Need some extra magic hour help

[Evil Queen 12]

In the past we never really paid attention to EMH, but this year we thought about trying to go to every park that had an extra evening hour. I've also read on this board that sometimes the crowds are high and it isn't worth going. So, should we go to the parks on those nights or avoid and go to the parks that don't have the extra magic hour? Thanks for some help.

 

[Robo]

In the past we never really paid attention to EMH, but this year we thought about trying to go to every park that had an extra evening hour. I've also read on this board that sometimes the crowds are high and it isn't worth going. So, should we go to the parks on those nights or avoid and go to the parks that don't have the extra magic hour? Thanks for some help.

From this and many, many, many other EMH threads:

Many of us go to Morning EMH (and sometimes HOP).
Some of us like the evening EMH at certain parks.
Some of us avoid EMH parks.

Because NOBODY can tell you what WILL happen with ATTENDANCE on any given date, any more than they can predict the WEATHER (which WILL affect the attendance much more than EMH.)

EMH is FREE.
I go.
If I need to, I can always go elsewhere.

 

[allegracristina]

Robo is 100% on point. We always go, sometimes if just for the atmosphere. In my experience, the crowds die down a bit (if not a lot) after an hour and a half of Evening EMH. If it stays so crowded that we can't enjoy ourselves, we leave!

 

[Robo]

As an example, we where there just last week.

The parks were VERY BUSY during the day (weather was hot and HUMID) and we chose to go back to our resort for an afternoon nap (in the AC), then go back to the parks after dark.

On Sunday, May 21 (MK Evening EMH, 10pm-1am) knowing the reputation for MK evening EMH's to be OVER-CROWDED, we watched the 10pm "Wishes" from the beach at the Poly, then rode the monorail over to MK thinking we would not get to ride much, but we could at least enjoy the night-time atmosphere.

Well, the MK was nearly DESERTED for the whole rest of the 3 hours we where there,

Walked onto Jungle Cruise, Aladdin's Carpets, Country Bears.
Rode Splash and BTMRR over and over (we even had a Dole Whip with very few guests waiting to buy them.)
Maybe the crowds were heavier over at Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, but we had ZERO problems where we were.

We left the park very happy (and tired, of course) at about 1:15am!

So, again, it doesn't matter what MIGHT have happened in the past... NOBODY can predict exactly what an ever-changing universe of guests WILL or WON'T choose to do on a given EMH day/night.

EMH's are FREE to WDW resort guests... why not go and see for yourself.

 

[allegracristina]

As an example, we where there just last week.

The parks were VERY BUSY during the day (weather was hot and HUMID) and we chose to go back to our resort for an afternoon nap (in the AC), then go back to the parks after dark.

On Sunday, May 21 (MK Evening EMH, 10pm-1am) knowing the reputation for MK evening EMH's to be OVER-CROWDED, we watched the 10pm "Wishes" from the beach at the Poly, then rode the monorail over to MK thinking we would not get to ride much, but we could at least enjoy the night-time atmosphere.

Well, the MK was nearly DESERTED for the whole rest of the 3 hours we where there,

Walked onto Jungle Cruise, Aladdin's Carpets, Country Bears.
Rode Splash and BTMRR over and over (we even had a Dole Whip with very few guests waiting to buy them.)
Maybe the crowds were heavier over at Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, but we had ZERO problems where we were.

We left the park very happy (and tired, of course) at about 1:15am!

So, again, it doesn't matter what MIGHT have happened in the past... NOBODY can predict exactly what an ever-changing universe of guests WILL or WON'T choose to do on a given EMH day/night.

EMH's are FREE to WDW resort guests... why not go and see for yourself.

We were at MK that same night for EMH and you are definitely right that there were more crowds in Tomorrowland where we mainly were. I guess I wouldn't really call them "crowds" per se, but there were a bunch of people. We were there for Wishes (I had never seen Tink fly down from the Castle, AWESOME! I WANT THAT JOB!) and it was PACKED. The crowds started to thin out fairly quickly. We did TTA while waiting for it to die down a little. Then we got to ride SM a few times (once in the front for me!) and walked on to Buzz. We also left around 1:15 am.

 

[metsfan11]

As an example, we where there just last week.

The parks were VERY BUSY during the day (weather was hot and HUMID) and we chose to go back to our resort for an afternoon nap (in the AC), then go back to the parks after dark.

