No Other Way To Get Extra Magic Hours Then WDW Hotel?

TomorrowlandKD

TomorrowlandKD

Active Member
Original Poster
I am heading down in December (just booked last night) to propose to my girlfriend. I found a great room with a balcony for a great price that overlooks Disney and it's a mile from Downtown Disney. However, now I'm finding out I can't get the extra magic hours because I won't be at a WDW hotel?

Anyway, is that the only way to get them? I remember a couple years ago (the last time I went) that I could pay extra at the door to get the E-Ride Night. I suppose all of that doesn't happen anymore? If that's the case, I'm also assuming EMH is more crowded now that they've opened it up to all WDW resorts instead of the limited tickets at the gate?

Thanks for the help everyone!
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
TomorrowlandKD said:
I am heading down in December (just booked last night) to propose to my girlfriend. I found a great room with a balcony for a great price that overlooks Disney and it's a mile from Downtown Disney. However, now I'm finding out I can't get the extra magic hours because I won't be at a WDW hotel?

Anyway, is that the only way to get them? I remember a couple years ago (the last time I went) that I could pay extra at the door to get the E-Ride Night. I suppose all of that doesn't happen anymore? If that's the case, I'm also assuming EMH is more crowded now that they've opened it up to all WDW resorts instead of the limited tickets at the gate?

Thanks for the help everyone!
Click to expand...

As I understand it, EMH is only for people staying on Disney Resorts, unless it is a special ticketed (and therefore not EMH) event.

I've not noticed it being extremely crowded during nighttime EMH at any of the parks (with the exception of TSM, that always seems to keep a long line, even during EMH). By the end of the night, we are walking onto most rides. They don't run it as late as they used to though, I don't think. 1a instead of 2a at MK, for example. I seem to recall it was 2a in 2010, but the past few trips it's been 1a.
 
wolf359

wolf359

Well-Known Member
TomorrowlandKD said:
I am heading down in December (just booked last night) to propose to my girlfriend. I found a great room with a balcony for a great price that overlooks Disney and it's a mile from Downtown Disney. However, now I'm finding out I can't get the extra magic hours because I won't be at a WDW hotel?

Anyway, is that the only way to get them? I remember a couple years ago (the last time I went) that I could pay extra at the door to get the E-Ride Night. I suppose all of that doesn't happen anymore? If that's the case, I'm also assuming EMH is more crowded now that they've opened it up to all WDW resorts instead of the limited tickets at the gate?

Thanks for the help everyone!
Click to expand...

Unfortunately E-Ride nights ended in 2004 and Disney is quite good at blocking non-resort guests from entering attractions once the park has closed to the public. You can still wander the park to eat and shop but that's about it.
 
luv

luv

Well-Known Member
No more e-ride nights, although iirc, those were just for hotel guests, too...but maybe I'm remembering wrong. In any event, they're gone.

Yes, the EMHs are waaaay more crowded.

EMHs are given to Disney hotels guests, Swan/Dolphin hotel guests, Hilton guests (if staying at the one on Hotel Plaza Blvd)...and I think SoG people get EMHs, but am not certain.

EMH isn't a big deal. One extra hour in the morning or two at night...and only in the park Disney picks.
 
Kristamouse

Kristamouse

Well-Known Member
luv said:
No more e-ride nights, although iirc, those were just for hotel guests, too...but maybe I'm remembering wrong. In any event, they're gone.

Yes, the EMHs are waaaay more crowded.

EMHs are given to Disney hotels guests, Swan/Dolphin hotel guests, Hilton guests (if staying at the one on Hotel Plaza Blvd)...and I think SoG people get EMHs, but am not certain.

EMH isn't a big deal. One extra hour in the morning or two at night...and only in the park Disney picks.
Click to expand...
I agree...we usually avoid the park with EMH. Best wishes on your proposal and marriage:)
 
MarkTwain

MarkTwain

Well-Known Member
Once during Epcot EMH I just hung out in the Italy pavilion courtyard for over an hour after Illuminations ended, while I dealt with my email on a tablet. Not a carded attraction, technically, and the Italy CMs stacking tables around me didn't say a word. One of the quietest and most relaxing experiences I've had in a Disney theme park, and I wasn't a resort guest. ;)
 
deanaandrich

deanaandrich

Well-Known Member
I would stick to the off site hotel (there are some really nice ones in the area) and spend your extra money on a more romantic nighttime activity. There's so much to see and do outside of the parks. She may enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere as she takes the whole experience in.
 
TomorrowlandKD

TomorrowlandKD

Active Member
Original Poster
deanaandrich said:
I would stick to the off site hotel (there are some really nice ones in the area) and spend your extra money on a more romantic nighttime activity. There's so much to see and do outside of the parks. She may enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere as she takes the whole experience in.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think I'm going to stick with the hotel I already have!
 
muteki

muteki

Well-Known Member
EMH is becoming less and less of a perk recently. As others have said EMH tends to draw crowds, not lessen them. You are just as if not more likely to find rides walk-on at night on non EMH days. The morning ones can be nice though, but again, pretty much every morning is.

I also notice several rides that I would like to ride in EMH aren't operating, several counter service/kiosks aren't open, etc. What is actually open is spotty.

To me, I wouldn't swap reservations for EMH. It is not as big a benefit as people make it out to be.
 
BiffyClyro

BiffyClyro

Well-Known Member
I
TomorrowlandKD said:
Well that blows...I guess I have to decide whether or not all the extra money for a lower end WDW hotel is worth the extra hours....
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I looooveee Disney obviously, but the hotels honestly aren't worth paying just for a couple of extra hours in the park! We got a gorgeous condo for the same price as one of the moderate hotels. Plus, in the summer the parks usually are open much later anyway! :)
 
DryCreek

DryCreek

Member
BiffyClyro said:
I
I looooveee Disney obviously, but the hotels honestly aren't worth paying just for a couple of extra hours in the park! We got a gorgeous condo for the same price as one of the moderate hotels. Plus, in the summer the parks usually are open much later anyway! :)
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But, there are other perks I like that make it worth the extra cost.
DME is one - I would prefer to NOT have to rent a car on vacation. I drive enough in the real world as it is. I also like being able to get a meal plan, and not having to pay to park. Something about paying to rent a parking space for a rental car makes my head swim. When we used to stay off site, it was such an inconvenience to go back to the room for a swim or down time. Since WDW is so large, it ate up an hour of travel time - even when we were using lodging right off the main gate entrance.

Right now there is a promotion where you can get free dining with a full price room, and also competing offers allowing up to 30% off rack rates for your lodging. Bundling your whole package together may even save some money, but not loads of it. Don't forget to add the cost of car rental/parking/fuel when comparing rates - unless, of course, you're driving down.
 

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