Rookie Question re: EMH

[preemiemama]

OP, I agree with the previous 2 responses. I typically go by what easywdw.com says in terms of crowds- he is usually dead on with predictions. We usually start on at the park he recommends at rope drop- we just cannot get ourselves up and out to the bus stop early enough to make the am EMH worth it for us. However, we tend to get a lot done between rope drop and noon. At that point, we eat lunch and head back to the room for a nap/pool time. We head out again around 5, usually in Epcot since we will have an ADR between 5:30-7:30 there most nights. We then typically finish up after dinner in MK where, as PPs have said, things tend to wind down during/after Wishes.

Depending on what we want to accomplish is what we will make a FP for- not necessarily the afternoon park. For example, if our RD park is AK, we know that we can probably go straight to the Safari, then ride EE a couple times without a FP and without a huge line until about 10:00-10:30. So we would make our FPs for either Epcot around dinnertime or MK later in the evening if that is where we knew we would end up. However, if we wanted to RD Epcot, I would FP either TT or Soarin’ so we could ride one and then have the FP for the other. The same would hold true for HS- I would FP TSMM and TOT, then head to RNR to ride. You can get a good idea of a touring plan/what you can accomplish from Josh on easywdw.com as well- he frequently tries his suggested plans and you can see how they work in reality in each park. This is also incredibly helpful!

We go in the summer (DH and I are teachers, so not many options), so MK is open until 11 or later every night- that could make a difference in the afternoon break strategy. I know that it does not work as well when the parks are not open past 9, or if there is a ticketed party (MNSSHP or MVMCP) in the MK. We also have always stayed on property, so I cannot tell you if there is a difference if you are not doing so.

Flexibility is also a must. Get a general plan, and your ADRs/FP booked, but have some options if your group is tired or just wants to do something different. I agree with the PP that having an outline on paper and then knowing what the options are can make a difference.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Most people will hit their first park at rope drop and book FP for their second park, since ride wait times should be short for the first couple hours. For what park to go to on what date, check the crowd calendars at easywdw.com.

An example - say AK is the lowest crowd park one day, and MK has nighttime EMH. I would make early afternoon FP+ at AK so I could go to AK in the morning, hit some attractions while things are less busy, have lunch, then do (or re-do) the attractions I had FP+ for. Then I would maybe return to the hotel for a nap or break, relax for a while, and head out for dinner, ultimately ending at MK in order to take advantage of EMH and lower wait times. We've had amazing luck at MK specifically after Wishes - walking on most things and waiting less than 10 minutes even for headliners like 7DMT. You'll make FP+ at the park that doesn't have EMH if you're going to hop. You'll make FP+ for the busier time of the day if you plan to use EMH and stay at the same park all day. I like to be aware of EMH and know that it's an option - if I feel like doing more I'll go, and if not we'll skip it. Don't stress too much - I know it seems like a lot of planning, and it can be, but you don't have to schedule out every minute of every day, although some people do that. I prefer to set a general outline and make FPs, and then leave the rest a bit flexible so it can change depending on how I feel that day. I like to write everything out on paper, set a general outline, and then change and refine the plans as time goes by.

OP, I agree with the previous 2 responses. I typically go by what easywdw.com says in terms of crowds- he is usually dead on with predictions. We usually start on at the park he recommends at rope drop- we just cannot get ourselves up and out to the bus stop early enough to make the am EMH worth it for us. However, we tend to get a lot done between rope drop and noon. At that point, we eat lunch and head back to the room for a nap/pool time. We head out again around 5, usually in Epcot since we will have an ADR between 5:30-7:30 there most nights. We then typically finish up after dinner in MK where, as PPs have said, things tend to wind down during/after Wishes.

Depending on what we want to accomplish is what we will make a FP for- not necessarily the afternoon park. For example, if our RD park is AK, we know that we can probably go straight to the Safari, then ride EE a couple times without a FP and without a huge line until about 10:00-10:30. So we would make our FPs for either Epcot around dinnertime or MK later in the evening if that is where we knew we would end up. However, if we wanted to RD Epcot, I would FP either TT or Soarin’ so we could ride one and then have the FP for the other. The same would hold true for HS- I would FP TSMM and TOT, then head to RNR to ride. You can get a good idea of a touring plan/what you can accomplish from Josh on easywdw.com as well- he frequently tries his suggested plans and you can see how they work in reality in each park. This is also incredibly helpful!

We go in the summer (DH and I are teachers, so not many options), so MK is open until 11 or later every night- that could make a difference in the afternoon break strategy. I know that it does not work as well when the parks are not open past 9, or if there is a ticketed party (MNSSHP or MVMCP) in the MK. We also have always stayed on property, so I cannot tell you if there is a difference if you are not doing so.

Flexibility is also a must. Get a general plan, and your ADRs/FP booked, but have some options if your group is tired or just wants to do something different. I agree with the PP that having an outline on paper and then knowing what the options are can make a difference.

