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special k
07-14-2008, 11:38 PM
How does Disney enforce the extra magic hours policy? In other words, how do they get rid of those people not staying on property? Is it worth it to visit parks with extra evening magic hours? Does it really cut down on crowds, or are they worse or the same? One of the travel books I've read eluded to the idea that the rules are not very well enforced and many of the parks remain super crowded. You guys have been helpful on so much, so what has been your experience?

Extra magic hours....worth it? Or avoid it? What are the perks?
:search:

pink
07-15-2008, 12:17 AM
I've only been to EMH at night but what happens is they set up stations around the park to get these bracelets to stay for the EMH. In order to get the bracelet you need to show your room card I believe. Everyday for each park has a different color so you can't just keep it on. CM's let guests on rides until the minute the park closes but once EMH kicks in and the guest doesn't have a bracelet the CM is supposed to deny them access and from my experience, they do. I think EMH is definitley worth it, it's like VIP access. :mickey:

indytraveler
07-15-2008, 12:32 AM
I've only been to EMH at night but what happens is they set up stations around the park to get these bracelets to stay for the EMH. In order to get the bracelet you need to show your room card I believe.... I think EMH is definitley worth it, it's like VIP access. :mickey:

I agree with Pink. It is worth it both am & pm EMH (depending on morning person or not). You will have a large group of people at the park but it is very manageable. The bracelets work out very well

Deesdisney
07-15-2008, 12:34 AM
We go everytime. We sleep in and go to the evening ones. The park is alot less crowded.

CaptainJessicaSparrow
07-15-2008, 02:41 AM
The morning ones aren't really enforced at all. Guests are always allowed in early, whether it's for ADR or something else. So in the morning, it's less than in the evening. The only difference is that the rides are actually open during the morning, as opposed to not being open yet on a regular day.

yjgirl715
07-15-2008, 09:05 AM
I loved EMH we are morning people so we usually do the morning ones. In my experience they did not let people in that were not staying on Disney property. We did do a couple of night ones and again they did enforce that pretty well too. It was a lot of fun and so worth it.

RockinRollerMom
07-15-2008, 10:15 AM
I agree with the PP. I also feel that EMH's are well worth it. I have never had a problem with non-resort guests getting to stay. We normally do the evening hours and find that the first hour or so is a little crowded. (Still not as bad as the regular park crowds.) After about an hour or so a lot of people start to clear out. (Esp. those with little ones.) We found little to no wait at all. (with the exception of Soarin') During EMH's we were able to walk on to EE at AK and RnR at DHS without any line at all.

Mfarquar
07-15-2008, 10:44 AM
EMHs are great! I have never done the AM ones, as I am not an early bird. However, the evening ones have always been a very positive experience for me.

If you are already in the park, you can stop at a designated location (it changes - you can ask a CM where to go) where a CM will swipe your room key and issue a bracelet. This bracelet allows you access to the attractions. I have never seen ANYONE admitted without a bracelet onto a ride or attraction.

However, they do not force people without bracelets to leave. They simply cannot go on the rides. So, they usually linger around for a short while after the fireworks end, etc. to get a snack or do a little shopping. They usually thin out pretty fast. I have found most people simply go home immediately, because to them the park is closed.

The lines are usually significantly shorter, especially during crowded months. In the off-season when the parks close earlier anyway, you experience continued short lines like the daytime, and it's nice to be able to stay at the parks late! :)

KAJUNKING
07-15-2008, 11:37 AM
we really enjoy the eav emh especialy when they are open after midnight, then the crowds are really thin, but last year we made it to one morning emh (we are not morning people) at the mk, and we got a whole lot of stuff done in that one hour so this year we are going to try to make more mornings emh :mickey:

Goes4FastPass
07-15-2008, 01:28 PM
I'm a big believer especially in evening EMH
but there are 2 things to keep in mind when it comes to evening EMH and queues:

1. There are no FP machines issuing PF during EMH.

2. The other parks are closed so many people who have 'hopping' park admission hop over to the EMH park as the park they were in earlier close. We were in a super long line at BTMRR once and my wife wondered aloud, "Where did all these people come from?" and I answered, "An hour or so ago these people were at EPCOT.. or the Studios the Animal Kingdom..."

