Late Night at the Theme Parks with Kids?

[MouseEarsJenny]

Who has gone to the theme parks very late at night with kids? Particularly MK?

We are staying at Disney from June 11-17. On the 16th, we have nothing planned, and will likely sleep in. On the 17th, we were going to do a second "be there at opening" day for the Magic Kingdom.

However, I discovered that on the 16th, the MK has EMH until 2 or 3 AM (can't recall which). We're going to dinner at 1900 Park Fare and will likely wander over to the MK for the parade/fireworks after.

So, here's what I'm wondering. Would we get on lots of rides by staying late that night? Is the crowd very bad late at night? Would it be better to go back to the hotel and get an early start on the 17th or stay up and do the park at night on the 16th? We're more interested in repeating things like Buzz Lightyear and Winnie the Pooh over and over than riding the big coasters.

We've basically never done the parks after dark with the kids. Never been to any of the fireworks (except Fantasmic, without the kids one night last time we went). We always left before it got dark or at dusk (even with an afternoon nap). But, our kids have been to drive-in movies, Harry Potter book releases, and other late events and lasted until 1 AM or later with no problem. (They're 6 and 9, btw.)

I know last time we went, we got to the MK rather late on our last day (despite our best efforts) because of all the last minute packing and checking out and such. But even if we stay up late, I don't want to run into a wall of people by arriving at the MK REALLY late the next day...

*sigh* I'm babbling. Let's just say: Would YOU find it worthwhile to take a 6 and 9 year old to EMH until 2AM at the Magic Kingdom?

 

[LISAMWDW]

Good question! I've never stayed on a late night and going to next week.

EMH"ers: Is it so crowded that it's not worth it?

 

[allegracristina]

When we went to the EMH night at MK the park was open until midnight. We found that is was more busy than ever during the first hour and a half after "park closing". We were actually pretty surprised at how crowded it got. We kind of sat around and relaxed until the crowds thinned out. After that, it was smooth sailing and we rode Splash a few times in a row.
Pooh tends to be a busy ride with lots of lines...I would venture to say that at the beginning of the EMH it would be pretty packed.

 

[The Sweetness]

Heres my opinon, one mother to another... Vacationing at WDW will make you and your whole fam a little more tired than usual. Id plan on an extra hour of sleep every night for everyone. So if you and your kids are usually up until 4 on the weekends, give it a shot. Im planning on a 5pm dinner every night, then an immediate hustle back to the room with my younger daughter, who will be 2, to get her bathed and into bed asap. Thats just what I think will make the most sense for my family. (This may change if she takes a long nap in the room, rather than shorter naps in the stroller like my 14y old did)

 

[kaysmommie]

If my kids were 6 & 9 I would stay late at the parks a few times for sure. I don't think 2 am, but later then there used to because it 's vacation! We have always done Early entry because our kids are little, 5 & 1.

 

[thelionqueen]

I have an 8 & 4 year old, and when we went we would always stay as late as the park is open on EMH days. I agree with OP that it is very busy for the first hour or so, so I would recommend having dinner during this time or after. Get as much sleep as you need during a daytime nap and plan on staying as late as you can. I've never been to an EMH open that late, but as it gets later, the park gets emptier. If you can do this, you can squeeze a whole days (maybe 2) worth of rides in a couple of hours.

I LOVE the feeling of having the whole park and rides to myself. It's the best!

 

[melomouse]

Hi -

I confess.. NEVER done EMH with my kids - going since they were 5 and 9. We all sleep in, get to the parks after the EMH guests have headed back to their resorts for naptime, and then stayed through the night. Could be the times of year we've gone - April, August, October - but the lines seem MUCH shorter at night and we have chosen to forego Spectro a couple of times and ridden then. Kids have even stayed on Aladdin 3x and repeated SM at those times.

That said - you can't burn the candle at both ends and expect to do EMH AND night hours... JMHO...

 

[lovevacations]

We are planning to do MK EMH the Friday before Memorial Weekend (12:00am-3:00am), I don't think we will make it that long. Our girls are 6 and 8. We are doing it because our only plans for Saturday and Sunday it hang around WL and since we are the dining plan,EAT. It may be crowded and crazy, but a fun memory for all of us!!

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

That said - you can't burn the candle at both ends and expect to do EMH AND night hours... JMHO...

Aren't EMH the same as night hours? I mean, I know they have morning EMH some days, but I'm talking about night time EMH where the park is open later for resort guests?

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Heres my opinon, one mother to another... Vacationing at WDW will make you and your whole fam a little more tired than usual. Id plan on an extra hour of sleep every night for everyone. So if you and your kids are usually up until 4 on the weekends, give it a shot

LOL, no! My kids are definitely not up until 4AM on any weekend!

I guess my reasoning here was that it was the last night, and they could sleep all the way to Savannah the next day! Plus, it's the night of the one morning we plan to sleep in.

I'm just not sure if it's worth it - I'm trying to weigh the time we'd spend in lines late at night versus the time we'd spend in lines if we got up early the next day. I should probably go check which rides are still open during EMH, huh? Plus, since we've never been to the park at night, maybe there's some value in night time touring that's not occuring to me... Cooler temps, perhaps, or neat lights on rides... I KNOW how to avoid lines by getting there first thing in the morning, and usually follow (though not stressfully) a basic touring plan that makes it nice. But I've heard that we can ride things MULTIPLE times with no wait late at night, and am not sure how accurate that is...

 

[jackdis]

Hi. Last year, DD6 at the time, stayed up until 12 or 1am for EMH at MK. I was shocked she was in such good spirits. She's usually in bed around 8! (Of course, not on vacation.) We thought it was definitely worth it. The lines weren't too bad, but i guess that would depend on when you are there. We were actually there when school got out in the end of June and surprisingly, it wasn't too bad.) We were disappointed that there won't be late hours on the day we will be at MK this year! Enjoy!