Are EMH worth it?

ebenmax · Apr 27, 2015

We are WDW veterans who always take advantage of EMHs, in FL but as I read the DL/DCA threads, it seems like many of you go to the opposite park from EMH/MM. I know there are some defined differences in the FL and CA experiences. Is it not as helpful to use the extra hour in some way?

We have decided to buy hoppers and are going to be there Monday June 1 and Thurs. June 4.

Thank you for your suggestions!

MolonLabe · Apr 27, 2015

If you go for the EMH, yes. be warned that park will usually have high attendance that day because of it, so outside of those EMH's you will be worse off.

I generally avoid them.

jdb in AZ · Apr 27, 2015

When we did the EMH at Disneyland we were surprised at how few rides were actually open. Sure, the little kiddie rides were open, but not the thrill rides. We decided we would have been ahead to just sleep late. I know, you snooze you lose, but we're old, and like to take it easy on vacation, so....

whoever · Apr 27, 2015

For us, ABSOLUTELY. The park is often deserted for EMH and we LOVE IT.

becks59 · Apr 27, 2015

We always stay off property and then just get the one magic morning at Disneyland with our 3 day park hopper pass. We love taking advantage of magic morning when the park has an earlier opening time because we get in a lot of the fantasyland and tomorrow land area rides in. Besides that day, we try to go to a park that doesn't have EMH because then we don't start with a park that already has crowds when we can get inside. I also think it depends on the personalities and ages of those in your family. If you have young kids, then being able to do all of fantasyland before the big crowds is a great thing, but if you have teens who don't want to go on anything in fantasyland, then DL EMH may only be worth it for one day to hit the other rides that are open.

Fantaluminishes · Apr 28, 2015

Before I went to AP last year, I did a few MM. In my opinion they are a total waste. I haven't done EMH because I don't stay on property. EMH at WDW blows away the DLR version (especially evening EMH). It just sucks that they don't do the 3-hr evening EMH anymore. But, yeah. Now I only go to the park without MM/EMH if I go in the morning.

gottalovepluto · Apr 28, 2015

We love EMH. It's one of our favorite parts of staying onsite. However it can be hit or miss. Some mornings rides aren't running yet (very annoying) and other mornings you whip right through Star Tours, Matterhorn & most of Fantasyland. Our worst EMHs were 1) when we tried to use GCH entrance (go to the main gate, this entrance is fine later in the day) 2)waited in line for RSR because they were "testing" & could open up any time (they didn't it was down a couple hours) and 3) tried to use monorail for EMH (best out of our three mistakes as we actually got a few rides in despite waiting for a couple monorails- but again go to the main gate). We've learned from our mistakes over the years & tempered our expectations knowing that some rides juat won't be running yet. The benefits are great, it's the least crowded we see the parks all day during summer. Do realize in DL only Tomorrowland & Fantasyland are open for EMH so you don't waste time going elsewhere. I don't remember specifically what is open in DCA besides RSR, TSMM & Screamin'.

Cats2 · Apr 28, 2015

I find EMH to be helpful for DCA, but less so for DL because it's a combined MM/EMH entry. I think Soarin' is open during EMH, though frankly we typically focus on Carsland and TSMM and then TOT. If you go to 7 AM EMH when the park's regular opening is at 8AM, it's much better than a 9 AM EMH for a 10 AM park opening, because less people are willing to wake up early. (We've been known to be by the security tents by 6:30 AM for early EMH). One of the few times I used the GCH entrance to DCA for EMH, was due to a sudden downpour of rain--didn't want to wait in line on the Esplande. At least the GCH has a covered entrance. But that day the line was crazy long and actually wrapped around the inside of the GCH lobby! We didn't get into the parks until about 30 min later..thankfully it stopped raining by that time.

agamble · Apr 28, 2015

I think why you hear people saying go to the opposite park is because a lot of Disneyland visitors have APs and aren't eligible for early mornings unless they shell out the money to stay at one of Disney's 3 hotels. If you don't have the early hours available to you then it is best if you can go to the opposite park that morning, though not always possible. If you have the morning, then use it! The first year we bought APs we originally bought 5-day park hoppers and then upgraded so that we could have the Magic Morning. However, this was a bad idea because prices went up and we could have been required to pay more for our APs. We got lucky and the CM sold them to us at the price they were when we bought the 5-day tickets. This last time I just bought the APs because I knew prices would go up before our trip, and they did.

