Magic Kingdom EMH strategy

[Katiaz]

Feb. 2020 will be my first visit to WDW staying onsite, and only my second visit at all! I am wondering how much I can realistically get done in the morning with EMH at 8am? Does Seven Dwarves take 30 minutes? I have seen lines develop instantly via the app. I might get a FP for that and rope drop either Peter Pan or Space Mountain. What can I complete before heading to BTMRR at 9am?

Is it reasonable to complete Seven Dwarves and Peter Pan or stick with Tomorrowland and do Space, Astro, and Buzz?

 

[Katiaz]

Touring plans gives some pretty long wait rides for EMH, for example 40 minutes total (walk, wait, and ride time) to ride Space Mtn at EMH 8am rope drop, that’s super disappointing if true!

 

[CastAStone]

Is it reasonable to complete Seven Dwarves and Peter Pan or stick with Tomorrowland and do Space, Astro, and Buzz?

If you get to the park gate, past security, 30 minutes before it opens, you’ll be able to do either one of those itineraries on most days. The posted waits during EMH can be a little more exaggerated than usual.

Touring plans gives some pretty long wait rides for EMH, for example 40 minutes total (walk, wait, and ride time) to ride Space Mtn at EMH 8am rope drop, that’s super disappointing if true!

Touring Plans freely admits that they don’t have a good handle on rope drop. Their system assumes you are basically walking into the park at opening, which puts you behind hundreds or even thousands of other people. If you get to the main gate 30 minutes before it opens, you’ll barely wait for Space Mountain most days. On busier days make it 60 minutes before park open. If you’re using the Touring Plans Lines app, just optimize as soon as you get off the first ride.

 

[Katiaz]

If you get to the park gate, past security, 30 minutes before it opens, you’ll be able to do either one of those itineraries on most days. The posted waits during EMH can be a little more exaggerated than usual.

Touring Plans freely admits that they don’t have a good handle on rope drop. Their system assumes you are basically walking into the park at opening, which puts you behind hundreds or even thousands of other people. If you get to the main gate 30 minutes before it opens, you’ll barely wait for Space Mountain most days. On busier days make it 60 minutes before park open. If you’re using the Touring Plans Lines app, just optimize as soon as you get off the first ride.

Thanks! That’s super helpful to know!

 

[Katiaz]

I wanted to start with Tomorrowland because Space and Buzz were 2 favorites for my daughter last time. We went on Christmas Day 2018 and rope dropped 7 Dwarves followed by Peter Pan on a day with EMH at 6am and 7am regular open (we did NOT have access to EMH). I was pleasantly surprised to ride 7 Dwarves with about a 35 min wait!

 

[sharonabe]

Touring plans gives some pretty long wait rides for EMH, for example 40 minutes total (walk, wait, and ride time) to ride Space Mtn at EMH 8am rope drop, that’s super disappointing if true!

Have no idea where they get that data. We did an EMH at MK and did almost ALL of Tomorrowland during that hour: Buzz, Space Mtn, Astro Orbiter, the Speedway, and even did a ride on the People Mover at the end of EMH (we weren't in a hurry to get anywhere).

As PP said, you need to be AT the park and through security by 7:30 so you're waiting for the time to get in. Getting to the park just before or just after they allow people through will put you at a disadvantage.

 

[Katiaz]

Have no idea where they get that data. We did an EMH at MK and did almost ALL of Tomorrowland during that hour: Buzz, Space Mtn, Astro Orbiter, the Speedway, and even did a ride on the People Mover at the end of EMH (we weren't in a hurry to get anywhere).

As PP said, you need to be AT the park and through security by 7:30 so you're waiting for the time to get in.

Thanks, that’s great to hear!