Evening Extra Magic Hours to Return

[surfsupdon]

I wasn't aware that they were allowing non-resort guests into the parks for Extra Magic Hours. They have always demanded to see my Key to the World.

As they have with me when we vacationed during summer months, Easter, and November.

Yet during the Christmas through New Years mad rush of Guests, anyone is admitted into the parks.
Upon asking a CM at Guest Relations later in the day at MGM, we were informed that because the attendance was projected to be so high, the gates open ahead of the scheduled time--sometimes as early as 7ish-- and most rides are open to meet the demand for the influx of Guests. And because it is so crowded, they do not have to admit only Disney Guests, but anyone. They said we were still receiving our "Extra Hour." Yet, tho extra, it was available to anyone.

Also during this week, even though Epcot may have an official opening time of 8am, one can easily enter at around 7 and be met with attractions that are open pre 8am. Again, the parks can and do open ahead of the regularly scheduled time to meet the demand of such a high volume of Guests.

Disney Guests don't always get the advantage of lesser crowds for Extra Magic Hour, morning edition. Therefore it is my point that the EMH should be honored, or a new after hours program for Disney Guests should take effect. :xmas:

 

[Nicole]

I just really wish Disney could work it so that those Guests who frequently visit during the holiday and peak times and pay top dollar (with or w/o AP rates), could take advantage of the new program.

It does not make sense to have those that vacation during slow times of year, paying lower Resort prices, to be able to stay in parks later when the parks to begin with are not crowded during the day.

Holiday/peak travelers face crowds all day and night till midnight. And Extra Morning Magic Hour is sometimes for everyone, not just reserved exclusively for Disney Resort Guests. When attendance is projected to be huge, Resort IDs are not checked and everyone is admitted into the parks at the same time, Grand Floridian and All Stars meshed with Best Westerns and Motel 6s all entering en masse running to Space Mtn.

Therefore, Disney Resort Guests do not get a benefit of extra time in the park with only other Resort guests to enjoy the benefits of shorter lines and less crowds.

And I think it should change. Either close the parks at 10pm and have Resort Guests usage till 1am or so (they already clear the park and allow re-entry with wristbands for the hard tix events) or grant Resort Guests the promise of exclusive Park use in the mornings from 8-10am. And abide by those rules.

We would never leave a Disney Resort to stay off-site based on convenience, location, and theme. Not that I am condoning Universal's methodologies of Express Pass, but they at least have a program to make it quite worthwhile to stay on property and visit their theme parks. Disney does not yet, for those of us that travel when school is out.

While I see your point, I think that Disney is continually trying to make it so that the off-season crowds are similar to the high season crowds. The parks are already packed during high season, with longer hours. Tickets cost the same whether the MK closes at midnight or at 6 pm. If they can attract more people during the slower times of year by things like evening EMH, it's to Disney's advantage.

edited to add: That is interesting about them not checking resort IDs during busy seasons. When I have been there they have always been very careful to check everyone's resort ID. You'd think that they'd be more careful on days of projected high attendance rather than more lax.

 

[Buzzes Dad]

Can someone please post a link to the article about this extra hours in the parks.

I searched Mousepplanet but did not seem to find it.

Thanks ahead of time:kiss:

 

[AEfx]

Upon asking a CM at Guest Relations later in the day at MGM, we were informed that because the attendance was projected to be so high, the gates open ahead of the scheduled time--sometimes as early as 7ish-- and most rides are open to meet the demand for the influx of Guests. And because it is so crowded, they do not have to admit only Disney Guests, but anyone. They said we were still receiving our "Extra Hour." Yet, tho extra, it was available to anyone.

But that's how it has always worked, long before they ever invented EMH's.

You know how in guide books they always tell you to be there early? Well, it used to mean something because they almost always opened before the offical opening time, especially during busy seasons. For some reason, after EMH's began this became a rarity - during those extra busy holiday times. If attendance is going to be very high, I don't see the harm of letting non-resort guests in if it's going to smooth traffic flow instead of keeping the "unwashed masses" in a gargantuan bottleneck at percisely 9AM.

I understand your point, surfsupdon, but I think you are taking it a bit personally. This isn't something Disney is doing to screw guests coming at other times of the year, but a benefit for those that come at another. A lot of the things you cite are because you travel during peak times, which as we understand is likely not your choice, but nor is it Disney's fault.

The extended hours at ALL parks EVERY night during that time of year are great. Is it best for ride-centric commando touring? No, but it's a trade-off of quantity versus quality. The quality of the individual hours may possibly be less (you get on less rides), but the quantity of hours is greatly increased. It's the trade-off between them. This will help bring the magic of the parks after dark to people who normally don't get to see them, and I don't see how bringing a little extra magic to them, that you already get, is taking away from yours.

AEfx