Time Saver #4: Use Extra Magic Hours

One of the best reasons to stay in a Disney resort hotel is Extra Magic Hours!

Every day, one of the theme parks opens an hour early or stays open up to three hours after closing — just for guests at Disney resorts hotels.

So rather than competing with the other tens of thousands of vacationers in Central Florida, it’s just you and other Disney guests. The results is that crowds are generally smaller. It doesn’t mean that everything is a walk-on… but it’s a little more manageable.

And if you use a couple of tricks, you can get the most out of this special benefit.

Morning Extra Magic Hours

I love Morning Extra Magic Hours. You know that I’m a big fan of getting to the parks early… This is “Getting to the Parks Early on Steroids!”

To prepare, pick up a Extra Magic Hours guide at your hotel. Double check which attractions will be open. Plan which attractions you will target.

If the regular park opening time is 9:00 AM, the park will open at 8:00 AM for Morning Extra Magic Hour. You should be waiting at the gate at 7:45 AM. Everyone in your group must have your resort ID cards! Enter the park and follow the tips listed in Guide #8, Arrive at the Theme Parks Early, in Page 18.

By the way, if you are planning to use the strategies in Guide #8, Arrive at the Theme Parks Early, AND that park is open for Morning Extra Magic Hour, you MUST be there at the early opening time.
If you can’t be at the gates before the early opening time, go to another park! You will not be able to use the tips in Guide #8. In fact, some Disney World veterans advise not even going to a park that has Morning Extra Magic Hours because the park can get crowded. If that happens, just hop to another park.

My Recommendations

Here are specific suggestions to get the most out of Morning Extra Magic Hours:

• Magic Kingdom: Hit Fantasyland, and ride as much as you can!
• Epcot: Focus on Soarin’, Mission: SPACE and Test Track. Ride Living with the Land if you have time.
• Disney's Hollywood Studios: Head to Sunset Boulevard, and ride Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster and Twilight Zone Tower of Tower. Then head over to Muppets 3D.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Start with Expedition Everest, followed by DINSOSAUR and It’s Tough to be a Bug!

Evening Extra Magic Hours

Evening Extra Magic Hours work in reverse. You are allowed to stay in the theme park after regular park hours.

After park closing time — say 8:00 PM — you will be asked to show your resort ID cards before you can get in line at any of the attractions that are open. It might seem crowded at first, but the crowds thin out more and more as the evening goes by.

My Suggestions

Here are specific suggestions to get the most out of Evening Extra Magic Hours:

• Magic Kingdom: It takes a while for the crowds to dwindle down, so you might relax for a bit if the lines are still long when the Extra Magic Hours start. I prefer to begin my after-hours adventure in Frontierland, then Adventureland and end up in Tomorrowland.
• Epcot: Personally, I don’t really enjoy the Evening Extra Magic Hours at Epcot. Only a few attractions are open, and you have to walk quite a bit in the dark. The best for me is to get a couple more rides on Soarin’, Mission: SPACE and Test Track.
• Disney's Hollywood Studios: I like to start with the Great Movie Ride, the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Muppet 3D. By that time, the lines are shorter on Tower of Terror and Rock ’N’ Roller Coaster.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Only six attractions are open, so you should be able to enjoy them all. Start by checking the wait time for Expedition Everest.

Check the Extra Magic Hours Guide!

Pick up the Extra Magic Hours guide at your hotel. Check which attractions and restaurants will be open — Yep! Only selected attractions and very few restaurants are open. Don’t be surprised…. Be prepared!

You can plan ahead by checking the Disney World calendar at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/ . Input your travel dates and look for the Extra Magic Hours.

Base Ticket Or Park Hopper?

Starting on Page 42, I’ll talk in greater detail about picking the right ticket for your family. Right now, you just need to know this…. If you decide to get the Magic Your Way Base Ticket, you’ll be stuck in the same park all day. That means if you want to enjoy Extra Magic Hours, that is where you’ll have to spend the entire day. Planning becomes even more important.