Xmas EMH and Late Risers - WWYD?

[ofcabbagesandkings]

So, I knew it was coming (pour one out for our now useless prepark opening ADR) but now I'm not sure what to do on our MK morning. DS4 usually gets up at 7:30. I think he would be fine getting up a bit earlier and getting to the park at 8 to see the opening show, which we've never seen. But would that be the equivalent of showing up at 10am during another time of the year? We have FP+ scheduled from 9 am on and are planning on going back to hotel for nap at 1pm. Do we really need to get there at 7? TIA!

 

[sharonabe]

I'm a little confused. Is the park opening at 8 or at 7? If you're going Christmas week, MK will probably be open every morning at 7 for an EMH. If that is the case, there won't be a regular opening show at 8, but there will be an abbreviated one.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

It's opening at 8 with EMH at 7. I thought the show would be at 8 so non-resort guests can see it, is that not the case?

 

[sharonabe]

It's opening at 8 with EMH at 7. I thought the show would be at 8 so non-resort guests can see it, is that not the case?

From what I remember, it is just a count down, and not the entire show with music and stuff. However, that is Christmas week, so it could be different.

 

[staceymay00]

So, I knew it was coming (pour one out for our now useless prepark opening ADR) but now I'm not sure what to do on our MK morning. DS4 usually gets up at 7:30. I think he would be fine getting up a bit earlier and getting to the park at 8 to see the opening show, which we've never seen. But would that be the equivalent of showing up at 10am during another time of the year? We have FP+ scheduled from 9 am on and are planning on going back to hotel for nap at 1pm. Do we really need to get there at 7? TIA!

The earlier you can get there, the better. I think arriving at 8 will still give you an hour or two without huge crowds, but that early EMH hour is pretty great if you can swing it. I'm not sure about the opening show since we've always arrived at MK for morning EMH during our Christmas/New Year's trips. My kids like to sleep in on vacation (two teens and one tween), but they will get up early for WDW RD without much complaint because we get so much done and then head back to the resort by lunch time for a break.

 

[g-dad66]

If you can make the 7am opening, I think it will be well worth it. You could polish off Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Barnstormer, Dumbo, and Under the Sea during that first hour.

 

[robinb]

So, I knew it was coming (pour one out for our now useless prepark opening ADR) but now I'm not sure what to do on our MK morning. DS4 usually gets up at 7:30. I think he would be fine getting up a bit earlier and getting to the park at 8 to see the opening show, which we've never seen. But would that be the equivalent of showing up at 10am during another time of the year? We have FP+ scheduled from 9 am on and are planning on going back to hotel for nap at 1pm. Do we really need to get there at 7? TIA!

You're going Christmas week? Yes. you need to be there by 6:45 for an EMH of 7:00 and a regular park opening of 8:00. The park will be jammed instantly after 8. If you wait until he wakes up naturally at 7:30 and you get there by 9:00 ... you might as well kiss riding anything stand-by good-bye. Enjoy your 3 FPs.

Might I make a suggestion? Since he wakes at 7:30, I assume that you could wake him earlier if you need to. I would try to time-shift his schedule now so he's 1-2 hours ahead in the next month.

 

[Accident]

i'm one of those get more done in the evening then the morning touring people but as PP mentioned your talking christmas week and the earlier the better. If your talking christmas day, do anything you can to be there early to ensure you can even get into the park and it is the most crowded day of the year.

With my daughter, it was best to have a run out of energy the night before schedule. AK while it's still an earlier closing park combined with the resort pool or resort evening movie + pool (some resorts you watch from the pool so it's both in 1 shot) is a great way to help them pass out earlier and easier to wake up earlier.

 

[CarrieR]

If the park opens at 7 for EMH guests, the one and ONLY welcome show will happen a couple minutes before 7. They don't do a second one for non-resort guests.

Christmas week will be glorious 7-9AM and after 11PM. The rest of the time will be jammed. I'd aim to arrive 6:30-6:40 and plan to nap a little earlier - maybe noon? - and a little longer. The increased productivity will be worth it.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Thanks everyone for the input! I'll get some grumbles but we'll try to get there at 7 for the opening show and the low crowds. And no, we're not doing Xmas day at MK, going to AK for that day!

 

[SparklePixie]

So, I knew it was coming (pour one out for our now useless prepark opening ADR) but now I'm not sure what to do on our MK morning. DS4 usually gets up at 7:30. I think he would be fine getting up a bit earlier and getting to the park at 8 to see the opening show, which we've never seen. But would that be the equivalent of showing up at 10am during another time of the year? We have FP+ scheduled from 9 am on and are planning on going back to hotel for nap at 1pm. Do we really need to get there at 7? TIA!

Are you staying onsite? Only onsite guests can take advantage of EMH.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Are you staying onsite? Only onsite guests can take advantage of EMH.

Yes. But we're staying at AKL which is the furthest away, so we'll have to get up even earlier to get to the park for the 7am opening. I really want to catch the opening show too, since we've never seen it.