MK/Fantasyland “Early Morning Magic” (EMM) FAQ & Discussion

[Thomasboys]

I noticed they've added Peter Pan back in to the list!!!! Yay!

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

I’ve never done this ticketed event before but I’m seriously considering it for my upcoming trip to Magic Kingdom in May. The May dates were released and the day I plan to go to Magic Kingdom has Early Morning Magic. The person I’m going to Magic Kingdom with has never been to Disney World before and I’m really wanting them to get the experience of going on as many of the rides as possible at Magic Kingdom, I think starting the day with Early Morning Magic might be a great way to do that where it’s not as overwhelming with crowds at the start of the day for a person who has never been. It seems like a better experience than trying to fight crowds at rope drop and that being the first impression. Then I will use fastpass+ for the other rides the rest of the day. My only concern is us getting from Pop Century to Magic Kingdom on time, in the morning. I’m not really sure if we should rely on first bus transportation from the resort, or if we should be trying to get a taxi or something else? To make it to the MK entrance no later than 7:30am. Any advice on this? Thank you very much.

I'll be coming in from Coronado Springs. My plan is to check withthe hotel the night before to confirm what time the first bus is going to MK. If it's not leaving by 6:30am then I'm going to take a Minnie Van, which can get you directly to the park. It's expensive but it's the only other transportation that will get you to MK and not the Transportation & Ticket Center

 

[ColoradoMom12]

It's expensive but it's the only other transportation that will get you to MK and not the Transportation & Ticket Center

Yes, the only form of transportation, other than a bus, that can go directly to MK is a Minnie Van. Uber/Lyft, however, can take you to the Contemporary, which is a short walk away from MK. We usually just take Uber to the CR and walk.

 

[HausofDisney]

If you prefer the buses, I would try to catch a very early bus by closely watching the MK bus times in the app (although some say these times haven’t been as reliable), but also having the Lyft app up ready to request a Minnie Van (or desired service) if you’re not having luck with the bus arriving. We were able to get an early Minnie Van for TSL EMM this past spring fairly easily.

Yes this is exactly what I’m thinking of doing.

I'll be coming in from Coronado Springs. My plan is to check withthe hotel the night before to confirm what time the first bus is going to MK. If it's not leaving by 6:30am then I'm going to take a Minnie Van, which can get you directly to the park. It's expensive but it's the only other transportation that will get you to MK and not the Transportation & Ticket Center

I’m staying at Pop Century, I definitely will check with the hotel the night before to try and find out the time of the first bus because I want to be on the very first bus to Magic Kingdom.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

On the “ask a CM at the resort what time a bus will come” strategy noted above, my only bit of commentary is take whatever they tell you with a grain of salt. Mis-information abounds when it comes to Disney bus times - CMs either don’t have the right info, aren’t trained, or just make things up. Heck, Disney prints inaccurate bus info on the Times Guide and in multiple other places.

Buses start rolling around 6:30 (or earlier) every day of the year.

It’s ok to ask, but just be armed with info from here, what they tell you, what you see on the ground, etc - and be prepared to act with a plan B if things aren’t as you expected when there.

Good luck!

 

[rteetz]

https://blogmickey.com/2019/11/sele...themed-food-meet-and-greets-and-more-in-2020/

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

https://blogmickey.com/2019/11/sele...themed-food-meet-and-greets-and-more-in-2020/

Makes me a bit grumpy that people going on those days are getting something extra while those attending earlier EMM are paying the same price. But given the rather limited time, I have to wonder if this is a sign they're looking at advanced ticket numbers from that period and having concerns about attendance.

 

[emilyrachael]

Makes me a bit grumpy that people going on those days are getting something extra while those attending earlier EMM are paying the same price. But given the rather limited time, I have to wonder if this is a sign they're looking at advanced ticket numbers from that period and having concerns about attendance.

I wouldn't mind if it means the earlier ones are empty!

 

[Rachel GB]

I'm booked for late April, so I guess I miss out on the extras, too! I agree that it's disappointing I am paying the same price but am not receiving the extra character meets and enhanced dining offerings. Although it would be exciting if they do include those additions on other dates!
Congrats to those on this thread who get to enjoy the extras, though!

