Strategy for DHS Extra Extra Magic Hours (6-9am Sept 1- Nov 2)

[mackaylc]

We are still strategizing for our trip. We have EMM booked for the day before SWGE opens, and then plan to try and get in on September 1, using EEMH. Before the announcement of EEMH we were already planning on trying to go for regular EMH on that Sunday. Being the first DHS EEMH, it will be really hard to predict what we will see, but we plan to be super flexible and hope for the best. We have PH so if it is just not close to being doable, we will just hop somewhere else. My husband and son are huge Star Wars fans, so I think if we even just get into the land without riding MFSR, it still will be amazing since we originally scheduled the trip thinking we would miss it all together.

 

[Dawn&Vernard]

We are going September the 20-22 and going to DHS on the 21st.
I have been thinking of getting up at 4AM by 4:45Am get a Uber to DHS hopefully to be in line by 5AM

 

[Davey Jones II]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but why not institute a virtual queue for GE at WDW?

 

[rteetz]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but why not institute a virtual queue for GE at WDW?

There is a very good chance they will.

 

[katiec786]

I feel sorry for all those who booked an 8am breakfast at BoG hoping to get into the MK early only to find that MK is opening at 7am for that period.

That's me!! It was hard work getting an 8:20am res for our first day and then it turned out to be irrelevant BUT i'm looking at the bright side - since we're flying in from the UK the day before there's every possibility that we'll be awake at 5am anyway, so if we're up to it we'll head over to MK and try and hit some smaller rides before breakfast! We have luckily have a couple of MK days so am hoping to get FP for 7DMT and the 3 mountains on one of them.

 

[katiec786]

So here is what I'm thinking:
We are staying at POFQ Sept 21-28. Our DHS day is Thur 26th.
Pre-announcement, our plan had been to rope drop TSM, FP SDD (we haven't been to the parks in about a decade so very excited to see TSL!!) and then spend the afternoon doing ToT, RNRC, maybe a show, and take a break in the afternoon before returning for Fantasmic.
Post-announcement, honestly our priorities haven't changed. Love SW, but this trip is more about hitting childhood faves than going to all the new things, and the friend I'm travelling with deals with anxiety so we have no need to deal with those crowds in SWGE.

My question is: since we are avoiding SWGE, we still want to take advantage of EEMH but only to see the rest of the park. I've never truly rope dropped before, so am wondering since we're not going to SWGE is it *suuuuuper* necessary to be there at 5??
Obviously this will be easily answered once the place has opened and we see what wait times are like, but would be interested to get opinions based off of others experiences.

 

[yulilin3]

So here is what I'm thinking:
We are staying at POFQ Sept 21-28. Our DHS day is Thur 26th.
Pre-announcement, our plan had been to rope drop TSM, FP SDD (we haven't been to the parks in about a decade so very excited to see TSL!!) and then spend the afternoon doing ToT, RNRC, maybe a show, and take a break in the afternoon before returning for Fantasmic.
Post-announcement, honestly our priorities haven't changed. Love SW, but this trip is more about hitting childhood faves than going to all the new things, and the friend I'm travelling with deals with anxiety so we have no need to deal with those crowds in SWGE.

My question is: since we are avoiding SWGE, we still want to take advantage of EEMH but only to see the rest of the park. I've never truly rope dropped before, so am wondering since we're not going to SWGE is it *suuuuuper* necessary to be there at 5??
Obviously this will be easily answered once the place has opened and we see what wait times are like, but would be interested to get opinions based off of others experiences.

I would say not neccessary but you would still be in the front of the pack for the rest of DHS. Your two scenarios
Arrive at 5am, they open the park at 5:30 (they will probably do this, they still open earlier than posted for Pandora) you are one of he first people at TSLand, then ToT, the RnRC. Done by 8am
Arrive at 6am. You are at the back of the line because everyone shows up at 6am, You should still be done with TSLand, ToT and RnRC but by 9

 

[Goofy2015]

@Nole95 as you sound like a race weekend expert, I have a question: I will be there on a race weekend (Nov 1-2) staying @ Boardwalk. Is the path between Boardwalk & DHS part of the race? If so, what would be your strategy to get to a 6am EEMH at DHS? I don't think we will try for it (maybe a few days before) but I'm curious as we may have to do it if our other attempts fail.

You have probably got this question answered. Like a lot of people on this board, I have done a ton of the runDisney races. DHS will probably still be a part of at the least the Half Marathon (13.1M) course for Wine & Dine. Last year, the 10K route was changed to not touch DHS and the only park that was touched for the 10K was Epcot. They may change the 13.1M course because of SWGE. However, the first non-EEMH just so happens to be 11/3 the day of the 13.1M, so DHS may be part of the course.

