What is EMH like?

[nicksinger8]

Hi all

I am going next July (23rd - 28th) and am staying at Newport Bay. Going with my wife and kids; my daughters will be 3.5 and nearly 6.

Based on their current sleeping patterns I would have thought getting there for about 8/8.30 will be easily possible even with time change. I know only a few attractions are open in Fantasy Land and Discovery Land and that it is almost always only the Disneyland Park.

What is EMH like at that time and as the morning progresses? What are the queues like? Do you have to queue a long time for character meets? Never been to Disney with the kids, but I do worry about their ability to cope. So going to take it really slow over 5 days making use of EMH.

Thanks

Nick

 

[Ms Poppins]

You're going with the right approach, it does get very tiring.

July EMH can be busy by 9am. We always get there for 8 and all rides are walk on. After 9 the queues start to build. I'd suggest doing EMH each day if you can and alternate days meeting characters and going straight to rides. Then you can head back to the hotel for a swim/rest in the afternoon when it's likely to be busy and hot.

 

[Kevin_W]

You're going with the right approach, it does get very tiring.

July EMH can be busy by 9am. We always get there for 8 and all rides are walk on. After 9 the queues start to build. I'd suggest doing EMH each day if you can and alternate days meeting characters and going straight to rides. Then you can head back to the hotel for a swim/rest in the afternoon when it's likely to be busy and hot.

We had the same experience this past August. After 9 the queues started to build (maybe 10-15 minutes, nothing terrible), but for the first hour everything was a walk-on. It was truly a great time to be in the park.

 

[nicksinger8]

Good idea about characters one day and rides the other. I was thinking Fantasyland one day and then Discovery Land the other, mixing in characters, but it does make more sense to do it like that. I want to get on the rides, but I do wonder whether it may be best to let the kids enjoy the characters and the atmosphere day one and perhaps squeeze in rides with a very small wait time as and when. And then do rides the next day!

 

[Ms Poppins]

You can definitely do Fantasyland and Discoveryland in an hour. The rides normally open are:
Fantasyland:
Carousel
Tea Cups
Dumbo
Peter Pan

Discoveryland:
Buzz
Orbitron
Space Mountain

If any of the above are closed they will normally open another in it's place.

You could probably meet the characters within half an hour or so and then head to Fantasyland - just depends on how many other people are about and for July it's usually quite a few as it's warmer weather. If it's wet at all it will put people off.

In October last year we met Donald, Mickey&Minnie, Goofy and then did some rides before 9, so it is doable.

I think with 4 days there you'll be able to go at a leisurely pace throughout the day and will be good to see Fantasyland in the morning when it's nice and quiet - also helps you get your bearings with less people about.

If you find that you're up early, you can go and do EMH (be at the park for just before 8 ) then go back to the hotel for breakfast and hit the Studios for it opening at 10. Then you'll miss the breakfast crowds too.

Hope you have a fantastic time