MK - Beware of Extra Magic Evening with 8:00 Park closing

Dad 2 M & M

Dad 2 M & M

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We just returned from the World, and noticed a few results of the reduced operating schedule/hours.

Wednesday night MK closed at 8:00 P.M. with EME from 8:00-10:00. Knowing this, we spent most of the day at Epcot, and then headed to MK after dinner. Shortly before 8:00 we rode Space Mountain, and then headed to Buzz. There was no one in line, so we rode it twice. By 8:15ish we headed to Main Street thinking we would be able to get some great photos....WRONG! Main Street was packed, so figuring the Wishes/Fireworks crowds would thin in time, we headed in to Adventureland, rode PoC and the Jungle Cruise (with zero line in either).

Back to Main Street by just before 9:00 and it was still packed...like can't even go buy our Plaza Ice Cream Sundae!!

We ended up riding Pooh, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, and then PoC again before heading back to Main Street. By that time, now almost 10:00, the line at Plaza Ice Cream was actually inside vs. wrapped out the door, so we got our cherished Sundae!

Let me point out cast members WERE scanning bands for anyone trying to ride rides, and the wait to ride rides was 15 mins or less (didn't care to ride Seven Dwarfs), so we were able to enjoy the main reason most go to the parks!!

We went to the EME for photos, not to ride rides....and were surprised so many peeps stayed knowing they wouldn't be able to board any attractions.

Main point here is to be aware just because the parks close early doesn't mean the crowds will leave. 8:00 - 10:00 EME this week was a great time to ride rides, but the Main Street was still crowded!!
 
Dad 2 M & M

Dad 2 M & M

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PanchitoFan101 said:
And that is why I never go to a park on a day it has EMH unless I am a resort guest or plan to arrive late (for days with AM EMH).
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Sorry I didn't make it clear we were Resort Guests and that was the reason for going to MK that late. We had a great time during the EME....just didn't expect it to STAY crowded with Park Guests that were not ALSO Resort Guests.
 
Dad 2 M & M

Dad 2 M & M

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Nick Pappagiorgio said:
The value of EMH, in my experience, seems to correlate to how "extreme" the hour is. Morning hours are better because people do not want to get up. Likewise the extremely late hours (say till 2 or 3 am) that hey have at busier times of the year are great. But when the parks close so early, a lot more people are willing to take advantage.
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Well said.....i was not very eloquent with my wording!

The main point was to be not many "non-resort" Park Guests will leave at an 8:00 Park closing if there are EME and the park stays open until 10:00.

I keep forgetting how negative this site has become!! This was not meant to be, and I didn't see this being a negative post....
 
Dad 2 M & M

Dad 2 M & M

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
ScoutN said:
They don't clear non-resort guest during evening EMH, never have. They only check wristbands for an active resort stay at attraction entrances.
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Correct, didn't see the need to point out what I thought everyone already knew...they DID check the wristbands (stated that in thread creation) and as far as I know have never cleared the parks for the EME.

Again, assumed everyone knew that....
 
Dad 2 M & M

Dad 2 M & M

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Bolt said:
I think it's because you worded the subject line as 'Beware', assuming you had a poor experience.
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You're probably right, and I didn't consider that!! It was meant to be a heads up on the ability to take in many rides and point out the crowds on Main Street....we had a blast hitting all those rides and will make a point to go back early this year before things get crowded again...
 
wdwfan22

wdwfan22

Well-Known Member
Evening Magic Hours are always busy. Even busier when the park closes early compared to late. Day Guest are not cleared out and some of them know that after the first hour Cast Members don't always bother to scan bands so it becomes easy ride time.
 
Dad 2 M & M

Dad 2 M & M

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
RandomPrincess said:
They don't kick them out because they are all still spending money.
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I wouldn't either....there was a bunch of money being spent...we were "forced" to ride rides with no wait;)

wdwfan22 said:
Evening Magic Hours are always busy. Even busier when the park closes early compared to late. Day Guest are not cleared out and some of them know that after the first hour Cast Members don't always bother to scan bands so it becomes easy ride time.
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We were very impressed by the Cast Members as they were scanning everyone shortly after 8:00....very impressive

Again, we had a blast and only had to post-pone that Plaza Sundae for a hour or so!!
 
wdwfan22

wdwfan22

Well-Known Member
Dad 2 M & M said:
I wouldn't either....there was a bunch of money being spent...we were "forced" to ride rides with no wait;)

We were very impressed by the Cast Members as they were scanning everyone shortly after 8:00....very impressive

Again, we had a blast and only had to post-pone that Plaza Sundae for a hour or so!!
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Yeah they are very tentative in the scanning for the first hour or so, but it slows down as the magic hour continues. I've very rarely seen them scan bands all the way to the end, and sometimes they just look to see if you are wearing a band.
 

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