Evening Extra Magic Hours?

[kcdsny]

My DS(14) and I are headed down August 17th thru the 20th for three days of golf. Have been to Disneyworld 8 times and never brought the clubs. I noticed that the MK has evening EMH from 12-3 a.m. on Sunday the 17th and was wondering everyones opinion on whether it is worth it to use a day off of our tickets to go to the park? We wouldnt get there until 7:00 p.m.
We usually travel to Disney in January when the parks aren't very crowded. So I wasnt sure how crowded it is in August, or how crowded it would be at 1:00 in the morning? I assume all of the fastpasses would be gone by then? We dont mind staying up late, but we have gotten spoiled in January and hate to wait in line for rides. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[carolina_yankee]

By the middle of August, I think the crowds start going down - Southern schools start early so there are fewer families. If you have the stamina for EMH that night, you should get a ton done. Remember, parades and fireworks pull people away from attractions, too. Spectro should be running twice. If you want to see it, catch it during it's second run - much less crowded.

Just be sure to hit things like Jungle Cruise earlier in the evening since they aren't open for EMH.

Dirk

[kcdsny]

They originally had Spectro-Magic scheduled for two runs but now because of bridge repair they have cancelled it. I think they are running the Daytime parade again in the evening.

[tomandrobin]

If you can hang until 3pm, the crowds will be ok. A slow August night is still busier than a January night.

[wdw1972]

If the extra magic hours don't start until midnight, then they're expecting the park to be very busy to keep it open to regular guests until midnight! We've been at the MK on a Sunday when there's extra magic hours, and it's horrible! But, SB had never seen Spectromagic and Sunday night was the best night for us to do it. I was glad we weren't wanting to do any attractions though, as it was mobbed - and we don't go during busy times. It was probably an October Sunday night (not around Columbus day, either). The evening extra magic hours at Epcot are also miserable. It's just so much more crowded than normal before the park closes that it's not worth it to me.

[carolina_yankee]

They originally had Spectro-Magic scheduled for two runs but now because of bridge repair they have cancelled it. I think they are running the Daytime parade again in the evening.

I forgot about the bridge work. That might work in your favor. If it's not a spectro night (and who really needs to see the daytime parade again), then the crowds might be less than otherwise.

Still, you're talking 8 hours, with a parade at 7 and Wishes at 10. If you can get in before 7 and get past the parade area, you should be able to start picking off attractions pretty easily (start with high capacity) and then just watch and see what happens throughout the night. Unless you can snag a FP for any of the mountains as soon we get in the park (check tip board near Casey's Corner - the CM there should know if FP is still available), you probably won't want to try them until late, or during the fireworks.

Dirk

[Kynna]

I have friends who took advantage of EMH last year in August and said they had the best time they ever had at WDW. (they go every year) They were staying at WL napped during the day and arrived at 9pm.

They said they walked on most of the rides and it was a great adventure for the kids being up so late!

[rnawiz]

We're arriving Aug 17th as well and planning on trying MK EMH that night.
We'll be flying into MCO around 10:30AM, and spending the afternoon in the pool until our villa is ready. We'll head over to MK around 7PM.
Not late night people usually, but hoping an afternoon nap will help, especially since we'll have an early morning that day.

[hallyho]

Also remember that it is MUCH cooler in the evenings than during the day. That was a big plus for us.
Bobbi