How do EMH in the evening work?

[Texas Trio]

Can someone explain how they do the EMH at night? How do they get non-resort guests out during EMH in the evening? Are the EMH one hour before park opening and one hour after close?

We always loved going to the early entry mornings and would usually hop to another park in the afternoon when things got crowded, usually the early entry from the previous day. How has the different EMHs changed your park strategy?

 

[mking624]

Evening EMH is 3 hours long. If you are participating, you have to go to certain checkpoints to get a wristband...and they do ask to see your resort ID. When I did it last year, there were some, but not too many, non-resort guests wandering the park, but the CMs were pretty good about checking wristbands and those without a wristband could not get on the ride.

Our park strategy is to simply go to the park doing evening EMH.

 

[Robo]

Can someone explain how they do the EMH at night? How do they get non-resort guests out during EMH in the evening? Are the EMH one hour before park opening and one hour after close?

Here's how EMH works for all 4 Theme Parks.

Look up the POSTED open and close times for any day, any park.
The hours listed do NOT INCLUDE the EMH hour(s) so they would be in ADDITION to the posted hours.
Only WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed EHM privileges and it COSTS NOTHING EXTRA to attend the EMHs.
There are slightly different situations for MORNING and EVENING EMH's.

-------MORNING EMH FACTS--------------------------------------
If it is a MORNING EMH, then WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed entry to THAT park on THAT day starting ONE HOUR before the posted opening time.
At least ONE person in your party should have a room key-card with them (sometimes EACH person needs to show one) to verify your current hotel status and gain entry.
So, only WDW resort guests will be ALLOWED INTO the park.
Once inside, only selected attractions will be open.
See the official WDW website for the latest attractions that will be open during EMH.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage

-------EVENING EMH FACTS--------------------------------------
If it is a EVENING EMH, then WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed to stay and ride attractions at THAT park on THAT day for THREE HOURS after the posted closing time. (Don't worry that the site says, "UP TO 3 hours." Thats just legalese... EMH will be 3 hours in the evening.)
You do NOT have to be in the park BEFORE scheduled closing time.
You CAN enter the park at any time during EMH and still get a wrist-band.
You can leave and re-enter the park at will (just like any normal time).

(So, YES, if MK is sched. to close at midnight, the EMH will run til 3AM! Yep, that's 3 in the morning. No, its not a mistake, that would be 3 full hours after the posted time.)

All adults and children 3 years and older will be issued a room key-card when you check in to your WDW resort (if they are listed on your ressie). If they are issued a key-card, you will have problems with EMH, because EACH guest (except for very small children) will need to show a room key-card to a CM at special "EMH kiosks" set up in various locations throughout the park. Kiosks are well-marked and are very easy to spot as you are walking in the parks. They open up these kiosks approx. 2 hours before the "regular" park closing time, and a wristband will be snapped on by the CM to each adult and child.
So make SURE the check-in desk issues EACH person in your party a room key-card. An adult can hold onto all the cards for the kids, but don't forget to bring the cards to the park.
Most nights the CMs will SCAN your room-key-card so that it can only be used to get a single wrist-band that evening. The ride CMs will then check for these wrist-bands at each attraction before allowing guests to enter the queue.
So, even though non-resort guests may still be INSIDE the park, only those with wrist-bands will be allowed to ride any open EMH attractions.
See the official WDW website for the latest attractions that will be open during EMH.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage
--------------------------------------------------------------------
You can enter the parks for EMH EVENINGS anytime... during "regular" hours, or even during the actual extended EMH hours.
This 1-hour morning EMH and 3-hour evening EMH rule applies at all 4 parks. Enjoy!

 

[mrstbalt]

We have never done EMH early or late. Is it worth it and is it too crowded at both times? Thanks

 

[Robo]

We have never done EMH early or late. Is it worth it and is it too crowded at both times? Thanks

Many of us go to Morning EMH which is virtually aways less crowded than other times (and sometimes "Park HOP" if the EMH park gets busy later).
Some of us like the evening EMH at certain parks.
Some of us avoid EMH parks.

Remember that NOBODY can tell you what WILL happen with ATTENDANCE on any given date, any more than they can predict the WEATHER (which WILL affect the attendance much more than EMH.)

EMH is FREE.
I go.
If I need to, I can always go elsewhere.

 

[mrstbalt]

Is it worth getting up early or staying up late?

 

[Robo]

Is it worth getting up early or staying up late?

That's a question only YOUR particular "Disney desires" and stamina can answer.

I will say a word of "THANKS!" to all the folks who just WON'T get up early on vacation.

Morning EMH's are so much nicer with fewer guests!

 

[elgerber]

We did EMH evening at Epcot this past Tuesday. What a zoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! The line for Soarin' as soon as EMH started was already 50 minutes. Long line for HISTA, Mission Space was 30 minutes. We did TT in the singles line and walked right on the boat in Mexico but that was it. The line for the Maelstrom was out the door. That said, strolling around the world showcase after dark without the post Illuminations crowds was wonderful. Many of the stores and food places were still open.

 

[mking624]

We always do evening EMH. Right at the beginning, crowds will be busier. But as the night goes on, more and more people leave making the lines considerably shorter. Robo is right in that no one can predict the crowds, but it is safe to say that it's not as busy later on in EMH as it is in the beginning.

 

[Tiggerlover48]

I will say a word of "THANKS!" to all the folks who just WON'T get up early on vacation.

You are welcome! I'm not a morning person, unfortunately, my DS6 is! So I am up early, but I take my time. I'm there usually by 9:00 am. I'd rather stay up late and hit the parks, but DS needs to get to bed early - because he get up so early!!!!

 

[alexthecat]

Question...how does EMH work at Epcot since Future World and World Showcase have different opening and closing times??

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[mking624]

Question...how does EMH work at Epcot since Future World and World Showcase have different opening and closing times??

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

They go by the closing time of WS (since it stays open later).