Offsite guest on EMH night at AK

[randbmom]

We will be staying offsite and visiting AK on August 17. I notice that there are evening EMH on that day. Would we be able to stay and walk around Pandora after park closing if we don't try to go on any rides? Does anyone know how that works? Is it only Pandora that is open after 9:30PM?
I remember once having a dinner reservation at Yak & Yeti at closing (no EMH) and when we left the restaurant we were guided by a certain path to the exit. Wondering if we were in Pandora at official park closing whether we would be allowed to stay and take in the nighttime sights.
Any insights or suggestions are welcome!

 

[ucfknight]

They only scan MagicBands for resort guests at the ride entrances. You could stay to walk around and shop.

 

[revdon64]

Could you? Yes. Should you? I don't know, but I probably wouldn't. EMH is a perk for staying on site. While no one will know if you're a resort guest or not if you never scan your band, it sure feels like you're taking advantage of a perk that you're not really entitled to. But, it's your conscience.

 

[CAS239]

Could you? Yes. Should you? I don't know, but I probably wouldn't. EMH is a perk for staying on site. While no one will know if you're a resort guest or not if you never scan your band, it sure feels like you're taking advantage of a perk that you're not really entitled to. But, it's your conscience.

It's not taking advantage of anything. It's been this way for years and Disney has no issue with off site guests staying in the park during PM emh. Off site guests during emh can only shop and walk around, they can't ride any anything so it's not taking anything away from on site guests going on rides

 

[randbmom]

That is helpful information. BTW I'm not trying to "take advantage a perk" by sneaking on rides, but since it's a one day trip, we may need that later evening time to just walk around and enjoy Pandora sights, since we'll likely be in line for hours for at least one of the two attractions (not yet at the 30 day FP+ mark for offsite). I'm sure the gift shops would be happy to take our money after official park closing as well.
With our youngest being almost 18, we love to linger after regular park closing at Epcot on busy summer nights. It's kind of our "thing."

 

[AngiTN]

It's not taking advantage of anything. It's been this way for years and Disney has no issue with off site guests staying in the park during PM emh. Off site guests during emh can only shop and walk around, they can't ride any anything so it's not taking anything away from on site guests going on rides

I agree. If Disney wanted to scan for entrance in to the land, or otherwise limit access for EMH, they could opt to do that by scanning bands or some other manner. They do it that way for parties, by looking for bands. So I wouldn't feel like I was doing anything wrong by staying in the park during EMH hours if I was not an on site guest.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Of course you are not trying to take advantage of a perk. That's why you are on here asking.

Seems it makes good business sense for Disney to want guests in the parks with limited options (can't take advantage of the perks included with ticket purchase, so are inclined to buy stuff).

On a related note, I have wondered for years/decades why Disney does not let guests enter the park an hour before attractions open. This would avoid the masses entering all at once and scurrying to attractions. Guests could enter an hour early, get food, shop (a.k.a spend more money) while dispersing all over the park.

 

[AngiTN]

On a related note, I have wondered for years/decades why Disney does not let guests enter the park an hour before attractions open. This would avoid the masses entering all at once and scurrying to attractions. Guests could enter an hour early, get food, shop (a.k.a spend more money) while dispersing all over the park.

They do at MK now

 

[revdon64]

It's not taking advantage of anything. It's been this way for years and Disney has no issue with off site guests staying in the park during PM emh. Off site guests during emh can only shop and walk around, they can't ride any anything so it's not taking anything away from on site guests going on rides

There is literally no way I could have expressed my feelings on this without someone taking exception. I said "it feels like it's taking advantage of a perk you're not entitled to." Feels like, not is. That's my opinion. I also said I wouldn't do it, but then I've never stayed off site either. Sure it's to Disney's advantage to have people in the park who can only spend money, but it's to my advantage as an on site guest to have even fewer people in the park to navigate through. I'm sure I'll be told again how wrong my opinion is.

 

[squirrel]

You are welcome to enjoy wandering around. Would I, no. From all the reports I have seen Pandora is packed during EMH since that is the only area open.

 

[WEDWDW]

You are welcome to enjoy wandering around. Would I, no. From all the reports I have seen Pandora is packed during EMH since that is the only area open.

Surprisingly,we found the 2 Pandora PM EMHs we attended not to be "unbearably" crowded other than FoP.

The restaurant was not crowded,etc.

 

[CAS239]

There is literally no way I could have expressed my feelings on this without someone taking exception. I said "it feels like it's taking advantage of a perk you're not entitled to." Feels like, not is. That's my opinion. I also said I wouldn't do it, but then I've never stayed off site either. Sure it's to Disney's advantage to have people in the park who can only spend money, but it's to my advantage as an on site guest to have even fewer people in the park to navigate through. I'm sure I'll be told again how wrong my opinion is.

No one told you you're opinion was wrong.

The act of being offsite is not frowned upon by Disney, that's a fact. You might not like offsite guests being there during PM emh which is you're opinion and is perfectly fine.

You said "it sure feels like you're taking advantage of a perk you're not entitled to". So I posted because I don't want any unsuspecting offsite guests to think their unwelcomed to remain in the park at night during emh.