How are crowds at EMH evenings?

[disneymania]

We are going late January & wonder if it is worth it to do the EMH evenings. I would think we would definitely do it on Wed night at MK but not sure if it is necessary at other parks. ARe they more crowded those days so avoid them? Are the 3 extra hours crowded or are rides all a walk on? Also, is what time is Epcot open until? (3 hours after WS normally closes?). Thanks for your help!!

 

[DebbieB]

The first ones aren't until next month, so it's hard to guess. They did a one or two week test last May, I don't think it was widely publicized to make a judgement.

 

[Carrieberry]

I think any time you can get onsite resort guests only at MK it is worth it. When they tested it in May, the crowds were probably larger than they will be next month also, so it would be hard to get an accurate feel of what they will be like. We will be doing EMH at MK and at AK because how often do you get to see AK after dark? If it is open the publicized 3 hours it will be open until 8pm! Also I believe it will only be future world at Epcot that will be open the extra hours until 10pm as I would think midnight for WS is really late for that time of year. Has anyone heard for sure??

 

[aec]

I was told on another thread that Epcot would be open until midnight on EMH nights. Most of FW is open and WS is open only for el rio del tiempo and maelstrom. The rest is roped off.

Keep in mind that even though FW is listed as closing at 7 on non-EMH nights, many of the popular FW attractions are open until 9. So it makes sense that EMH would be from 9 pm to midnight.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We were in WDW in May 2004 when they did the test. We took advantage of the EMH at MK and MGM. We thought it was great. At MK it was so great. That's my favorite park so riding all the classics in a practically empty park was a dream come true. At MGM we rode TOT three times in a row, just walk on, ride, and get back on. I think we did rockn roller coaster 4 times. I remember getting dizzy. Haha! We got to do a lot of rides, all the shops closed and there was few food stands open. That will probably change since at the time they were just testing the emh. If we had more energy, we were exhausted by this time, we would have tried the emh at the other two parks as well.
I think it is definitely worth it!!!

 

[Carrieberry]

Yippiee! MIDNIGHT!! WHOO HOO!! It just keeps getting better!

 

[InstImpres]

I am holding judgment. I am wondering with many people on "non hopping" tickets as of 1/2, if parks with EMH morning/evening are going to be more heavily populated. If I am right in my theory, you will get to do more there in last hours if you go on the non-EMH day.

Bottom line, only time will tell

Sandy

 

[Minky]

We were there during the test in May, and WE LOVED IT!!!! Evening EMH are the best.....they were great about ushering non resort guests out, so you got to do so much, and the last hour you basically have the park to yourself. On our first night there it was MKs late nite, and we did the whole park in 3 hours some rides twice

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We were there in May and we hated it.

It does not work for families with small children. They don't make it past 8pm any evening. It was much more difficult to manage a stroller through the crowds.

I really missed walking down Main St. on a bright sunny morning in an empty park. The parks were much more crowded during evening EMH which is probably why they are instituting them. With the opening of POP the number of onsite guests are rising.

We are always able to be at opening on EE mornings do all that we want and be back at the resort by noon when it begins to get crowded.

As I recall non-resort guests were allowed to stay in the park but were not allowed on rides. They were passing out writstbands to resort guests. Although I remember riding Kali river rapids with a terribly obnoxious loudmouth without a wrist band.

Why would they throw out all the potential shoppers and diners? AK was the busiest I had ever seen it in the afternoon. We usually go to AK either EE morning or after 3pm when the crowds have left. During EMH it was packed. If I recall Safari shuts down at sunset and wasn't open past 6pm, but I could be wrong.

Also, Epcot had very little to do in WS. They need to have more open.

Bottom line, more crowded than morning EE.

 

[disneymania]

Thanks for the feedback. guess we'll have to wait until Jan to see how it really affects crowds. I do think that we'll really only using evening hours at MK just to stay in park late. Other parks we can get done what we need to do during the day & still get kids to bed at a decent hours.
Thanks!!!

 

[the kabuki]

I am so excited about the new late night hours. We will be there in 10 days!! and can't wait to see how they turn out. Plus, my kids are all night owls, never once made it to an EE morning. It's great that they are giving us late risers a chance

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

It does not work for families with small children. They don't make it past 8pm any evening. It was much more difficult to manage a stroller through the crowds.

