DHS/Toy Story Land "Early Morning Magic" (EMM) FAQ & Discussion

Sorry can't find this question, but for anyone staying yacht/beach club resorts is the boats running? Are they a good option or would driving our car be better?

If you are in good health and worried about time I would just walk. Much quicker than any other option unless there is a boat waiting when you come out.
 
How are the majority of people getting to EMM? Are you using the buses? Driving yourself? Getting an Uber/Lyft/Mears?

Seeing several posts about buses being late has me questioning if we should pre book Mears. I don't want to be late as our morning will already be rushed. (We have a 10:10 appt at BBB that day.) We are staying at AKL and will have our 5 year old DD with us so we will need a car seat (which leaves regular Uber/Lyft out).
 
So our plan is to go and wait for Woody and Jessie first. Our son is still too small for SDD so the characters are our priority. If anyone who is going in the near future can try and see what time they out, I would be greatly appreciative. I expect they don’t come out until 7:30 which I’m fine with. If they don’t come out until 7:45 then I may need to change my game plan.
Thanks!
 
We attended Monday October 29th - me, DH, DS5 and DS8. We had a 7:30 reservation, and I never did change it to 7:00 (which ended up making no difference after all of the angst from the week they added the 7:00 time slot!). We walked from the BC, we checked out bags with RAC at 6:00 AM with no wait and slowly walked over since we were actually earlier than I had expected. It was completely dark and we saw essentially no one until we were within site of the entrance. The walkway has tons of construction and is noticeably longer than without the construction, but still sooooo much better to walk than any other method from the BC/YC/BW/S/D and really not that far considering.

We got to the DHS bag check (no line) and entrance at 6:30, there were maybe 40-ish people lined up at 2 tap styles already. We had them scan our bands and got wristbands, and stood in line. We traded off bathroom stops, and at 6:45 exactly (I just made it, I hadn't expected to get in quite yet...) they let us tap in and walked us to part way down Hollywood Boulevard, to just in front of Starbucks. We waited there just a couple of minutes, and they led us to ABC Commissary at 6:51 AM (I'm not sure if you could have just peeled off and waited in front of the Chinese Theater right then or not). We were toward the front entering to eat, but didn't want to get entrees then so we hopped to the left side and got a plate of fruit/pastries/cereal. Lots of people ate then, and they seemed to get food fairly quickly. I have a photo of us eating with our buffet food already at 6:59. 2 of us went to the BR, and we headed out to in front of the theater at about 7:10. There was a fairly small crowd gathered there, and as soon as we reached the line they led everyone to TSL. We were walking by the TSL sign at 7:15, and were toward the front of the group (maybe first 30-ish people? There was no line at this point, so there was some mild jostling but not too bad. They did lead us down the wheelchair ramp, but didn't keep you from using the steps if you were on that side of the group).

Since we were toward the front we went ahead and rode SDD, time entering the line was 7:18. We waited maybe 2-3 cars before we were on, I thought it was pretty good for a family coaster and IMO definitely better than SDMT! We got off and immediately went to AS2 (time 7:26) and got on the next ride cycle, and stayed on for a second ride (I took a picture while on the ride at 7:34). I thought it was cute and I liked the music, but the ride was more underwhelming than I had expected. it needed to go a little faster LOL. After the second ride we got off and lined up immediately for Woody and Jessie. The line was already to the end of the fence, just about to where it makes a turn and doubles up. I hadn't realized how much they fool around with guests and between guests! I'm probably in the minority, I just wanted to say hi, get a photo, and move on to the next ride haha! They take a long time with each group (which I guess most people like), we got photos timed at 7:55 AM, so we were in line between 15-20 min but it felt longer b/c I knew we could be riding! The CM told a group not too many behind us it was a 30 min wait!

