Hollywood EMM August 8

[Maryemcd]

Also looking for HS EMM in early December... but a couple of reviews have mentioned only 40-50 people signed up. I saw someone else mention that Disney called them to ask if they would switch their tickets from Wednesday to Monday.

With attendance that low, do people think EMM will continue at DHS?

 

[KittyKitty]

I've been on this board for years and didn't know what PPO was. I could only think of my medical insurance PPO! Thanks for the definition.

 

[KittyKitty]

With attendance that low, do people think EMM will continue at DHS?

I saw EMM was only offered 1 day a week for the DHS for Sept.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

Are you let in at 7:45 for this or they start checking people in at 7:45? Wondering if I did this what time to arrive by, so I know exactly how early to leave hotel by. Are most people getting there like 7:15, 7:30 or right around 7:45? I'm assuming bag check should be negligible at that time.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

We did EMM today for HS, and EMM MK yesterday. These and the Star Wars Dessert party have been the highlights of the Disney portion of our stay. MK - mine train had a brief delay in opening ( not even 5 minutes, but everyone had FP till noon because of this, nice). So we did Pooh first. Then PP twice. Tea cups and carousel were open, but we did not do these. Went on mine train 4 times, and then my daughter did not want to go on more. We were eating breakfast by 8:30. The food was great, and the staff unbelievable. All servers was so nice, friendly, smiling....so wonderful. After breakfast we knocked out Fantasy Land, Adventure Land and Frontier Land. We had a FP for splash. The event made our morning. We were the only ones on pooh and PP, and had our choice front, back etc on mine train each time. For us, worth it and magical.

HS - went straight to Toy Story. We got our picture with woody and buzz, only ones there. Went on Toy Story 5 times without getting off! Again, only ones there, practically. Every now and then we saw others on the ride, but for the most part, it was the 2 of us. Went to Star Tours. Got our picture with Minnie, the Mickey, then Olaf on the way. No wait, at all, walked right in. Went on Star Tours. Only the 2 of us in our ride! Breakfast, again wonderfully staffed. A line of 8 people clapped and applauded each family as they were announced in, with a photo pass photographer taking pictures. Food again was really good, and staff, amazing! The family next to us was commenting on how they felt it was worth it. Everyone seemed really pleased with it. I would 100% do both events again. It was magical being the only ones on the rides, going over and over if we wanted.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

We got there around 7:20. We went to the bus at 7, didn't see one and panicked a little so we took a cab from the Poly. There were maybe 25 - 30 people before us. They actually let us in a minute late, so I wouldn't plan on getting there too early. Just plan enough time for transportation.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Let in at 7:45 (well 7:46). Registered and received our bands as we walked up to the area.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

We got there around 7:20. We went to the bus at 7, didn't see one and panicked a little so we took a cab from the Poly. There were maybe 25 - 30 people before us. They actually let us in a minute late, so I wouldn't plan on getting there too early. Just plan enough time for transportation.

Awesome! I will be driving so no need to wait for a bus. Google says 11 min drive from AKL to HS, hoping that's close to accurate. I'll plan for 15. From your report it sounds like there is no need to be the very first people in as it sounds pretty empty anyway. I'm thinking of planning to park by 7:30. Assuming walk in from car shouldn't be horrid that early. I hope I'm not being delusional with times to make this work for my son's birthday.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

No, your plan sounds great. He will have a blast going round and round on toy story. Have him wear his birthday pin, I'm sure that he'll get lots of Happy Birthday's from CM's, since it is like you have the park to yourself! They give pins out like candy, CM's were walking around with baskets handing them out at MK. Some say I'm celebrating and you put whatever you want. Which is nice, but now everyone has a pin. But at EMM, you get so much individual attention, they will likely all notice. It will be a great way to celebrate his day!

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

No, your plan sounds great. He will have a blast going round and round on toy story. Have him wear his birthday pin, I'm sure that he'll get lots of Happy Birthday's from CM's, since it is like you have the park to yourself! They give pins out like candy, CM's were walking around with baskets handing them out at MK. Some say I'm celebrating and you put whatever you want. Which is nice, but now everyone has a pin. But at EMM, you get so much individual attention, they will likely all notice. It will be a great way to celebrate his day!

Thanks. That sounds like a good idea to remember. He says he wants to meet Buzz and ride "Buzz's ride" as the only important things for his birthday. So this really sounds like a dream hour for him. I'm so excited now after hearing reviews!

