Lots of Changes on EMH!

[trstno1]

I am all about planning excessively in advance, then being more spontaneous during my days in the parks.

For example (I'm a little nervous about admitting this), I generally make priority seatings for the latest breakfast and earliest lunch available, then I'm covered regardless of how our touring is going.

I'm really only disappointed when Disney changes which days I plan to be in the parks all together. It would be nice if they could somehow get the schedule out BEFORE the date to begin making PS's.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Yes, the new EMH schedule (as well as the current one) allow admission for all Disney Resort guests, plus guests at the WDW Swan, the WDW Dolphin, the Lake Buena Vista Hilton, and Shades of Green.

 

[mets323]

does anyhone know about ticket upgrading and whta the value would be.

we have a 5 day php plus two visit to water parks, but a 7 day php with no expiration would be better for our family.

thanks

 

[crisi]

I'm really only disappointed when Disney changes which days I plan to be in the parks all together. It would be nice if they could somehow get the schedule out BEFORE the date to begin making PS's.

Its always been annoying that Disney announces park hours long after the PS window has opened. We avoid dinner in any of the parks except Epcot, perfering the stable and plannable hours of Epcot restaurants and the hotels.

I think Disney would probably do a lot better to either shorten the PS window so they can plan park hours more effectively, or do a better job of anticipating park hours 100 days out before the PS window opens. Right now, they end up with a lot of guests making two calls - one to make that initial reservation for the latest dinner LTT offers - then calling back about 40 days out to move it to 7pm. That's just increased costs for them.

 

[chrisn]

I'm avoiding these EMH's like the plague. Especially MK on Wednesday. I'm zigging when everyone's zagging too! I love the info though. It certainly helps the planning. With the new changes, I only had to change our MK day and one PS. Phew!!!

 

[NoodlesTheRabbit]

I think these new ideas are terrific! We will be going in June, and I am wondering the same thing about the long PM hours...even if the park closes late, will it really be open 3 hours later?

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

I'm avoiding these EMH's like the plague. Especially MK on Wednesday. I'm zigging when everyone's zagging too! I love the info though. It certainly helps the planning. With the new changes, I only had to change our MK day and one PS. Phew!!!

Great...I don't know whether to zig or zag.

 

[tinkfan4ever]

How do they do the evening hours? How do they get everyone out that isn't staying on property? Our next trip is in March and this will definitely effect our plans.

 

[hockey mom]

I'm loving these extra night hours. I could never wake my family up to go early but they do love to stay up late.

 

[Stini228]

Wow I think this is fantastic. We just got back and one of the things we liked the least was the early closing time. We're much more night people than morning people!!

 

[bizeemom4]

We only have four days, Wednesday - Saturday. Being MLK weekend I am assuming Friday and Saturday will be ugly. I want to go to MGM on Saturday, but what if it's packed?

I wasn't going to change my PS's, but it is looking like a better and better idea to change them! But change them to WHAT? This is not how I want to spend the next 38 days!!

Looks like we'll be there at the same time. I'm expecting it to be busy no matter what park we visit. I think the new hours will just confuse the unknowing who may just follow the old EE schedule.

Between the holidays and work and now REplanning this 'surprise' trip, I can't even muster the energy to get excited.

 

[skiwee1]

I think the people that are complaining are mostly those with small kids who can't stay out that late to utilize those extra hours, so I think we should cut them a little slack. EE gave them a leg up because alot of people don't like to get up early. This was a benefit to them, but it also wasn't fair to those who liked to sleep in every once in a while. Personally, we always utilized EE because we don't mind getting up a little early for a jump on the crowd. Since I have not participated in the new Evening MAgic Hours, I will hold off judgement til I do. However, I will be happy to give my take on it when we get back from our trip in March.

Not me. I have a small kid and hated EMH. We never get to the parks til after lunch so this evening hours will be wonderful! EE was a total waste of time when we finall did it. It wasn't worth getting up early, skipping valuable pool time just to go stand in lines. Now we get additional evening hours which will be great, even for us folks with younger kids.

