Magical Beginnings

[RedsoxMickey]

RedsocksMickey:
Not exactly sure what you point is. Sorry if I do not understand your post.

My Point is: I have a 7 yr old who I consider to be a "little one" so naturally when I saw "little one" magic hour and events geared towards little ones I thought ok my DD will be happy and I will get up early and take her to MK. I did not think, OK I am going to take her even though this is Disney trying to accomodate families with kids 5 and under.
But no - I guess little one is for preschool and toddlers. If Disney wanted this to be for Preschool and toddlers my point is WHY DIDN'T THEY SAY SO with out somebody having to go searching everywhere for the age references. To me, I'm Sorry, my 7 yr old is a "little one".
Why would my IP planner remind me that MK is open early for us

I have no problem with letting others enjoy this hour but Disney needs to be a little more specific for folks like me by refering to "little ones Magic hour and events". It has nothing to do with do what I need to do. If this is not for my family I have NO problem not attending.

Just curious - How do you feel about families with older kids or, dare I say, no kids going to check out Mickey Magic Show at MGM.

 

[Windy City Heather]

I have to say that whatever magic Disney had intended for the "Magical Beginnings Hour" has already been smashed for me thanks to this thread.

I am also amazed that this thread has not been closed!

 

[mygr8kdz]

First, let's remember that Disney didn't intend anything other than to fill empty beds at what has historically been a slow time of year. Certainly they have marketed it as a special time for preschoolers, and I hope it will be, but the bean counters haven't been lying awake at night trying to think of ways to make parents of preschoolers happy.
They have gotten people to come who may not have otherwise, and they have gotten people who would have planned on staying off-site to stay on-site instead. They have geared this marketing to a group that is available to travel at the beginning of the school year.
They cannot reasonable enforce an age limit. Those whose travel plans only allow for visiting MK on a MB day should not be forced to wait until the crowds have had an hour head start just because they don't have a preschooler. Hopefully common courtesy will prevail and people won't trample little ones on the way to their magical hour.
To those who say we aren't paying for this - we certainly are by paying for the privileges of staying on property.
I wish all of you travelling during this time frame a magical vacation, regardless of your age.

 

[Fonzy13]

First, let's remember that Disney didn't intend anything other than to fill empty beds at what has historically been a slow time of year. Certainly they have marketed it as a special time for preschoolers, and I hope it will be, but the bean counters haven't been lying awake at night trying to think of ways to make parents of preschoolers happy.
They have gotten people to come who may not have otherwise, and they have gotten people who would have planned on staying off-site to stay on-site instead. They have geared this marketing to a group that is available to travel at the beginning of the school year.
They cannot reasonable enforce an age limit. Those whose travel plans only allow for visiting MK on a MB day should not be forced to wait until the crowds have had an hour head start just because they don't have a preschooler. Hopefully common courtesy will prevail and people won't trample little ones on the way to their magical hour.
To those who say we aren't paying for this - we certainly are by paying for the privileges of staying on property.
I wish all of you travelling during this time frame a magical vacation, regardless of your age.

Lock the thread, after 100 plus posts, common sense has arrived.

Welcome.

 

[Fonzy13]

I have to say that whatever magic Disney had intended for the "Magical Beginnings Hour" has already been smashed for me thanks to this thread.

I am also amazed that this thread has not been closed!

Want some cheese with that... oh nevermind.

 

[bahsdad]

my wife is short so is she a little one?

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I only read the first couple of pages of this thread but I didn't want to read the arguments so I thought I'd just respond....

We went to the MK on sunday morning having no idea about this little ones EMH but hoping to get there at the opening to do fantasyland. We got there about 8:30, ready to wait and get in at 9. It was just me, 25, and my DBF, 31. I had on my itinerary when the EMHs were so I was confused but at the entrance the castmembers told us to go in so we did! If I knew it was supposed to be for the little ones, I wouldn't have been so adament about getting my pictures with Pooh and Eeyore!

