4th of July????

[scanmom]

My parents are going to DLR the week of July 4th. This is the only week they can go. My DM was asking how bad are the crowds on the actual 4th? They are planning an itinerary, and with their other commitments to family, etc., they will be in the parks that day! Is it horrible? I know WDW is really bad on the 4th, is DL/DCA any better? Or just as bad/worse? Any info is helpful. Also, can they make ressies at the Blue Bayou? or is it 1st come 1st served? I guess the good thing about it is the parades and show should all be running, and the hours should be extended, but I think they are going at a bad time....we ALWAYS travel in the off season!!!

[Michelle]

Wellllll, honestly, the crowds are HORRENDOUS on the 4th of July and the days surrounding the holiday. Just be prepared for that, tour early and late, use Fast Pass as much as possible and be prepared to wait in lots of lines.

If they're staying at one of the Disney hotels they can make Blue Bayou ressies up to 30 days in advance. If not they should get a ressie first thing that morning.

The fireworks should be spectacular, at least! :)

[princessKT]

Yes, and especially this Fourth of July, I would think it will be awful. Everyone's a little more patriotic then usual, you know :)

[Tartan Tigger]

I was in Disneyland on the 4th July last year and we had done every ride in Fanatsyland (with the exception of tea cups) by 10am. I didnt find the crowds that bad, dont know if they were or not as I've never been on 4th before, but I found them manageable.

[whitetiger]

Not to contradict anyone, but we stayed at Candy Cane Inn recently (not on a Disney package either), and we were able to make Blue Bayou ressies one month in advance by phone. You don't have to be staying at a DL official hotel to make advance dining ressies (at least I didn't :) ).

[Mary Jo]

<font color=navy>I was at DL for the past two 4th of July's (call me crazy :p ). Two years ago, I watched the fireworks from right in front of the castle - it was awesome. But the crowds were so big that Adventureland entrance became a one-way stream of people out to Main Street, and Frontierland bacame a one-way stream of people from Main Street. There was no way you could fight that crowd, and CMs had signs with arrows for people follow. It was really really crowded.

Last year, I saw the fireworks from Main Street, then walked over to DCA for the heck of it, and got a prime seat for the Electrical Light Parade - yeah, it was crowded - but, a crowd with happy high energy - it was a lot of fun.

My recommendation would be to choose the must-sees ahead of time, and don't worry about the rest - just enjoy the day.