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Disney World Planning – Extra Magic Hours Strageties
I have gotten into many debates with people over visiting the parks during Extra Magic Hours. Don’t get me wrong I like the idea of Extra Magic Morning or Evening Hours, but does the HUGE influx of people at that park on that day really account for an hour or so of additional time at the parks?
I know a lot of you when planning what park you will visit on what day specifically pick the parks with Extra Magic Hours. You get to get into the park early, ride some rides before it gets busy, and that is cool don’t get my wrong.
In the beginning I used to as well, but over time I started to notice that by 10 or 11 o’clock that park was SLAMMED! It was insane, so insane that my wife and I would just leave that park and not come back that day. While we didn’t have a little one at the time it was no big deal to hop on Disney Transportation and visit another park.
With the invention of Touring Plans “Lines” and “Crowd Calendar” I started to notice a trend. Touring Plans would pick the parks with EMH’s as the parks to avoid that day..Hmm I wonder why.
You have to imagine every other guest out there at the Walt Disney World Resorts is thinking the same thing as you, lets visit the parks a little early or stay a little late, but your missing the key point EVERY OTHER GUEST IS THINKING THE SAME THING!
So over the course our visiting the parks we have modified our strategies some, depending on your family situation, and which park we are talking about is what will influence how tackle the dreaded Extra Magic Hours. Let’s take a look.
No Kids Options
So you have no kids, maybe your single, hanging out with friends, newly weds, etc the point is you are very mobile. My suggestion would be to get into the park when it first opens for EMH and by 10-11am you get the heck outta dodge. Find the park that TP’s Crowd Calendar suggests you visit that day and stay there till around dinner time. After dinner head to the park that has the Extra Magic Evening Hours and stay till they kick you out the door.
I remember one time I was at the park till 3am it was AWESOME. All the rides were walk on. No kids were in sights and we may or may not had a few drinks before going..wink wink.
With Kids
If you have little ones that still take a nap this is similar to the No Kids Option but with a twist. This is what we usually end up doing since we have a little one at home with one more on the way.
What we like to do is plan on being at the park for rope drop, with kids you try but aren’t always successful. We usually will skip a big breakfast here and opt for something portable. You will see why in a second.
We go visit all the rides we like the best forgoing any shows, or attractions. Around 11am the little one is starting to get hungry and so should you. Now we use our quick service meal to grab brunch at the park. At this time the park should be getting pretty busy. After we eat we head back to our room for naps.
Once we are up and going we purposely avoid the park with Evening Extra Magic Hours. It is usually much nicer in the parks that doesn’t have EEMH’s. Also I have noticed people are a little more rowdy at the parks after dark, don’t ask me why…
So that is our strategy for now, I am sure as my girls get older we will visit the EMH parks at night but for now after Wishes or Illuminations it is back to the room for bed.
Does Parks matter?
If you were paying attention earlier you would have remembered I mentioned something about parks and extra magic hours. Do which park your visiting that day really matter in staying for EEMH’s? In my research they do.
For example a park like Magic Kingdom EEMH’s are great there are plenty of rides and a fair amount of room. Not to mention Tomorrowland looks the best at night.
Epcot on the other hand is to busy for my tastes at night. The lines for Soarin & Test Track are insane as most people are waiting to go on those rides. I will say walking around the World Showcase at night is very magical and Spaceship Earth is brilliant but not something we have to do every visit.
Disney Hollywood Studios is similar to Epcot and is able to handle the attendance after dark. There is enough stuff to do to curb your late night hunger for rides.
Animal Kingdom doesn’t stay open late like the other parks and that is cool the animals need to unwind from a busy day.
Ok so there you have it this has been my philosophy on Extra Magic Hours. You may or may not agree and that is cool we all have our own opinions and experiences with it. That is the great thing about Walt Disney World there is no right or wrong way to have fun!
What are some of your Extra Magic Hour Strategies? Let me know in the comment section below.
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Planning a Disney Trip? Countdown to the FUN!
How many days do you have until you leave for your Disney vacation? Do you even know? If you are getting close, why not make it fun and start a Disney Vacation Countdown!?!
Several months ago, Melissa shared how to make a great Do It Yourself Countdown Calendar. In addition to your own calendar, there are lots of other fun ways to count down to your vacation.
1. Visit the Disney web site and download the Disney Vacation Connection for your computer.
2. Do a search for desktop countdown calendars for your computer.
3. Download an app for counting down the days on your smart phone.
4. Make your own construction paper chain link to countdown the days.
5. Starting 6 weeks out, choose 1 Disney movie a week to watch as a family and make themed snacks to enjoy with the film!
6. Make a playlist with 25 Disney songs. Each day on the way to school, while eating breakfast, getting ready for bed, etc., play one song to countdown the number of days left until the trip.
7. Go to the Dollar Stores and buy cheap Disney treats. Wrap them up and give each family member one treat a day for a certain amount of days leading up to the trip.
What other ideas do you have for making the Countdown to Disney FUN?
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Disney World Quick Tips – Advanced Dining Reservation Tips
Most Disney visitors plan on dining at some table service restaurants while they are on vacation. I thought most everyone was aware of the Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) system and used it as designed. In reading some of the many Disney forums on the web it is a bit disconcerting to see that there are still a lot of folks out there (particularly first time visitors) who believe that you can just walk up to one of the Walt Disney World restaurants and get a table. Check out this article Disney World Quick Tip: Dining without Reservations for more.
