New "Extra Magic Hours"

[MichiganMommy]

I just found out that the "Extra Magic Hours" changed when they introduced the "Magic" ticket pricing. This totally messes up my touring plan!!!

We don't mind waking up early, and my kids especially like some of the MK rides that open early (Speedway and Buzz Lightyear). With the new plan, MK only opens early on Fridays. We are flying in on a Friday and leaving on a Friday so we won't be able to take advantage of it! I'm so bummed!

Unfortunately, the evening hours don't really help us out since the kids are tired by then anyhow. By the way, how do they know who can stay in the evening Magic Hour? When the park is croweded at closing time, I can't see them checking room keys to see if someone is allowed to stay for the Extra Magic Hour!

It'll be ok and I know we will still have a great time. But I'm glad I have this forum to vent!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

They will check your room key and give you a wrist band to wear.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Not sure how old your kids are, but my 4 Y.O. did well on those later nights (even MNSSHP), if she had an afternoon break, of a couple of hours.

It is a bummer that MK only has 1 early day. We always do well at MK, early. 1 for fantasyland, and 1 for tommorrowland.

 

[pamwynn]

That is a bummer!! We are flying in on Friday also, but flying out on Wednesday. Where did you find the information about the "New Magic Hours"? Can you send me a private message. I'm new to these boards and for some reason I can't figure out how to find the answers to my questions otherwise! Thanks and have a good trip!!!

 

[MichiganMommy]

I actually found out about the change in hours through my Dreams Unlimited Travel agent, who posted it on my itinerary. When I saw it, I was surprised and I double checked on allearsnet.com. See the link below. Allearsnet also posts which attractions are open during the am and pm Extra Magic Hours.


http://allearsnet.com/tp/emhour.htm

 

[sweetinmaine]

I like the idea of later evenings. How do they check the wrist bands to see if you are entitled to stay? Would they really ask someone to leave if you're not wearing one? I would think this would be hard to police.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I haven't been to the evening EMH yet but if it is like e-nights - you had to get a bracelet at a designated area before the parks close - when the park closes there are still lots of people there with and without bracelets so at each ride that was open for Enight they would check to see if you had the bracelet. I saw a few people get turned away trying to get inline for Space Mountain because they didn't have the bracelet. I never saw anyone asked to leave but who would want to stay if you can't ride the rides if you do not have a bracelet.

 

[d96j97]

We were there during their trial period last year for the EMH (not E-Nights). Our children were 6 & 7 and made it till the closing of 12:00am at MK. They didn't have any trouble at all. You have to get a wristband anytime 2 hours before normal park closing and then show the CM the wristband at each ride. I don't think they would kick you out but come on...it is a benefit for Resort guests. Have a great trip!

 

[Samsma]

I feel your pain. I planned a split MK and EPCOT resort stay based on early hours at each park. I rented points for VWL for early in the week and booked at BC for Fri. Sat. and Sun nights. With renting points it is kind of set in stone. They have thrown me off completely. I'll be bussing back and forth all over the place, and I hate the busses! I just hope they stick to a set schedule before we have to make PS's in April. Don't they know better to mess with those of us who are obsessive.

 

[Mortlives]

Here's a question I haven't seen addressed: Can you arrive after regular park closing, and enter the park with your resort key, and valid park hopper ticket? Or do you have to arrive before park closing?

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[colleen costello]

Make sure to keep checking the ACTUAL hours on Disney online. I had made plans but when I checked the calendar for March, I discovered the dates were changed. The week we are there, MK is open early on Friday AND Sunday and open late on Wednesday... go figure. I will keep checking in case these change again... But I think the online calendar is probably the best resource.

 

[Samsma]

Morticia- good question. If you don't get an answer here please post it on your own thread! Enquiring minds want to know!

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Here's a question I haven't seen addressed: Can you arrive after regular park closing, and enter the park with your resort key, and valid park hopper ticket? Or do you have to arrive before park closing?

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

Since I have never been I am not sure on that but everything I have read says that you have to pick up your bracelet for the EMH at that park 2 hours before regular closing hours. You may be able to leave and come back after the park closes as long as you already have the bracelet but if you do not have the bracelet I don't think you could get in since you have to pick the bracelet up 2 hours before close- I hope that makes sense - Does anyone else know?

 

[Robopig]

I was wondering how long the lines are for enights?? Is there a lot of cheating from non-resort guests?? On the magic nights we will have our kiddos take naps and stay up llllaate ahahah

 

[colleen costello]

When they were doing E-ride nights for pay, people here would report different things regarding crowds. Some people would post that they had walked right onto tons of great rides, where others were disappointed about finding waits as long as during the daytimes. I think it will be "luck" and depend on crowds for the day. Since it is free, I won't care. Just being at the parks late is fun, even if you have to wait a bit for the biggie rides. We love the parks at night and I am thrilled about this perk!

It will be interesting to see if they allow resort guests in "late." I doubt they want to man the entrance booths, yet I also have a hard time seeing them turn away guests... We'll see!

 

[JJsmama]

Unfortunately, the evening hours don't really help us out since the kids are tired by then anyhow.

I feel exactly the same way! We are early risers and will never make it through the evening hours. We too are not there on Friday and are bummed b/c we booked WL so we could be at MK extra early.

 

[JJsmama]

Make sure to keep checking the ACTUAL hours on Disney online. I had made plans but when I checked the calendar for March, I discovered the dates were changed. The week we are there, MK is open early on Friday AND Sunday and open late on Wednesday... .

Where are you finding this? I can't find any extra hour info on the official site. Looks like we're there the week after you and I want to know if this applies to our trip too.

 

[MichiganMommy]

I didn't find any "official" times/days for the Extra Magic Hours either. Just allearsnet.com. Allearsnet has the info for each week from now to March 27th. There do seem to be some differences between the weeks, especially for the Sunday evening Extra Magic Hours.

 

[Sammie]

I was wondering how long the lines are for enights?? Is there a lot of cheating from non-resort guests?? On the magic nights we will have our kiddos take naps and stay up llllaate ahahah

You can not ride unless you have a wristband and you need a Disney resort ID to get a wristband. E-nights were limited to certain number of tickets. The new extended hours is open to any guests staying at a Disney resort, so the crowds could be larger.

 

[colleen costello]

Sorry, folks. With all my planning I got confused. The extra hours are posted right here on the DIS, not on the Disney site. Go to the DIS homepage (not chat) and then click on PARKS. From there you can see HOURS and the complete hours for Jan, Feb and March are listed, including early mornings and late nights. Hope this helps.