being at the parks by 1 pm. Plan is to go to the parks until dinner, eat and go to bed ( east coasters).

Initially, I was thinking that we should stay off site as it is cheaper, but I am unsure how to manage this.

I see that MM is only offered at Disneyland and only on the tuesday we are there. I was thinking we would use this to hit fantasyland that morning, and have a late brunch at the plaza. My plan was to then hit cars land early on the wednesday.

I just noticed that it is EMH at DCA on wednesday... and that means that we will be an hour behind getting a start on cars land.

How should we best maximize this? We also will have DAS

1. Do we attempt to get fast passes for cars land on the 8th? or the afternoon of the 9th?

2. Do we just show up at DCA at 8 am on the wednesday and hope that we aren't that far behind?

3. Do I just suck it up and get a hotel at DLR for the two nights we will be there so that we can take advantage of EMH

 

[pharmama]

I think you are worrying too much about EMH at DCA. You're not going to be that disadvantaged by this as only on site guests have access (different from MM at DL since both on site guests have access and anyone with a 3-day or longer ticket gets one MM). While it is awesome to have EMH access at DCA and you can get a ton done, its not going to be that big a deal for you to be "behind" if you don't have access. You'll still get FPs without issue, especially if you have Maxpass which I highly recommend (and if you do, you'll be able to pull your first MP as soon as your ticket is scanned in which, if you're at the gates prior to opening, will generally be prior to rope drop).

That said, I don't know much about DAS and how that might affect things so hopefully someone else can chime in on that.

I can't tell if you have hoppers or not but if so you can always try to hit Cars Land earlier in your trip if you're super worried about it. But generally the waits for the two non-FP rides really aren't that bad. RSR is definitely worth pulling FP though- its really awesome to ride at night too- as is the rest of Cars Land with all the neon turned on.

 

[OneThree]

If you don’t have EMH I would say go to the opposite park that has EMH on the given day. Just be there early if possible to rope drop regular park hours.

I agree with @pharmama that EMH at DCA is nice but not a necessity. You will still be able to pull a FP for RSR.

Enjoy!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

As mentioned by a PP, EMH at DCA has a pretty limited impact since it's just hotel guests. I'm assuming that even though you said "two days," you really have three-day parkhoppers since you mention "the parks" on Monday in addition to Tuesday and Wednesday. That would make you eligible for MM at Disneyland on Tuesday, as you mentioned, so then you could buy Maxpass that day and just book RSR as soon as you enter for your MM. Easy peasy!

I'd start at DL on Wednesday morning - Wednesday mornings are the absolute best time to hit Fantasyland!

 

[VandVsmama]

I agree w/everybody else. Start @ DCA on Tuesday morning and start @ DL on Wed morning.

 

[Kebby]

Really? But I thought there was no MM on wednesdays? If I go at rope drop to DCA on Tuesday, then I effectively won’t be using MM at all, correct?

 

[Kebby]

As mentioned by a PP, EMH at DCA has a pretty limited impact since it's just hotel guests. I'm assuming that even though you said "two days," you really have three-day parkhoppers since you mention "the parks" on Monday in addition to Tuesday and Wednesday. That would make you eligible for MM at Disneyland on Tuesday, as you mentioned, so then you could buy Maxpass that day and just book RSR as soon as you enter for your MM. Easy peasy!

I'd start at DL on Wednesday morning - Wednesday mornings are the absolute best time to hit Fantasyland!

Why are Wednesday’s the best time??

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Really? But I thought there was no MM on wednesdays? If I go at rope drop to DCA on Tuesday, then I effectively won’t be using MM at all, correct?

You should start at DL on both days, in my opinion. Since you said “two days” so early in your OP, most people won’t realize you’re eligible for MM and are suggesting you avoid it as a result of that.

Because you can grab an early RSR on Tuesday morning, that’s a no-brainer.

Wednesdays are the least crowded day of the week, and without a MM to attract people, Fantasyland is lovely. You don’t get the same Fantasyland effect on the other non-MM because they’re naturally more crowded days.

 

[figment_jii]

Personally I would use your MM on Tuesday and try to ride as many things in FL as possible (although, I would skip Peter Pan and Alice if the lines are already long when you get to them). You didn't mention it, but I'm guessing you don't have park hoppers.

As others have said, while you will be behind the guests that have EMH on Wednesday in DCA to get the RSR FP, as long as you are there close to opening, you should still be able to get the RSR FP. The RSR FP does run out before any other attraction, but they still last for several hours (usually).

 

[Kebby]

thanks all.
So we do have hoppers, and we do have MM as we have 3 day tickets.

We plan on spending 4-5 hours in the parks on April 8

So we could do DCA on the tuesday, and then do DL on the wednesday. It just means not using my MM hour

 

[Skyegirl1999]

thanks all.
So we do have hoppers, and we do have MM as we have 3 day tickets.

