Lots of Changes on EMH!

[JamesD]

To the OP, can you kindly tell us where you saw this information? thanks.

I'm not the OP, but it is obvious that this info came from the Cast Portal system, which is an online information service that only Disney cast members have access to. Information such as park operating hours, rehab schedules, and special announcements are posted on the Cast Portal prior to their 'official' public notification.

 

[dj2]

I don't want to compute to see if we'd have been better off not having purchased our passes earlier!

does anyone know if there are any changes to the rides that will be open during the extra hours (both morning and evening)? some of the parks have an awfully short list for 3 hours.

thx

dj

 

[Penny12]

Wait a minute...previously onsite guests got 7 extra hours a week...Disney are now extending that to 20 hours a week, nearly three times as long - for no extra charge...and it's still not good enough? I think that's a great onsite perk!

I guess that you can never please all of the people all of the time... Personally I think extra park time in any shape or form can only be a <b>good thing</b>, especially when it doesn't cost me any more

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Wait a minute...previously onsite guests got 7 extra hours a week...Disney are now extending that to 20 hours a week, nearly three times as long - for no extra charge...and it's still not good enough? I think that's a great onsite perk!

I guess that you can never please all of the people all of the time... Personally I think extra park time in any shape or form can only be a <b>good thing</b>, especially when it doesn't cost me any more

I totally agree...yet people on this and other Disney boards have been moaning about it all day. Same thing with the "Magic Your Way" passes - in most cases people are going to save but change just scares some people.

People get used to a certain thing, and they don't always see where change is good. I am sure this has really messed with some people's planning of PS's, but at WDW you learn to plan ahead but go with the flow. Still over a month until the new EMH's go into effect, plenty of time to get PS's for most WDW dining, especially since lots of other people will be changing plans, opening up new ressies hopefully.

I hope everyone ends up enjoying the magic even more - because while I won't pretend this is totally altrustic on Disney's part, it's certainly increasing the benefit to resort guests a great deal.

N.E.D.

 

[n2mm]

I agree with Webmaster Penny--you can't please everyone. I also think this is a GOOD thing and it was time for a change. This is a GREAT change as far as I'm concerned. Yes it will take some relearning the system.

I read that wristbands will be distributed no earlier than 2 hours before park closing. The guest must show their resort ID. Whether they police the system by making folks show picture IDs, no one really knows, and whether one person in the party can get all of the wristbands, I would say no. In the past whenever a wristband is distributed, either for a pin release, e-ticket, or party, the CM ALWAYS puts it on for you, so am sure this will be the same policy. I'm thinking out loud and would think that WDW would think if they handed someone a bundle of wristbands, there would be a bad apple out there that might try to make a profit and sell the wristbands to a non resort guest. (JMHO)

 

[disneyjunkie]

On getting the wristbands. Could someone lend their resort ID to someone without a resort ID to get a wristband after the first person got their wristband? Or would you only be able to get one per resort ID? I could see some families with part of the crew staying offsite (or who live in the area) borrowing the resort guest's ID to get the wrist band.

I was wondering the same thing.

I think it would be easier to handle if you had to pick up some type of ticket from your resort to turn in before getting your wristband. That way the resort could check to be sure the number of tickets you receive equal the number of people registered for the room.

 

[RescueRanger]

Wait a minute...previously onsite guests got 7 extra hours a week...Disney are now extending that to 20 hours a week, nearly three times as long - for no extra charge...and it's still not good enough? I think that's a great onsite perk!

I guess that you can never please all of the people all of the time... Personally I think extra park time in any shape or form can only be a <b>good thing</b>, especially when it doesn't cost me any more

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.

 

[psu1978]

I am surprised that AK has an evening! Since this park is usally the first to close, I wonder what will be offered during these extra 3 hours. Any ideas?

I am glad that our trip is not until August...it is easy to change my plans as they are all still in pencil. I do feel sorry for those who have finished their planning, complete with PS's.

 

[kimmar067]

One of the reasons we stay on-property is to take advantage of early-morning-entry. When we stayed at the Dolphin it was taken away, and again in 2002 when we visited during the summer. Now I'm gonna have to rearrange my PS's yet ANOTHER time! (boy, those CM's are going to be SICK of hearing from me AGAIN!)

PS ~ as for the extended evening hours, in the past, we always PAID for that....