I hate to say it at the risk of offending anyone, but this is one of the reasons I am so excited about nighttime EMH's. It's a chance to walk around and enjoy the park without doging people with double-wides every two feet who aren't paying attention to the stroller because they are dragging the kids behind and just using the stroller as a luggage cart.

Now, this isn't everyone (many people are courteous with their strollers), but there are enough inconsiderate people out there that I have to say I'll be glad to have the option of the occasional "adult" evening at the park. Then again, on second thought - those inconsiderate parents who bang into everyone to get out of their way are probably the same type who will keep the poor kids up all night "BECAUSE WE PAID FOR THIS, DANGIT!"

Hehe, you see the best, and worst, of people at WDW.

N.E.D.

 

[Harambe]

I am also waiting to see how this is going to work. I am looking forward to the late evenings for our trip since we'll be there in August, and I do better without the sun bearing down on me.

I'm sure by the summer, the bugs and kinks will be worked out of the new hours.

NewEnglandDisney - I'm with you about the inconsiderate folks with the double-wide strollers, but I have a feeling you'll see MORE of these at night, with parents anticipating their kids getting tired and falling asleep. Just picture the resort buses at closing - crammed with strollers.

 

[Angel1]

at the prospect of being in AK in the DARK! And of being in Epcot until MIDNIGHT! ... and of course of being in MK at night with reduced crowds, without paying for an extra hard-ticket!

With the new program, there is something for everyone!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I hate to say it at the risk of offending anyone, but this is one of the reasons I am so excited about nighttime EMH's. It's a chance to walk around and enjoy the park without doging people with double-wides every two feet who aren't paying attention to the stroller because they are dragging the kids behind and just using the stroller as a luggage cart.

Now, this isn't everyone (many people are courteous with their strollers), but there are enough inconsiderate people out there that I have to say I'll be glad to have the option of the occasional "adult" evening at the park. Then again, on second thought - those inconsiderate parents who bang into everyone to get out of their way are probably the same type who will keep the poor kids up all night "BECAUSE WE PAID FOR THIS, DANGIT"

N.E.D.

You're right of course.

I too am tired of inconsiderate people who step in front of a moving stroller and then by gosh are surprised the air brakes don't stop it on a dime. Not to mention the families that walk five across toward you and run straight into the stroller head first because they are looking around and not watching where they are walking.

The hardest to deal with are the people that come to a complete and sudden stop smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk. A double stroller with two 45lb toddlers and 10lbs of juice boxs, extra clothes etc., is impossible to stop as suddenly as someone walking. I always maintain a safe distance between the people in front of me but someone always sees that safety space as an opportunity to cut the stroller off.

 

[aec]

Been on both sides of this one. There are plenty of oblivious people to go around. Some happen to be pushing strollers and others tend to walk in front of them!

 

[4greatboys]

We have 2 small children and would love the extra time at night. We dont do EMH in the am. My family--including little ones--likes to sleep in and we like to stay up late on vacation.
I am a stroller pusher and I try to be very considerate of others. I try not to run into anyone but there are always a lot of ppl who just act like your not there, or that Im just supposed to stop every time someone walks by--not happening. N.E.D. I know you werent talking about all stroller pushers and I have seen some of the bad ones too, just also a lot of non stroller pushers who seem to feel they have the right of way due to the fact they have no stroller.
Anyway my family is looking forward to the EMH at nights--if for no other reason it gets you out of a little of the heat.

 

[perdidobay]

I was at WDW in May and enjoyed Epcot emh, didn't get to do any other parks. DH and I will be there in Jan and will really get to enjoy the night emh hours. When it is just the two of us we sleep in and aren't in the parks till noon. So this will really help us out. I expect it will be about as crowed as last May becasue last May few people knew about it, but there will be fewer people in Jan, so it may even out.

 

[BelleChick]

I have a quick question for those of you who have used the new evening hours...is it like E-ride nights where they only give out a certain amount of wrist bands, or do they allow all park guests to participate no matter the number? I am going in three more days, so it would be really great to know!
Disney Dance

 

[aec]

The new EMH starts on January 2. You don't need a seperate ticket like e-night, but you do get a wristband. It is only open to WDW resort guests. You show your resort ID that evening at the EMH park to get a wrist band. SO if the EMH park was MK, and the normal closing time was 7 pm, your would show your ID anytime after 5 pm to get the wristband. If you arrive after 7 you will get a wristband as you enter the park.
There is no extra charge.