Thursday MK EMH was CRAZY!

[HappyMommy2]

We just got back from WDW (7/13-7/19). Our first morning was a Monday and we got to MK at opening time--it was magical! We went on Dumbo three times, Peter Pan twice, Pooh, Small World, Goofy's Barnstormer four times, and met Mickey in Toontown, all in the first 1.5--2 hours. By 12:30 p.m. we had also gone on Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean (our longest line, 15 minutes or so), stopped for a snack, Small World again, Peter Pan again (fastpass) and had a leisurely lunch.

On the other hand, we went back to MK for Extra Magic Hour on Thursday--we were first through the turnstiles and went right to Fantasyland (DS 3 and DS 1 loved Fantasyland best, of course!)--and we were really shocked by the crowds! The lines built up almost instantly and everything took twice as long (or more); we didn't end up doing much at all that morning. By mid-morning the park was crazy so we did "easy" things like Hall of Presidents and Small World and went back to the hotel by lunchtime.

We returned to MK the following morning (Friday) at normal opening time and, as on Monday, we found the lines to be very short for the first couple of hours! In retrospect I think it would have been better to have skipped MK on early-entry Thursday morning. Of course, to me MK is a wonderful place to be no matter how crowded, but with little kids short lines are better! I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has had a similar (or different) MK EMH experience.

 

[tinawv]

Hello HappyMommy2. From all the books I have read on Walt Disney World, most say to avoid the park that is having EMH. I seem to want to resist this notion, but it makes sense when you think about it. Since EMH draws large crowds, I am going to try an alternate park when we visit WDW in December. They may not even have EMH since we are attending during low peak time (December 13-20th), but if they do I am going to give another park a try. I hope the strategy works.

I hope you had a great time!


Tina

 

[swilphil]

I don't know why some people say to avoid MK on Mondays. We found it to be very pleasant in the morning. I liked going to the parks the day after they had EMH, which Monday at MK qualifies. We also did this with Epcot and MGM. Epcot was deserted and we had no problems at MGM although we were there a little later in the day.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by tinawv
Hello HappyMommy2. From all the books I have read on Walt Disney World, most say to avoid the park that is having EMH. I seem to want to resist this notion, but it makes sense when you think about it. Since EMH draws large crowds, I am going to try an alternate park when we visit WDW in December. They may not even have EMH since we are attending during low peak time (December 13-20th), but if they do I am going to give another park a try. I hope the strategy works.

fyi...don't necessarily avoid EMH because of the OP story. You are going in December which is MUCH different than going in the middle of July!!!

I go off season all the time and this past October I went on EMH on a Sunday and it was wonderful. It wasn't crowded at all. We got so much done the whole day at MK. In previous years (2000 and 2001) we went the first week of December and never had a problem with crowds at MK early in the morning UNLESS it was Saturday, of course.

Good luck planning!!

 

[susy]

Dec 13-20 should be empty compared to summer! I would try EMH and see how it goes. With shorter park hours, it will be nice to get that extra hour. What I would do is.. do EMH and then hop over to the park that had it the day BEFORE. for example, On thurs, go to EMH at MK. When it gets crowded (or after your break), head over to Epoct (since Epcot has EMH on Wed). Or just skip EMH and do the park that had it the day before. A lot of people have reported success with the "day after" stragtegy.

 

[Harambe]

Jumping on the bandwagon - EMH is wonderful in the off season. We use it in January and get tons done. I can see where it may not be great during busy times, if everyone shows up!

I feel that all the guide books breed the commando type thinking, don't you?

 

[Lucky4me]

I'm glad you were there on Monday and had a great time.
I send most people I'm making itinerarys for to MK on Tuesday. Historically it seems to be the quietest morning of the week. Before EMH, Sunday was. I guess you just really can't know for sure until you're there.

I'm putting together a trip for first timers in early October. They do not like crowds. I hope I can keep them away from them.

 

[Lucky4me]

HappyMommy, did you do any late nights in the parks? I'm wondering if the crowds are being dispersed a little bit better since they are staying open later again. I loved going to MK after 6pm, enjoying the ambiance of the park till 10pm and then doing e-night. There was never a big crowd. This was in August though.

 

[BlueFairy]

Well, that settles it. We are going to be in MK at 8am on Mon in Sept. for breakfast. I had the idea to do Adventureland and Frontierland, and save Fantasyland for Thurs EMH. BUT after reading this I think we will do Fantasyland 1st on Mon. Then again on Thurs if crowds allow. I really hope things slow down by 9/7!

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

I totally agree, EMH works best when the crowds are not at their peak. We got so much accomplished on all the EMH days in May. I do, wish, however, they would go back to 1 1/2 hours like the way it was before 9/11.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Interesting responses, thanks!

Sounds like EMH is better during the slower months; I hope we can try it then sometime! On our trip last week we actually did ONLY the MK EMH; the other days we pretty much went to whichever park had had its EMH the day before--that seemed to work out great! We were always sure to get to the park before opening so we could really take advantage of the smaller crowds. AK on Tuesday morning was fantastic--walked right onto the Safaris and Triceratops, quick wait for Primeval Whirl and Dinosaur and then did Dinosaur again with FP.

To whoever asked if we did any late nights--not really. The latest we stayed was till about 9 at MK on a Tuesday and we left just before Spectromagic. Our family (kids ages 3 and 1) just doesn't do too well late at night; hopefully on our next trip we will be able to enjoy the nighttime entertainment--something to look forward to! I love Disney at night.

 

[tinawv]

Thanks susy, beattyfamily, and Harambe for the great advice. It does make sense that EMH would be much better during the off season. I was applying it in general, and that was the wrong thing to do.

Thanks again.

 

[maps]

we usually go in march which is supposed to be peak season. we always do EMH at MK and it's always been great. we get a lot done in a short period of time. then we hop to EPCOT at around 12 or 1 and it was pretty deserted at that time. walked on to just about everything. AK was the only park that seemed to be crazy busy for EMH but i think it was just the way they had us lined up. the rides and shows didn't seem as packed as the entrance was.

 

[BamaGrad]

My DH and I went in July of 2001 (when the EMH was 1 1/2 hours.) We went to EMH and then at about lunch time we left and either went back to the hotel for a break or went to another park. THis seemed to work very well for us.

 

[WDWfanatic288]

we found the same thing when we went in June...the EE just aren't worth it anymore! it's easier to sleep in an hour and have less crowds...the hour and half EE were the best!! I wish they would do them again!

we have one expection...when going at Christmas....DO EE! we usually go the week of Christmas(we aren't this year *tear*) b/c EE starts at like 7!! the parks were wonderful for EE at Christmas! and then on Christmas day, we went to MK and walked on whatever we wanted until about an hour and half after opening...MAN!