MK/Fantasyland “Early Morning Magic” (EMM) FAQ & Discussion

We were there this past Tuesday, 7/23. We had just done this back on Memorial Day weekend but were back with a bigger group this time, including many new/limited WDW folks covering several generations, so figured EMM would be a reasonable use of vacation funds to get a jump start on a full MK day.

They seem to have changed things up a bit out front with check-in. Overall it was fine, although far more chaotic and less pleasant than prior experiences.

MK EMM has always really appealed to us, old version and new version. This time, we got in plenty of rides with no issues. We didn’t turn our attention to 7DMT until after 8:30am, did 4 rides with an average pace and no/just a few min waits each. Everything else was a walk on. I do very much appreciate the expanded ride offerings and this part delivered as expected.

Having done the new version twice now, my only real complaint is the breakfast. From my perspective, the breakfast is crowded and chaotic - it’s the opposite of the warm and pleasant experience that used to be offered at PVH. We used to always comment on how the CMs at PVH were so nice and interactive... welcoming, friendly, super helpful. With all due respect to the CMs at Cosmic Rays - it’s mass/fast food service with no heart at all. And the food isn’t even all that good.

When we do this in the future, we will probably make efforts to eat beforehand or bring in bagels and eat on our own as we get a jump on the MK day instead of wasting time at breakfast. Which really pains me to say since one of our original loves of EMM was the breakfast.

Anyway, sorry, just had to that off my chest while still fresh on my mind.
Thanks so much for your recent review - we are doing this in a few weeks and I'll pass along to DH to ride 7DMT later in the time - I'm bummed about the breakfast disappointment - the last time we did it with PVH we were even picked as "family of the day" and the staff served us our food - we got special pins and had a CM dedicated to helping us! It was such a special experience! We were even walked to a special meet and greet with Ariel and DD was given an Ariel crown! I'm bummed about the chaos you report at Cosmic Rays. Oh well - better to go into EMM knowing this may be the case!
 
Thanks so much for your recent review - we are doing this in a few weeks and I'll pass along to DH to ride 7DMT later in the time - I'm bummed about the breakfast disappointment - the last time we did it with PVH we were even picked as "family of the day" and the staff served us our food - we got special pins and had a CM dedicated to helping us! It was such a special experience! We were even walked to a special meet and greet with Ariel and DD was given an Ariel crown! I'm bummed about the chaos you report at Cosmic Rays. Oh well - better to go into EMM knowing this may be the case!

That's awesome about the family of the day. We witnessed this a few times at PVH at a table somewhat off to the side. Not sure if they still do that at Cosmic Rays or not (I'm assuming maybe no?) but pretty cool you had the opportunity to experience it! Hope you enjoy your EMM morning.
 
Any current thoughts on the impact Morning Magic has on crowds & wait times in the first few hours of the day? I know originally there was no noticeable difference because it was such a small event. Now that it has expanded, is there a difference? We’re headed down for a quick weekend trip to do the AP preview at Galaxy’s Edge & want to do MK Sunday morning. There is a MM that day & I’m just wondering what to prepare for. Thanks!!

In my opinion it's still pretty much a non-issue. Yes, the guest count is higher at this new version of EMM, but it's still incredibly small relative to the day guest population and so many people are on different agendas - going to eat, going to do rides, etc - they all just sort of absorb into the fabric of the MK crowd that morning.
 
In my opinion it's still pretty much a non-issue. Yes, the guest count is higher at this new version of EMM, but it's still incredibly small relative to the day guest population and so many people are on different agendas - going to eat, going to do rides, etc - they all just sort of absorb into the fabric of the MK crowd that morning.

Thanks! Good to know it’s still the same.
 


We did this on 7/30. They let us in right at 7:45, where were right in the front. We planned on doing Pooh first, but it was closed. We did Peter Pan 2X, Princesses, SDMT 1x, Under the Sea, SDMT 4x... Fast Pass lines were open for all of them. We then roped dropped the Speedway (the kids picked this over Space) and Buzz before going to breakfast. After reading the reviews, I was worried my crew would be disappointed with breakfast, but everyone was satisfied. We got there about 9:30 and with a bathroom break we were finished and out by 10. We quickly did the tea cups and then did Pooh, since it was closed the full EMM time they let us walk through the fast pass line. We then had about a 25 minute wait at the haunted mansion before we used our fastpasses.

We stayed at the Yacht Club and according to the ap, the first bus to MK was at 6:24. We missed that, but caught the next one at 6:45. This had us there in plenty of time to walk quickly, park the stroller and be the first ones on PP.
 
My family attended on Sunday 8/4. We did this last year with the PVH version and loved that. This year it didnt seem overly different crowd wise at the gate or within FL. We had a great time despite SDMT being down all but 5 minutes at the end of the event. Thanks to reading this thread I knew to ask for FPP for the ride. They were not giving this information out. I had to ask if they were allowing paying guests a FPP fornthe same time as the event. They gave us until noon which gave us more than enough time. Ironically, a couple at the event had matching tees that said how many times will we ride SDMT at EMM 8/4/19.

Also, crowds at rope drop were very mild but picked up around 10-11. I thought most lands were not too crowded FWIW.