 

[CarolA]

To get an EMH (evening) ticket you will need a room key. So don't forget to bring EVERYONE's room keys That way Disney does know the number of people you get armbands for equals the number in your room. (You can't just walk up and say "I am staying at Pop" and get an armband)

 

[jtdl]

I hope they will revamp the parade schedule to coincide with the late closings. I have never seen Spectromagic and was hoping and wishing I could see it in Feb when we go. The Feb hours are finally posted and on Wed. 9th neither Wishes or Spectro is slated, but according to the new EMH schedule MK will be open an extra 3 hours on that night! On Fri. 11th MK operating hours are until 9 pm and only Wishes is slated!

 

[liznboys]

Effective January 2, 2005:

Sunday -- MGM (evening)
Monday -- EPCOT (morning)
Tuesday -- MGM (morning); AK (evening)
Wednesday -- MK (evening)
Thursday -- EPCOT (evening)
Friday -- MK (morning)
Saturday -- AK (morning)

Thanks for the info.! I wonder when this will be set in stone?

 

[BCVBRUCE]

I think the new hours are great, except for the fact that my vacation starts Jan 1st and I am NOT changing my PS's/planned park days again.

So, say Wednesday I spend all day in MGM. Can I get a wristband for MK so when MGM closes I can hop to MK, which will be still open for the extra evening hours?

-Or-

Do I have to actually be in MK prior to park close to get the wristband and to enjoy the extra evening hours???

Have Fun,
Bruce

 

[kpossible]

Thanks for sharing. Where did you get this info? This changes everything. Now I wonder what days will be the busiest for the parks. The Unofficial Guide will have to write a new book for 2005 to keep up with this.

 

[Penny12]

You don't have to be at the park before closing to take advantage of EMH, the gates are open as usual - you'd just collect your wristband on the way in.

 

[BCVBRUCE]

Thanks WebmasterPenny.

 

[2ofUs]

Okay, after a good nights sleep and a few long, deep breaths this morning, I now need to tackle this problem.

I have spent 2 1/2 months perfecting our trip for 6 adults from 3 states in Feburary. I just completed the final PS and purchased all the food vouchers and admission tickets (bought 30 day FITS as it was cheapest/best deal at the time) and mailed everything off to the other 2 couples YESTERDAY!

Now it seems I am back to square one. I had CRT for the 6 of us at 8:10 on a Sunday, and actually changed it to a 9:55 so we could have a couple of hours in the park on EMH that day before breakfast. So, now the park doesn't open until 9:00 and we could have been in, had breakfast and been ready for rides at opening instead!

Also completely shifts all our other days as we were trying to avoide the busy parks. Can I say just what a this is turning out to be? We now could have purchased more adjustable tickets and saved a good bit more money. It's not that I don't appreciate the extra hours, it is just that we are on property, but the property is NOT DISNEY OWNED. One of the couples has vacation membership with Fairfield so we are staying at the Bonnett Creek Resort. That eliminated EMH and now eliminates EVENING HOURS as well. How am I supposed to replan around that?

Now I need to breathe deeply again. Guys, I am close to tears. There are 5 other people counting on me and several other pre-paid events that now may be in jeopardy. I am NOT HAVING FUN HERE!

I do appreciate the new plans and understand the Disney philosophy behind them but OUCH! I could use some encouragement, please?

 

[jtdl]

Anybody know if resort guests will be able to leave one park to go to the park with the late closing or will we require a "hopper" pass for that? With only about 3 weeks left to purchase the existing passes, I have to make up my mind. It will be about $80 cheaper for me to purchase the existing hopper rather than the new one. Advance Purchase 4 -day hopper for 3 adults, 1 child $817.19 (tax incl). New 4 day hopper $897.80 (tax incl). Or another option would be new 5 day pass - 781.71, but will I be able to use 2 days of the pass in one day (go to MGM during the day and MK at night)?

Come on Disney - make our planning a little easier and give up the secrets!!!!

 

[oogieboogie]

you will need a hopper pass if you go to another park before the Evening MH park.

 

[n2mm]

2ofUS, you have my sympathy. I can't even imagine what you're going through right now. In October I had a trip planned, then my daughter and family wanted to join us, so I rearranged everything, then she invited friends, so I rearranged everything, again. Then I had to arrange certain meals on certain days. It can be a real pain and an even bigger pain when your party size is 8 or more. To make matters worse for you, you don't have the entire party on property. Please feel free to email me if you need any further information about these new hours and I'll try to help you find your answers. I have a trip planned for January 15th and haven't even begun to start making my PSs, but it's only the 2 of us and we are flexible. Good Luck.