45 responses

  1. Kelly B – Agent with Destinations in Florida
    January 7, 2016

    While I don’t have the actual data, I tend to agree with Dave about EMH. I’ve personally avoided the parks with EMH. The crowd levels are higher. If you are a family that will be up and at the parks at rope drop, it can be an advantage.

    While a time of year can be a low crowd time, that same time you can find resorts at maximum capacity. That’s a lot of people all converging on one park. With crowds, heightened security, etc you may find yourself not really being able to take advantage of that morning EMH.

    I find for my family that we benefit more from getting a bit more sleep. Not rushing and dealing with the stress of buses and times first thing in the AM. And then heading to a non EMH park and enjoying the lower crowds (especially in the mornings).

    Reply

  2. Paul
    January 6, 2016

    Dave, once again, I love all of the info on the site. You’ve helped my family tremendously with our Disney planning over the years and have been exceptionally kind answering my questions. But I do have one more regarding Extra Magic Hours.

    I know you, and other sites such as Easy WDW, typically suggest avoiding parks with morning EMH or at least park hopping somewhere else after they are over. But that is based on the number of resort hotel rooms and potential occupancy converging on that one park that day. For example, the ~30,000 rooms with maybe 4 people per.

    Is there any data that shows the wait times for attractions are appreciably greater for parks on the days they have EMH versus other days? You are great at posting attendance data or occupancy rates, and I am wondering if you have a chart or table for EMH-day wait times vs non-EMH wait times.

    I certainly understand the logic, but all of the evidence seems anecdotal, and I’m not sure I’ve had the same crowded experiences on EMH days as others have reported. I was just wondering if some statistical analysis could demonstrate that more clearly.

    Thanks very much and keep up the outstanding work!

    Reply

    • Dave
      January 7, 2016

      Hey Paul, Josh has such data, but I can’t find the links.

      Reply

  3. Cynthia
    December 28, 2014

    Sorry one more question please. Would you advise BOG dinner at 4:15 or 9pm? Would like to find a way to plan our MK day in a way that would keep us there till 2AM as my kids are looking forward to riding the rides late at night

    Thanks again

    Reply

    • Dave
      December 30, 2014

      Cynthia, do you already have a reservation? BOG books up 180 days ahead… Hard also to advise without knowing your date, as Wishes is often on at 9p at it is a much better way to spend your time…

      Reply

  4. Cynthia
    December 28, 2014

    Hello
    Looking for a little guidance. Coming in Feb. 2015 have to ADR for Boma 6pm and 7pm would like to time it around sunset and storytelling. Would you know what time storrytelling is usually in February at AKL or where I can get the info from AKL directly
    Thank you

    Reply

  5. DA
    October 20, 2014

    We are going to AK on Nov. 9th. I have a 9:15 TH reservation and a 4:15 TH reservation, so I am not sure which one to use. It is an EMH morning. What time will we be allowed in the park if we use the am reservation? Will we be able to do any of the rides prior to our reservation, we are staying DTD? I have a 9:55-10:55 safari fp; 10:55-11:55 Kali fp, and a 11:55-12:55 Everest fp (planning on going closer to end time especially the safari). Thanks!

    Reply

    • Dave
      October 20, 2014

      DA, when you say “DTD”–can you be more precise? Different hotels have different privileges. For example, the Hilton gets to use EMH. If you don’t have EMH, I would not go to AK the 9th, and if you wanna go anyway, I’d cancel the 9.15 and use the 4.15 instead…But to answer your question, you’ll be let in a little before 9, and there’s no ride between the entrance and TH that you’ll be able to ride and still dine at 9.15.

      Reply

  6. Lacy
    July 30, 2014

    Hi Dave,
    We are taking our little boy to Disney World September 24-29th. We will spend one day at each park for four days (25th, 26th, 27th, 28th). Our goal is to best avoid the most crowded parks each day. Do you have a recommendation on which parks to attend which days? We also are planning on attending the not so scary Halloween party.
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Dave
      July 31, 2014

      Hi Lacy, how old? If he is for example 5, I wouldn’t bother with Epcot, but instead would do two days at MK.

      9/25 avoid MK
      9/26 avoid AK and Epcot
      9/27 avoid all but AK–so this is your AK day!
      9/28 avoid HS

      Reply

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