Use or Avoid EMH in March?

[jinsally]

Hello,

I am in the processed of planning my DS4's very first trip to WDW. We are staying at AKL from March 18-25th and so we are allowed to use EMH if we wanted to. I bought the 4/3 deal with the base tickets so we have no hopper option with our tickets.

I just can't seem to come to a conclusion whether to use the morning EMH and get there as soon as they open or avoid EMH parks.

I've done some searches on this forum and some say morning EMH totally works and you get lots done in 2-3 hours, while others say there were tons of people waiting for at the rope drop at even at 7am for the EMH.

I'm going in March when some schools have spring break and I've read that when the parks are crowded, it's best to avoid EMH altogether....is that true?

Should I do the EMH parks or avoid them in March??

TIA for your inputs!!

 

[mom_to_2]

good question! *bump*

 

[allisonw]

i dont know, im reading the ug and he says to avoid them, but i'm going the first part of march and plan to use them most days. we're not going to hop b/c we have two children under 4, i figure if it gets too busy than we'll leave and go explore resorts.

 

[srwarden1928]

March isnt the issue. The EMH parks get busy later in the day, like by 10-11 am. All the experts recommending avoiding the EMH park. Since you do not have hoppers, going to EMH will put you in a more crowded park before lunch, and you will likely get less done in that park than if you just went to rope drop at a non EMH park.

Do not think for a minute that I am criticizing you for not hopping. My family has not hopped, does not hop, will not hop, and has plenty of other things more important to do with $50+tax/person. Its just that those with hoppers can go to EMH and then hop to a recommended park. Those of us without hoppers need to stick to a recommended park, preferably at rope drop, as our park for the day.

Have a magical vacation.

 

[tinashaver]

I am no expert and am also going the same time as you. I have not been in 10 years. But I did read that the parks with EMH were the most crowded during the day and it said to go to the park the day after they had EMH. I mean whats one extra hour to get up early rush out to only be crowded the rest of the day? good luck with your decision!

 

[kawright4]

YOu should definately use the EMH. We go every year and always use EMH. Many people don't like to get up early on vacation and plus if you don't use the EMH, you'll be going into the parks at the same time as all the other people including those who are not staying on Disney property and it will be very crowded.
Also since you don't have park hopper you want to get as much done as possible in each park so make use of EMH. Go during morning EMH and get fast passes for the big rides meanwhile ride the smaller rides and you'll get to see and do alot.

 

[NaplesRI]

We're in the group that says go to the park the day AFTER EMH. Less crowds, you can get there an hr later and still be at Rope Drop, and that extra hr of rest, especially with little ones, can be worth a LOT. Good luck with your decision!

PS- we are going to be there the exact same dats as you!

 

[katyjeka]

I'm not sure about March, but in the middle of December, we decided to not do the hoppers for the first time ever. I was quite worried about not having them, but I found not hopping to be easier for us. We did avoid the parks with EMH, and never had a problem with crowds. It worked so well for us, that I'm thinking of saving the money and going with nonhoppers this year, and avoiding the EMH's again. Have a great trip.