We plan on spending 4-5 hours in the parks on April 8

So we could do DCA on the tuesday, and then do DL on the wednesday. It just means not using my MM hour

I’m repeating myself, but: start at Disneyland both Tuesday (for your MM) and Wednesday (to enjoy an emptier DL).

There’s no reason to start a day at DCA.

 

[figment_jii]

One other idea is to use your MM on Tuesday and then "hop" over to DCA once that park opens (or soon thereafter). That way, you can use your MM (which is a good way to knock out a bunch of the smaller FL attractions or even some of the TL attractions) and still get over to DCA. Alternatively, if you get MaxPass on Tuesday ($10 per person per day), you can get FPs for RSR while you are in DL and that might help you plan when you have to "hop".

Unless you really have to ride RSR right at opening, I don't think you'll miss your chance to do so because the FPs run out before you get over there on Wednesday morning. I only have one data point, but on a very busy Sunday November 11, we got into DCA around 8:20 am (opening at 8:00 am, EMH started at 7:00 am) and grab FPs for RSR for 11:30 am. So as long as you get to DCA at or near rope drop on Wednesday, you should still be able to get a FP for RSR.

The other two Carsland attractions don't have FPs and the lines are usually pretty manageable. Overall, I think you'll be fine regardless of which park you start in because FPs don't run out really early anymore (they used to run out within the first hour, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore).

 

[JJ2017]

You should start at DL on both days, in my opinion. Since you said “two days” so early in your OP, most people won’t realize you’re eligible for MM and are suggesting you avoid it as a result of that.

Because you can grab an early RSR on Tuesday morning, that’s a no-brainer.

Wednesdays are the least crowded day of the week, and without a MM to attract people, Fantasyland is lovely. You don’t get the same Fantasyland effect on the other non-MM because they’re naturally more crowded days.

Are you saying that all year long that there are no MMs offered on Wednesdays, but there could be EMHs for on-site guests?

 

[motherof5]

We only have 2 days at disneyland prior to our trip to hawaii.

We arrive on Monday April 8 at 10 am, anticipate being at the parks by 1 pm. Plan is to go to the parks until dinner, eat and go to bed ( east coasters).

Initially, I was thinking that we should stay off site as it is cheaper, but I am unsure how to manage this.

I see that MM is only offered at Disneyland and only on the tuesday we are there. I was thinking we would use this to hit fantasyland that morning, and have a late brunch at the plaza. My plan was to then hit cars land early on the wednesday.

I just noticed that it is EMH at DCA on wednesday... and that means that we will be an hour behind getting a start on cars land.

How should we best maximize this? We also will have DAS

1. Do we attempt to get fast passes for cars land on the 8th? or the afternoon of the 9th?

2. Do we just show up at DCA at 8 am on the wednesday and hope that we aren't that far behind?

3. Do I just suck it up and get a hotel at DLR for the two nights we will be there so that we can take advantage of EMH

What is MM?

 

[Kebby]

I’m repeating myself, but: start at Disneyland both Tuesday (for your MM) and Wednesday (to enjoy an emptier DL).

There’s no reason to start a day at DCA.

ok thanks! What about the tuesday- are there some smaller typically low wait rides we should try to hit? or should we head to DCA this day

 

[Geemo]

What is MM?

MM is the abbreviation for Magic Morning.
Which is included for Disneyland when you purchase your ticket prior to your trip.

For new members here's a link to a list of abbreviations
https://www.disboards.com/threads/dlr-abbreviations-list.1520784/

 

[motherof5]

MM is the abbreviation for Magic Morning.
Which is included for Disneyland when you purchase your ticket prior to your trip.

For new members here's a link to a list of abbreviations
https://www.disboards.com/threads/dlr-abbreviations-list.1520784/

Cool. Trying to learn I go to WDW alot but never been to DL, might do it in 2 years! Thanks

 

[Kebby]

Another question!
I have read that I can "sneak" into the Nemo/peter pan area by taking the monorail from downtown disney. However, iy looks like this only runs from 8 am on no MM days. I would be at a disadvantage doing this, right? I should just go wait in regular entrance line and be there at 7 am for an 8 am opening ( non MM and non EMH day).

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Are you saying that all year long that there are no MMs offered on Wednesdays, but there could be EMHs for on-site guests?

Yeah. DL has MM/EMH on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (just Fantasyland and Tomorrowland). DCA has EMH (only, for on-site guests only) on the other days.

That may change when Galaxy’s Edge opens, though.

 

[ArchOwl]

If you have a DAS, you can hold a return time for DAS and utilize FP or Maxpass. So on your first day (Monday) I would obtain the DAS and get an RSR return time if you want. You can then also pull FPs or Maxpass for another ride. Alternate these throughout the day and you should be able to ride everything you want.