Update: Extra Magic Hours ended in 2020, this post is still here for informational purposes only, but this is no longer a benefit for guests of Disney Hotels.
On this post
If you are researching a trip to Orlando and the Disney parks You probably came across this term “extra magic hours” in some guide or script, right?
Don't worry, here we'll explain everything you need to know to make the most of (or avoid) those extra hours that Disney parks offer their guests!
What are Extra Magic Hours?
Extra Magic Hours (EMH) are a perk for guests staying in Walt Disney World Resort hotels, in addition to Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green and (at least until 2020) the seven Disney hotels Springs Resort Area and the two Bonnet Creek Resort hotels.
On select days of the week, Disney Resort Guests will be able to enter the Disney theme park 1 hour early or remain in the park until 2 hours after official park opening hours.
Does it look too good? Really is!
What is needed to have Extra Magic Hours?
A valid ticket is required to enter the park, and you must show your Disney Resort ID or scan the MagicBand when entering. If you're at a Disney resort, you'll receive a complimentary magicBand to make it even easier.
For overnight EMHs, you may be required to show your Disney Resort ID or MagicBand to ride attractions.
When do they happen?
You can check the disney official calendar of parks hours to see dates, or call Walt Disney World Information at 407-824-4321 or 407-939-6244.
We recommend that you view it through the website at the link above, as it is very direct and simple.
However, there is a certain pattern to overtime. However, the ideal is to confirm on the official calendar to guarantee your day!
The pattern for extra magic hours is usually:
- The Magic Kingdom usually have extra Magic Hours in the morning on Friday. The extra hours in the evening are usually on Wednesdays.
- Epcot morning EMHs are usually on Thursday. Have the nocturnal EMHs on Tuesday.
- The morning EMHs at Disney's Hollywood Studios usually take place on Sunday.
- Extra Magic Hours in the morning Animal kingdom They are usually on Mondays and Saturdays. Animal Kingdom typically does not have nighttime EMHs
How crowded are the parks during EMH?
Crowds generally range from slightly below average to average at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom on days when those parks hold Extra Magic Hours.
Crowds are larger than average at Disney's Hollywood Studios and slightly higher than average at Epcot on days when they have EMHs.
Few families have the stamina to take advantage of morning and evening EMHs on consecutive days.
Not even us who are young! On our last trip we took EMS at night in the Magic Kingdom. We were so tired that we did 1 attraction and decided to go back to the hotel.
If you have to choose between morning or evening Extra Magic Hour sessions, first consider whether your family works best waking up early or staying up late (and factor in physical exertion throughout the day).
Also, consider the time the parks are close to day visitors.
Nighttime EMHs are most useful when crowds are low and parks close relatively early for the general public, so your family doesn't have to stay up until midnight to enjoy the benefit.
Do non-Disney Resort guests need to leave the park during EMH?
Park guests who are not staying at a Disney resort can stay in the park, but cannot experience rides, attractions or shows.
In other words, they can shop and eat only.
This is due to the simple fact that Disney, being Disney, does not kick anyone out of the park.
Do Disney water parks offer magical overtime?
swimming theme parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard beach, rarely offer EMHs.
When they do, it's usually during the summer.
When to use Extra Magic Hours?
ONLY if you intend to visit during EMH.
There is no benefit to going to a park with EMH if you don't use Extra Magic Hours
And don't worry, it takes time to get to the parks, especially the Magic Kingdom. Allow enough time to get to the park, whether you're using Disney transportation or driving and parking at the Transportation & Ticket Center.
if you are with tickets Park Hopper.
In this situation, you can go to the park with EMH during these hours and spend the other part of the day in a less crowded park.
Example: EPCOT has Extra Magic Hours in the evening from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM Disney's Hollywood Studios is a recommended park that day. Go to Disney's Hollywood Studios during regular park hours, then head to EPCOT that night during EMH.
If you have a basic Disney theme park ticket and capacity is low
Example: The resort's general attendance level is 4. Magic Kingdom has morning EMH from 8am to 9pm. You can take advantage of the extra hour that morning for popular attractions such as Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Make sure you use the FastPass + for any other must-do attractions you think you won't have in the morning, such as Splash mountain.
When to Avoid the Park with Extra Magic Hours?
If you are not staying at a Disney Resort or hotel offering EMH
As you will not be able to take rides during Extra Magic Hours, we recommend avoiding the park that has them.
If you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you have a basic Disney theme park ticket and the day's capacity is high
In our opinion, the extra hour is not worth it if you have to face a busy day just to use those extra hours.
We strongly recommend that in this case you select a park with less capacity.
Naturally these choices are complex and difficult to assess which is more worthwhile. To ensure you make the best choice, get in touch to secure your Personalized script with professionals on the subject.
What Attractions are open during Extra Magic Hours?
Yeah, unfortunately not all attractions are available during overtime.
But rest assured, the best ones are usually available. And due to the weather, it is usually not possible to do more than 3, 4 attractions in 1 hour.
Let's check park by park and each EMH morning or night, which attractions are open:
Magic Kingdom? Extra Magic Hours in the morning
- Astro Orbiter
- The Barnstormer
- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- ?it?sa small world?
- Mad tea party
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Mickey's PhilharMagic
- Peter Pan's Flight
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Space mountain
- Tomorrowland speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
MK? Magic Hours Extra at night
- Astro Orbiter
- The Barnstormer
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Haunted Mansion
- ?it?sa small world?
- Mad tea party
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Mickey's PhilharMagic
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
- Peter Pan's Flight
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Space mountain
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- Tomorrowland speedway
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
Epcot? EMH in the morning
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Frozen Ever After
- Living with the Land
- Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow
- Soarin? Around the World
- Spaceship Earth
- Test track
Epcot? EMH at night
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Soarin? Around the World
- Spaceship Earth
- Mission: SPACE
- The American Adventure
- American Heritage Gallery
- Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
- Frozen Ever After
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
- Journey Into Imagination With Figment
- Living with the Land
- The Canada!
- Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow
- Test track
- Turtle Talk With Crush
Hollywood Studios? Attractions at Extra Magic Hours
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Rock ?n? Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
- Toy Story Mania!
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Animal Kingdom? EMH in the morning
- Flight of Passage
- Dinosaur
- Everest Expedition
- It's Tough to be a Bug!
- Kilimanjaro Safaris (eventually)
- Na?vi River Journey
- Primeval Whirl
- TriceraTop Spin
We have already shown some Extra Magic Hours a few times in our Youtube channel, be sure to check it out there:
I hope again that this post helped you in your research for your trip to Disney or Orlando.
As a way to help us keep the blog going, we just ask you to help us by sharing this publication and subscribing to our social networks as Facebook, Instagram or Youtube channel.
In addition to helping us, we are sure that there you will find hundreds of useful posts for your trip!
About the Author Carlos Braga:
Unparalleled experience in Orlando and Disney! As a former Universal Orlando team member and a passionate devotee of the magic of Disney, I have become a true Orlando travel expert. Before becoming a renowned travel consultant dedicated to Orlando, I had already made hundreds of visits to the parks, cultivating my knowledge and passion mainly over the last 7 years as a consultant and specialist in Disney travel.
My journey into this enchanted world began in 1995, when I took my first trip to Orlando. Since then, my love for Disney and the city has only grown. In 2023, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of 'Partiu Disney Parks', consolidating our role as one of the main sources of information about Disney and Orlando Parks.
During these six years of existence, we have continued to offer quality and updated content, being the reliable source for all those looking for essential information to plan their trip to Disney and Orlando. With my vast experience and passion for this magical destination, I am here to guide you every step of the way towards the most incredible Orlando and Disney experience!