 

[ninafeliz]

https://blogmickey.com/2019/11/sele...themed-food-meet-and-greets-and-more-in-2020/

We miss this by a week, our date is the first week of February assuming we keep it. I read through what’s included though, and while I typically like enhancements there doesn’t really seem to anything I’m really bummed about missing. We just want to ride as many rides as quick as possible, so nothing they are adding will help that, and the carrousel isn't one I care about riding except for giving a ride total lol. I have 4 boys so no cares about not meeting Cinderella, and that would just be less rides anyway. I hope this won’t be like when they added the Villains to the after hours last summer, and the non existent after hours lines became real lines with the presumed increase in people they also allowed in.

 

[Isabelle12345]

https://blogmickey.com/2019/11/sele...themed-food-meet-and-greets-and-more-in-2020/

Interesting... that makes me reconsider as I had decided not to go but was still on the fence...
Thanks for posting!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Funny they market the carousel as something new. It’s pretty much always been running for EMM anyway.

I assume some of these characters may ride the carousel, as they are sometimes prone to do shortly after park opening? It wasn’t EMM, but we’ve had a few times riding with characters first thing. Always a fun/unique experience.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Interesting... that makes me reconsider as I had decided not to go but was still on the fence...
Thanks for posting!

We've never done one of these but these Cinderella themed ones will be going on when we are there for our next trip and the fact there are some "extras" are make my it more appealing

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Just an FYI following my experience this morning:

ugh, tried to book the Early Morning Magic for our upcoming trip for Thurs Feb 20th (after the announced Cinderella special theming for it that convinced us to do it) - well it gave me an error on the website when I tried to book it BUT my credit card was charged (but no confirmation number or anything). I called the number provided on the website (Disney Dining) is no option of "push X" for when there is an error online only 1) Cancelling within 24 hours, 2) party is too large to book online or 3) restaurant you want is not online ... so just waited and it put me in the queu stating an estimated 90 minute wait time

well, finally spoke to someone (took just about 90 mins exactly) - who said "well, there shouldn't be a charge if the reservation didn't go through" and I am just like "um, yeah, there shouldn't be - thus why I am calling". Also from their end they coudl not see any availability for the Early Morning Magic on the date I was looking for ... but I could still see it via My Disney Experience so they said "well, try again" - which I did, and it went through this time! But charged me again, so I have a double charge to my credit card. She went to talk to a specialist and put me on hold who came back and said it's likely just a hold and should drop off after 24 hours and if not to call back. So, not the best use of 2 hours of my time today, but oh well.

So just a note to everyone - if you call and they say no availability there may still be some to book online and also to double check charges to your credit cards!

 

[mgc]

Wondering how many of the EMM rides one can realistically get done before 9a? I was making a plan on Touringplans and it made it seem like I'd only be able to get 4 rides done. Not looking to repeat rides but would like to check off as much of Fantasyland as I can before the crowds come in...

 

[Tessaf]

Wondering how many of the EMM rides one can realistically get done before 9a? I was making a plan on Touringplans and it made it seem like I'd only be able to get 4 rides done. Not looking to repeat rides but would like to check off as much of Fantasyland as I can before the crowds come in...

We’ve done 4 EMM’s. 3 of the older version and 1 of this new one. With the old ones, we averaged 13-15 rides per EMM, but with only 3 rides open it was a lot of repeats. For the new version, we rode 11 rides. Did 7DMT multiple times and then we did every other ride once. We always wait to eat till after the park opens at 9am so we can use the whole EMM for rides. We've never met the characters during EMM either since we meet most at character meals.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Wondering how many of the EMM rides one can realistically get done before 9a? I was making a plan on Touringplans and it made it seem like I'd only be able to get 4 rides done. Not looking to repeat rides but would like to check off as much of Fantasyland as I can before the crowds come in...

While I have never used their touring plan feature, I’ve consistently read around here that their programming doesn’t really work with EMM type events and will give you strange results. FWIW.

 

[Rachel GB]

While I have never used their touring plan feature, I’ve consistently read around here that their programming doesn’t really work with EMM type events and will give you strange results. FWIW.

I emailed TP some time ago about this exact issue. They replied that their algorithm/ programming cannot accurately predict EMM wait times at this time.

 

[Juventus]

I would think you could easily do them all;
Last March I did, in order:
Teacupsx1
Pooohx1
Peterpanx2
7dwarvesx5
Then ropedropped Thunder.

If you feel it's a must to do each ride once maybe leave small world for last as it's very long and you could hop on around 9:00-9:15 no problem.

 

[mgc]

Thanks everyone!