Opinions on Grown Ups Night Out

[DisneyDreamer08]

We have a trip coming up September 23-Oct 1st. It will be me, my husband, our two girls ages 1 &5, and my parents. My parents are not big into thrill rides, my oldest daughter likes some of the tamer stuff (Mine Train, Soarin etc) but is not a fan of the big mountains. So my husband and I have decided to not work those rides into our daily schedule and instead, my parents have agreed to stay with the girls at the hotel one night so we can go out. We would like to hit up MK for Splash and Space (BTMRR will be closed) and then hop over to DHS for RnR, Tot and Star Tours. The problem is that park hours are not great that week, MK closes at 7 on party nights, and DHS closes at 7:30 every night. That means we will have to go on an EMH night, something I have never done before because every book and website tells you to avoid those parks
So in your opinion which plan is better thinking of crowds and wait times (we most likely will have to use stand by lines as we will be using our FPs earlier in the day while out with the family)

On Wed 9/28 MK has EMH til 11 (no party) so we could go to DHS first. They close at 7:30.
or
On Fri 9/30 MK closes at 7 for a Halloween Party, so go there first and then to DHS which has EMH until 9:30.

I feel like either choice is going to be super crowded and we'll be waiting in long lines no matter what

 

[MickeyMomV]

every book and website tells you to avoid those parks

I love the fact that the books tell people to do this because it frees up the parks for those of us who do go.
We were there for EMH till 1 am in October and it was great!! 7DMTR had about a 15-20 minute wait and that was about the longest we waited for a ride. Regardless of EMH or not, after the last parade and fireworks show people start to thin out. We will be down there in about a week and most plans put us in what ever park has the EMH's.

With your two options I would do the first one. I would take advantage of the later EMH's at MK. HS is bound to be busier than normal on the 30th because there is a party at MK so people without party tickets will hit other parks. Remember either way you go, DS is open LATE. You can always hit a late night movie or bowling.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

I love the fact that the books tell people to do this because it frees up the parks for those of us who do go.
We were there for EMH till 1 am in October and it was great!! 7DMTR had about a 15-20 minute wait and that was about the longest we waited for a ride. Regardless of EMH or not, after the last parade and fireworks show people start to thin out. We will be down there in about a week and most plans put us in what ever park has the EMH's.

With your two options I would do the first one. I would take advantage of the later EMH's at MK. HS is bound to be busier than normal on the 30th because there is a party at MK so people without party tickets will hit other parks. Remember either way you go, DS is open LATE. You can always hit a late night movie or bowling.

Thanks so much! So funny, we've literally never been to a park when it has EMH We could make either work in our schedule, its just not ideal. Very true though about the night parade and fireworks. Not only will crowds hopefully thin after, but I would think during those things, lines for rides might be shorter?

 

[KLeigh]

A big thing to remember is that you'll be visiting at one of the least crowded times of the year. While avoiding EMH may be good advice during the busier seasons, it doesn't necessarily apply for your trip. Make use of this extra time (and your fast passes) to fit these rides into your grown ups night out.

 

[KikoKea]

We've been many times in Sep and the EMH are great and less crowded so do take advantage of them.

Also, at that time of the year, Star tours and ToT are usually not very crowded during the day. Maybe kids and grandparents can do something tamer or have a snack while you ride. RnR is busier but a FP will get you in pretty painlessly.

 

[DManRightHere]

We have a trip coming up September 23-Oct 1st. It will be me, my husband, our two girls ages 1 &5, and my parents. My parents are not big into thrill rides, my oldest daughter likes some of the tamer stuff (Mine Train, Soarin etc) but is not a fan of the big mountains. So my husband and I have decided to not work those rides into our daily schedule and instead, my parents have agreed to stay with the girls at the hotel one night so we can go out. We would like to hit up MK for Splash and Space (BTMRR will be closed) and then hop over to DHS for RnR, Tot and Star Tours. The problem is that park hours are not great that week, MK closes at 7 on party nights, and DHS closes at 7:30 every night. That means we will have to go on an EMH night, something I have never done before because every book and website tells you to avoid those parks
So in your opinion which plan is better thinking of crowds and wait times (we most likely will have to use stand by lines as we will be using our FPs earlier in the day while out with the family)

On Wed 9/28 MK has EMH til 11 (no party) so we could go to DHS first. They close at 7:30.
or
On Fri 9/30 MK closes at 7 for a Halloween Party, so go there first and then to DHS which has EMH until 9:30.