After W&J we went to TSM at 7:55 by their clock (they had us using the FP line) without any wait, but the ride stopped for a few minutes a few times, I was worried we might get stuck and that would be the end of EMM for us. It wasn't that bad, but it did take an extra few minutes. We exited through the entire line and took a couple of obligatory photos at the popsicle stick wall at 8:10 AM. So 15 min for one ride. We went right back and rode it again, this time we had maybe a 3-5 min wait (the line was to the top of the stairs). we were loaded and starting at 8:17 AM, had our scores at 8:23, and were back by the popsicle wall at 8:27. We then went back to SDD and rode 3x in a row before the RD crowd came. We rode twice in the back and once in the front, it seemed as if each ride would have a decent wait but then the line would take off and we fit 3 in. We started our last ride at 8:54 AM and there was no sign of the RD people yet! They surely were coming, but weren't visible from the front of the line yet. I think we got in one extra ride by luck, it seemed like the crowd was a bit late.

When we got off SDD for the third time in a row (4th time total) the RD crowd was there in full force and the line extended almost to the TSL sign, and said 45 min. At this point we got a PP photo in front of AS2 at 8:59 AM, took a bathroom break, then rode AS2 with no wait at all at 9:06 AM followed by TSM with a posted 20 min wait at 9:20 that was exactly 20 min. We passed the popsicle/checkerboard wall at 9:50, walked out of TSL to ABC Commissary, and ordered breakfast with no one in line before us. They told us they were closing the ordering line soon, so to order as much as we wanted because it was going to be thrown away anyway! We got GF mexican bowl (very good), a regular mexican bowl (very good), and adult and child chicken and cronuts (good, nothing special but not bad), and a child eggs/tots (nothing special, but fulfills a need for picky eaters). We also got more buffet food. They had closed one of the buffets on our side, and closed the second one completely by around 10:20 (I didn't time stamp that, but it was a little earlier than I had expected) - I never saw the other side at all, I assume it had 2 buffets also). They never rushed us out ,though, just actively cleaned up around us and readied the place for lunch.

After breakfast we went to RNRC and used our FPs that I had made for 9:50-10:50 at 10:36, using rider switch. Next was ST with a 10:50-11:50 FP (the standby line was pretty long), followed by a few photos around and headed to TOT for a 12:05 FP. My DS8 and I got in line, and found out one side was down. So we waited in line 40 min b/c he didn't want to bail, we played the Disney Play app the whole time and it really did make time go fast. I just felt bad for my DH and DS5 (who is tall enough but won't ride!), who were just sitting and waiting. After that we shopped a little and left the park around 1:30 to head to Epcot to finish Kidcot stops before the Tragical Express picked up at the BC at 4:50.

So to summarize for those who don't want to wade through the commentary:
Let in at 6:45
Let in to ABC Commissary at 6:50
Let into TSL at 7:13 to get there by 7:15
SDD 7:18
AS2 x 2 without getting off 7:26
Woody and Jessie ~7:35-7:55
TSM 7:55
TSM ~8:11
SDD x 3 ~8:29-8:54

Rope Drop crowd hit while we were on a SDD ride that started at 8:54

PP photo 8:59
AS2 9:06 walk on
TSM 9:20 20 min wait

ABC Commissary breakfast 9:55.

I thought it was great, and would do it again in a heartbeat! I might skip W&J unless my kids really wanted to see them, but since we had woody/Jessie/Buzz shirts I wanted a photo. We could have saved maybe 10 min if we had been there right when they came out (well 20 min if we had managed to be first in line, but that would have required great luck or wasting time in line anyway waiting for them to come out) but we were on AS2 x 2 when they came out, they weren't out when we passed their spot to get on AS2. I decided to go ahead and skip Buzz (ideally I wanted a photo with him also) since I wanted to ride more and am not sure how we would have fit him in and still rode a lot. We totaled SDD x 4, AS2 x 2 plus 1 after RD, TSM x 2 plus 1 after RD, and Woody and Jessie. We didn't get any photos from SDD. We rode once on another day with a FP and got a photo of other people that time :confused3!

I just realized next time we do this will be Jan 2, so if they are all still in their Holiday attire I'll want photos again! So my plan of skipping characters might go out the window, I'll have to see! I almost hope they will be out of Christmas costumes, so we can not worry about them and ride more.

Sorry to be so longwinded, my college scientific writing courses on how to be succinct clearly didn't sink in :-)
 


Thanks for all the review posts folks. Post #3 has been updated with links.