But to answer the original question of the OP, the characters were everywhere in Fantasyland. They were NOT signing autographs though, just playing games and occasionally posing for a pic if you can jump in. I also saw Wendy get on Peter Pan's Flight with a little girl. I also saw a VERY loud, pushy, obnoxious women following Mickey and when he finally stopped in his spot to play games, she was screaming, "We were first! We followed him! We were first!" It was kind of nice to hear the CM say, "Oh no, they're just playing games this morning."

Anyway, it really wasn't crowded at all! We did not wait for one ride in Fantasyland. Maybe it's because, like us, not a lot of people knew about it!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Nikki, thanks for that info!!

 

[seven dwarfs]

RedSoxMickey:

Thanks for clearing it up. It sounds like we both agree. As I said before, I blame Disney for this misunderstanding. First of all for the name of the EMH and for not making it clear. I feel like if Disney has a special hour intended for 5 and below then that is just what it is. If it is for anyone then it should be made clear that is for all not just preschool aged kids. I feel like it is an everyone hour and they targeted preschool kids. As far as someone telling you about this, we all know travel agents and cms say all kinds of different stuff. Again I am sure someone who has experienced this will soon report and all this bickering will have been worthless. Disney put a name on this EMH to try to get more people to attend Disney during slow times and that is it. I feel like if Disney says 5 and under then I would abide by those rules. I would not break them. If they say anyone can attend then I would attend. I am not wanting to cause any problems here. I do not want to argue either. Just my thoughts on this mess.

 

[Schmeck]

So, can we all agree that it's just a marketing ploy to get more people to stay onsite?

Has anyone found it written anywhere that only certain-aged children are allowed? As in 'no one over the age of unless accompanied by...' not just the generalized marketing name given to the whole ploy, that is...

Sounds like a great time - lots of fun interaction with characters, without the pressure of lines, confronting the characters, etc. Glad to know that no preschoolers were trampled in a stampede to get on Dumbo

(Those stampedes can get ugly - I was once clipped from the side by a woman pushing a toddler in a stroller - she was racing at top speed to get to Dumbo! )

 

[Lisa0503]

I only read the first couple of pages of this thread but I didn't want to read the arguments so I thought I'd just respond....

We went to the MK on sunday morning having no idea about this little ones EMH but hoping to get there at the opening to do fantasyland. We got there about 8:30, ready to wait and get in at 9. It was just me, 25, and my DBF, 31. I had on my itinerary when the EMHs were so I was confused but at the entrance the castmembers told us to go in so we did! If I knew it was supposed to be for the little ones, I wouldn't have been so adament about getting my pictures with Pooh and Eeyore!

But to answer the original question of the OP, the characters were everywhere in Fantasyland. They were NOT signing autographs though, just playing games and occasionally posing for a pic if you can jump in. I also saw Wendy get on Peter Pan's Flight with a little girl. I also saw a VERY loud, pushy, obnoxious women following Mickey and when he finally stopped in his spot to play games, she was screaming, "We were first! We followed him! We were first!" It was kind of nice to hear the CM say, "Oh no, they're just playing games this morning."

Anyway, it really wasn't crowded at all! We did not wait for one ride in Fantasyland. Maybe it's because, like us, not a lot of people knew about it!

Nikki - Thank you so much for your first hand report!!!! I have been waiting for someone to post their own experience with this MB EMH.

I changed my tour plans to avoid it thinking it was just going to become a regular EMH with long lines since it was only FantasyLand open. If all the reports continue to be so favorable, I will definately plan on taking my 1 & 2 year old. I know my DD is just learning how to play games and she would have a blast playing with the characters....definately would need to bring my camcorder for this!!!

I am really getting excited now and can't wait for more post from people who have actually experienced it!

 

[zookeeper]

I only read the first couple of pages of this thread but I didn't want to read the arguments so I thought I'd just respond....