 

[leeber01]

We did EMM today for HS, and EMM MK yesterday. These and the Star Wars Dessert party have been the highlights of the Disney portion of our stay. MK - mine train had a brief delay in opening ( not even 5 minutes, but everyone had FP till noon because of this, nice). So we did Pooh first. Then PP twice. Tea cups and carousel were open, but we did not do these. Went on mine train 4 times, and then my daughter did not want to go on more. We were eating breakfast by 8:30. The food was great, and the staff unbelievable. All servers was so nice, friendly, smiling....so wonderful. After breakfast we knocked out Fantasy Land, Adventure Land and Frontier Land. We had a FP for splash. The event made our morning. We were the only ones on pooh and PP, and had our choice front, back etc on mine train each time. For us, worth it and magical.

HS - went straight to Toy Story. We got our picture with woody and buzz, only ones there. Went on Toy Story 5 times without getting off! Again, only ones there, practically. Every now and then we saw others on the ride, but for the most part, it was the 2 of us. Went to Star Tours. Got our picture with Minnie, the Mickey, then Olaf on the way. No wait, at all, walked right in. Went on Star Tours. Only the 2 of us in our ride! Breakfast, again wonderfully staffed. A line of 8 people clapped and applauded each family as they were announced in, with a photo pass photographer taking pictures. Food again was really good, and staff, amazing! The family next to us was commenting on how they felt it was worth it. Everyone seemed really pleased with it. I would 100% do both events again. It was magical being the only ones on the rides, going over and over if we wanted.

So glad to hear about your great experiences! We have both MK and HS EMM booked for the end of August and I feel so much better after reading these great reports.

Quick question: did you have Memory Maker? If so, did you get the Mine Train video for all those rides during EMM? We loved those videos from our last trip two years ago and are hoping they're still around.

 

[DLM22]

Awesome! I will be driving so no need to wait for a bus. Google says 11 min drive from AKL to HS, hoping that's close to accurate. I'll plan for 15. From your report it sounds like there is no need to be the very first people in as it sounds pretty empty anyway. I'm thinking of planning to park by 7:30. Assuming walk in from car shouldn't be horrid that early. I hope I'm not being delusional with times to make this work for my son's birthday.

We're going for my son's birthday, too! Here's hoping there's some extra pixie dust in the air on Monday!

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Yes. We have memory maker and a video popped up on it for every time we went around. Very cute!

 

[leeber01]

Yes. We have memory maker and a video popped up on it for every time we went around. Very cute!

Great to know! Something else to look forward to...a week from now we'll be at MK! Woo!

 

[Woodmnky]

Thanks for the reports. We booked this for our September visit. My 5yo son is Autistic and the lines for M&Gs at HS often make it so he doesn't get to meet more than 1 and we often have to skip Buzz and Woody. He will be so excited to be able to do all of these things with few people around and little to no lines.

 

[DLM22]

We did EMM at HS on the 15th and it was GREAT! Totally perfect for our little family. My kids got to ride Star Tours twice (could have gone more but that was all they wanted), Toy Story twice without even getting off (again, could have gone more but they didn't want to), we met Mickey, Minnie, Buzz, and Woody with ZERO line, had breakfast, signed my son up for Jedi Training, and still had time to wander around before the crowds descended. It was wonderful. Hoping they'll have EMM at Magic Kingdom still when we go back in 2018!

 

[DLM22]

Awesome! I will be driving so no need to wait for a bus. Google says 11 min drive from AKL to HS, hoping that's close to accurate. I'll plan for 15. From your report it sounds like there is no need to be the very first people in as it sounds pretty empty anyway. I'm thinking of planning to park by 7:30. Assuming walk in from car shouldn't be horrid that early. I hope I'm not being delusional with times to make this work for my son's birthday.

How did it go?? I hope your son had a fabulous birthday! I know mine did!

 

[rwdavis2]

Once I described to my wife what was available for this she was all in. Star Tours and Toy Story are her 2 favorite attractions at DHS. The
last time we wen I think we rode Star Tours 5 times in 1 day.

Keeping an eye out for date this November. Nothing yet.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

How did it go?? I hope your son had a fabulous birthday! I know mine did!

Thanks for asking. Glad to hear it was great for you guys! We still have 2.5 more weeks to wait though. We're getting very anxious!

 

[bilnsheldodisney]

We did EMM on DHS on Aug 10 and were 100% pleased. Walked from Beach Club and arrived just at 7:45 went right in. Only about 25 names on the list - seemed like we had the park to ourslves. Went to Olaf and Star Tour first. Had the ENTIRE RIDE, not just the car, to ourselves. Headed over to TSMM and rode 5 times in a row without getting off. Was a blast. Cast members were so much fun! Buzz and Woody were knocking on the window to call us over because no one was in there either. Buffet breakfast was really good and we got over to ToT when th wait was still only 15 mins. Great morning! Would do it again in a heartbeat.