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

[Surgie2]

I am considering EMM at MK on Sunday, May 3rd. We have a group of 9, ranging from 2 to 84 so I think the lower crowds would be nice. I have read a few reports on here of getting many attractions in before 9:00. However on touring plans it doesn't look like we would, even if I mark participating in EMM.

We haven't done EMM since it expanded and includes more attractions (going later this month). But I think Touring Plans is way off in indicating you could only do each ride one time. You should be able to do multiple attractions multiple times. Agree with PP not to rush to SDMT right away. We have a group of 7 so we will do something everyone can do first thing like Peter Pan or iasw. Then we will split up a little based on interest...a couple are too little for SDMT.

I would recommend arriving at the park well before 7:45 to get checked in and get your bracelet so that you are ready to walk to Fantasyland as soon as you are allowed in. The check in for special events is usually to the left after security.

I would be ready for the rope to drop that leads to Tomorrowland a few minutes before 9:00. (We will ride Teacups last since that is closest to Tomorrowland). You should still beat the rope droppers coming from the park entrance. Ride as much as you can in Tomorrowland and head to breakfast by 9:45. Again, this is where our group will split - some to Buzz and some to SM. We might even get in Astro Orbiter or the Speedway if the crowds haven't built up.

 

[Isabelle12345]

When we’ve gone, we don’t rush to the rides and even stop for some photos at the castle. We’ve never done IASW during EMM or Princess Hall since we have so many character dining. But every EMM we’ve ever done has allowed us to ride every other ride without a problem, even duplicating many of them. We usually average 12-15 rides during EMM, with a lot of the duplicating at 7DMT. I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t be able to ride every ride once. Wish I could give some advice for the SM part, but we’ve never gone to Space ar 9am.

We’ve done EMM twice and we’ve done all of the open rides, most of them multiple times. SDMT can have a short wait (actually worse right at the beginning, more on that later), but everything else is a walk on to the point where you can just get off and get right back on, at least in my experience. If you have kids who care about princesses, we did that first (as I mentioned above, most people doing EMM rush to SDMT so that gets a little line for the first part). We didn’t wait at all and I feel like we got more princess time than we do at normal meet and greets or even at CRT or akershus. My daughter discussed a princess tea party with Rapunzel in great detail and she still talks about it (she also invited every other princess she met for the entire trip, lol). As for 9am, we didn’t try space as we did a FP for it later. The first time we stayed in fantasyland and did the Ariel meet and then went to Tomorrowland to do Buzz before the breakfast. The second time we rope dropped haunted mansion. Our plan was then to do something in Tomorrowland before breakfast, but the only people in front of us in line for HM was one of the behind the scenes tours and they waited to open the ride until the guide finished a rather lengthy spiel about the ride’s history. At least it was interesting. both times we waited until the last moment for breakfast, since we all know we’re paying for the rides, not the eggs. I will say when we pushed it really far, like 9:50, there was some cleaning up of the buffet happening which made me feel like it might not be good idea to roll in at 9:58, but I don’t know for sure. Sorry this was long and didn’t help with space, but my guess is you can do all of the EMM rides and greets and still get your thrill seekers over to rope drop SM, which should then get them to breakfast before the cut off. Enjoy the event - empty fantasyland is so fun!

We haven't done EMM since it expanded and includes more attractions (going later this month). But I think Touring Plans is way off in indicating you could only do each ride one time. You should be able to do multiple attractions multiple times. Agree with PP not to rush to SDMT right away. We have a group of 7 so we will do something everyone can do first thing like Peter Pan or iasw. Then we will split up a little based on interest...a couple are too little for SDMT.

I would recommend arriving at the park well before 7:45 to get checked in and get your bracelet so that you are ready to walk to Fantasyland as soon as you are allowed in. The check in for special events is usually to the left after security.

I would be ready for the rope to drop that leads to Tomorrowland a few minutes before 9:00. (We will ride Teacups last since that is closest to Tomorrowland). You should still beat the rope droppers coming from the park entrance. Ride as much as you can in Tomorrowland and head to breakfast by 9:45. Again, this is where our group will split - some to Buzz and some to SM. We might even get in Astro Orbiter or the Speedway if the crowds haven't built up.