There have been 12 EMMs so far and reports from 33 DISers. Great stuff!
 
We attended Monday October 29th - me, DH, DS5 and DS8. We had a 7:30 reservation, and I never did change it to 7:00 (which ended up making no difference after all of the angst from the week they added the 7:00 time slot!). We walked from the BC, we checked out bags with RAC at 6:00 AM with no wait and slowly walked over since we were actually earlier than I had expected. It was completely dark and we saw essentially no one until we were within site of the entrance. The walkway has tons of construction and is noticeably longer than without the construction, but still sooooo much better to walk than any other method from the BC/YC/BW/S/D and really not that far considering.

We got to the DHS bag check (no line) and entrance at 6:30, there were maybe 40-ish people lined up at 2 tap styles already. We had them scan our bands and got wristbands, and stood in line. We traded off bathroom stops, and at 6:45 exactly (I just made it, I hadn't expected to get in quite yet...) they let us tap in and walked us to part way down Hollywood Boulevard, to just in front of Starbucks. We waited there just a couple of minutes, and they led us to ABC Commissary at 6:51 AM (I'm not sure if you could have just peeled off and waited in front of the Chinese Theater right then or not). We were toward the front entering to eat, but didn't want to get entrees then so we hopped to the left side and got a plate of fruit/pastries/cereal. Lots of people ate then, and they seemed to get food fairly quickly. I have a photo of us eating with our buffet food already at 6:59. 2 of us went to the BR, and we headed out to in front of the theater at about 7:10. There was a fairly small crowd gathered there, and as soon as we reached the line they led everyone to TSL. We were walking by the TSL sign at 7:15, and were toward the front of the group (maybe first 30-ish people? There was no line at this point, so there was some mild jostling but not too bad. They did lead us down the wheelchair ramp, but didn't keep you from using the steps if you were on that side of the group).

Since we were toward the front we went ahead and rode SDD, time entering the line was 7:18. We waited maybe 2-3 cars before we were on, I thought it was pretty good for a family coaster and IMO definitely better than SDMT! We got off and immediately went to AS2 (time 7:26) and got on the next ride cycle, and stayed on for a second ride (I took a picture while on the ride at 7:34). I thought it was cute and I liked the music, but the ride was more underwhelming than I had expected. it needed to go a little faster LOL. After the second ride we got off and lined up immediately for Woody and Jessie. The line was already to the end of the fence, just about to where it makes a turn and doubles up. I hadn't realized how much they fool around with guests and between guests! I'm probably in the minority, I just wanted to say hi, get a photo, and move on to the next ride haha! They take a long time with each group (which I guess most people like), we got photos timed at 7:55 AM, so we were in line between 15-20 min but it felt longer b/c I knew we could be riding! The CM told a group not too many behind us it was a 30 min wait!

After W&J we went to TSM at 7:55 by their clock (they had us using the FP line) without any wait, but the ride stopped for a few minutes a few times, I was worried we might get stuck and that would be the end of EMM for us. It wasn't that bad, but it did take an extra few minutes. We exited through the entire line and took a couple of obligatory photos at the popsicle stick wall at 8:10 AM. So 15 min for one ride. We went right back and rode it again, this time we had maybe a 3-5 min wait (the line was to the top of the stairs). we were loaded and starting at 8:17 AM, had our scores at 8:23, and were back by the popsicle wall at 8:27. We then went back to SDD and rode 3x in a row before the RD crowd came. We rode twice in the back and once in the front, it seemed as if each ride would have a decent wait but then the line would take off and we fit 3 in. We started our last ride at 8:54 AM and there was no sign of the RD people yet! They surely were coming, but weren't visible from the front of the line yet. I think we got in one extra ride by luck, it seemed like the crowd was a bit late.

