Low crowd level vs. Extra Magical Hour

[Mrspeaks]

Hello,
I am planning a September trip with two toddlers. I like to look at the Easy WDW crowd calendar and would typically follow the recommendation to avoid the parks with the extra hours since they will be the most crowded. However, if an estimated crowd level is low for that day - 1 or 2 - would you still skip an extra magical hour park? I am having the hardest time making our touring plan. I have some set ADRs, but might try to change them...

 

[Shanti]

I personally go for EMH, but that's because I'm skilled at touring. We always actually use all of the EMH for that day (if you're not sure you can, stay away), and we arrive early, get several standby rides done quickly, then begin using FP+ mid-morning, have lunch in the park & are done with that park by early afternoon (when it's really getting crowded). We'll go to the resort to swim, relax and/or shower, & that evening head back to the park for dinner, fireworks and/or evening EMH, depending on if EMH are AM or PM. We find EMH to be more useful than crowd calendars when used this way. Crowd calendars are often wrong these days.

 

[hakepb]

I read the recommendations, and then make an educated decision about what's best for my family.
Sometimes the best decision for your family won't be the recommended day, and that's OK.

 

[Oswin]

When in September are you going? Because if things are as crowded as they were last year in September, it won't really matter and will be busy either way.

 

[Mrspeaks]

Sept 3-10

 

[Oswin]

The crowds might actually be at the projected crowd levels during that week, the week of/right after labor day is still one of the slower times left because kids are just starting school and most parents don't want to take them out yet. Labor day falls on the 5th, so the 3-5 you may see slightly higher than expected crowds but you should be okay after that. I personally would go to the parks with EMH if that is available to you, because with MNSSHP starting up while you're there, you will see nights when MK closes early and then the other parks get the brunt of that with people trying to find somewhere to go at night to have fun. Getting in the EMH time is valuable when parties are happening at MK.

 

[gwb]

went at that almost exact dates a few years ago and it was dead for most of the time Except for the Friday and Sat. nights at MK when Night of Joy ticket was going on. Didn't have any waits in any park for any ride. Using EMH was great for low crowds and parks with very little people in them during EMH

 

[xipotec]

Personal experience is that crowds are higher during EMH......