This is very helpful!
If we do the EMM in February, I was thinking of starting with Princess hall hoping to get those done early in the morning, then PP, Carousel, Pooh, SDMT, Mermaid, etc
Then around 9AM head to Astro Orbiter then Buzz before heading for breakfast
Good to know it’s feasible!

 

[mmsportsmom]

Thank you all! I will plan on doing everything once, with a 2 year old and 84 year old we may to be flexible anyway. Thanks again! I am excited to try EMM now!

 

[NashvilleMama]

I am considering EMM at MK on Sunday, May 3rd. We have a group of 9, ranging from 2 to 84 so I think the lower crowds would be nice. I have read a few reports on here of getting many attractions in before 9:00. However on touring plans it doesn't look like we would, even if I mark participating in EMM. I am trying to get an idea of timing If we are entering at 7:45, not rushing to the front. Would we be able to do 1 time each in this order:
PP
IASW
Carousel
Princess Hall
7DMT
Under the Sea
WTP
Goal would be to have the thrill riders at Space when it opens at 9:00, then go have breakfast. Does this look possible? Or at least this plan except have the thrill riders skip WTP to go ride Space? If I had to drop anything it would be Princess Hall (have a CRT ADR) and IASW since wait times are never too long. I appreciated any experienced advice here!

Just want to note that if you're planning to do Space at Rope drop, plan to HIGH TAIL it that way and be ready a few minutes before park opens. There's a wall of people speed walking from the front of the park and if you time it right, you'll either just edge them out of be right in there with them.

 

[katyringo]

Thanks for this thread. Going to follow along.
we are going in October and don’t plan on a Halloween party but I do like this early morning magic. Do they usually offer it even the mornings of the Halloween party? We plan to go to magic kingdom one day with no party and one day there is a party and getting the EMM could help us make more of our time on a party day where we get kicked out at 6.

 

[katyringo]

Thanks for this thread. Going to follow along.
we are going in October and don’t plan on a Halloween party but I do like this early morning magic. Do they usually offer it even the mornings of the Halloween party? We plan to go to magic kingdom one day with no party and one day there is a party and getting the EMM could help us make more of our time on a party day where we get kicked out at 6.

well just found out they didn’t offer it in October this last year. Ugh.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks for this thread. Going to follow along.
we are going in October and don’t plan on a Halloween party but I do like this early morning magic. Do they usually offer it even the mornings of the Halloween party? We plan to go to magic kingdom one day with no party and one day there is a party and getting the EMM could help us make more of our time on a party day where we get kicked out at 6.

well just found out they didn’t offer it in October this last year. Ugh.

See post #3 for EMM date history. There is prior year precedent for having EMM on party and non-party days in October. Note, they didn’t offer EMM in October 2019 because they had a series of daily EMHs at all the parks (except for Epcot) for all of Sept-Oct in the wake of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening at DHS.

 

[AmishGuy91]

Just want to note that if you're planning to do Space at Rope drop, plan to HIGH TAIL it that way and be ready a few minutes before park opens. There's a wall of people speed walking from the front of the park and if you time it right, you'll either just edge them out of be right in there with them.

Is there any barrier or preventive measure keeping you from going to SM at like 8:50 and basically being the first to go on it?

 

[TammyLynn33]

Is there any barrier or preventive measure keeping you from going to SM at like 8:50 and basically being the first to go on it?

Yes you are held before Tomorrowland . At least we were

 

[Eeyore1220]

Is there any barrier or preventive measure keeping you from going to SM at like 8:50 and basically being the first to go on it?

They block you from getting out of fantasyland in any direction - we were held up on our way to HM (even though we were the only weirdos trying to RD HM!)

 

[PineappleDaisy]

Is there any barrier or preventive measure keeping you from going to SM at like 8:50 and basically being the first to go on it?