I feel like either choice is going to be super crowded and we'll be waiting in long lines no matter what

I never understand why everything says avoid EMH. I always thought they meant avoid the regular hours of an EMH day. Usually about everything is walk on except Space Mountain. BTMRR tends to have a 20 min wait. We usually go early June or earlier, it may be a completely different game in summer.

I guess I should answer you question too. I vote for MK to 11pm. If you want a later night, hop over to DS and get some good food!

 

[NelleBelle]

Also, at that time of the year, Star tours and ToT are usually not very crowded during the day. Maybe kids and grandparents can do something tamer or have a snack while you ride. RnR is busier but a FP will get you in pretty painlessly.

We've done this when our kids were younger...grandma took the kids for a few of the tamer rides for an hour or so while we went and rode a few of the more "wild" ones. It was nice for my mom to have some one on one time with just her and the kids in the park. You could still have your Grown Up's Night Out, but then you could focus more time in one park instead of having to try and bounce all over the place.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Thanks everyone! I have decided we will utilize the MK EMH. We will be at DHS that day as a family and plan on getting there mid morning (we are planning to see the MK fireworks the night before and since my kids are usually early to bed, early to rise type kids, I figured this would be a good morning to get a slower start). Other than TSMM, I'm not sure we will really need other FPs that day so I may be able to get one later in the day for RnR. Then once my family is done, they can leave, hubs and I can do RnR, ToT, and Star Tours, then head over to MK. I'm hoping most people will be watching the parade and fireworks, especially since thats pretty much the only night the parade is showing due to the Halloween party, and hubs and I can take advantage of some shorter lines then. I've also always really wanted to ride Splash during the fireworks so hopefully we can time that correctly

Thanks everyone!

 

[jaklgreen]

They change the hours as the date gets closer. I go that time of year and they always extend park times. I would bet that HS would stay open later then that, especially on a MNSSHP night.

 

[DisneyDaver]

I also agree to go with the first option though I think either option will work out well for you. I have been to EMH at both MK and DHS in October and the lines have been reasonable, particularly later in the evening.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

night emh at MK is a must! After the first hour, the park starts to clear out & waits drop. If you can close out MK, do it!

 

[disneygirl76]

We have a trip coming up September 23-Oct 1st. It will be me, my husband, our two girls ages 1 &5, and my parents. My parents are not big into thrill rides, my oldest daughter likes some of the tamer stuff (Mine Train, Soarin etc) but is not a fan of the big mountains. So my husband and I have decided to not work those rides into our daily schedule and instead, my parents have agreed to stay with the girls at the hotel one night so we can go out. We would like to hit up MK for Splash and Space (BTMRR will be closed) and then hop over to DHS for RnR, Tot and Star Tours. The problem is that park hours are not great that week, MK closes at 7 on party nights, and DHS closes at 7:30 every night. That means we will have to go on an EMH night, something I have never done before because every book and website tells you to avoid those parks
So in your opinion which plan is better thinking of crowds and wait times (we most likely will have to use stand by lines as we will be using our FPs earlier in the day while out with the family)

On Wed 9/28 MK has EMH til 11 (no party) so we could go to DHS first. They close at 7:30.
or
On Fri 9/30 MK closes at 7 for a Halloween Party, so go there first and then to DHS which has EMH until 9:30.

I feel like either choice is going to be super crowded and we'll be waiting in long lines no matter what

What a fun date night! I would do option 1. Hit DHS first and then MK. Also, remember that Disney has unveiled an upgrade to the fast passes on your My Disney Experience. You can make them via your app now, not only by the kiosk. And you can make them for different parks too! Have a great time!

 

[KikoKea]

Thanks everyone! I have decided we will utilize the MK EMH. We will be at DHS that day as a family and plan on getting there mid morning (we are planning to see the MK fireworks the night before and since my kids are usually early to bed, early to rise type kids, I figured this would be a good morning to get a slower start). Other than TSMM, I'm not sure we will really need other FPs that day so I may be able to get one later in the day for RnR. Then once my family is done, they can leave, hubs and I can do RnR, ToT, and Star Tours, then head over to MK. I'm hoping most people will be watching the parade and fireworks, especially since thats pretty much the only night the parade is showing due to the Halloween party, and hubs and I can take advantage of some shorter lines then. I've also always really wanted to ride Splash during the fireworks so hopefully we can time that correctly

Thanks everyone!

You'll have a great time! During the parade and fireworks, the lines to most rides are much shorter. Couple of years ago in Sept we took our elderly moms and they weren't interested in staying for EMH. So, we tucked them in their room with juice, snacks, and the TV on "Undercover Boss" and they were happy as clams while DH & son & I headed back to MK. We rode everything we wanted- tons of fun!