We went to the MK on sunday morning having no idea about this little ones EMH but hoping to get there at the opening to do fantasyland. We got there about 8:30, ready to wait and get in at 9. It was just me, 25, and my DBF, 31. I had on my itinerary when the EMHs were so I was confused but at the entrance the castmembers told us to go in so we did! If I knew it was supposed to be for the little ones, I wouldn't have been so adament about getting my pictures with Pooh and Eeyore!

But to answer the original question of the OP, the characters were everywhere in Fantasyland. They were NOT signing autographs though, just playing games and occasionally posing for a pic if you can jump in. I also saw Wendy get on Peter Pan's Flight with a little girl. I also saw a VERY loud, pushy, obnoxious women following Mickey and when he finally stopped in his spot to play games, she was screaming, "We were first! We followed him! We were first!" It was kind of nice to hear the CM say, "Oh no, they're just playing games this morning."

Anyway, it really wasn't crowded at all! We did not wait for one ride in Fantasyland. Maybe it's because, like us, not a lot of people knew about it!

To me, this answers the question of how Disney is making it special for little ones while also allowing all resort guests to enter. I think it's a great plan to have the characters playing and interacting with the little ones rather than just turning it into a gigantic autograph session. Older children, teens and adults would be more likely to intrude on the time with the characters for little ones if it was simply another line up. By telling guests like that pushy woman that they were just playing games it sets the tone. Thanks for the actual first-hand report. I'm glad you didn't get screamed at for intruding. Even without having a little one there I'm sure lots of people will get a kick out of watching the characters interact with the kids in a way you don't often get to see.

 

[KJMAX1]

Thanks for the info!! All I know is I am willing to get up early for this!! We will be having to get up super early for our family because of 3 time zone changes, but everytime we have gone by the middle of the morning FL is basically untouchable. While some of the posters think its no big deal to wait an hour in line with kids for Dumbo for us it is....We have one special needs child, and three kids who are 4 and under. Its also really cool that the characters interact with the kids!! Thats way better than a pose!! Cant wait! We couldnt get into Philharmagic last time, so this will be cool!!

 

[keriannhoward]

I have to say that whatever magic Disney had intended for the "Magical Beginnings Hour" has already been smashed for me thanks to this thread.

I am also amazed that this thread has not been closed!

Me too, but I'm still going to take my son and go. FWIW I'm hunting up the brochure I received in the mail as an AP holder that specifically stated "age 5 and under". I guess I should maybe also apologize because I'm getting a discount as a Florida resident and it's only a 2 hour drive for me to get there.

 

[Nanu57v]

I'm 27 and my mom still calls me her "little baby," so maybe I"m a little one, too.

I just feel duped because I was excited to go during the "special" magical beginnings time for my little magical beginning (she's 1). But it turns out its nothing special after all, its open to everyone.

 

[Schmeck]

Even if it's open to all resort guests, it still can be a special time for you and your little one. From what has been posted above, there are tons of characters, and they're not doing the usual, boring photo/autograph stuff - they're playing little kids' games, etc.

So, I guess if it can only be considered 'special' if it's exclusive, don't go, but if you want to have a fun time with the characters in Fantasyland, then you should try it.

 

[100 acre wood]

i see far more screaming coming from mom and dad and then the older kids who don't get what they want in the gift shops. And then you just see the adults that feel the right to argue with everyone in sight..so once they get all those people out by 8 the WORLD will be a better place

 

[keriannhoward]

Even if it's open to all resort guests, it still can be a special time for you and your little one. From what has been posted above, there are tons of characters, and they're not doing the usual, boring photo/autograph stuff - they're playing little kids' games, etc.

So, I guess if it can only be considered 'special' if it's exclusive, don't go, but if you want to have a fun time with the characters in Fantasyland, then you should try it.

Schmeck, this is the most mature and rational of response on this whole thread (including my own)-thank you.

 

[SnackyStacky]

This really has turned unfortunately sour.

I'm locking it.