how does the night extra hours work

[cyndilou01]

We are going in March and I see they have "extra magic hours" during the week we are there, We are staying at Ft. wilderness on property...
Does it cost more? Do you have to get an arm band, a special pass? I am not sure how it works and we are trying to plan our week of events.

 

[Robo]

Its not complicated.

This is how EMH works for all parks at all times (until further notice from WDW).

Look up the POSTED open and close times for any day, any park.

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 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.

(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. 3AM for a posted 12mid close-time. 3AM, yes sir!)

EACH adult needs to show a room key-card and a wristband will be issued to each adult and child that the ride CMs will check to allow entry to each ride.
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------

This 1-hour morning EMH and 3-hour evening EMH rule applies at all 4 parks until further notice from WDW.

 

[GlennI]

It is FREE, and is only available to those guests staying on site. You will be able to get a wrist band at the parks at certain locations to allow you to stay for the EMH. Your key to the world card will be your proof your staying on site.

 

[maycruiser]

So, where do you get the wristbands? Does anyone know a posting which lists the attractions/shows that are available for the magic hours?

 

[always quiet]

I believe the maps show you where to get your wristband. If not, just ask the nearest CM!! Be sure you have the room key with you. They do ask to see it.

 

[Robo]

So, where do you get the wristbands? Does anyone know a posting which lists the attractions/shows that are available for the magic hours?

Extra Magic Hours:
OPEN Attractions: (as of 12/13/05)

MAGIC KINGDOM AM=
•Astro Orbiter •Buzz Lightyear •Space Mountain •Speedway •Stitch
•Carrousel •Dumbo •Tea Cups •Peter Pan •Snow White •Winnie the Pooh
•Mickey's Philharmagic •it's a small word

PM= All AM Rides +
•Big Thunder Mtn. •Haunted Mansion •Aladdin Magic Carpets
•Splash Mtn. •Pirates of Caribbean

Wristbands: starting 2 hours before the posted park closing to the public at:
*Castle Hub *Caribbean Plaza *Riverboat Landing *Seven Dwarf's Mine *Timekeeper Entrance
-------------------------------------------------------
EPCOT AM=
•Soarin' •Test Track •Spaceship Earth •Living w/ Land •Mission: SPACE

PM= All AM Rides +
•Imagination •HISTA •Rio Del Tiempo (Mexico) •Maelstrom (Norway)
•The American Adventure

Wristbands: starting 2 hours before the posted park closing to the public at:
*Main Entrance *Future World East & West Breezeway *International Gateway *Mexico
-------------------------------------------------------
DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS AM=
•Tower of Terror •Rock 'n' Roller Coaster •Star Tours •Muppet*Vision 3-D

PM= All AM Rides +
•Gt. Movie Ride •Little Mermaid

Wristbands: starting 2 hours before the posted park closing to the public at:
*Main Entrance *Tough2BBug Fastpass *Harambe School (Africa) *Asia Entrance *Boneyard

-------------------------------------------------------
ANIMAL KINGDOM AM=
•Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (AM only) •Discovery Island Trails (AM only)
•Kilimanjaro Safari •It's Tough To Be A Bug

PM= All AM Rides +
•Dinosaur •Boneyard •Fest./Lion King •Primeval Whirl •TriceraTop Spin
•Kali River Rapids (seasonal) •Tarzan Rocks

Wristbands: starting 2 hours before the posted park closing to the public at:
*Main Entrance *ABC-TV Theater *Sunset Blvd./Fantasmic!

 

[DizneyKrazed]

Wristband Pickup Locations

Go to this page and scroll down. You will get a complete listing of all the locations you can get your EMH wristbands for each of the parks

 

[maycruiser]

Thanks so much for your helpful, expedient and detailed replies!

My husband is already making fun of my scheduling maps for the family! Oh well, it is half the fun for me planning and making use of options available.

Ft. Wilderness here I come - 3/19-25

 

[cyndilou01]

Wow, thanks for all the great information.. just wondering have you guys ever stayed for the evening extra hours? is it really crowded? I was really interested in the late hours at Animal Kingdom, had no idea they stayed open late... were the animals out?

I have been to Disney many, many times and have never taken advantage of the extra hours... normal routine is get up go to a park... head back to the campsite around lunch.. eat take a nap and then head back to the park around 4ish... and stay til the park closed... this sounds like I could take a longer nap...LOL.... and still hit all the good rides...

Please let me know if you think the extra hours are worth it. family and frieds going March 18-25...

Thanks again for all your help

 

[12BNWDW]

We went in June and did the EMH for the AK. It was great! There were no lines and it wasn't crowded at all. There were no animals to see but we were able to get some rides and shopping done. We went back the next morning and were able to spend time on the animals not waitng in lines. The AK has never been my favorite park but I really enjoyed it that night.Oh, the EMH for the night we visited were 7-10pm.

 

[Robo]

Please let me know if you think the extra hours are worth it.

Let's discuss MK, since that is the principal park for folks using EMH:

Since EMH's are FREE and you are simply "across the lake from your campsite" while at the MK, I'd say "you can't go WRONG".
(If its "too full" just shop a little and take the boat back "home".)

The evening EMH's are usually considered "very crowded" at MK but not so much at the other parks.

But the rule is, the LATER in the night, the fewer people (makes sense).

So, if the MK is scheduled to close at 7pm, then the EMH (when its in effect) runs until 10pm. The EMH should be VERY crowded thru the end of the evening (relative to the time of year, and the number of folks who are AT WDW in general).

OTOH, if the MK is scheduled to close at 11pm, then the EMH (when its in effect) runs until 2AM (yep, that's 2:00 in the morning).
The EMH crowd will THIN DOWN significantly after midnight.

BUT LOOKING AT THE OTHER EMH...

The MORNING EMH's (one hour prior to posted opening) are ALWAYS my FAVORITE times (at any WDW park).
Most people "just CAN'T get up that early on vacation"...
GREAT! More for ME!
I can get more "done" in that first hour in the morning (EMH or NOT) than at any other hour of my day at any WDW park.