Should I avoid EMH parks in JULY?

[nluvwithmickey]

This year we bought the myw package and have 7 days of parks and no hopping option....the thing I was wondering is should I avoid the EMH parks completely or plan to take advantage of them...

Last JUly we showed up for EMH in MGM and it was AWFUL. They were letting just about everyone in...it was sooo slow that we didn't make it in til about opening time. And the crowds were awfully big. Aren't they supposed to have a special entrance for the disney resort guests? The day we went it did'nt seem like it cause it was total chaos.

If I keep in mind that this could happen again,that the the July crowds are pretty big....should I avoid the emh parks completely???

Also, we went again to EMH morning at MGM in Dec. 2004 and it worked like a breeze....There was a line for guest resorts only and I got to do a couple of rides before official park opening.

Was this just a fluke or does it happen often in the summer months???I'd hate to get up early and have to wait in line with other non-disney resort guests and get in a super crowed park...BTW, I was in the right line cause the people around me had their resort ID all ready....

I think that tis EMH is a great perk for us, I just don't want to waste time waiting in lines...If EMH were to be organized like it was last dec.....count me in for EMH every chance I get!!!

 

[26555]

Since resorts are packed that time of year and Disney resort guests make up a fairly large number of visitors during an already crowded time, I would avoid them since you don't want to be at the park that is drawing lots of visitors. (I would utilize the benefit during the offseason.) I would especially avoid early MORNING entries since you cannot park hop later. The evenings could work out though. Lots of people with park hopping option probably will head there in the evening. If you get to an evening park in the morning, I'm guessing it won't be crazy crowded. Grab some fastpasses as you leave for midday break and then return to check out EMH for yourself. Even if it is crowded, maybe it will seem ok since you got big tickets out of the way earlier in the day.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

HMMM hadn't thought of that....thanks! I think I'll give it a try.


The other thing is since there are more attractions open at night, won't there be more people for the evening EMH than the morning ones???

Wouldn't people rather get up late and take advantage of 3 hours VS getting up early and having only 1 extra hour and less rides to take advantage of?

anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[msr709]

HMMM hadn't thought of that....thanks! I think I'll give it a try.


The other thing is since there are more attractions open at night, won't there be more people for the evening EMH than the morning ones???

Wouldn't people rather get up late and take advantage of 3 hours VS getting up early and having only 1 extra hour and less rides to take advantage of?

anyone have any thoughts on this?

I thought about this but it would seem to me that the evening EMH might be monitored better since you have to get a wristband by showing the resort ID. I would think that this should be more controlled. I was planing on using this feature myself this July. I'll be there early July and I was planing on doing the waterparks during the day, resting at the hotel during the afternoon and hit the evening EMH parks. I hope this works!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

You know what my fear is? That the evening crowds would be as big as those at MVMCP in december....

We went on dec 10th 2004(friday night) and the place was pretty packed....even with the wristbands and the other guests leaving, the crowds were pretty big.

I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure this one out

 

[26555]

The other thing is since there are more attractions open at night, won't there be more people for the evening EMH than the morning ones???

Wouldn't people rather get up late and take advantage of 3 hours VS getting up early and having only 1 extra hour and less rides to take advantage of?

anyone have any thoughts on this?

I think they will be more crowded. You would have more flexibility to experiment with EMHs if you could hop out of a park. Once you enter you are stuck. You might look at how much it costs you per day to add parkhopping. It might be worth it so you could use early morning hour but hop out when it gets crowded.

 

[Goofy4]

On the other hand... EMH gives you more time in the park without the July sun bearing down on you.

 

[Disney Fool]

Keep in mind that in summer months,the parks close very late, sometimes 11 p.m. That would mean that EMH for evenings would be three hours after that. I seriously don't think that there will be too many takers for that time frame. 11-2 a.m. Lots of kids will need their sleep for the next day's activities.

 

[NCombs]

The planning sources I use both recommend avoiding EMH during the summer due to the large numbers of people using it. The recommendation is to go to a park without EMH. Of course, that's just a recommendation and I know many people love the EMH. We avoided them last June when we were there so I've never attended EMH to know the other side of it.

 

[tomerin]

this past july we went only once to an EMH park during our 10 day stay and it was a disaster. it was AK and as soon as we got off the bus we saw how long the line was just to get thru security. it was unbelievable!!!! we just walked back to the bus and went to TTC and went to MGM instead. this year with the addition of the late EMH i am sure that we will avoid the early EMH park for 2 reasons: 1) avoid the morning rush that usuallly happens 2) other then myself everyone like to sleep in a bit so even if i wanted to go early it isnt going to happen

 

[hawkrn]

We will be there July/August and plan on going to the night EMHs. No question. We went last June and while it was not EMH, there was e-night at MK and it was awesome. We left at midnight, but the park was still open until 2AM. Believe me, most of the families with young kids were tucked away in bed.

 

[bobcat]

We always use EMH during the summer and rarely have a problem. We go during the last July-early August so earlier in the summer might be different. The key to EMH is to get there right at opening, just like you would on regular days. I wouldn't suggest going to EMH at MK on the weekends.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Thanks for your input everyone!

I will probably do the morning EMH with 2 DD and sister and BIL....til lunch. Than go back to the resort for an afternoon break....Head back to the park later on in the early evening til the closing.

Will give the evening EMH a try with sister and BIL....while DH stays with the kids and takes in a good night's rest.

How does that sound???

Every time I plan a wdw trip I tell myself I'm going to relax....than I go crazy and tell myself....I gotta see as much as I can what if I can't come back???

And I end up going home totally exhausted and happy!!! The kids on the other hand....they're always up for a little rest and relaxation after a hot day at the parks...Me I just want to take it all in.