Extra Magic Hours at Night? Should We Avoid? 1/29-2/3

[Luke P]

Hello Disney Friends!

So my girlfriend and I will be at WDW from 1/29-2/3. This is her first time to Disney World and the first time I have been since 2004! We are very excited and know that we have to maximize our time in the most efficient way.

From what I have read and personal experience (14 years ago, so I basically know nothing), it is advised to avoid the parks that have extra magic night hours. But since we will be there during a "slower time" and the parks will be closing earlier, should we take the chance and attend the extra magic hours?

Right now, our first day, 1/30, we are planning on going to Magic Kingdom and then EPCOT from late afternoon on since it is open until 11 PM. Our second day, 1/31, we plan on going to EPCOT in the morning and then going back to Magic Kingdom for late afternoon and on since it is open until 10 PM.

Is this a good touring plan? We are staying at the Polynesian and will be travelling by monorail. My girlfriend is really excited about dining around the World Showcase while I am more concerned with riding the rides. I have a 2nd full day at Magic Kingdom planned for Friday 2/2. Bottom line, we don't want to feel rushed and want to experience everything at a leisurely pace.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and have a great day!!

 

[21stamps]

I love EMH at night, would definitely recommend it.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Hello Disney Friends!

So my girlfriend and I will be at WDW from 1/29-2/3. This is her first time to Disney World and the first time I have been since 2004! We are very excited and know that we have to maximize our time in the most efficient way.

From what I have read and personal experience (14 years ago, so I basically know nothing), it is advised to avoid the parks that have extra magic night hours. But since we will be there during a "slower time" and the parks will be closing earlier, should we take the chance and attend the extra magic hours?

Right now, our first day, 1/30, we are planning on going to Magic Kingdom and then EPCOT from late afternoon on since it is open until 11 PM. Our second day, 1/31, we plan on going to EPCOT in the morning and then going back to Magic Kingdom for late afternoon and on since it is open until 10 PM.

Is this a good touring plan? We are staying at the Polynesian and will be travelling by monorail. My girlfriend is really excited about dining around the World Showcase while I am more concerned with riding the rides. I have a 2nd full day at Magic Kingdom planned for Friday 2/2. Bottom line, we don't want to feel rushed and want to experience everything at a leisurely pace.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and have a great day!!

I'll be out there myself and having gone in Late Jan/Feb I have my share of things I've dealt with there...And just so you are aware...There really isn't a "Slower Time" Anymore...During this time Cheerleader competitions & Brazilian Tour groups come and flock in herds..So be aware of many of them roaming about..Also with the tail end of Pro Bowl week and the remaining guests that are staying if they came around the end of that last weekend will probably be there as well...

But, getting to better news..It shouldn't be too bad.. Wait times range about 20-40 mins on E-ticket rides and you can at least enjoy the sights and sounds especially with the new Festival of the Arts at Epcot...I'm not sure what time your expecting to go on 1/30 as Magic Kingdom will close early at 8pm for their Special Ticketed event "Disney After Hours" (It's basically EMH with free snacks and even lesser crowds than a regular EMH) but, since your going to Epcot you should be fine with that EMH...

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I'm a huge fan of doing evening EMH innthe slower periods. It's mostly families with young children, and they don't stay for evening EMH. You can get a lot done during evening EMH. The tour groups also don't hang around for evening EMH. You'll know them when you see them. They're the obnoxious group of unsupervised teens coming in masses and doing chants. Just walk the other way...

 

[21stamps]

I'm a huge fan of doing evening EMH innthe slower periods. It's mostly families with young children, and they don't stay for evening EMH. You can get a lot done during evening EMH. The tour groups also don't hang around for evening EMH. You'll know them when you see them. They're the obnoxious group of unsupervised teens coming in masses and doing chants. Just walk the other way...

...but it’s a World Cup year..I think it would be more fun to chant back at them.

 

[Driver]

I highly recommend taking advantage of every EMH you can. As others have said this is a great time to beat crowds and get on attractions. Especially late night, even if you have to plan a rest time before it. This time is for guest staying on property to have that little extra..... use it!!

 

[Bullseye1967]

We always use EMH. Especially the nighttime ones. The crowds shouldn't be bad during your visit, but wait times will be great during EMH.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

My GF and I rode Peter Pan, POTC, Haunted Mansion, Splash, Space Mountain, and wandered Main Street during EMH in MK. We got so much done it was amazing.

So yeah I would use it if I were you!

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Avoid EMH? Oh, absolutely not! I plan my days in the parks according to EMH days to maximize time!

Bonus; the parks are far emptier during EMH. Granted, not everything is open.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Yes... Yes... Yes... go to the evening EMH night. They are much better than the morning EMH. At first there may be crowds but as the evening goes on guests get tired, kids get cranky and soon the park load starts thinning out. If you are able to stay up later youll find many of the attractions walk ons and you can ride things repeatedly. The park always takes on a different feel at night but as it empties out its even more magical. You can actually walk the paths undisturbed and get some amazing photo shots.

 

[nickys]

What's the logic in not going during extra Magic hours?

You have less people in the parks. Only resort guests.
I got on 7DMT on the changeover in 15 minutes with extra magic hours.

I think the advice about not going to a park with EMH is because it's aimed at the majority of visitors, who aren't resort guests and will therefore not be able to use them.

We aren't morning people, so very rarely head to a park with morning EMH (our Christmas trip was the exception). Evening EMH though, can't keep us away! So OP - yes, go for it.

My only question would be are you also doing morning EMH? I guess in February it won't be so bad, as opening times are shorter, but if you were doing evening EMH one day and morning EMH another it could be tiring.