When we got off SDD for the third time in a row (4th time total) the RD crowd was there in full force and the line extended almost to the TSL sign, and said 45 min. At this point we got a PP photo in front of AS2 at 8:59 AM, took a bathroom break, then rode AS2 with no wait at all at 9:06 AM followed by TSM with a posted 20 min wait at 9:20 that was exactly 20 min. We passed the popsicle/checkerboard wall at 9:50, walked out of TSL to ABC Commissary, and ordered breakfast with no one in line before us. They told us they were closing the ordering line soon, so to order as much as we wanted because it was going to be thrown away anyway! We got GF mexican bowl (very good), a regular mexican bowl (very good), and adult and child chicken and cronuts (good, nothing special but not bad), and a child eggs/tots (nothing special, but fulfills a need for picky eaters). We also got more buffet food. They had closed one of the buffets on our side, and closed the second one completely by around 10:20 (I didn't time stamp that, but it was a little earlier than I had expected) - I never saw the other side at all, I assume it had 2 buffets also). They never rushed us out ,though, just actively cleaned up around us and readied the place for lunch.

After breakfast we went to RNRC and used our FPs that I had made for 9:50-10:50 at 10:36, using rider switch. Next was ST with a 10:50-11:50 FP (the standby line was pretty long), followed by a few photos around and headed to TOT for a 12:05 FP. My DS8 and I got in line, and found out one side was down. So we waited in line 40 min b/c he didn't want to bail, we played the Disney Play app the whole time and it really did make time go fast. I just felt bad for my DH and DS5 (who is tall enough but won't ride!), who were just sitting and waiting. After that we shopped a little and left the park around 1:30 to head to Epcot to finish Kidcot stops before the Tragical Express picked up at the BC at 4:50.

So to summarize for those who don't want to wade through the commentary:
Let in at 6:45
Let in to ABC Commissary at 6:50
Let into TSL at 7:13 to get there by 7:15
SDD 7:18
AS2 x 2 without getting off 7:26
Woody and Jessie ~7:35-7:55
TSM 7:55
TSM ~8:11
SDD x 3 ~8:29-8:54

Rope Drop crowd hit while we were on a SDD ride that started at 8:54

PP photo 8:59
AS2 9:06 walk on
TSM 9:20 20 min wait

ABC Commissary breakfast 9:55.

I thought it was great, and would do it again in a heartbeat! I might skip W&J unless my kids really wanted to see them, but since we had woody/Jessie/Buzz shirts I wanted a photo. We could have saved maybe 10 min if we had been there right when they came out (well 20 min if we had managed to be first in line, but that would have required great luck or wasting time in line anyway waiting for them to come out) but we were on AS2 x 2 when they came out, they weren't out when we passed their spot to get on AS2. I decided to go ahead and skip Buzz (ideally I wanted a photo with him also) since I wanted to ride more and am not sure how we would have fit him in and still rode a lot. We totaled SDD x 4, AS2 x 2 plus 1 after RD, TSM x 2 plus 1 after RD, and Woody and Jessie. We didn't get any photos from SDD. We rode once on another day with a FP and got a photo of other people that time :confused3!

I just realized next time we do this will be Jan 2, so if they are all still in their Holiday attire I'll want photos again! So my plan of skipping characters might go out the window, I'll have to see! I almost hope they will be out of Christmas costumes, so we can not worry about them and ride more.

Sorry to be so longwinded, my college scientific writing courses on how to be succinct clearly didn't sink in :-)

Awesome report! Sounds like they finally opened up the FP line for TSM!
 


Awesome report! Sounds like they finally opened up the FP line for TSM!

Yes, we went through the FP line at EMM and SB line after RD- we only saw Mr Potato Head when we rode after RD in the SB line. That’s really the main way I noticed- during EMM we just followed the direction of the CM out front of the ride and we’re in a hurry to get on!
 
Seeing several posts about buses being late has me questioning if we should pre book Mears. I don't want to be late as our morning will already be rushed. (We have a 10:10 appt at BBB that day.) We are staying at AKL and will have our 5 year old DD with us so we will need a car seat (which leaves regular Uber/Lyft out).
I was worried about the bus situation too. I hate being stressed and know i would be worried about missing the bus or sitting watching the arrival bus time keep ticking away. So for peace of mind i booked Mears. I am also at AKL and for our trip it came to $21.60 (the website put in a discount code as it was $24 originally). The bus reports seem very scattered - nothing saying for certain they are on time or early enough to make sure you get to the event on time. I scheduled 6:30, so figure it will take 15 minutes to get there, then time to walk to the entrance should have us there by 7:00am.