On Sunday, May 21 (MK Evening EMH, 10pm-1am) knowing the reputation for MK evening EMH's to be OVER-CROWDED, we watched the 10pm "Wishes" from the beach at the Poly, then rode the monorail over to MK thinking we would not get to ride much, but we could at least enjoy the night-time atmosphere.

Well, the MK was nearly DESERTED for the whole rest of the 3 hours we where there,

Walked onto Jungle Cruise, Aladdin's Carpets, Country Bears.
Rode Splash and BTMRR over and over (we even had a Dole Whip with very few guests waiting to buy them.)
Maybe the crowds were heavier over at Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, but we had ZERO problems where we were.

We left the park very happy (and tired, of course) at about 1:15am!

So, again, it doesn't matter what MIGHT have happened in the past... NOBODY can predict exactly what an ever-changing universe of guests WILL or WON'T choose to do on a given EMH day/night.

EMH's are FREE to WDW resort guests... why not go and see for yourself.

Wow! We have ADR's for California Grill at 8 then are watching Wishes from balcony. After that, back to MK for EMH! Can't wait. These reports make me feel a whole lot better about EMH's!!!

 

[DrTomorrow]

We go EMH-AM for a few hours then hop.

As for EMH-PM, there one other thing to remember. When the park closes at 7, then EMH-PM until 10 isn't that late. But in the summer, EMH-PM means the park is open until 2 AM. For those who don't have park hopper and got there at 9 AM, midnight is awfully late - particularly if it is a family w/little ones.

 

[Robo]

We go EMH-AM for a few hours then hop.

As for EMH-PM, there one other thing to remember. When the park closes at 7, then EMH-PM until 10 isn't that late. But in the summer, EMH-PM means the park is open until 2 AM. For those who don't have park hopper and got there at 9 AM, midnight is awfully late - particularly if it is a family w/little ones.

Remember that you don't need a hopper to leave (for a rest-break) and then return later to that same park on the same day.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Remember that you don't need a hopper to leave (for a rest-break) and then return later to that same park on the same day.

Quite right - and a benefit for those (like me) who have bought into the value of the afternoon break. I was really referring to those who plan to "stay for the day" (often staying off-site) and start to wear out at around 5 or 6 on a 90+ / 90+ (temp/humidity) summer day. You often see them start streaming out at dinner time, with children who are either in full cranky whine mode, stumbling dead on their feet, or fast asleep in strollers....

 

[LAS]

As an example, we where there just last week.

The parks were VERY BUSY during the day (weather was hot and HUMID) and we chose to go back to our resort for an afternoon nap (in the AC), then go back to the parks after dark.

On Sunday, May 21 (MK Evening EMH, 10pm-1am) knowing the reputation for MK evening EMH's to be OVER-CROWDED, we watched the 10pm "Wishes" from the beach at the Poly, then rode the monorail over to MK thinking we would not get to ride much, but we could at least enjoy the night-time atmosphere.

Well, the MK was nearly DESERTED for the whole rest of the 3 hours we where there,

Walked onto Jungle Cruise, Aladdin's Carpets, Country Bears.
Rode Splash and BTMRR over and over (we even had a Dole Whip with very few guests waiting to buy them.)
Maybe the crowds were heavier over at Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, but we had ZERO problems where we were.

We left the park very happy (and tired, of course) at about 1:15am!

So, again, it doesn't matter what MIGHT have happened in the past... NOBODY can predict exactly what an ever-changing universe of guests WILL or WON'T choose to do on a given EMH day/night.

EMH's are FREE to WDW resort guests... why not go and see for yourself.

Does this mean that we can arrive at a park during the EMH? I thought I read somewhere that you had to get a wristband within two hours of closing. We would like to leave one park and go over to Animal Kingdom during the EMH. Will this be a problem? We have never been when they had evening extra hours.

