MK evening EH after Illuminations.. Worth it?

[jensenba]

My friend and I are going to WDW for a confrence in Sept so we have limited times to see night time shows and limited park time. We are staying at POFQ and will have access to EMH. The only night we can see Illuminations is a Sunday the same night as MK evening EMH. So my thought is in a perfect world we could see Illuminations then catch the monorail to MK for the last hour or so of EMH. However, what is the reality of that plan. Would we make it OUT of EPCOT in time or is it even worth spending just the last hour of EMH at MK? Any thoughts?

 

[Robo]

My friend and I are going to WDW for a confrence in Sept so we have limited times to see night time shows and limited park time. We are staying at POFQ and will have access to EMH. The only night we can see Illuminations is a Sunday the same night as MK evening EMH. So my thought is in a perfect world we could see Illuminations then catch the monorail to MK for the last hour or so of EMH. However, what is the reality of that plan. Would we make it OUT of EPCOT in time or is it even worth spending just the last hour of EMH at MK? Any thoughts?

Yes, it should work just fine, if you are "awake enough" to do it.
The monorail to TTC/MK may be pretty busy after IllumiNations, however.

There's no way to know in advance just how crowded EMH at MK will be that night, but a good rule of thumb is "the later the hour, the fewer the guests at PM EMH.

If you can go to MK and just enjoy the evening atmosphere, it might be OK, too.

It would be a better plan if MK were going to be open LATER... I see that the regular closing times in Sept. on PM EMH Sundays range from 8pm to 10pm, meaning the EMH closing times would range from between 11pm on the 8pm night, to 1am on the 10pm night.

What is the DATE of the night in question?

 

[jensenba]

It would be a better plan if MK were going to be open LATER... I see that the regular closing times in Sept. on PM EMH Sundays range from 8pm to 10pm, meaning the EMH closing times would range from between 11pm on the 8pm night, to 1am on the 10pm night.

What is the DATE of the night in question?

Unfortunatley, it is the 16th so MK closes at 8 and EMH is over at 11. Not as much time.

Anyone one have any strategies to do this? I want fairly good seats to see Illuminations (only other time I have seen it I had a tree in my view ) but I don't want to stake too early of a claim and loose too much premium park time. Would exiting out International Gateway be a little faster (that is if there are buses going from the resorts to MK that late)?

 

[Maxie86]

Unfortunatley, it is the 16th so MK closes at 8 and EMH is over at 11. Not as much time.

Anyone one have any strategies to do this? I want fairly good seats to see Illuminations (only other time I have seen it I had a tree in my view ) but I don't want to stake too early of a claim and loose too much premium park time. Would exiting out International Gateway be a little faster (that is if there are buses going from the resorts to MK that late)?

Exiting at the International Gateway will be much much faster. We like to watch from the bridge between France and England. You can get there shortly before it starts and still be able to see. I can't answer about the buses though, but if the MK is still open they should be running, you would have to get one from one of the hotels. Taking a taxi is also an option.

 

[WEDWDW]

Unfortunatley, it is the 16th so MK closes at 8 and EMH is over at 11. Not as much time.

Anyone one have any strategies to do this? I want fairly good seats to see Illuminations (only other time I have seen it I had a tree in my view ) but I don't want to stake too early of a claim and loose too much premium park time. Would exiting out International Gateway be a little faster (that is if there are buses going from the resorts to MK that late)?

The quickest way to do this would be to watch IllumiNations from the United Kingdom/France bridge and then QUICKLY exit the park through the International Gateway and catch a Magic Kingdom bus at the Beach Club.Buses always run from the WDW Resorts to a park having Evening EMH until every Guest has been picked up at the end of Evening EMH.I have used this strategy several times and never have had a long wait at the Beach Club for a Magic Kingdom bus.

 

[Shells9]

We did it!

We went from MGM on a boat to Epcot, got there about 5 minutes from Illuminations. Watched Illuminations from the bridge nearest International Gateway, then walked up to the monorail and made it to MK and inside the park *just* in time for the 11 pm Wishes on an MK EMH night! We had not planned it that way, it all just kind of worked out timewise. I am sure we would not have been able to do it if we planned it out that way.

EMH was PACKED when we got there. We had a turkey leg in Tomorrowland and it was very crowded. Crowds thinned out at about 12:30, but there were still more people than I anticipated at 1:20 am when we left. EMH hours were until 2 am that night.

 

[thunderbird1]

My friend and I are going to WDW for a confrence in Sept so we have limited times to see night time shows and limited park time. We are staying at POFQ and will have access to EMH. The only night we can see Illuminations is a Sunday the same night as MK evening EMH. So my thought is in a perfect world we could see Illuminations then catch the monorail to MK for the last hour or so of EMH. However, what is the reality of that plan. Would we make it OUT of EPCOT in time or is it even worth spending just the last hour of EMH at MK? Any thoughts?

Have you been reading my mind? I've been wondering the exact same thing--thanks for asking!

The quickest way to do this would be to watch IllumiNations from the United Kingdom/France bridge and then QUICKLY exit the park through the International Gateway and catch a Magic Kingdom bus at the Beach Club.Buses always run from the WDW Resorts to a park having Evening EMH until every Guest has been picked up at the end of Evening EMH.I have used this strategy several times and never have had a long wait at the Beach Club for a Magic Kingdom bus.

Thank you! I was so worried about how crowded the monorail (and the crowds trying to get to it) would be, I never stopped to consider slipping out the back door and hopping an almost certainly uncrowded bus at BC. We'll be dining at R&C that night, partly to get the good seating for Illuminations, so the International Gateway exit will be perfect for us. Now the only question is, will we have the energy?

 

[jensenba]

Have you been reading my mind? I've been wondering the exact same thing--thanks for asking!