 

[Harley-Mouse]

what rides will be open all or ust some like the early days? well we have all our PS and dont have to change a thing. This will give us our second day to hit MK on this trip with the Wed MK 3 hours. We will only go to the parks twice. Mk all day on day one. then Epcot for Princes breakfast MGM for TOT RR two shows then back to MK. a great day 3 parks in one day . I love the disney magic. This will be our test run on the new hours for our trip in Oct.

 

[trstno1]

Just an observation based on the February schedule - you now get to choose how to spend your evening at the Magic Kingdom. You get to watch Wishes, or you get to watch Spectromagic, or you get more ride time on EMH nights.

None of these options are offered on the same night as another.

 

[yooperfan]

Does this mean you can stay at Epcot until midnight? Also, will only the World Showcase be open late?

 

[RescueRanger]

Not me. I have a small kid and hated EMH. We never get to the parks til after lunch so this evening hours will be wonderful! EE was a total waste of time when we finall did it. It wasn't worth getting up early, skipping valuable pool time just to go stand in lines. Now we get additional evening hours which will be great, even for us folks with younger kids.

Oh I wasn't implying that everyone with small kids liked EE better. I was just giving a reason as to why I think some were complaining. Personally, I can't wait to try the evening hours. I believe this will be fair to everyone. 4 nights and 4 mornings for a week stay. Everyone has different opinions and preferences and WDW is trying to accomodate everyone. For instance, you like swimming at the pools and consider lines a waste of time. We don't go to WDW to swim and consider pools a waste of time. We would rather spend our time in the parks. Its not a matter of whos right and whos wrong. Its just each person's personal tastes.

 

[HoosierFantasia]

I think this is fabulous. We are going in Feb 2-6. I would bet that for the first few months the attendance at each park will not be that different than what it is right now. The majority of people going to Disney have no clue to the changes. Only the smart few like us are kept abreast of the changes. I believe that the EMH evenings will have very few people wearing wristbands. Lots of confused off-site guest wondering around.
We will likely eat an early dinner at MK around 6pm while the off-site people are getting that last ride in. Then when we are done eating it will be walkin on most of the rides till 10. Yee Haww.
By the way, I am an eternal optimist!

Bill

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

Does anyone know when this is going be officially announced? Or did I miss it? I don't see any mention on Deb's site or the official WDW site.

 

[Penny12]

I believe that the EMH evenings will have very few people wearing wristbands. Lots of confused off-site guest wondering around.
Bill

I don't mean to rain on your parade Bill because your perky post honestly brought a smile to my face BUT, whilst I am sure you are right that there may be lots of off-site guests wandering around feeling a little bemused I promise you that there will be lots of guests with wrist bands. When I was there in May for the trials they were pushing this <b>very</b> heavily - to the point where there was a message from a Cast Member waiting for us on the phone <i>every single night</i> when we got back to our room letting us know about the park that had EMH the next day - and I am sure they will be doing the same for a while when it goes 'live'.

Long live optimism though

 

[2ofUs]

Penny - Maybe you can offer another opinion. I have completed our itinerary for Februay and, fortunately, we had not planned to use any EMH days so we really have no conflicts with the changes. HOWEVER, we plan to spend Wednesday from opening thru early afternoon at MK since is has traditionally been the slowest day in that park.

So now the question is: With the introduction of the reduced price non-hop tickets and adding Wednesday as an MK late night, would it be safe to assume most RESORT guests with NON-HOP passes will plan to arrive at MK in the afternnon and stay through the late close?

If I were in that position, my choice would be a sleep-in morning and some DTD or pool time before heading to the park. Especially with younger children (or, in that case, avoid MK altogether that day) I wouldn't try to make them spend 12-13 hours in a park. Ah, but then I forgot about an afternoon break and returning in the evening. Shucks. Well, perhaps there goes my theory.

But since the first couple of weeks in February are not really heavy crowds, I think we should still be okay with planning the first half of our day at MK, right? We are moving to MGM for a late lunch and Fantasmic that night so maybe MK late will keep the Fantasmic crowds down?