What's up with Early Entry, Extra Magic Hour?

[mwerner2]

We just returned from WDW today. For this trip we didn't stay on-site and I was careful not to plan to go to the parks that had early entry that day so I wouldn't have to stand outside and watch all those on-site guests go in ahead of me.

Last *Sunday* which I thought was MK's day we went to Animal Kingdom at 8:30 and there was a big sign that said "Welcome Resort Guests" and only resort guests were being allowed in. I have to admit I wasn't a happy camper.

Yesterday *Wednesday*, an Epcot EE day, we went to Magic Kingdom about noon. The crowds were so large that I asked a CM if resort guests had been allowed in early. He said yes they had been.

Have I missed something, or is this a new development?

 

[BethR]

I can't answer your question, but I would love to know what it is.

Is it possible that you had the days of EE for each park wrong? (I have not committed them to memory myself since the "change.")

 

[BethR]

OK, looked "around" a bit and found this list for Extra Magic Hour:

Sunday - Magic Kingdom/ Monday - Disney's Animal Kingdom/ Tuesday - Disney-MGM Studios/ Wednesday - Epcot®/ Thursday - Magic Kingdom/ Friday - Disney's Animal Kingdom/ Saturday - Disney-MGM Studios

Hummmm...based upon your experience, there surely does seem to be some jumbling of days.

 

[n2mm]

Here's some help. We were also there and when we picked up our resort info (the flyer that comes out every 2 weeks) ALL of the EE days were different from the normal schedule. I thought this was a mistake and couldn't get anyone to answer. I acutally thought it was a misprint, but it seems there was no EE at MGM Saturday and all of the other days were off. I kept looking at a calendar and trying to sort it out, but couldn't figure it all out. Since I picked it up on Thursay and checked out on Saturday I didn't use any of the EE days except Friday the 16th at AK which was current, after that it all went downhill. So if you are like me and have memorized which days are which, you were thrown for a loop on this one. I'm assuming that MGM did not have EE that Saturday because of Star Wars activities??? So for you guys who make PS for breakfast in regard to EE at the parks, be warned that Disney does change the EE days when the mood strikes them. No more written in stone.

 

[Miscrapper]

I am purely speculating here but according to Unofficial Guide WDW will open early when the crowds (based on hotel occupancy) warrants it. However from what I have read it is not crowded right now at WDW. I am thinking it is probably further effort to get repeat visitors to choose their resorts. There are many indications they need to fill their hotel rooms! Also it is a reward for those people there now who are at a Disney resort.

Unfortunately it is throwing a wrench in the plans of those of us who overplan ahead of time! I am going to start making Priority Seating calls beginning of June based on current EMH schedule and what I have gathered to be slow days at each park.

 

[SuzEm]

Oh Boy! Another reason to have to change my itinerary since I have it planned in and around EMH! Wonder how we can find out how long this might be going on.....I'm going to be there end of next week thru 6-8!

 

[ktglads]

There was the Dansani marathon over the weekend and they changed the EE days to accomodate the people for that and the start of that race. That would be why this weekend was a little messed up. They had to keep changing until it was settled again. I got something about this when I checked into my hotel

 

[Simba's Mom]

Boy, sounds like my plan for check in day is really a good one-sit by the pool and read (thoroughly) all the literature we got at check-in! Especially if they're changing the EMH parks.

 

[BuzzMe]

I'm confused. We got into MGM early on Sat, 17th- Star Wars day and regular EE morning.

 

[Chess]

We were there from Thursday, May 15 to Monday May 19. The only day that I was aware of that changed was Sunday MK and Monday AK. They were switched because of the triathlon. My paper work from Disney did not have any EMH listed for Thursday and Friday but we went to AK early on Friday because I knew it was early entry and AK was open early.