Thank you for this. I think I have been getting confused by the EMH and the easyWDW recommendations being the inverse of each other. I am getting the impression from you all that that if you are able to take full advantage of EMH and have hoppers, you can start there and the move somewhere else. I'm assuming that should be to the recommended park where you'd also have scheduled your FP+. If I did that I would probably spend more time in the parks I'm not as keen on, so I need to mull that over. With 5 days and one morning, given afternoon breaks I am thinking of that as 11 blocks of time which I'd like to spread out as 2-3 Epcot, 1-2 AK, 3 HS and 4 MK. Regular park hours are not super late (MK 10 pm, Epcot 9 pm, HS 8:30 pm, AK 5 pm), and Wishes is scheduled for 10pm, otherwise I would happily burn the midnight oil at MK. Trying to put the ADRs in the busy part of the day so that's not peak touring time. IT'S ALL SOOOOOO HARD!! I like my paper fast passes!

 

[preemiemama]

Thank you for this. I think I have been getting confused by the EMH and the easyWDW recommendations being the inverse of each other. I am getting the impression from you all that that if you are able to take full advantage of EMH and have hoppers, you can start there and the move somewhere else. I'm assuming that should be to the recommended park where you'd also have scheduled your FP+. If I did that I would probably spend more time in the parks I'm not as keen on, so I need to mull that over. With 5 days and one morning, given afternoon breaks I am thinking of that as 11 blocks of time which I'd like to spread out as 2-3 Epcot, 1-2 AK, 3 HS and 4 MK. Regular park hours are not super late (MK 10 pm, Epcot 9 pm, HS 8:30 pm, AK 5 pm), and Wishes is scheduled for 10pm, otherwise I would happily burn the midnight oil at MK. Trying to put the ADRs in the busy part of the day so that's not peak touring time. IT'S ALL SOOOOOO HARD!! I like my paper fast passes!

Not necessarily. Josh breaks down his reasons day by day- and often there is more than one park. When are you going? Often the park calendar gets changed so that the hours get extended closer to your actual trip. Afternoon breaks don't make as much sense if the parks close so early. Epcot is typical- there is not usually anything past 9 unless it is an EMH (or it is the holidays and they need to disperse crowds?). HS and AK seem like early closings to me, but again I am used to going in the summer...

 

[NewbieMouse]

Not necessarily. Josh breaks down his reasons day by day- and often there is more than one park. When are you going? Often the park calendar gets changed so that the hours get extended closer to your actual trip. Afternoon breaks don't make as much sense if the parks close so early. Epcot is typical- there is not usually anything past 9 unless it is an EMH (or it is the holidays and they need to disperse crowds?). HS and AK seem like early closings to me, but again I am used to going in the summer...

I'm going May 9-14. Maybe I should just do one park per day and forget about EMH all together?

 

[preemiemama]

I'd be surprised if those are the final hours. I believe that Rivers of Light is supposed to be started at AK by then, and with Soarin' out of commission and the new Frozen ride supposed to be open by then I am sure things will change. This calendar just came out, so I am certain there will be some changes coming in the next few months. I would expect to see some of those hours extend, particularly the AK ones!

I would be patient for a few months before you decide on firm plans- see what updates happen. I think a shorter break with hopping could still work to your advantage. Look at your ADRs first, and keep in mind that Flower and Garden is still going on in Epcot during your dates- Friday could be a busier Epcot day since it is the last weekend.

I would avoid the PM EMH in Epcot, and plan for RD at the park that does not have AM unless you are sure you can be at the gate prior to the 8am opening in general. Then go to the parks you want to spend the most time in more. With RD and being there until close you should have no problem doing that.

 

[Travis B]

I'm going May 9-14. Maybe I should just do one park per day and forget about EMH all together?

Thats an option too. We never do morning EMH and rarely evening - maybe once in a while on a whim, but I will usually schedule parks on non-EMH days. It's definitely not compulsory. You'll be there in a relatively slow time - IIRC crowd levels are around a 5 that week. If it's causing you stress then don't worry about it.

 

[aretha30]

As far as EMH go we usually avoid the park with the AM hours to avoid the extra people (we go very year in August). We will hop over to MK or Epcot to take advantage of PM EMH if we aren't tired because we can get a lot done in that short time period.

I hate to drag this one up again, but given the rule of thumb, which park do you get your FP+ for if you hop? We will have hoppers and can be either early risers or night owls (or both!). This planning is killing me! If there's anyone out there that just loves telling people what parks to go to given their dates and priorities let me know. I like planning but this is too much for me

As far as FP+ it depends on which park we are starting at. If we are starting at MK or DHS we will book our FP+ there because the rides we want will have long waits and even if we hit them at RD once isn't enough for my boys. This way we can ride Mine Train or TSMWM at least twice in a morning.
I know this all seems like a lot of planning 6 months out but our last two trips have been more relaxing knowing we didn't have to race to the back of the park to maybe secure a FP for a favorite ride. We also were able to manipulate times on the app once in the park if needed. Good luck!