How to plan park days.

[Dimap]

Hi. I hope some of you will be able to give me some advice. WE are arriving on Wednesday, September 27. By the time we check in that day is pretty much over. So our first day is on Thursday Sept. 28. It is EMH at MK. So we were going to try AK. and go to MK on Friday September 29. Oh no NSSHP - no parades or fireworks for us. So do we delay MK to Saturday (Kids wil be dying to get there). or should we just go on Thursday, even with EMH?

Any advice?

Pam

 

[TinkNH]

We went to the EMH at MGM and magic kingdom last year the first week in Oct, and the crowds were not bad at all..least I didn't think so. I know in the Unofficial guide it reccomends avoiding the EMH parks..but during the off-peak season I don't think it is as big an issue. My last 2 trips and this one coming up have been Oct/Sept, and we have not waited very long for most rides..the Tower of Terror I think was the longest wait at about 40 min last year...mid afternoon. During the Night EMH I think we waited 10-15 min? I am sure someone who has more experience will have input..but for our upcoming trip I made ADR's for breakfast at teh park with the morning EMH, thinking we could get there do a ride or two and then eat. I didnt think too much about evening EMH because DD is 4 and will probably tire out early.

 

[Dimap]

Thanks TinkNH - Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[punkin1763]

Hi Pam, Well - I have to say I'm with the kids on this one! You have to go to MK first - that's how you know you are really at WDW!!

This will be our first trip to WDW during Sept/Oct - so I don't know if the crowds will be bigger that time of year, but we've never had a problem with EMH @ MK before.

Have a great time no matter what you decide! Cindy

 

[lake queen]

We have ALWAYS used the AM EMH with great results. The key is to get to the park right at opening, then we walk right on to all rides in Fantasyland with out a wait at all!! If it then gets too crowded for you, hop to another park. If you can't get there by park opening, forget the EMH and go to the non EMH park.

 

[Dimap]

I can't use the EMH because I am not staying onsite. So do I go on 9/28 even though it is EMH? 9/29 is MNSSHP, hence no night fireworks for us if we go that day (we are going to MNSSHP on 10/2). Then it seems like such a long wait to finally get to MK. I really am not good at planning at all. I am getting so confused!

Pam

 

[mickeyluv'r]

If you have park hopper tickets you could check it out and then change parks if it's crowded. In our experience the am EMH hours aren't as crowded as the evening ones, but of all the parks it might be a little more crowded than the other parks that day.

 

[rlovew]

Normally a morning EMH on Thursday will not make the MK as crowded as a Saturday that has both Wishes and Spectromagic. Any day with Spectromagic is going to be more crowded anyway because at off season it is normally only offered 2-3 times per week so people plan to be there for it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I plan around EMH....I go where EMH is not, and where the crowds are less.

 

[disneyde]

There is one school of thought on planning with small children that you should go to MK llatter in your trip because once they've been there they will have no patience for a more adult park like EPCOT (be sure to go to Epcot on a day when the candy maker is working in Japan....check steve soarins site for days....there is a link from mousesavers on his entertainment guide) ......we've been twice with small children and have used that advice well.....this year we are going late in September and going against that advice by going our first day to see Spectro and Wishes....we've never seen Spectro.....our trip two years ago was off property so no EMH for us then and we avoided EMH parks this worked well......MK this september is a hard one because there really are very few days where there is no EMH because of the magical beginnings promo where they open fantsyland an hour early.....I'm not sure about 9/29 but I would check WDW website and if it's a day without magical beginnings I would consider that day also.... call disney and see what time the park is offically closing I've ready so many different conflicting things on this that I don't know anymore.....Good luck

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Quite honestly the crowds should not be that bad, you are visiting at a slow time of year. So even with EMH the crowds should still be manageable. I would definitely invest in Park Hoppers, that way if a park is too crowded for your liking, just hop on over to a less crowded park.

I'm confused, they don't have a fireworks show for the (10/2) MNSSHP?

 

[lake queen]

The key is to get park hoppers.

My kids can't imagine starting anywhere but MK (or myself either!!!)!

If you have hoppers, you can start out in MK then hop to another park that is open later for that day. That way, you get more time out of your tickets for that day.

Good Luck!!

 

[1DISNEYLVR]

Hi Pam. We are arriving the same day, 9/27! We are doing MK on 9/28, our 1st full day. I don't think EMH will affect the crowds that much. We plan on getting up early & hitting the park as early as possible then going back to the resort to rest/swim when we get tired or if the park gets too crowded.

Only 20 more days!

 

[btuftee]

How has the free dining affected crowds? I recall postings on this forum to the effect that the parks are more crowded than normal right now, because of the free dining plan.

 

[Dimap]

Thanks for all of your advice.

Becca - They do have fireworks on 10/2 for MNSSHP but I thought they were different from the wishes that aren't scheduled for 9/29.

1Disneylover - Wow! Really only 20 days left??? I think we will hit MK on Thursday and hope for the best. I guess you really never can tell.

I don't think the price of park hopper (for 6 peopl) is worth it to us. With 4 little children, I can't see us hopping from one park to another, maybe leaving for an afternoon break and returning later on in the day.


Pam