To EMH or not to EMH?

[ldibo]

I am trying to plan our trip for 8 (incl. 2 children 4 & 9) in November and I'm trying to figure out whether to take advantage of the EMH hours or not. I'm wondering if it would be better to stay away from the parks at those times as they will be busier. Any advice would be appreciated! TIA

Lynn

 

[buzz2400]

We tried EMH end of June at MK. Hated it. We then decided we were going to avoid any park that has an extra magic hours and it worked out fine. We went with the reasoning, most people have bought their tickets without park hopping to save money so they all go to the park that has the extra hours and stay there all day. We just got to the park for the 9 a.m. opening and we were able to get everything done, and I was less cranky because I got the extra hour of sleep.

 

[Daydreamer]

I think it depends. Typically the morning people in our group tend to enjoy the morning EMH while those that like to sleep late typically do not like them If you enjoy rising early and getting a quick start then they are probably for you. If you prefer to sleep late they aren't going to fit your trip.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

It was quite a zoo at the Disney Studios last month on an EMH night. We only managed to ride TOT with FP. And only because we overheard a CM tell someone that they reopen the FP machines when the EMH begins. All the wait times were insane so we left.
I don't think it will be that crazy in November, unless it's around Thanksgiving. Anytime during the slower seasons I can see the evening EMH as a great advantage.

 

[kidd_freeper]

Do EMH mornings. Judging by the large number of complimentary USA Today newspapers left in front of everyone's door at the AKL last week, I'd guess that less than 5% of resort guests take advantage of EMH-AM. Plan to park hop at noon.

Actually going at rope drop to any park is a good idea. Light crowds and less heat.

Going to a park that has evening EMH will mean that you will actually see fewer attractions. Resort guests who didn't buy the hopper option will flock to the EMH-PM park. AK had EMH-PM last Tuesday. The park was near to capacity. Kali RR reportedly had a three hour wait. Half hour long line to get into the park.

 

[kirbsam]

am emh is a slam dunk worth it. provided getting up early doesn't bother you. the feelings on pm emh are more mixed. it seems more hit and miss. some are saying great, some are saying way too crowded.

 

[Michael623]

I agree with kirbsam. Morning hours are totally worth it. Drag your butts out of bed and you won't be diasapointed. Evening hours are a waste. My last trip I went to MGM for EM(evening)H and the lines for RNR and TOT were longer than the busiest time of the day and a CM confirmed that for me.

 

[Bete]

on the time of year that you go. Also, special event times like Food and Wine Festival, Flower and Garden Show, MNSSHP, holiday times, etc. plays into the true value of EMH. I think for busy times I would skip the evening hours but I would do the early morning hour or not at all.

Also, this is the first year for EMH-morn and evening hours and there's no history for fall; so, it's hard to say how everything will be affected at that time. Another problem is not being exactly sure what days, what parks, etc. until a month or two ahead of time for EMH. All advance dinner reservations are based on 90 days out (and up to 100 days out with the new rules) and that doesn't coincide with the Disney park schedule release times for EMH; so, it's a little hard to be precise about it with advance ressies. I have Cinderella Castle for lunch one day and an Illuminations cruise already booked for another day. These ressies are very hard to get and you have to call 90 days out to get them. There's no way I'm giving up these ressies to make it to EMH, if there's a conflict. I have the basic tickets with no park hopping. I wouldn't be able to reschedule these ressies for other days (already sold out)and I'm not going to give them up; so, if I don't get EMH on those days I'm alright about it.

From past experience the early morning hour provides the greatest advantage because less people want to get up that early to get to a park. Also, a great strategy is to work your way to the back of the park where noone will be when the official opening of the park begins. This allows another opportunity to get on rides, etc. easily before the crowds come forth in that area. You can't get this advantage with the later evening hours because all sections are opened already. This is the best!

The other advantage of EMH is that the day is extended to more hours at the parks and that's never a bad thing. You just need to realize you will have company doing this feature. Also, if you park hop, you can go to the early or late park for the extra hours but enjoy a different park in between. To me, that's the best of all worlds. I will decide once we get there if I'm going to upgrade my basic tickets to park hop. We are going with my 88 year old mother-in-law and I don't think we'll be up to take advantage of all these EMH days, anyway.

I love this feature and it's probably the best reason to stay on-site. When hours are shorter at the parks like fall and winter times, then EMH is a very good perk to use.