What Year Did EMH Start

[Minischnaumom]

Does anyone know what year WDW started EMH?

 

[Krissy562]

I can recall Early Entry (resort by resort) in 1992 and 1993. I think they changed it over to Extra Magic Hours somewhere around 95. I could be wrong about that tho.

 

[Robo]

As I recall-

EMH happened in the early-mid 2000's. (2002-2005, or so.)

It was after the tragic events of 911, 2001, and after Disney temporarily started to send characters to the resorts in the mornings to "compensate"
for the lack of early-morning park entry.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm gonna say around 2003. Most certainly after 9/11. Before that they had a E-ride nights at MK. you could pay an extra $10 for extra night time in MK.

There was, I think, about a year of the extra morning hours- and they stopped shortly after 9/11. (When crowds dropped off dramatically).

I went Easter 2002, (April?) and I don't think they had emh, but we didn't need them. They extended hours for everyone over Easter, but the parks were empty.

I think current EMH began as part of the 2003 celebration. I don't recall the name, but it was Magic something.

good question!

 

[wisblue]

I forget the exact name ( maybe it was just "early entry") but I know that in the mid 90's we were able to enter the MK at 7:30 when we stayed at the Polynesian. The regular park opening was 9 AM.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Got it!!!:

Lots of changes became effective January 2, 2005! Not only did the NEW Magic Your Way Ticket program go into effect, but also the new Extra Magic Hours schedules started.

As others have said though, the currentEMH is not the only 'extended hours' program they had at WDW. One of them was early entry, which ended some time between Sept and December of 2001. (confirmed)

 

[andyman8]

Here's how I remember it:

Early Entry (I believe it was called "Surprise Mornings") existed for resort guests for many years from the early 90s through October 2001 when Disney cancelled the benefit due to the 9/11 tourism halt. It was replaced with the lackluster Character Caravan where Disney characters were available for a meet n greet at the bus station at each resorts on most (not all) days. They were only there for a couple hours each day too.

In 2003, Disney revitalized the Surprise Mornings benefit as Extra Magic Hour. It was only the morning though. Then in 2005, Disney introduced evening Extra Magic Hours.

 

[WEDWDW]

Not sure of the "exact" date,but I "think" Character Caravan was discontinued and "replaced" with Extra Magic Hours(Mornings only) "around" October,2002.

I remember it was a "set" rotation that did not change.

Epcot only happened once a week while the other parks happened twice a week.

I used the "word" MADEMAD to remember the schedule.

Sunday----Magic Kingdom----------M
Monday----Animal Kingdom--------A
Tuesday----Disney-MGM Studios---D
Wednesday----Epcot----------------E
Thursday----Magic Kingdom--------M
Friday----Animal Kingdom----------A
Saturday----Disney-MGM Studios--D

 

[ariel326]

When I was there in March of '96, they had special hours for people staying at the hotels. I don't think it was called EMHs though. Not all the rides were open but most of them were.
It was awesome, because not many people knew about it so we got to ride TONS of rides, my brother and I rode Splash Mountain 3 times in a row without getting out of the log. Thunder Mountain they made us get off, but then we just walked through the line and got back on.

Its one of my favorite memories of going to the parks

 

[wisblue]

Here's how I remember it:

Early Entry (I believe it was called "Surprise Mornings") existed for resort guests for many years from the early 90s through October 2001 when Disney cancelled the benefit due to the 9/11 tourism halt. It was replaced with the lackluster Character Caravan where Disney characters were available for a meet n greet at the bus station at each resorts on most (not all) days. They were only there for a couple hours each day too.

In 2003, Disney revitalized the Surprise Mornings benefit as Extra Magic Hour. It was only the morning though. Then in 2005, Disney introduced evening Extra Magic Hours.

"Surprise Mornings" does ring a bell for the program we enjoyed in the 90's.

That was great for us with small kids staying at Poly. We would hop on the monorail, go to the MK, ride all of the Fantasyland rides and whatever else the kids wanted to do, and then come back to spend the afternoon at the pool.

 

[Hoodie]

There was also a program, outside of the early entry, that was available for a cost. For an extra $10 you could have what were essentially evening magic hours. I think they only did it for random evening for the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Robo]

There was also a program, outside of the early entry, that was available for a cost. For an extra $10 you could have what were essentially evening magic hours. I think they only did it for random evening for the Magic Kingdom.

"E-Ride Nights" (nee, "E-Ticket Nights.")

Generally, two selected nights per week, only at MK.
Only for on-site guests. The tickets were sold at the resorts.

 

[midge3426]

I loved, loved, loved E-Nights. There was a small amount of people in the park and it was extremely pleasant. You could ride your favorite ride over and over. I miss E-night. It was so much better than EMH.

 

[jannylynn]

We went for our honeymoon in 1995 and they offered early entry hours. I don't remember extra night time hours. I don't know if it was actually called EMH back then.

 

[Laura's Dad]

Agree about Magic Kingdom E-Ride Nights. That was the bet money we ever spent at WDW. We did them twice and it was terrific.

 

[Robo]

We went for our honeymoon in 1995 and they offered early entry hours. I don't remember extra night time hours. I don't know if it was actually called EMH back then.

In 1995, it was "Early Entry" ("EE.")

 

[mickeyluv'r]

"E-Ride Nights" (nee, "E-Ticket Nights.")

Generally, two selected nights per week, only at MK.
Only for on-site guests. The tickets were sold at the resorts.

I remember (also) buying them at the GS in MK. I have a picture of the sign near GS.

We loved r-ride nights!