Spring Break Trip Help

[Teddy1]

Hello everyone. I have a couple of questions. Although we have been to Disney once a year for the last 4 years, there is still so much I don't know. I know everyone here can help. We are heading down April 10th. We have never used emh before (kids need sleep) but this year they are a bit older and we were going to go to AK and Epcot during EMH (morning). We want to be able to ride Everest and Soarin. Is this a mistake - should I switch the itinerary? I noticed many of you have mentioned to avoid the park on emh days. We were hoping to get to the parks before they open and get in line early. Is it worth it? (Getting out of bed at dawn)

Also, there was an art store in MK (as you walked in to the left) that we could not find last year. Did it close/move? I would like to be able to check it out again if it is still around. Thanks.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

There are pros and cons to extended hours...in the morning, everyone will head to the park that has those hours - hence, whether or not it is an extended hour morning, the half hour before it opens (be it 8 am or 9 am) will be just as crowded as a normal opening day. Throughout the day, that park will be more crowded than the other parks. There are some that have no problem with that. There are others that steer clear of the extended hour mornings. It is a total misnomer that "you will have the park just to yourself, with only other resort guests there"...The reality is MOST of the other resort guests are all there too. What it does offer is one extra hour in the park - so you can do your long line rides first thing, and then can avoid the long line rides in the afternoon. heading to Everest first thing, or heading to Soarin' first thing are a good plan. After Everset go directly to the safari. After Soarin' go directly to test track. During peak season you may have to wait for a fast pass EVEN THOUGH you were there at early opening time. The fact of the matter is that half of the Epcot visitors will head to Soarin, the other half to Test Track (with a few to Mission:Space),,,the park will open about 15 minutes before the attractions open...you will crowd down into the waiting area (between the exploration stations) and be held there at bay at a guard rope until the actual hours start - cast members will then walk you down to the attractions. If you are not among the people in the front of the line, your wait for Soarin' (for example) will ALREADY be an hour by the time you get to the queue line. Better to get a fastpass immediatley and then return within the hour to do your ride. Think of it is a "controlled stampede" to the major attractions. That repeats at MK with Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, and at Dis-MGM with Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster. Of all the parks, your crowd at AK will probably be the least of your evils at least first thing in the morning. By afternoon, that entire park is like one big claustrophobic stroller festival.

 

[csm7030]

I think the recommendations to avoid the EMH parks in the morning that I've read in the past were directed toward guests staying off of Disney property. The logic was that the parks would already be crowded with Disney Resort guests by the time they were allowed into the parks at the normal opening. As a resort guest, I've never had any problems with the morning hours as long as we get an early start.

 

[nibblesandbits]

I usually avoid the park with emh, but only the ones with Evening EMH...those are usually busier throughtout the day. (And sometimes at night, during the EMH too.)

Now, if you can, get the park hopper, go to the park w/EMH and then if it gets too crowded for your tastes, go to another park that doesn't have EMH for the day.

Your idea of riding Soarin and E:E during the morning times are great though...just so you know.