The last time I was in the Land [Soarin'] during evening EMH it was 11pm and the place was still a madhouse.

special k
07-15-2008, 08:31 PM
Thanks for the tips! :thumbsup: How long do the parks stay open in the evenings generally? I'm going the first week of September.

pink
07-15-2008, 08:43 PM
September Park Hours

Magic Kingdom
September 1-4 -- 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
September 5 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
September 6 -- 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
September 7,8 -- 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 9 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
September 10,11 -- 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 12 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
September 13 -- 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 14 -- 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
September 15 -- 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 16 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
September 17 -- 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
September 18 -- 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 19 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
September 20 -- 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
September 21 -- 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
September 22 -- 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 23 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
September 24 -- 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
September 25 -- 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 26 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
September 27 -- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Midnight
September 28 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
September 29 -- 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 30 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Epcot
Future World
September 1-30 -- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

World Showcase
September 1-30 -- 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Special Hours
The following have different operating hours than the Park.

Leave a Legacy - 9:00AM-9:00PM
Mission: SPACE - 9:00AM-9:00PM
Soarin' - 9:00AM-9:00PM
Spaceship Earth - 9:00AM-9:00PM
Test Track - 9:00AM-9:00PM
Electric Umbrella - 9:00AM-9:00PM
Coral Reef closes at 8:00PM
Garden Grill closes at 7:50PM
Sunshine Seasons - 11:00AM-9:00PM
Sunshine Seasons Bakery opens at 9:00AM

Disney's Hollywood Studios
September 1 -- 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
September 2,3,4 -- 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
September 5,6 -- 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
September 7-21 -- 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
September 22 -- 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 23-30 -- 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Animal Kingdom
September 1 -- 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
September 2-30 -- 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Blizzard Beach
September 1-30 -- 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Typhoon Lagoon
September 1-30 -- 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY Marketplace:
Shops: Sunday - Thursday: 9:30am to 11:00pm
Friday - Saturday: 9:30am to 11:30pm
Restaurants: 9:00am - 11:00pm daily
Individual shop and restaurant operating hours may vary.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY Pleasure Island
Shops: 10:30 am - 1am daily
Clubs: 7pm - 2am daily
Individual shop, club, and restaurant operating hours may vary.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY West Side
Shops: Sunday - Thursday: 10:30am - 11:00pm
Friday - Saturday: 10:30am - 12 midnight
Restaurants: 11:00am - 12 midnight daily

Cirque du Soleil La Nouba:
Theater - Shows at 6:00pm and 9:00pm
Individual shop and restaurant operating hours may vary.

DisneyQuest
11:30am – 11pm -- Sunday-Thursday
11:30am – 12 Midnight -- Friday-Saturday

Miniature Golf
Winter Summerland
September 1-30 -- 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Fantasia Gardens
September 1-30 -- 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
(Fairways-last rounds started at 10:30 p.m.)
:mickey:

special k
07-15-2008, 09:47 PM
I should have clarified...doh! :blush: I meant what are the extra magic hours in the evening? How late does the park stay open beyond the official closing time?

BMan62
07-16-2008, 08:46 AM
I should have clarified...doh! :blush: I meant what are the extra magic hours in the evening? How late does the park stay open beyond the official closing time?

Extra Magic Hours:
Mornings - Open one (1) hour before regular park opening

Evenings - Open three (3) hours after regular park closing

September Schedule
Magic Kingdom
MORNING : September 4, 11, 18, 25
EVENING : September 7, 14, 21, 29

Animal Kingdom
MORNING : September 1,8,15,22,29
EVENING : September 3,10,17,24

Epcot
MORNING : September 2,9,16,23,30
EVENING : September 5,12,19,26

Disney's Hollywood Studios
MORNING : September 6,13,20,27
EVENING : September 1,8,15,22,28