VandVsmama · Apr 28, 2015

We have used MM & EMH before when we stayed at the DLH and it was totally worth it to us. During MM, we went on 6-7 Fantasyland rides in that hour. It was so great...everything was basically a walk-on. We did EMH @ DCA and that was great, too. Went on the Carsland attractions, Toy Story, and King Triton's Carousel without waiting.

3-day or more park hopper tickets get 1 Magic Morning entry to DL, which occurs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. EMH at DCA are on the other days of the week and is only for people who are staying at 1 of the 3 DL hotels.

So if you're only going for 2 days (mon & thurs of the week you mentioned) and you don't have a 3-day park hopper, then I think you should do this:

Monday 6/1 - start at DL. Get to the entrance (i.e., through security bag check) 30 minutes before regular park opening.
Thurs 6/4 - start at DCA. Get to the entrance (i.e., through security bag check) 30 minutes before regular park opening.

luulu1999 · Apr 28, 2015

Make sure you realize EMH is only for onsite guest and has specific days for each park MM is for Park hoppers of 3 days or more and is ONLY for DL on specific days, so if you don't have EMH most people will start at the opposite park in the mornings. We don't stay on property and our last visit got to the park on our MM day about 30 mins after opening and still was able to do a lot most of the time esp if the park opens at 8AM you can get so much done in the early mornings, it is my understanding that 10AM openings aren't quiet as good in that aspect

coaches24 · Apr 28, 2015

ebenmax said:
We are WDW veterans who always take advantage of EMHs, in FL but as I read the DL/DCA threads, it seems like many of you go to the opposite park from EMH/MM. I know there are some defined differences in the FL and CA experiences. Is it not as helpful to use the extra hour in some way?

We have decided to buy hoppers and are going to be there Monday June 1 and Thurs. June 4.

Thank you for your suggestions!

Usually people avoid the EMH and MM when they do not have them and have to wait till regular park opening to get in. If you stay on site and have access to EMH or if you have a 3 or more day hopper pass and have a MM then usually its recommended that you take advantage and get some rides done before the park opens regularly.

I have also done MM at DL and gone through most of FL, star wars, Space Buzz etc and then hopped over to DCA within the first 30-60 minutes of being open and been able to walk on quite a few rides there as well or get RSR FP. The extra hour you get if put to good use is terrific IMO.

8lovesmickey · Apr 28, 2015

We've had hit-or-miss luck but usually love it. On my January trip, we didn't do very well at DCA -- we started at Carsland and only Mater was open -- RSR had technical troubles. We walked over to ToT but it wasn't running yet. So we did a lot of walking and ended up on California Screamin' then headed back to Carsland. The good news was that RSR opened about 15 minutes before general opening, so it still ended up being worth it. The bad news is that we walked most of the park just to ride a couple of things. (I should also add that in January both Soarin' and Grizzly were down for refurb.)

On the other hand, last June we got there for EMH and we walked on Soarin' (only about 10 people on the ride total), then we walked on Tower of Terror (only 4 of us in the elevator), then we headed to Carsland and rode RSR twice in the single rider line, all before the park opened. Then we headed to Paradise Pier and rode Toy Story and California Screamin with no lines because the 'general public' hadn't had time to walk over there yet. That was a seriously productive hour!

ebenmax · Apr 28, 2015

Thanks for the great feedback!!
Since we do have EMH staying at VGC, plus they begin at 7:00 am, it sounds like we will definitely benefit!!

ebenmax · Apr 28, 2015

8lovesmickey said:
We've had hit-or-miss luck but usually love it. On my January trip, we didn't do very well at DCA -- we started at Carsland and only Mater was open -- RSR had technical troubles. We walked over to ToT but it wasn't running yet. So we did a lot of walking and ended up on California Screamin' then headed back to Carsland. The good news was that RSR opened about 15 minutes before general opening, so it still ended up being worth it. The bad news is that we walked most of the park just to ride a couple of things. (I should also add that in January both Soarin' and Grizzly were down for refurb.)

On the other hand, last June we got there for EMH and we walked on Soarin' (only about 10 people on the ride total), then we walked on Tower of Terror (only 4 of us in the elevator), then we headed to Carsland and rode RSR twice in the single rider line, all before the park opened. Then we headed to Paradise Pier and rode Toy Story and California Screamin with no lines because the 'general public' hadn't had time to walk over there yet. That was a seriously productive hour!