Thank you! I was so worried about how crowded the monorail (and the crowds trying to get to it) would be, I never stopped to consider slipping out the back door and hopping an almost certainly uncrowded bus at BC. We'll be dining at R&C that night, partly to get the good seating for Illuminations, so the International Gateway exit will be perfect for us. Now the only question is, will we have the energy?

Looks like we will just be missing each other. I should get back a few days before you leave if you want a report from me (we are also staying at POFQ) I am just hoping that the busses are running to take us to MK!! Although the taxi option is there as well. It should cost about, what, $15??

Will there be a bus from BC to MK at 9:30ish when MK technically closes at 8:00?

 

[Maxie86]

Looks like we will just be missing each other. I should get back a few days before you leave if you want a report from me (we are also staying at POFQ) I am just hoping that the busses are running to take us to MK!! Although the taxi option is there as well. It should cost about, what, $15??

Will there be a bus from BC to MK at 9:30ish when MK technically closes at 8:00?

Yes, the park is open to resort guests so the busses will go to the MK until the end of emh. They will go from the MK to the resorts for at least a half hour after or until all guests are picked up.

 

[cindyfan]

I would not trust the bus from the Epcot resorts!
The monorail is much more dependable.
If you get a good seat for Illuminations up front..... near Mexico, or right in the front, near the 2 gift shops....
Then as soon as it ends head up to the monorail. It will be September... so I don't see you would have any trouble getting out, hop the monorail to TTC and then to the MK monorail (yes, you do have to switch.... make sure to get on the "Express to MK")
We did this twice just last week. The second time Epcot was really crowded.... and we were near France (my DD choice to watch Illunimations because she was headed back to Swan).... anyway, that time we had to wait for the third monorail back to TTC, but we still made it in to MK to see Wishes!!! we were in MK by 9:57!!
The first time we were back in MK by 9:40.
I have ridden the BC/YC, BW, buses..... they take way too long!!!
Good luck!!!

 

[thunderbird1]

I would not trust the bus from the Epcot resorts! The monorail is much more dependable.

Oh man! Just when I think I've got it all figured out, you DIS'ers give me choices!

If you get a good seat for Illuminations up front..... near Mexico, or right in the front, near the 2 gift shops....
Then as soon as it ends head up to the monorail. It will be September... so I don't see you would have any trouble getting out, hop the monorail to TTC and then to the MK monorail (yes, you do have to switch.... make sure to get on the "Express to MK")
We did this twice just last week. The second time Epcot was really crowded.... and we were near France (my DD choice to watch Illunimations because she was headed back to Swan).... anyway, that time we had to wait for the third monorail back to TTC, but we still made it in to MK to see Wishes!!! we were in MK by 9:57!!
The first time we were back in MK by 9:40.
I have ridden the BC/YC, BW, buses..... they take way too long!!!
Good luck!!!

Holy moly--how fast do you guys walk--or run?

We'll be in the UK, so near the front of WC, and I just can't decide which I think will be faster. Maybe 2 of us will take the monorail, 2 will take the bus, and we'll do our own scientific experiment. Do you think my dd could write it up for school credit?

 

[thunderbird1]

Looks like we will just be missing each other. I should get back a few days before you leave if you want a report from me (we are also staying at POFQ) I am just hoping that the busses are running to take us to MK!! Although the taxi option is there as well. It should cost about, what, $15??

Will there be a bus from BC to MK at 9:30ish when MK technically closes at 8:00?

Small world! Not only will we be at POFQ right after you, doing the post-Illuminations dash to the MK for EMH, my dh grew up in and we lived in Boise for 5 years. My in-laws are still there, over in Eagle. Was it hot enough for you this week?

 

[jensenba]

I guess Disney was right, it is a small world!! I lived in Boise four years ago (by BSU while going to school) and I grew up in Eagle and currently coach colorguard at Eagle High.

Hot enough ??? Yes unfortunatley it will only get hotter. But right now a great break 70's!!! but in true Idaho from it will be back in the 90's in three days only to go back to the 70's three days later. I guess you take the good with the bad. Good luck with your MK EMH dash.. I'll let you know how ours goes

 

[cindyfan]

Holy moly--how fast do you guys walk--or run?

We'll be in the UK, so near the front of WC, and I just can't decide which I think will be faster. Maybe 2 of us will take the monorail, 2 will take the bus, and we'll do our own scientific experiment. Do you think my dd could write it up for school credit?

Actually, DD and I typically walk at a normal to fast pace (little faster than most people I think, but not crazy fast), and the first night we walked at our normal pace. Certainly not bowling people over. But we had to walk around people that were just "strolling along" at a very slow pace (like those with strollers).
The second night we picked it up a bit.... but since we had to wait for 3 monorails, I don't think we really needed to..

The key here is that the monorails run only like 3 to 5 minutes apart. And it is a straight shot to TTC and MK. The Epcot resort buses have to go to all the stops and then get on the road, etc, etc.

Also, if you stay to the UK side of the lagoon you will be fine. If you go to the other side.... MUCH LONGER walk. Don't go past Mexico.

 

[abeyst]

If you do decide to take the bus from a resort, I would walk to BW and catch the bus. The busses make a loop around the Epcot resorts, and BW is the last stop.

But I think if it was me, I'd find a place closer to future world to watch Illuminations and take the monorail. There's a big open area that dead-ends right at the lagoon from the walkway from future world. It gets a little crowded in there, but even if you stand right outside it by the railing you still have a great view. And you'll be one of the first to head back to the monorail.

 

[abeyst]

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[jensenba]

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Is that the final word then?

 

[abeyst]

lol - It was a duplicate post!!

I thought it would get away unnoticed!!