We did EMM for the first time last summer. DH, who knew nothing about logistics, decided we should attempt to RD SM after EMM. I thought it was a risky move and immediately had heart palpitations because it wasn't part of our "original plan". Haha! We waited at the rope, and right at 9:00am, we got a tiny head start before the swarms, mobs, Black-Friday-times-infinity crowds were heading for us at full-blown, power-walking speeds! Sure enough, we were able to walk right in, wind our way through, and hop right on SM. Mind-blown! Totally do-able if you're heading that way after EMM! We are a party of 5 (2 adults, 3 young kiddos).

 

[PineappleDaisy]

They block you from getting out of fantasyland in any direction - we were held up on our way to HM (even though we were the only weirdos trying to RD HM!)

This summer, we will totally be those weirdos (pending EMM reservation - fingers crossed)! RD HM or bust! Haha!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We did EMM for the first time last summer. DH, who knew nothing about logistics, decided we should attempt to RD SM after EMM. I thought it was a risky move and immediately had heart palpitations because it wasn't part of our "original plan". Haha! We waited at the rope, and right at 9:00am, we got a tiny head start before the swarms, mobs, Black-Friday-times-infinity crowds were heading for us at full-blown, power-walking speeds! Sure enough, we were able to walk right in, wind our way through, and hop right on SM. Mind-blown! Totally do-able if you're heading that way after EMM! We are a party of 5 (2 adults, 3 young kiddos).

That is good to hear - we are the same situation (2 adults, 3 kids) and we're hoping to rope drop SM after EMM when we go in February. Figured if we didn't make it we would do Buzz instead but good to know it could/should work

 

[katyringo]

See post #3 for EMM date history. There is prior year precedent for having EMM on party and non-party days in October. Note, they didn’t offer EMM in October 2019 because they had a series of daily EMHs at all the parks (except for Epcot) for all of Sept-Oct in the wake of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening at DHS.

so there is hope! I see now that this year it was because of Star Wars. Here’s to hoping!

 

[Eeyore1220]

This summer, we will totally be those weirdos (pending EMM reservation - fingers crossed)! RD HM or bust! Haha!

Yes!! We’re doing it again in July so HM here we come!

 

[TammyLynn33]

Yes!! We’re doing it again in July so HM here we come!

is there just one date released in July so far ? We go in August .. historically it’s Tuesdays is that correct

 

[Eeyore1220]

is there just one date released in July so far ? We go in August .. historically it’s Tuesdays is that correct

I can see through July 12 and it’s available Tuesday and Sunday (usual days) but also on Saturday the 11th, which is weird.

 

[orangecuse]

We are booked for Thursday Feb 27th. How has getting a minnie van been? We need 2 car seats. If we called a minnie van at 7 from CSR is that early enough or should we make other plans. We could also drive but I wasn’t sure if the monorail/ferry from TTC was running that early.

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

We are booked for Thursday Feb 27th. How has getting a minnie van been? We need 2 car seats. If we called a minnie van at 7 from CSR is that early enough or should we make other plans. We could also drive but I wasn’t sure if the monorail/ferry from TTC was running that early.

For Minnie Van: I stayed at CSR and we decided to pay the premium for the Minnie Van service. It arrived relatively quick (about 10 minutes when the app said 20 minutes). However, I called mine around 6:40 and arrive a little after 7. YMMV given the car seats & all

I've read Monorail/ferry SHOULD be running at least half an hour before the event. If neither are, I would think they would have buses available from there for the event.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We are booked for Thursday Feb 27th. How has getting a minnie van been? We need 2 car seats. If we called a minnie van at 7 from CSR is that early enough or should we make other plans. We could also drive but I wasn’t sure if the monorail/ferry from TTC was running that early.

Yes, the resort monorail and/or Ferry are usually running.

I would ‘call’ your Minnie Van before 7am - while Minnie Van availability is usually reasonable, sometimes it’s not and it may take awhile for one to get to you. I’d err on building in more time and being well early vs stressing if things are taking longer than expected, in my opinion.