 

[lovetoseemickey]

EMH works for some parks. We did the MK evening EMH and walked on to almost everything that we wanted to ride. We slept in that morning, woke up went to the pool, came back to the room and slept then woke up and ate dinner and then headed to the MK. We walked in at 9:15 and caught the parade and fireworks. We ended our evening at 1:20 am. The kids had a great time! The only thing we didn't ride was Buzz- they were having problems with it.
However, we tried EMH at MGM and it was AWFUL!!!!! We arrived at the park at 6:45 (the park closed at midnight). Went to see Bear and it was already closed (even though the park normally closed at 9:00pm) Then we decided we would grab a bite to eat and thought that we would try Pizza Planet- the girl working by "Bear" said it was open and when we got there it was closed. The restaurants were quoting 9:45 seating times and most of the park was closed- this was during normal operating hours in May! They had two things available for the litte ones--Mermaid and Muppets. Honey I shrunk the kids was closed, no beauty and the beast shows. ALL CLOSED before 6:30 p.m. It really was ridiculous. I overheard a couple of families complaining and even though I love Disney, I can't blame them. I understood where they were coming from. It is expensive to get in. Disney hypes up EMH, then having most of the park attractions close even before the park closing hours was unexpected. I won't do another EMH at MGM in the evening.

 

[allegracristina]

Does this mean that we can arrive at a park during the EMH? I thought I read somewhere that you had to get a wristband within two hours of closing. We would like to leave one park and go over to Animal Kingdom during the EMH. Will this be a problem? We have never been when they had evening extra hours.

As far as I know, you can arrive during EMH. They will direct you to a wrist band
station after your ticket has been swiped. Please correct me if I am wrong!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Does this mean that we can arrive at a park during the EMH? I thought I read somewhere that you had to get a wristband within two hours of closing. We would like to leave one park and go over to Animal Kingdom during the EMH. Will this be a problem? We have never been when they had evening extra hours.

Specifically, the Evening EMH park starts distributing (well, really, attaching) wristbands to qualified Guests's wrists two hours before the park closes to the general public. You can arrive any time after that, I suppose as late as five minutes before the end of EMH - but of course you wouldn't have time to DO anything.

 

[satman1962]

When we went for EMH at epcot to ride soarin we ran in just a half hour before EMH closing, the wristbands were no longer being given out, however as long as we flashed our resort room key the CM's let us on the ride.

 

[LAS]

Thanks for all the info. I guess this means I will not sleep for 8 days with all the park hopping I'll do.

 

[checkwriter]

We were there in April this year over Easter. Very crowded, and MK EMH-AM's every single day. So if you wanted to do MK, you needed to be at MK at 7 a.m. Bright and early. But so worth it. Even the kids said so, as they rode, in order: Space Mountain, Buzz, Indy racecars (despite my protests), Snow White, Pooh, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder, Splash, Pirates (it was open then), Small World, Philharmagic, all before an early lunch.

Our evening EMH at MK: Lots of crowds. Stayed for fireworks, hit a few of the odd rides (Carousel of Progress, the Tomorrowland Transportation Authority), but we were surprised at the crowds.

Our evening EMH at Epcot: very nice. Hit Mission:Space and Test Track several times; Soarin' still busy. World Showcase uncrowded. A nice way to do Epcot.

In each case, tracking down the wristbands can be a bit of a pain.

Have a great trip!

 

[suswa]

EMH works for some parks. We did the MK evening EMH and walked on to almost everything that we wanted to ride. We slept in that morning, woke up went to the pool, came back to the room and slept then woke up and ate dinner and then headed to the MK. We walked in at 9:15 and caught the parade and fireworks. We ended our evening at 1:20 am. The kids had a great time! The only thing we didn't ride was Buzz- they were having problems with it.
However, we tried EMH at MGM and it was AWFUL!!!!! We arrived at the park at 6:45 (the park closed at midnight). Went to see Bear and it was already closed (even though the park normally closed at 9:00pm) Then we decided we would grab a bite to eat and thought that we would try Pizza Planet- the girl working by "Bear" said it was open and when we got there it was closed. The restaurants were quoting 9:45 seating times and most of the park was closed- this was during normal operating hours in May! They had two things available for the litte ones--Mermaid and Muppets. Honey I shrunk the kids was closed, no beauty and the beast shows. ALL CLOSED before 6:30 p.m. It really was ridiculous. I overheard a couple of families complaining and even though I love Disney, I can't blame them. I understood where they were coming from. It is expensive to get in. Disney hypes up EMH, then having most of the park attractions close even before the park closing hours was unexpected. I won't do another EMH at MGM in the evening.

Not all rides or attractions are available for Extra magic hours. Here is the link for the extra magic hour specifics at the Disney website http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page it will tell you what rides are operating during EMH for each park.

I can't wait to try it out!