Extra Magic Hours and Advance Dining Reservations

[gregorynbaker]

Okay everyone, question #2:

If I am staying off-site, then I want to avoid parks with extra magic hours. However, I also want to make ADRs for places in or near the parks (especially Epcot). Since ADRs are available 180 days prior, how soon are extra magic hours posted? Are they regular (If its Tuesday, it must be Epcot...)? I know then tend to change to adjust to visitor levels, etc. Can I plan my park days 6 months out with dining? Should I endure a surprise EMH park to keep my ADRs? Or should spend travel time to minimize wait times in the parks and keep my ADRs?

 

[NonnaT]

EMH are posted by Disney a little before the 180 days per the DW official website. I found this to be true for our upcoming December trip, however I'm only speaking from my own experience for this trip. May not always be so...

 

[Figgy1]

Fannie bags are definitely a great invention - just wish they looked more attractive.

Hours are posted 6 months plus a few days out. As soon as Disney posts them they are up here in INFO as operating hours. Hours are subject to change, EMH as rule does not change once the hours are posted but sometimes they do add both regular and EMH hours. Have you thought about getting the hoper just in case you get hit with an unexpected crowd.

 

[Figgy1]

Okay everyone, question #2:

If I am staying off-site, then I want to avoid parks with extra magic hours. However, I also want to make ADRs for places in or near the parks (especially Epcot). Since ADRs are available 180 days prior, how soon are extra magic hours posted? Are they regular (If its Tuesday, it must be Epcot...)? I know then tend to change to adjust to visitor levels, etc. Can I plan my park days 6 months out with dining? Should I endure a surprise EMH park to keep my ADRs? Or should spend travel time to minimize wait times in the parks and keep my ADRs?

Hours are posted 6 months and a few days prior to the first of the month. As soon as Disney posts them the are posted here in the Info section. Yes hours are subject to change but as a rule once posted EMH days do not change but some may be added. Have you thought about getting the park hopper just in case you find yourself in a too busy park?

 

[dreamfinder]

Okay everyone, question #2:

If I am staying off-site, then I want to avoid parks with extra magic hours. However, I also want to make ADRs for places in or near the parks (especially Epcot). Since ADRs are available 180 days prior, how soon are extra magic hours posted? Are they regular (If its Tuesday, it must be Epcot...)? I know then tend to change to adjust to visitor levels, etc. Can I plan my park days 6 months out with dining? Should I endure a surprise EMH park to keep my ADRs? Or should spend travel time to minimize wait times in the parks and keep my ADRs?

As @figmentfan423 posted, the EMH schedule comes out a week or so in advance of the 6 month window. (They release it on a monthly basis rather than 180 days) So the Feb 2016 hours should be released any day now if they already haven't been.

The EMH is fairly regular for a period of time, but does get changed up periodically. I think when they hit new quarters, or as events are scheduled (IE MVMCP and MNSSHP).

 

[Figgy1]

As @figmentfan423 posted, the EMH schedule comes out a week or so in advance of the 6 month window. (They release it on a monthly basis rather than 180 days) So the Feb 2016 hours should be released any day now if they already haven't been.

The EMH is fairly regular for a period of time, but does get changed up periodically. I think when they hit new quarters, or as events are scheduled (IE MVMCP and MNSSHP).

I just checked they're up

 

[gregorynbaker]

Thanks for the info. Park hopping is a possibility, but the way Fastpass+ is structured seems to discourage it. I wouldn't mind trying lots of different Epcot restaurants, but my family might disagree with me.

 

[Figgy1]

Thanks for the info. Park hopping is a possibility, but the way Fastpass+ is structured seems to discourage it. I wouldn't mind trying lots of different Epcot restaurants, but my family might disagree with me.

Easy just do rope drop in one park early FP++ and hop to an emptier park and regular FP and use the line app