If you can spare the $$ book it!
 
I was worried about the bus situation too. I hate being stressed and know i would be worried about missing the bus or sitting watching the arrival bus time keep ticking away. So for peace of mind i booked Mears. I am also at AKL and for our trip it came to $21.60 (the website put in a discount code as it was $24 originally). The bus reports seem very scattered - nothing saying for certain they are on time or early enough to make sure you get to the event on time. I scheduled 6:30, so figure it will take 15 minutes to get there, then time to walk to the entrance should have us there by 7:00am.

If you can spare the $$ book it!

Thanks for the response! I kind of think the money would be worth not having the stress. Maybe you can answer thos question too: Over on the transportation board, I asked about quickest way to get from HS to MK (for our 10:10 appt at BBB that day) and everyone said the bus, because they take you right to the entrance, whereas a ride share cannot. Would you (or anyone else) agree that's the best option there? It makes sense, I just don't go to WDW often enough to be that familiar with the timing and frequency of transportation. And missing our appt at BBB would probably be the end of the world. (I'm kidding. Sorta.)
 
Thanks for the response! I kind of think the money would be worth not having the stress. Maybe you can answer thos question too: Over on the transportation board, I asked about quickest way to get from HS to MK (for our 10:10 appt at BBB that day) and everyone said the bus, because they take you right to the entrance, whereas a ride share cannot. Would you (or anyone else) agree that's the best option there? It makes sense, I just don't go to WDW often enough to be that familiar with the timing and frequency of transportation. And missing our appt at BBB would probably be the end of the world. (I'm kidding. Sorta.)

Since you need a car seat (right?), your best (and only) bets are park-to-park bus or Minnie Van. If this were us, I'd be checking Minnie Van availability as soon as we started making our way out of the park and then make a decision based on availability and ETA along the way. Of course, Minnie Vans aren't cheap, so if that's a consideration the park-to-park bus will be fine.

Uber does have a car seat option but availability is questionable and they can only take you to the TTC or CR as destinations, not the MK bus plaza.

Hope that helps.
 
Since you need a car seat (right?), your best (and only) bets are park-to-park bus or Minnie Van. If this were us, I'd be checking Minnie Van availability as soon as we started making our way out of the park and then make a decision based on availability and ETA along the way. Of course, Minnie Vans aren't cheap, so if that's a consideration the park-to-park bus will be fine.

Uber does have a car seat option but availability is questionable and they can only take you to the TTC or CR as destinations, not the MK bus plaza.

Hope that helps.

It helps tremendously. Thank you!
 
Thanks for the response! I kind of think the money would be worth not having the stress. Maybe you can answer thos question too: Over on the transportation board, I asked about quickest way to get from HS to MK (for our 10:10 appt at BBB that day) and everyone said the bus, because they take you right to the entrance, whereas a ride share cannot. Would you (or anyone else) agree that's the best option there? It makes sense, I just don't go to WDW often enough to be that familiar with the timing and frequency of transportation. And missing our appt at BBB would probably be the end of the world. (I'm kidding. Sorta.)

I second the Minnie van option if you can get one on your walk out of DHS, look as soon as you decide to walk to the entrance and not make anymore stops for pp, etc... I wouldn’t want to be sitting at the bus stop stressing over whether one will come or not, and it does take some time to get into the MK and up Main Street. This is the exact situations Minnie Vans are great for, and arguably worth it (instead of just a pure luxury :-))
 
Am I the only one who worries that Mears won't show up? I admit I'm paranoid...

Nope, definitely something I've considered too. I just don't like when things are out of my control (and I've spent so much money for it to be thwarted).
 
Would you (or anyone else) agree that's the best option there?
In your situation if you were leaving the park at 9:00 right after the event ended you should be ok with the buses, but if much later than that i would do the minnie van which I believe lets you off right where the buses would. Again, not a cheap option but sometimes it is worth a little money for peace of mind. You want to enjoy your vacation and all the little extras you planned without being stressed. I am sure the probably $30 minnie van is a drop in the bucket compared to what you have already paid for your trip - so splurge and relax!
 

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