Pick only 1- early entry to late magic hours?

[JennCa]

If you could pick only 1 either going first thing in the morning for rope drop with the 30 minutes before opening benefit OR staying late for the late magic hours which do you think is better ride wise assuming sleep schedules aren't an issue? Just wondering which one feels like you get more accomplished!

Any thoughts? Just wondering how useful these benefits are and how much of a priority I should make it since we are planning to stay at the Swan/Dolphin anyway so both should be an option.

Jenn

 

[Jacq7414]

I’d rather stay late personally.

ETA: late is 2 hours vs the 1/2 hour early

 

[eileen2664]

MK: late for sure. We got so much done in those two hours.
Epcot: I had great luck going in the IG and to Remy in the morning.

 

[JennCa]

Thanks!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Late.

Best example - did a week trip 3 weeks ago between Christmas till after NYE. On 12/30 did the NYE fireworks at Magic Kingdom and the park stayed open till 1 a.m. Between 12:30 and 1 I did Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 2X. This wasn't even late magic hours and this was during a very busy time of year. It just illustrates that many guests leave after the last major evening show/fireworks.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

If I am correct, late is for 2 hours and includes only deluxe level Disney hotels. Early is 30 minutes and includes all Disney hotels. Late seems to be much, much better.

 

[Tinkershell722]

Late, I'm not a morning person.

 

[dez1978]

late as my family hates getting up early.

 

[Turksmom]

Late was definitely worth it, but AK and HS (with that one weird exception in April) don't have late hours , so if you're going to those parks- early.

 

[bakerworld]

When we had young kids I would've said morning. When we were empty-nesters I would've said evening. Now I say neither as we go late morning to the parks, hop at 2 and are back to the room by 7 or 8.

 

[Shughart]

Late, we do not set alarms on vacation.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Definitely LATE! End of discussion!!! We like to sleep in and usually head to the parks by 10:00 if we don’t go to the pool first.

 

[stinkpickle]

Don't limit yourself. Since you're staying at Swam/Dolphin, definitely hit both rope drop AND evening hours at Epcot. Access to IG is a huge advantage in the morning. Also, morning is great from there for HS, since you can walk there as soon as you want.

 

[Sydnerella]

Late was lovely Thanksgiving week! Everything was walk on except TT, SDMT… and parks were sooooo empty. THANKSGIVING WEEK!

Best parts of our trip for attractions! Wish it was more than two nights over our nine night stay.

 

[MickeyMice]

Don't limit yourself. Since you're staying at Swam/Dolphin, definitely hit both rope drop AND evening hours at Epcot. Access to IG is a huge advantage in the morning. Also, morning is great from there for HS, since you can walk there as soon as you want.

yep, definitely. best bet is to rope drop - even if you just do remy and get breakfast. honestly do both, and take a break in the afternoon. but if i had to pick one, it would be late hours, expecially at MK.

 

[JLTraveling]

Definitely late. I'm not a morning person, but you said sleep schedules aren't an issue. But personally, I feel like the parks are more magical all lit up at night. Most people leave after the fireworks, and those who are still there seem to be more tired/relaxed. Just a less frenetic feeling overall, and a great time to get a ton accomplished while still soaking in the magic. To me, early mornings feel like a feeding frenzy.

 

[my3princes]

I have health issues which greatly impact my mornings so late works best for us