Extra Magic Hours

Disney EMH Calendar
All Ears EMH Calendar
WDW Info EMH Calendar

EMH is a benefit for those staying in a Disney Resort. This does not include Bonnet Creek, which is NOT a Disney resort. The benefit is that for certain parks on certain dates, the operating hours are extended either in the morning or evening (never both). So if you are paying extra to stay at a hotel on Disney property, you can use EMH to get a jump start and beat the crowds, or stay late and possibly enjoy less crowds.

You will be required to show a room key to prove you are staying at a Disney resort. This gets you admitted early in the morning, or a wrist band so you can ride the rides in the evening. For pm EMH There is nothing to force you to leave the park if you are not a Disney Hotel Guest, but you won't be allowed on any of the rides without a wrist band.

You can get the EMH schedule from www.disney.com, go to parks, WDW, then either planning or schedule. They keep moving the link. We've found that even the best Disney cast members are not always well informed on park hours. So it's best to make a schedule before you leave for Disney.

I happen to believe that the lack of cast member training on the EMH schedule and the difficulty in finding the EMH schedule online is purposeful and meant to obfuscate this benefit rendering it useless to the ill prepared.

Knowing EMH schedules plays an important role in doing the Rope Drop. IF you are staying on property, it's good to take advantage of a rope drop/EMH combination because the lines will be even shorter a few hours longer in the morning. If you are NOT staying on property then you should avoid the Rope Drop at a park on a day that has AM EMH, because tens of thousands of guests who are staying on property will already be inside the park, and standing on lines, before you are even allowed in.

EMH also tends to draw large crowds to that park that morning (evening too) making other non EMH parks less crowded during the same time.

So knowing the EMH schedule is important whether you're paying for a Disney resort or not.