WOW!! Those are the ones we hope to ride too in the hour, but it sounds like there are tons of factors (and pixie dust) for it to work out so well!!
Where do you all suggest we head first for the best way to attack our plan? Soarin' will have just reopened.

gerilyne · Apr 28, 2015

When we've had a 7am opening at CA, and assuming no rides have a delayed opening, we could do RSR, Tower of Terror, Screamin, Ariel, and sometimes the Carousel. We aren't big TSMM fans so we usually skip it. After that we usually get breakfast at Flo's and then the rest of the park is open to start working on. Those are at least the ones we make sure to hit during EMH.

At DL, it depends on where we start. If we start with Peter Pan, we will usually do all of Fantasyland then head to Matterhorn and then Space. If we start at Space we go the opposite way but usually skip Peter Pan.

When we went on 2013 we ended up with several TOT photos (we rode 2 or 3 times in a row) with either just the two of us on it or it was us and 2-3 other people. That was really cool!

8lovesmickey · Apr 30, 2015

ebenmax said:
WOW!! Those are the ones we hope to ride too in the hour, but it sounds like there are tons of factors (and pixie dust) for it to work out so well!!
Where do you all suggest we head first for the best way to attack our plan? Soarin' will have just reopened.

What worked for us was Soarin first, then ToT, then RSR. We found that 90% of the crowd went to Carsland first and we were able to avoid the huge rush and literally ride the other two on the first ride of the day. Plus Soarin has such huge capacity that you'll be in and out of that one in a hurry.
Then when the park opens to the general public, head over to Toy Story and California Screamin (because most people will be headed to Carsland again) then work your way around the lake to the less crowded things.
Those are my thoughts - hope it works well for you! We got so much done in the morning, we were pooped and back at the pool by 11:00!

LittleStinkerbelle · Apr 30, 2015

For us they were totally worth it. We only had 2.5 park days and we did one EMH at DL and one at DCA. On our DCA morning were were able in that one hour to ride Radiator Springs, meet Olaf and ride Toy Story. It really took the pressure off for the rest of the day because I felt like I hit our must dos right off the bat.

On our DL morning I loved being able to get through most of Fantasyland before the crowds built up. We started there on our first afternoon and it was packed at that time of the day and we found it so much more pleasant during EMH.

MouseEXP · Apr 30, 2015

If you like your sleep or rather avoid having a early breakfast then avoid EMH and MM.
The only attractions that are a must do during a EMH/MM are Peter Pan and Dumbo at Disneyland, and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure.

Other wise you can get there when the park regularly opens on either day and still do quite a bit. For example, the strategy by going Disneyland at regular opening on a EMH/MM Day at Disneyland should be.

8am-9am: Avoid Peter Pan, ride Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Matterhorn, and Casey Jr. You can come back later in the evening for the attractions you missed in Fantasyland. By 9am Fantasyland is packed.
9am-12pm: Now you have to decide which is more important to you... Toontown or the Jungle Cruise. For Toontown you head there at 9am at Toontown opening, ride Go Coaster, see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy finish with Roger Rabbit. Get on the train from Toontown station to New Orleans Square station, grab a FP for Indiana Jones, ride Splash without FP, ride Mansion, grab FP for Thunder Mtn, use FP for Indy, ride Pirates, use FP for Thunder Mtn.,Grab a FP for Space Mtn have lunch. Save Jungle Cruise for later in the. evening, Tomorrowland after lunch.
For Jungle Cruise instead of Toontown. Grab a FP for Indy, ride Jungle, ride Splash, ride Mansion, grab FP for Thunder, use FP for Indy, ride Pirates, use FP for Thunder, Grab FP for Space, have lunch. Save Toontown for after 6pm as guests seem to be done in that area.

For DCA... Just head to Toy Story Mania first unless you really want to ride Radiator Springs Racers twice. You can Private Message me if you need help with that.

Brian

JadeDarkstar · Apr 30, 2015

I like EE or MM's. I get to the park early bag check done and line up most times when I plan it out we are in front of a line. We can get 8-10 Fantasy land rides done with in an hour and 15 mins. I do not plan any Fantasy land rides except on MM or EE besides small world and the boats.
Other wise I like to do the other park when ee or mm isn't in it.
Also learned the trick a while ago and as far as I know it still works. You can do chr meals in the mornings before the park opens to the public. This is the way we use our mornings on non ee mm days so we can not waist time at a chr meal when the parks open.
Just in case you are planing any of those.
Have fun

Are EMH worth it?

DIS Veteran

DTOM

It could end up curdled

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

To all who come to this happy place, welcome!

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Down at the Laughing Place is where I'll be!

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Down at the Laughing Place is where I'll be!

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

Dis Veteran Pirate dragon mom

Share this page