Morning Magic Hour At Disneyland
As a Walt Disney World regular visiting Disneyland for the first time in several years, I was surprised how different Morning Magic Hour is compared to Extra Magic Hours.
When and Where Is Morning Magic Offered?
Morning Magic is only available at Disneyland, not at California Adventure. Instead of doing both pre and post park hours like the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland only offers a Morning Extra Magic Hour. Morning Magic begins one hour before regular park opening. Morning Magic is usually on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Who Can Go?
Since Disneyland doesn’t have the same number of on-site hotels as Disney World, attending Morning Magic isn’t limited to guests staying “on-property.” While guests staying in a Disneyland Resort Hotel can visit Morning Magic if they have valid admission for the day it is offered, other guests may participate, as well, including those who purchase select park-hopper tickets and vacation packages. Guests not staying in a Disneyland Resort Hotel may only use the Morning Magic one day per park ticket.
What Attractions Are Open?
During Morning Magic Fantasyland and Tomorrowland attractions are open. This includes Alice in Wonderland, Astro Orbitor, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Disneyland Monorail, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, King Arthur Carrousel, Mad Tea Party, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Space Mountain, and Star Tours (operating attractions are subject to change).
Why Should I Go?
Morning Magic is extremely early, often at 7 am. While it may seem not worth getting up, it most definitely is. Crowds are minimal: I have found them to be much less than at Morning Extra Magic Hours at Disney World. Most attractions are a walk-ons, and I have had many times where I was the only person on certain attractions. Morning Magic is also the only time I have ever been able to get pictures in front of the castle with no other guests in the shot.
Have you attended Morning Magic at Disneyland? What are your thoughts?
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Being able to take advantage of Magic Morning hours is a huge benefit. For those with a multiday ticket that allows one early entrance, I have found that the time of the early entry has a bigger effect on the number of people there than the day of the week. Earlier means fewer people. So if your choice is between a weekend Magic Morning with a 7:00 am opening and an 8:00 opening on Tuesday- chose the 7:00 am opening. But still be in line well before 7:00am! Also this advice addresses the crowds during that hour – not the rest of the day. Also fastpass machines do not operate during Magic Morning hour- something that does not seem to be mentioned in the touring plans.
We just got back Monday from our trip to Disneyland, and did Morning Magic Hours on both Saturday and Sunday. It was a great time to get in multiple rides on Star Tours, the Nemo Sub and the Matterhorn before the crowd started. I’ve never seen a Disney park as busy as Disneyland was this last Saturday night. But then we try to hit Disney World on the off-season. So we were glad we had made the extra effort to get up early to have that less crowded hour.
I agree that Morning Magic Hour at DL is fantastic and an absolute MUST if you can, no matter how early. As you said, it is much less crowded than any WDW park that has early EMH. Unfortunately, as an AP holder who doesn’t stay on property, it’s hard for me to take advantage of.