Question about Magic Hours

[mtemm]

or whatever they are calling them...where they park stays open later or opens earlier for resort guests. I understand how the early part works...just like early entry used to. but how does it work at night? do they close the park then reopen it? are their special wrist bands? I can understand how they keep it to only resort guests eary in the morning, but I don't get how they limit it in the evening.

 

[kkymmy]

or whatever they are calling them...where they park stays open later or opens earlier for resort guests. I understand how the early part works...just like early entry used to. but how does it work at night? do they close the park then reopen it? are their special wrist bands? I can understand how they keep it to only resort guests eary in the morning, but I don't get how they limit it in the evening.

for the evening ones you book tickets at your resort in advance then on the day just as park closes you exchange your ticket for a wristband

 

[Robo]

for the evening ones you book tickets at your resort in advance then on the day just as park closes you exchange your ticket for a wristband

Not quite.
But thanks for playing (see Carole on your way out for some parting gifts).


Here's how EMH works for all 4 Theme Parks.

Look up the POSTED open and close times for any day, any park.
Only WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed EHM privileges and it COSTS NOTHING EXTRA to attend the EMHs.
There are slightly different situations for MORNING and EVENING EMH's.

-------MORNING EMH FACTS--------------------------------------
If it is a MORNING EMH, then WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed entry to THAT park on THAT day starting ONE HOUR before the posted opening time.
At least ONE person in your party should have a room key-card with them (sometimes EACH person needs to show one) to verify your current hotel status and gain entry.
So, only WDW resort guests will be ALLOWED INTO the park.
Once inside, only selected attractions will be open.
See the official WDW website for the latest attractions that will be open during EMH.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage

-------EVENING EMH FACTS--------------------------------------
If it is a EVENING EMH, then WDW resort guests staying on-property will be allowed to stay and ride attractions at THAT park on THAT day for THREE HOURS after the posted closing time. (Don't worry that the site says, "UP TO 3 hours." Thats just legalese... EMH will be 3 hours in the evening.)
You do NOT have to be in the park BEFORE scheduled closing time.
You CAN enter the park at any time during EMH and still get a wrist-band.
You can leave and re-enter the park at will (just like any normal time).

(So, YES, if MK is sched. to close at midnight, the EMH will run til 3AM! Yep, that's 3 in the morning. No, its not a mistake, that would be 3 full hours after the posted time.)

All adults and children 3 years and older will be issued a room key-card when you check in to your WDW resort (if they are listed on your ressie). If they are issued a key-card, you will have problems with EMH, because EACH guest (except for very small children) will need to show a room key-card to a CM at special "EMH kiosks" set up in various locations throughout the park. Kiosks are well-marked and are very easy to spot as you are walking in the parks. They open up these kiosks approx. 2 hours before the "regular" park closing time, and a wristband will be snapped on by the CM to each adult and child.
So make SURE the check-in desk issues EACH person in your party a room key-card. An adult can hold onto all the cards for the kids, but don't forget to bring the cards to the park.
Most nights the CMs will SCAN your room-key-card so that it can only be used to get a single wrist-band that evening. The ride CMs will then check for these wrist-bands at each attraction before allowing guests to enter the queue.
So, even though non-resort guests may still be INSIDE the park, only those with wrist-bands will be allowed to ride any open EMH attractions.
See the official WDW website for the latest attractions that will be open during EMH.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/extraMagicHour?id=CalendarExtraMagicHoursPage
--------------------------------------------------------------------
You can enter the parks for EMH EVENINGS anytime... during "regular" hours, or even during the actual extended EMH hours.
This 1-hour morning EMH and 3-hour evening EMH rule applies at all 4 parks. Enjoy!

 

[mtemm]

wow! thanks for all the information...that helps. 2 more follow up questions...does it get insanely busy at night when they have the extended hours? we are going in october and dh and I are considering each getting one night to run around on our own while the other stays back at the resort with the kids. but if its going to be insanely crowded, that might change where we choose to go. hmmm.

another question, so if, according to the official disneyworld calendar, the park in choice says it closes at 9pm, does that mean it stays open for resort guests until 12am??? or does the 9pm reflect the 3 hours past close (other days show the park closing at 6pm, due to the halloween party).

 

[katgarbars]

The park stays open for resort guests until midnight if the park normally closes at 9PM. The calendar shows the normal closing time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Insanely busy varies, plus it's a matter of perception - but the later it is, the less busy the park is likely to be

(So, YES, if MK is sched. to close at midnight, the EMH will run til 3AM! Yep, that's 3 in the morning. No, its not a mistake, that would be 3 full hours after the posted time.)

Magic Kingdom was used as the example, but similar rules apply to all four parks. There are the published (open to the entire general public) hours, and OUTSIDE those there are the EMH hours.

 

[mtemm]

cool! thanks!!!