The breakfast was ok. I loved PVH this was ok. I missed the chocolate croissants. But food was edible and w asked for waters thanks again to reading the thread!

Thanks for all who write their reviews and tips it really helps us planners out!!!
 
My family attended on Sunday 8/4. We did this last year with the PVH version and loved that. This year it didnt seem overly different crowd wise at the gate or within FL. We had a great time despite SDMT being down all but 5 minutes at the end of the event. Thanks to reading this thread I knew to ask for FPP for the ride. They were not giving this information out. I had to ask if they were allowing paying guests a FPP fornthe same time as the event. They gave us until noon which gave us more than enough time. Ironically, a couple at the event had matching tees that said how many times will we ride SDMT at EMM 8/4/19.
I saw this family there, and again on Monday at HS EMM. Their record was 17, but on Sunday they got to a total of 8 LOL.
 


How long does a ride need to be down during the event for them to extend the FP until noon?
I would think that any amount of time over say 15-30 min during such a short paid event would warrant FPP of some type. Just make sure you ask the CM at the start of the line how you will be able to ride since it's down. The girls on my day were very nice but didn't willingly give out the info until I asked. That was maybe 15 minutes into the event. I'm sure more experienced EMM attendees could give a better guideline though.
 
In my opinion it's still pretty much a non-issue. Yes, the guest count is higher at this new version of EMM, but it's still incredibly small relative to the day guest population and so many people are on different agendas - going to eat, going to do rides, etc - they all just sort of absorb into the fabric of the MK crowd that morning.

What is this "expanded," "new version" you speak of? We, too, will be at MK this coming Sunday, but not participating in EMM. I have been reading up until now that it is not expected to affect our rope-drop experience, but am just now seeing reference to the expanded, new version. Is that a game changer?
 
Kind of posted this a few pages ago but only got a half an answer...
If anyone has gone to EMM then gone to BTM for RD I would be interested to hear your experience. I am deciding if we should go to SM or BTM for RD.

Especially interested how far the CMs will let you get towards BTM on an EMM before the RD fireworks go off.
We did EMM and then hit BTM. The rope was just by the Rapunzel bathrooms. By the time we made it more to Frontierland by Hall of Presidents-ish, we picked up the crowd. We certainly got into the pack, but were able to a short wait on BTM.
 
What is this "expanded," "new version" you speak of? We, too, will be at MK this coming Sunday, but not participating in EMM. I have been reading up until now that it is not expected to affect our rope-drop experience, but am just now seeing reference to the expanded, new version. Is that a game changer?

In 12/2018 Disney tweaked the format... it used to be just 7DMT, PP, and Pooh. They added Princess Fairytale Hall, IASW, Little Mermaid, and Tea Cups, plus moved the breakfast to Cosmic Rays. They expanded the guest count given the additional ride capacity, but it is still a very small number relative to the day guest park crowd. It has no noticeable impact on rope drop in any way.
 
In 12/2018 Disney tweaked the format... it used to be just 7DMT, PP, and Pooh. They added Princess Fairytale Hall, IASW, Little Mermaid, and Tea Cups, plus moved the breakfast to Cosmic Rays. They expanded the guest count given the additional ride capacity, but it is still a very small number relative to the day guest park crowd. It has no noticeable impact on rope drop in any way.

Okay, thanks! :)
 
I am staying at the Fort Wilderness Campground and have a ticket for August 25th. Should I plan on taking a Bus over or are the boats running?
 
I am staying at the Fort Wilderness Campground and have a ticket for August 25th. Should I plan on taking a Bus over or are the boats running?

At that hour, I'd bus (or ride share as PP did). An alternative would be to take the CR/WL/FW boat as I believe that starts earlier than the MK boat. If you haven't already, I'd ask around over on the FW threads in case someone has more direct experience.
 
So just 4 MK EMMs left until the schedule goes dark due to the coming onslaught of daily EMHs.

I guess this thread will turn into a watch thread for awhile. :surfweb:
 
My family attended on Sunday 8/4. We did this last year with the PVH version and loved that. This year it didnt seem overly different crowd wise at the gate or within FL. We had a great time despite SDMT being down all but 5 minutes at the end of the event. Thanks to reading this thread I knew to ask for FPP for the ride. They were not giving this information out. I had to ask if they were allowing paying guests a FPP fornthe same time as the event. They gave us until noon which gave us more than enough time. Ironically, a couple at the event had matching tees that said how many times will we ride SDMT at EMM 8/4/19.

Also, crowds at rope drop were very mild but picked up around 10-11. I thought most lands were not too crowded FWIW.

The breakfast was ok. I loved PVH this was ok. I missed the chocolate croissants. But food was edible and w asked for waters thanks again to reading the thread!

Thanks for all who write their reviews and tips it really helps us planners out!!!

We were there the same day. I agree with everything you said regarding crowds and rides. I felt the cost was worth the event and and enjoyed getting to spend time in Fantasyland in relative quiet.
 
Following this thread. We are going in mid-November after the EEMH end and I'd really like to know if they're starting the EMMs again before our fast pass dates!
 

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