Please make your ADR’s or you will be eating at counter service locations throughout your visit. Just making your reservations will work if you are planning on eating at the normal table service restaurants but if you are planning on hitting the really “popular” or “in” places there are some strategies you should employ. By “popular” or “in” restaurants I mean places like Le Cellier, Cinderella’s Royal Table, OHana, Chef Mickey’s etc. etc. Here are a few tactics you might employ as ADR day approaches and arrives:
- Have A Plan - Know where you want to dine, what day you want, and an approximate time and write them down!!!
- Credit Card At The Ready – There are some venues that require either pre payment (Dinner Shows) or a deposit of some type (Fantasmic! Dining Package) so whether you use the on line system or call 407-WDW-DINE have your card available. Policies are thoroughly explained as you make each and every reservation so be patient.
- Prioritize Your ADR’s – This is key whether you use the on line system or call. Always make the most difficult reservations first. You can make your ADR’s in any date order so if you want to have breakfast in Cinderella Castle that should always be your first reservation.
- Use 180+10 Wisely – One of the major benefits of staying on site is that you can make reservations for the first 10 days of your vacation at the 180 day from check in mark. If you are planning on making ADR’s at some of the wildly popular venues you may want to consider scheduling them later in your vacation. Doing that will somewhat reduce the competition from those folks who check in 4 or 5 days earlier than you and are scheduling their ADR’s for the first few days of your vacation before you get a chance to start. It sounds a bit strange but it works.
- Be Flexible On Times - Don’t depend on eating lunch at 12:00 or dinner at 5:00. Lots of other folks are trying to do exactly that so be a bit flexible in your times so you won’t be disappointed.
There is no sure fire way to get the exact ADR’s at the exact time you want but if you utilize these suggestions you will likely have some success. I know these things work because that’s what I do. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!
Ken
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Disney Planning Tips – Plan It, Pack It, Post-It!
The burden of a family vacation can be overwhelming for the person “in charge”. Disney veterans know that timing is everything, dining reservations are a must and you can’t leave home without your itinerary. If you haven’t traveled to Disney, or don’t travel frequently all of the above is overwhelming; and then you still have to pack.
For some people packing is the worst part of vacationing, I have a three-step system to make your life easy and your vacation worry-free: plan it, pack it, post it!
- Plan It - A spreadsheet goes a long way, especially in Disney travel planning. I always keep our itinerary in a chart form that has all the park hours (including extra magical hours) our plans for the day and our dining reservations (with confirmation number of course!) The spreadsheet comes in handy for packing as well, knowing where you are going helps you to decide what you need to get there!
- Pack It - Use your spreadsheet to plan your packing strategy. If you know you are having X number of signature dinners, pack X number of shirts with collars for the men in your family. I like to use Ziploc bags to put outfits in for my 9 year old step-son. It saves time in the morning; all he has to do is find the bag with the date on it and everything he needs is inside. If you have a day at a park with water rides (such as Animal Kingdom’s Kali River Rapids) plan on wearing something you know will dry quickly and won’t be affected by water (eh hem, white shorts are see through when they’re wet!). Shoes take up space, so strategize and minimize. Yes, your wedge sandals might look super cute with an outfit you are bringing, but broken ankles in the Magic Kingdom are not magical. A good pair of tennis shoes (already broken in) will help you cover all that ground in comfort! A multi-purpose pair of flip-flops are always nice for those quick runs to and from the food court, pool or to give your tennis shoes a break. You may swelter in the summer heat at the parks but when you come inside to eat you might get a little chilly (especially children) bring a lightweight sweater or cardigan in your day bag, it doesn’t take up much space and it will keep you comfortable while you dine.
- Post It – No matter how much you plan there is always something you have to throw in the suitcase the minute before it’s zipped up and you’re out the door. This is where Post-it’s come in handy. When my major lists are all checked off I leave a post it note on the inside of my front door (the last thing I see before I leave) that gives me last-minute reminders for things I may have forgotten such as a phone charger, or to do things in the house…like make sure you take the trash to the curb, turn off the coffee pot, etc. I keep the Post-It notes with me while I pack and when I think of something I need but can’t pack at that exact moment I put it on the Post-It then when the countdown is done and you’re out the door you don’t have to worry about “What if I forgot…”
These three easy steps have worked great for all of our Disney vacations, but you can use them to pack-n-go anywhere! Follow the three P’s and your trip will be Pixie Perfect!
Related articles
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Disney World Quick Tips – Don’t be so rushed
When you visit Walt Disney World Resort, slow down and pay attention. It’s impossible to see and do everything in one Park visit anyway, so try not to get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of doing it all that you overlook what makes the place so magical.
It’s tempting to take Touring Plans in hand and race from one attraction to the next or to watch your watch closely and time each curtain call. Gotta catch that bus, make the dinner reservation, sprint back for your Fast Pass slot.
Don’t be so rushed or you forget to notice the details.
Look up!
• See the man seated on the hen on the Nine Dragons Restaurant roof at Epcot’s China Pavilion? He is Prince Min, a 3rd-century emperor who was hanged for his cruelty. His image serves as a warning to other tyrants. The animals behind him prevent his escape.
Look down!
• See the celebrity signatures and handprints in the courtyard of Mann’s Chinese Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Minnie Mouse’s prints are dated 5/1/89, the Park’s opening day. Kermit the Frog added his impression later that same year.
Listen!
• See the regular old garbage bin in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland? Try to toss your trash and he may just thank you! “Push the Talking Trashcan” moves around a bit and can be hard to find, but at Walt Disney World, even refuse is pixie dusted.
Watch out!
• See that towering vine in Animal Kingdom’s Asia? It’s none other than the graceful and gorgeous wandering foliage, DiVine. I filmed her at a recent visit, and people stopped to ask what I was recording. They hadn’t noticed her at all!
So next time you visit the World, slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy the magic!
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