EMH's: Are they worth it?

I've always liked the evening EMH because it's another excuse for me to wander around somewhere in the dark. Getting to go on a few more rides is always nice, too. The only time I've done morning EMH was for Animal Kingdom. That worked out great because I got extra time with the animals before it got too hot and my allergies acted up.

We have been to both. The morning ones are the best. They are shorter but it seems most people do not like to get up early on vacation so the parks are pretty empty. I do like the evenings ones too but the parks are more crowded then.

I agree with Scrappy. The early ones are usually the best. I do enjoy it when the Magic Kingdom is open till midnight with EMH, and we sometimes do use that one. But the one EMH we do take advantage of is Epcots late hours. Just walking back in the countries with the less crowd is wonderful. Last year my wife and I took advantage of it and went into every single shop possible back there. It was a lot of fun. So it just depends I guess.

Kinda depends. One time we did MK after hours, and it was PACKED the first hour... but the later you got into it... a lot of families with kids were leaving, and that helped out a lot. So I would say if you do it... try to get through the first hour or so, then things should start to get less crowded. I know with Epcot and its EMH... the place is soooooo huge and spread out that you could have the same number of people at MK and you wouldn't be able to get around... but with Epcot... its super manageable because of how open the park is.

Ditto! We love the morning ones, because for the first couple of hours, you can pretty much ride anything with no wait, or a few minutes max. If there is a bit of a wait, you can grab fastpasses with return times that are only an hour or two out, not 7 hours! It's great for photos too, since you don't have 400 people standing in front of you. Then, when everyone else is arriving, you can go and have a leisurely lunch, or do some of the attractions with air conditioning and no wait.

For late EMH, we've found that after the first hour or so, the parks start to really clear out, and again, you can ride things so much easier. Plus it's fun to see everything lit up and in the dark. For the MK, once the fireworks are done, give it a few minutes for the crowd to start exiting, and then wander around and enjoy the atmosphere.

My daughter and I did MK after hours and it was wonderful. We rode a few of the rides over and over again without having to get off. I hope its like that this time

We went last February and there were No lineups at the EMHs in the mornings. We were amazed at the low crowds! Yes by all means use them. We never once waited to get on a ride. At Animal Kingdom we just walked onto the safari and my husband walked on over and over onto Everest! Also for the first time we went on kiddie rides since no lineups for them as well. You will have a blast!!!

Yes the EMH's are worth it. Go to the hotel and sleep for a bit if you don't think you can make it. You get a lot of rides done at night and a lot more in the morning.

I like the evening ones. The morning ones were not worth me waking up for.

If you're for riding rides and an empty park, go in the morning. It's less busy. Otherwise, if you're just going to wonder around, the morning isn't worth it.

I agree. Our typical strategy if we do EMHs is to go to the morning ones, get everythign done we want, and then leave after lunch and park hop-it over to another park for the rest of the day. That way we get the benefits of the morning less-chaotic rides and less-crowded park, and then avoid the higher crowds that tend to stay in one park plus those that arrive later.

We're not night-owls, so the evening EMHs generally don't appeal to us too much.

I am not an early riser on vacation, so have never been to morning EMH. I absolutely love being in the parks after dark, so evening EMH is my preference. Nothing quite as beautiful as MK all lit up!

I love both!

Mornings are our favourites, we're early risers so it's nice to get a few rides in early on in the day! I quite like (what's left) of the evening magic hours just for the after-dark atmosphere and wandering around the parks, especially perusing through the shops!

Everything scrappy and finngirl just said!

I'm the type who likes to cram every possible thing in while I'm at Disney, so sleeping in is not an option.

But I would think in February, the crowds would typically be slow, so that you wouldn't HAVE to be there at rope drop for EMH to get shorter lines, don't you think, guys? I think EMHs help tremendously during peak/summer/holiday seasons, but maybe aren't as necessary for Jan/Feb. What do y'all think??

I am to lazy to get up for the early hours but too old for the late ones. Everyone talks about going back to the room for a nap but I am too much of a kid at heart. I can't nap knowing all that fun is going on outside.

Last February late EMH did not help the wait for Toy Story Mania! Your best bet is fast pass. In 2013 no late EMH at AK - which I loved at night. The ladybug lamp posts are so cute lit up and EE looks awesome - although I'm too chicken to ride!
Karli- we need to meet up!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Look for the park that has the evening EMH, and go to that park the next morning when it opens!

Zz.

Zapper ~ great idea! May have to hit MK on Monday morning!
Karli: We are at POFQ Feb. 3-9 Sort of ironic ~ I'm Marlie!!!

I am LOVING THAT IDEA, Zapper! I am totally using that bit o' brilliance next time!!

I am an evening EMH person. I learned that if you completely avoid the park that has EMH morning hours, the other parks will be less crowded because EVERYONE who is staying on property is going to the EMH morning park that day. Evening EMH is great for grown ups because, as stated above, the later it gets, the more kids go home. This is especially great at MK when they have hours that go to 1am or later. Great time to get in those Fantasyland classics that always have ridiculous waits. ::cough cough:: Peter Pan ::cough cough:: Also, they usually have a later showing of Wishes that is less crowded and easier to get a good spot for. As for Epcot, the best discovery we made was on our latest trip - Make ADRs for 9:30pm. Watch Illuminations from whatever country you're eating in (we stood on the raised area in the middle of Italy and could see right over the massive crowd!), and then go sit right down for dinner. Once you're done, the crowds will have lifted and you can walk around or ride in peace!