Is it better to use Extra Magic Hours or to avoid those Walt Disney World parks?

Question

I was reading the Unofficial Guide to WDW and they suggest avoiding parks that offer Extra Magic Hours even if you are a resort guest especially during crowded times. Do you agree or disagree? I will be visiting during the most crowded time of year, Christmas and New Years. What do you think? Please share your experiences during this time of year. THanks!

Answer 1

We went to Disney World last December (although it was early Dec, and not between Christmas & New Year's), and I like to use the evening Extra Magic Hours. There seems to be fewer people there in the evening hours. I think it is probably because families with small kids are probably tired by then.

I have never used the morning Extra Magic Hours, so I can't be much help there.

Disney World is beautiful at that time of year. I was totally amazed by the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Lights at MGM. Also, spend a little time "visiting" the other resorts. They are all decorated so wonderfully for the holidays!

Answer 2

Going during holiday season it will be pretty busy no matter when you go. I still think that going to the extra magic hours is well worth it though.

As the other answer said, if you go during evening hours it does cut down crowds a good deal. Usually by then families with younger kids are already heading back to the resort, having dinner, etc. If you are able to attend those hours, it is a good idea.

I think the morning hours are great as well. In my experience I find that you are usually ahead of the crowds by several hours. You go as soon as you are allowed in, ride the rides that are open and head on. I find that you usually stay ahead of people that didn't get in early until around 2 or so. So I feel it is well worth it to go.

I don't really know why they say to avoid the extra magic hours, it really is a huge benefit. Yes, there are a lot of resorts on property, which means a lot of people have the benefit of getting in early, but if you consider how many people are staying offsite and not able to get in till later, it makes a little more since why you don't want to come in at the same time as them.

Another option would be to go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It is a lot of fun, really cuts down on crowds, they have special events, etc. It does cost more, so I'm not sure if it is an option, but if you are wanting to try and avoid the crowds some, that would be a good way to go.



If it were me, I would not avoid the extra magic hours, I think they make the day a little easier. If you have the park hopper you can always go to another park if you want to, but if it is busy in one park, you can pretty much guarentee it will be busy in the others. Holiday season will have crowds, you can't really avoid them all together, but I really think the extra magic hours put you ahead of the game.

Answer 3

Yes, you are half right. Often, parks that are open the hour in the morning tend to be more busy, as more people can get up early, than stay up late. I suggest going to a park that is open late. Also, parks do not normally offer fastpasses during extra magic hours. My suggestion is to go to a less busy park in the morning, and then head back to the resort to rest up a bit, swim, take a nap, whatever. Then head over to the park with extra magic hours late at night. If there is a park open until 1 or 2 am, go to it, as the night goes on, the park will get less busy. Another suggestion to save time is to go on the most popular rides during a parade, especially in the magic kingdom, as everyone will go and watch that, while you get on the rides fast. It is a great way to skip lines. Also, take side paths, stay off the main paths in the parks if possible. Such as in Epcot. On you way over to world showcase, there is a path that goes through a rose garden, this path is almost never busy, and you can take a nice slow walk through the park. If you find a park too busy, head back to the resort and rest, or try another park, you will find a park that is less busy. My family normally goes the week of Thanksgiving, and only the couple days before are busy, so unless it is christmas, you should be fine as long as you stay out of the parks on the holiday, if you are still there. There are many other things to do at Disney World. There is a mini golf course called WinterSummerland, and it is normally not all that busy. This could be a very fun activity for you and your girlfriend. I hope you have a great time at the most magical place on earth. ~epcotexpert

Answer 4

When you visit during a busy time (like Christmas), you're going to have extremely busy crowds no matter what. So in my opinion, you might as well have less crowds by taking advantage of the Extra Magic Hours. All of the resort guests arriving 1 hour early is still a lot less than the resort crowds AND non resort guests.
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Answer 5

i went in the first week of Jan. it'll be crowded either way, your going in a peak time. I disagree, you're better off at the extra magic hours, the parks close so early that u need something to do so it'll help with that. Also, its just people at the resorts who can stay, so that eliminates a lot! also, the longer you stay at the park, the less people there are. Best time i ever went was in mid April and the extra hours kept Magic opened til 3 am. i could only stick it out time 1 am but even around that time, the parks were empty and there was NO wait at all, me and my bf were the ONLY ones in Swiss Family Robinsons Treehouse!!! how cool! go to the extra hours!

Answer 6

It does allow you more time in the park, but it probably will be crowded. However, it will not be as crowded as it would be in the day and I'd say that the lines would be shorter. I did this last summer when I was at Epcot and it was awesome. Plus, it's also good because not everyone will be able to get it cuz they go fast, so alot of the people will be gone. Most of the people with little kids will be gone because they are tired, and it would be more adults and older kids. It doesn't cost anything extra, so I'd say do it, especially if you are a resort guest

Answer 7

I love the Extra Magic Hours both in the morning and at night. I especially like the one at night because the parks are open up to 3 hours after closing, depending on the park you are in. You can ride the rides that usually have the longest time with no problems. There are not as many people at any Extra Magic Hours because either they sleep in and then head on over to the parks later, or they have smaller kids and don't want the meltdowns and such. The last time we went to Disney and used Extra Magic Hours we went to the parks in the morning and rode rides that normally had the longest lines then towards the mid afternoon we went back to our hotel and had some R&R and swam, then later about dinner time we headed back to the parks and had dinner, watched the fireworks and rode more rides. We got to see and do everything without getting tired or stressed because of the crowds. Hope this helps you.

Answer 8

WE have gone many times during that week and we have found that mornings are still the best time to do anything. If staying on property go to morning Extra Magic Hours at any park and Magic Kingdom at night. When Magic Kingdom closes at 1, Extra Magic hours go until 4 and around 2 the park really clears out. If you can stay up that late it is a great time to go. The Magic Kingdon normally has morning EMH evcery day that week.

Answer 9

Everytime we go to Disney World we use the extra magic hours. You can get in alot of rides in that first hour. And the 3 hours after the parks close is great too. I haven't gone from Christmas to New Years but I will be there this year right after Thanksgiving. Have fun.

Answer 10

If you have park hopper tickets then I would go for just the extra hours when everything else is closed if you want to spend that much time at the parks. Then spend the rest of the day at another park if you think it is too crowded. I have never used the extra evening hours because I am always tired by the end of the day.