Mixed reviews about E-Nights

[jlcbshaw]

I have seen many reviews about the e-nights at MK.

I really want to know what you guys have to say. I have learned alot from this site.

The e-night will be March 18th for us, and the parks close at 7, however the fireworks are scheduled for 7:15, whats up with that? Good deal, or not.

Thanks !

 

[kevind65]

Here's the way we look at E-night: If you're going during a very busy time of year(we're going over easter week this year) e-nights can be a life saver. If you're going to be there when crowd levels are not too high, it's still a good deal, but maybe not as needed. we've done e-nights about 5 times over the years and it was never less than a good deal.

 

[GenePA]

I think Kevind65 has said it well......during peak times, it is a great opportunity to ensure you get to ride the favorites. If it is not peak season, then it may not be necessary. But we generally go to e-night, whenever we visit WDW. We just find it a good opportunity to enjoy the park at night at a relaxing pace. In addition, we can do all of our favorites without spending a lot of time waiting in lines. We're going to WDW in 18 days and will be doing e-night again.....as always, it will be a good time and a good deal.

 

[jlcbshaw]

Originally posted by kevind65
we've done e-nights about 5 times over the years and it was never less than a good deal.

Having said that, what was the average wait time? we like to stay late if possible, and with the park closing at 7pm, it seems like it can only lengthen a somewhat short day.

 

[GenePA]

We've done e-night about 6 times and I think the longest wait we ever had was 20 minutes......and that was right when the night started (at Space Mountain). Alien Encounter can also give you a 15 minute wait or so but that is because it is just a slow 'loading' ride. Generally, I'd say average wait time is about 5 minutes, where many times you are just walking on the rides. At slower times, depending in the ride, they may allow you to ride consecutive rides......this is more likely to occur at Splash & Big Thunder Mountain.

We usually arrive at MK about 30 - 45 minutes prior to park closing when we do e-night. I wouldn't like be at the park for several hours and then start e-night.....that could make it a long day. We normally don't ever spend more than 3-4 hours at any park...any time!

 

[grinningghost]

I can't say enough good things about e-nights. We went to one in June of 2000. It was so worth it. Riding the biggies over and over without waiting - you just can't beat it. The only thing I'd do differently next time is take a nap before I go. The park closed at 11, so the e-night lasted until very late. I was dragging a bit. But if yours is starting at 7 - absolutely do it.

 

[bweagle]

WE LOVED IT! We rode Splash Mountain and Buzz again and again with no lines at all.....and the access to the "major" characters is great. DH & I have a fabulous picture with Mickey and Minnie. How often does that picture present itself during the course of the day with huge crowds? The peacefulness was magnificent. Ours lasted until 1 in the morning. We spent the last half hour or so just sitting on a bench on Main Street, enjoying goodies from the bakery, with no one else in sight.

:::Sigh::: It was the best experience of our entire trip and more than well worth the money.

 

[Spinning]

We try to do it each time we are at Disney. The first few years it was wonderful! The park was empty and we road everything over and over again! Some rides we didn't even get off. Plus I loved being in the park alone, it almost felt like we had it to ourselves. But last year it was crowded, not bad but we had to wait about 15-20 minutes to get on a lot of the rides and had to get off rides and walk up again.
Granted that is still a short wait. But we were spoiled with the first several years. I still will do it each time! Plus I love being able to be in the park past 7!

 

[slp87]

We attended e-ride night last year on March 14th. We were disappointed in the fact that so many people raved about riding the rides over & over with no wait and having characters all to themselves. It was not that way for us. We were able to ride each ride 1 time and it was over. It was very crowded. But...will we do it again?? You bet! When the parks close early, as they do that time of year, it's fun getting to be in MK that late and get the extra time in.

 

[laf]

We love enights! Sometimes it's the only way to be at MK after dark--the most magical time there, IMHO. Never had long waits for rides, either.

 

[Teri1]

They didn't have E-night the last time we went . But when we attended E-night on our '99 trip it was great and not crowded at all. The best part was going into the Haunted Mansion with not very many people at night walking around, it made you feel like you were really going to be scared out of your wits!! My girls must have looked extra jumpy because a CM scared them good when they got in the ride. Then he grinned real big at my DH and I!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We attended our first E-night last June. We ate dinner at Chef Mickey's and then spent time in the Exposition Hall at the main entrance (never knew there was so much inside). Followed the parade back up Main Street and sat at in an eating area to watch the fireworks.
Immediately after the fireworks E-night started. While there were a lot of people attending E-night the lines were not long. Got on Buzz right away and then a short wait for Space Mountain. Then went over to Big Thunder, Country Bears, and back to Buzz and Space Mountain again.
A lot of walking but a lot of fun. Kind of unusual to walk around the castle with so few people around (since Fantasyland is closed).
Didn't leave the park until 12:45am. Very tired but very happy with the experience. Would highly recommend E-night and plan on doing it again this trip.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

We did E-night twice this past June when we were there and I have to say, it was one of the highlights of our trip! Our longest wait was about 15 minutes but mostly, we just walked on!!

One little hint. Be in the park BEFORE it closes. Trust me, you'll otherwise feel like a salmon swimming UPSTREAM!!

Another hint: get your wrist bands at the Splash Mountain picture window. Almost everyone uses the table set up in the square just past the park entrance. Get it at Splash Mountain and START RIDING!!

Last hint: If you have little ones, take their autograph book as characters were out in several places WTIH NO WAITING!

 

[clkelley]

Absolutely, positively make sure you are in the park and have your wristband at least 30 minutes before E-Ride starts!!

If you are returning from your break at your resort and using Disney Transport, make sure you leave your resort TWO HOURS before MK is scheduled to close!!

The buses kindof go into an "exit only" mode the last hour before park closing and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get a bus from your resort to MK in that last hour. This is especially true of All-Stars.

A few years ago we were waiting about an hour before MK closed for a bus and kept seeing lots of "Special" buses dropping folks off at the Mears stop. None of them were picking up passengers at the MK stop.

We finally, got one of them to open their door and talk to us and he radioed for a bus. One finally showed up about 15 minutes prior to park closing and by the time we got in the park and got our wrist bands, we had lost an entire hour of e-ride night!

 

[MickeyEars]

Hey jlcbshaw!
My boys and I are also doing the e-night on March 18th and I'm glad it is from 7:00-10:00 because I'm getting old and it's difficult for us 'ol birds to stay out all night!!! We start the day early each day so by the time e-night rolls around I'm exhausted!! It might also be the fact that I'm trying to keep up with my two boys ages 13 and 10. We are getting so excited about our trip!!

Carla

 

[yesdisneyfool]

We will be doing enight on 3/4/2003 and will take a break after lunch for about 2 hrs. We plan on leaving OKW about 4:00 then taking the Train once we get to the MK and getting off in Frontierland for the "not so crowded enight bracelets" and then let the magic begin.