What is your opinion on magic hours and if the weather is bad?????

[waterm]

I have been reading the unofficial guide to Disney and it says not to visit parks on their days with extra magic hours-what are veteran WDW vacationer thoughts?????? Second, the day I was thinking of doing AK, it might be rainy-is there a better park for a rainy day????? I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jessma9902]

We always use the extra morning hours that are given at the parks... and if you can do the extra hours at night, that is great, too! I didn't notice much increase either way in using that extra time, and it actually seemed to help us to get on rides easier in the morning. I am a fanatic, though, so any extra time at Disney is great for me!!

 

[Metsoskil]

We've found that with younger kids (DD4 and DS2) that the only park that morning EMH make sense is EPCOT. At MK, the massive crowds that come w/ EMH make the park mobbed by 10, at DS there is only one attraction (Muppets 3D) that is open that the kids would ride/see, and at AK there are so few attractions that the extra crowds make the park unbearable for the day. Other than EPCOT, we try to hit the park that had the EMH the day before, when possible.

One plus of the morning EMH, however is the lower temperature at that hour (we usually go in mid-late August).

We've never really taken advantage of the evening EMH because of the kids' ages, so I can't give any advice there.

As far as rain goes, we don't change our plans - just look at it as a bonus because people will file out of the parks no matter where you are. I figure, I'm already drenched in sweat anyway, what's a little more water. It's not like I will melt like the witch in the Wizard of Oz - although if my MIL was with me, it would be a concern

 

[waterm]

Do you think AK is doable in the rain????

 

[Metsoskil]

Every park is doable in the rain if you are willing to get a little wet. Bring a poncho or umbrella (that's a debate for another thread) and you can pretty much follow whatever plan you were going to do before with less crowds.

 

[dkerwood]

The Unofficial Guide does say to avoid parks with EMH, but that's really just to say don't go to that park THAT DAY. If you want to get up early and go into the park, the place shouldn't be busy until the park officially opens. At that point, you've already got hundreds of people in the park and you add more.

Same thing with evening hours. Lots of people show up a few hours before the official closing time just to take advantage of the EMH... but if you show up at closing time, it's the coolest thing to stride past all the poor souls having to go home...

We went in January 07, and crowds were pretty light all the time... but they were noticeably higher on EMH days. If you want to avoid crowds, don't spend the day at the EMH park.

As far as rain, well, there are two things to consider: First, all rides and shows should be functioning, except EE, which would only close due to lightning. Secondly, the animals should be out unless it's deemed cold enough to be dangerous. If so, they might be brought inside... I think AK (or any park, for that matter) would be fine in the rain.

Buy ponchos at Wal-Mart before you go. And bring more than one apiece. I ended up giving mine to a girl in a wheelchair at MK and had to buy a premium-priced Mickey poncho (but I did get tons of brownie points from my DFi for my generosity!).

 

[waterm]

I reread the Unofficial Guide on EMH and it sounds like a good thing in the am and then to "follow" their touring plan for the rest of the day. I wish I could do it all, and I am not sure what my dd will be interested in......I don't mind the rain either. I think FL weather will be great compared to snow and sleet!!!!!!!! Thanks again for everyone's input!