In short, I'd avoid DHS on 11/3 still even with a later opening (later then 6am) because runners will still be hitting DHS I'd think even until 8:30am - 9:00am. The 10K course will likely not touch DHS on 11/2 but you never know. The 5K will not be at DHS on 11/1.

 

[Fairyjen1]

Disneyland SWGE has been open for an hour and 45 minutes now. The Disneyland App still says the wait for Smugglers run is 25 minutes. (I live in CA, Disneyland is my home park). I think this may be due to all the people in line for opening day merchandise? Most of my friends went right to the Merch location. Maybe opening day won't be so bad to get on the ride, at least early in the day.

My first time experiencing GE will be in Florida Mid-September. When I heard the change in dates after planning my trip I was as first terrified, but now I'm so excited!

 

[Cinderella94]

I am reading more and more speculation (other places on the web) that WDW will implement a reservation system. Anyone here feel comfortable reassuring me that that’s not the case, or if it is that it wouldn’t affect me? I’m one of those weirdos who is excited to get up at 4 AM to arrive in the dark OR is it inevitable and I need a reality check and start getting over it?

 

[DanBoris]

I am reading more and more speculation (other places on the web) that WDW will implement a reservation system. Anyone here feel comfortable reassuring me that that’s not the case, or if it is that it wouldn’t affect me? I’m one of those weirdos who is excited to get up at 4 AM to arrive in the dark OR is it inevitable and I need a reality check and start getting over it?

I think it's almost certain, and "insiders" have suggested this, that there will be a virtual queue system similar to what DL is doing. As for actual reservations, this wouldn't surprise me either considering how good it seems to be working for DL this morning.

 

[Cinderella94]

I think it's almost certain, and "insiders" have suggested this, that there will be a virtual queue system similar to what DL is doing. As for actual reservations, this wouldn't surprise me either considering how good it seems to be working for DL this morning.

Would you mind explaining the difference (if any) between virtual queue and reservation system?

 

[ErinsMommy]

I think it's almost certain, and "insiders" have suggested this, that there will be a virtual queue system similar to what DL is doing. As for actual reservations, this wouldn't surprise me either considering how good it seems to be working for DL this morning.

I think there's way too many on-site resorts to be able to effectively do the reservation system that DL is doing. VQ on the other hand, I'm hopeful this will be done.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Would you mind explaining the difference (if any) between virtual queue and reservation system?

From what I understand VQ will be issued once the land has reached capacity and will give a "return window" time on it. The reservation system is "you're time to get in is between X and Y."

 

[Cinderella94]

I think there's way too many on-site resorts to be able to effectively do the reservation system that DL is doing. VQ on the other hand, I'm hopeful this will be done.

I agree. The EEMH is at least a level playing field for on site guests (albeit a non-pleasant playing field for non-early risers)

 

[DanBoris]

Would you mind explaining the difference (if any) between virtual queue and reservation system?

The main difference is that the reservation is made ahead of time, but you can only get a spot in a virtual queue once you get to the park.

 

[js]

If I arrive at 445 am on September 12, as an onsite guest, would I need this reservation or virtual queue? If so, how do I try to get one? Do I have to enter a lottery? Does it help if Im an AP and DVC holder?

Thank you.

 

[Cinderella94]

If I arrive at 445 am on September 12, as an onsite guest, would I need this reservation or virtual queue? If so, how do I try to get one? Do I have to enter a lottery? Does it help if Im an AP and DVC holder?

Thank you.

No one knows for certain yet, if or how that will happen. It’s all speculation at this point.

As someone else who plans to arrive very early, I hope (and imagine) that those things won’t come into play for guests until we are already long into the land.

 

[ErinsMommy]

If I arrive at 445 am on September 12, as an onsite guest, would I need this reservation or virtual queue? If so, how do I try to get one? Do I have to enter a lottery? Does it help if Im an AP and DVC holder?

Thank you.

Check park hours and plan on being there as early as you can prior to opening, stand on line and hope for the best being in the first 'wave' of people. After that, right now its anyone's guess what happens to guests that dont make it through the first wave.

 

[yulilin3]

Disneyland SWGE has been open for an hour and 45 minutes now. The Disneyland App still says the wait for Smugglers run is 25 minutes. (I live in CA, Disneyland is my home park). I think this may be due to all the people in line for opening day merchandise? Most of my friends went right to the Merch location. Maybe opening day won't be so bad to get on the ride, at least early in the day.

My first time experiencing GE will be in Florida Mid-September. When I heard the change in dates after planning my trip I was as first terrified, but now I'm so excited!

DL has a reservation system at the moment, DL is controlling the crowds and not letting the land hit any type of capacity, in fact from the videos you can see that it is way under capacity. True test will come June 24th when the reservation system is over and they will allow more people in until it actually hits capacity, then we will see how long the lines are.
Also, with DL controlling crowds MFSR is a short wait but the Cantina and Savi's is in the multiple hour wait time