Little Ones Magic Hour

[sonny]

I cannot find anything about this on the Disney site. What is it? Does it work like Early Entry? Does anyone know if they have been extended thru October? I am trying to plan my late October trip and this could help me.

 

[stschaefer]

We were at the little extra magic hours on the 3rd and 6th. Treated like extra magic hours but have to have toddler and only for Fantasy land. DD rode with Chip and Dale on the Carousel, sat behind Stitch on Dumbo, Alice and Mad Hatter were riding on Tea cups, DD played hide and go seek with Pooh and Eeyore in Pooh's playhouse, Mother may I with Peter Pan and Wendy, and duck duck goose with Mickey and Pluto. Lines were short and great to have such fun character interaction the kids will never forget.

 

[herodrx1]

My husband & I saw this take place on Aug 25 of this year. It was a great program. You get into Fantasyland an hour early. There are characters out but they don't stand for autographs and pics like they normally do. They were PLAYING with the little ones. We saw Wendy & Peter sitting in a circle playing some kind of clapping game. We saw Snow White and Dopey singing the "washing song". You know the one where you scrub your face etc...
THe characters also rode "their" ride with some of the kids. It was really neat to watch even if my little ones felt they were to big.
I'm not sure how long they will have this program but I recommend that you take part if they do offer it!!!

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

I hope they do this in 2007 it would be wonderful magic for my little ones.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I don't think you have to have a toddler in your party. I've heard of older children, adults without kids. Since Fantasyland is all that's open, it's kind of thought to appeal primarily to toddlers, but all resort guests are allowed.

 

[iluvpiglet]

We will be in MK on 9/30 at CP for breakfast. We have ressies for 8:05. I hope we can get finished early enough to come and enjoy some the character interactment. We have never been to CP. Is the service fast? Do you guys think we'll be able to get out in time?

 

[stschaefer]

I don't think you have to have a toddler in your party. I've heard of older children, adults without kids. Since Fantasyland is all that's open, it's kind of thought to appeal primarily to toddlers, but all resort guests are allowed.

I saw one guy turned away because there was no toddler in his group. Might depend on the people at the gate the morning you are there. If you have 9 AM breakfast or earlier at CP or Cindy's theny they will let you in also.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I saw one guy turned away because there was no toddler in his group. Might depend on the people at the gate the morning you are there. If you have 9 AM breakfast or earlier at CP or Cindy's theny they will let you in also.

Oh, my gosh-now I'm really worried. I'm going solo next Sunday and I never imagined I might get turned away at the gate. If they do that to me, I'll cry, honest. DH says to just tell them that my grandchildren are already in there waiting for me. I hope they don't give me a hard time.

 

[Rowlf]

I'm not clear - why would you want to go in? To see the characters? Taking time away from them interacting with the littles there???

 

[dreamergirl78]

Oh boy! This might get good.
End result, if Disney sets it up for toddlers only, then they need to enforce it. If not, then who are we to say that adults, etc can't go? Not sure I would want to, although I think my 8 year old would enjoy it as much as a 3 year old. I am curious to know what the MK's policy on this is!

 

[Rowlf]

Most 8-year-olds (and all adults) KNOW there's someone in the costume. Why can't it just be a magical time for preschoolers? Playing with Pooh is a lot more special for a three-year-old than for me.

If the MK isn't going to enforce age limits and hordes of adults come in for "time with Pooh!", it's going to ruin it for the little ones.

 

[Robo]

I saw one guy turned away because there was no toddler in his group. Might depend on the people at the gate the morning you are there. If you have 9 AM breakfast or earlier at CP or Cindy's theny they will let you in also.

Disney does not "turn away" guests unless they don't have a RESORT KEY.

If you saw someone refused, it might have been for THAT reason.

 

[MariDisney]

We will be in MK on 9/30 at CP for breakfast. We have ressies for 8:05. I hope we can get finished early enough to come and enjoy some the character interactment. We have never been to CP. Is the service fast? Do you guys think we'll be able to get out in time?

Since Crystal Palace is buffet it can be as fast or slow as you like essentially. Now, in order for all 3 characters to come to your table (Piglet stands at the entrance) it can take up to 45 minutes or so depending on which side of the restaurant you're sitting on and how fast the characters are moving. My experience with the 8:05 ADR is that they move pretty fast. We're almost always done by 8:45.

HTH!

 

[stschaefer]

Disney does not "turn away" guests unless they don't have a RESORT KEY.

If you saw someone refused, it might have been for THAT reason.

I was shocked when he was turned away. He was on the bus from the All Star Resorts and we talked about different things along the way. I was there with DW, DD, DSIL, and neices and nephew. The CM checking bags said this was for Little extra magic hour and if he didn't have a toddler in his party or a reservation for breakfast he would have to come back at 9 AM for park opening.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I'm not clear - why would you want to go in? To see the characters? Taking time away from them interacting with the littles there???

I totally agree.

 

[DisWiz]

The CM checking bags said this was for Little extra magic hour and if he didn't have a toddler in his party or a reservation for breakfast he would have to come back at 9 AM for park opening.

The CM checking bags?

They are not there to stop you except if you are carrying contraband.

This doesn't sound legit.

 

[Schmeck]

Anything I've seen in print, on the WDW website, or that has been posted on this site says that this EMH is open to Guests of a WDW Resort and that it is marketed to those under the age of 6 - not toddlers, but 'little ones'. That man should have asked for written proof that it was for toddlers and parents only. I'd be interested to see what would have happened. This is the first time I've ever heard of someone not being admitted.

 

[DisWiz]

This is the first time I've ever heard of someone not being admitted.

Yes, something doesn't "smell" right about this info.

 

[dreamergirl78]

Most 8-year-olds (and all adults) KNOW there's someone in the costume. Why can't it just be a magical time for preschoolers? Playing with Pooh is a lot more special for a three-year-old than for me.

If the MK isn't going to enforce age limits and hordes of adults come in for "time with Pooh!", it's going to ruin it for the little ones.

But in the end it isn't your call or my call to make. That's up to Disney. My point is you can't get mad at people taking advantage of this special program if there are not clearly defined age limits. And while my 8 year old may know there is a person in the costume he DOES believe in the magic of Disney and Santa and the Easter Bunny. When he got a postcard from Mickey himself he had a grin from ear to ear and even took it to school to show his friends. An age shouldn't indicate when a kid can stop believing in a little bit of magic and pixie dust.
It is the same mentality that many have about adults getting autographs and pictures with the characters. Does it really matter as long as everyone is having a good time?
The flip side is, many parents of young kids want those of us in line to make exceptions about their children having to wait in the lines for rides, etc. Or giving up a spot at parades for their children or older kids coloring and making masks at KidCot. So where do we draw the line? I say that we can beat this issue to death but until Disney enforces it, people will continue to take advantage of every aspect of their WDW vacation that they can.

 

[DisWiz]

Most 8-year-olds (and all adults) KNOW there's someone in the costume. Why can't it just be a magical time for preschoolers? Playing with Pooh is a lot more special for a three-year-old than for me.

If the MK isn't going to enforce age limits and hordes of adults come in for "time with Pooh!", it's going to ruin it for the little ones.

Long before these EMH's began, there was a near PANIC from posters on this board as folks said the same thing.
There was supposedly going to be no room for the little kids because everyone else was going to be flooding in.
It never happened that way and those who have posted afterwards said MK was empty and the characters and kids had lots of fun.