Which day should we use our EMH?

[Blondie Mom]

This is our first trip to DLR (me, DH, DS7, DS6). We will have 5 day park hoppers, which gets us one EMH entrance to DL. Our first day in the park will be Tuesday 10/6, which is an EMH day for DL. Should we go ahead and use our EMH on that day? My pros are: it's early in the trip so we will likely be more rested/ready to go for it, also would like to visit DL as our first park instead of DCA. My cons are: we will likely be going slow and taking it all in since it's our first time EVER walking down main street, seeing the castle, etc. So is it a waste of precious EMH time if we are busy oohing and ahhing over everything instead of rushing straight to the rides?? My kiddos will not be in strollers, and I really don't want to rush them during their first moments at Disneyland....I know they are going to want to look around at everything, and so are we!

So my options are:
1) Use our EMH at DL on Tuesday 10/6, but just realize we won't be rushing straight to rides and hope we still get at least a few things in along the way before the park opens to everyone at 8:00.
2) Still go to DL first on 10/6, but don't use our EMH, just go at regular park opening at 8:00, realizing that lines will already be built up at this time due to the EMH folks already being there. Then use our EMH on Thursday 10/8 or Saturday 10/10 instead.
3) I guess we could possibly book our breakfast with Minnie and Friends as early as possible on 10/6, thus avoiding using our EMH that day, but still getting in a little earlier than everyone else. Is it a bad idea to do our only character meal as the first thing on our first day in the park?

Also, I'm guessing Tuesday and Thursday will be less crowded than Saturday, so not sure how/if that should affect our decision on which day is best to use EMH.

Any advice is welcomed!

 

[egritz]

Based on your family's needs I would use it on Thursday.

I personally do EMH on Tuesday (for the reasons you stated, but we are yearly visitors) with an ADR at Plaza Inn w/ Minnie on Thursday during EMH....someone else can correct me but I'm too nervous to do the ADR during EMH before I've used my one EMH bc I fear that the computer will use that ticket scan as my EMH.

 

[Imdboss]

Since it's your first time to DL I would save your MM for Thurs. Only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open so if you get there at rope drop and take a nice stroll down Main Street the lines won't be horrific if you head towards one of the other lands. We did MM this past Thurs, park open was at 9. Did a few rides in TL then headed over to AL at rope drop to get on Indy. Since park opening was 9 it makes it much easier for people to arrive rather than the days you'll have of 8am opening.

 

[Blondie Mom]

....someone else can correct me but I'm too nervous to do the ADR during EMH before I've used my one EMH bc I fear that the computer will use that ticket scan as my EMH.

This is actually a very good thought that I hadn't considered.

We've had a similar problem with the computer using the wrong ticket first at WDW (we had both comp tickets and regular tickets on our magic bands), and it took over an hour to wait in line to sort it out at Guest Services before we were allowed to enter the park. Don't want to have a similar situation on our hands!

 

[Jerryp49]

How exciting, your first trip to DL , especially with little ones. Just so others reading this don`t get confused, a multi day Park Hopper gets you one Magic Morning (MM) one hour early entry. MM are good for DL only and only on either Tue., Thur. , or Sat .. Extra Magic Hour (EMH) is given to guests staying at one of the 3 Resort Hotels and is good for Sun., Mon. , Wed. , and Fri. one hour early entry into DCA. And early entry into DL on Tue. , Thur., and Sat. the same days as MM. EMH is given to Resort hotel guest every day of their stay, regardless of what admission ticket they have.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Thursday....don't worry about park being crowded on tuesday.....once you take in Main street, stroll over to the west, home of Adventure land and New Orleans square and Critter country, those areas do not fill up fast in the morning for your Oct visit, great place for FP if kids like roller coasters and jungle cruise, pirates, pooh, great for small kids if they have fear factor. you will have been there long week to make for a great Saturday making appropriate choices for your kids and what the family like as a whole. Best to take it slow on the first day, go nap in the afternoon and then try your luck at night time fantasyland......if there is no park closure on the tuesday night.

 

[Blondie Mom]

How exciting, your first trip to DL , especially with little ones. Just so others reading this don`t get confused, a multi day Park Hopper gets you one Magic Morning (MM) one hour early entry. MM are good for DL only and only on either Tue., Thur. , or Sat .. Extra Magic Hour (EMH) is given to guests staying at one of the 3 Resort Hotels and is good for Sun., Mon. , Wed. , and Fri. one hour early entry into DCA. And early entry into DL on Tue. , Thur., and Sat. the same days as MM. EMH is given to Resort hotel guest every day of their stay, regardless of what admission ticket they have.

Thanks....I'm still trying to get all the lingo right