July 3/4th fireworks...best way to ensure seeing them? - The DIS Discussion Forums

calablovedisney · 02-06-2013, 10:52 PM

We are planning to go back to the world in late June/Early July. I really want to see 4th of July fireworks and plan to try and see them on the 3rd)think we are staying until the 5th).
I have read various reports on how to handle going to the park on this day and make sure we see the fireworks. One such report was to go in early and stay the entire day until fireworks. WE really like to break midday, but I don't want to miss the fireworks either. any suggestions on how to do this and stay sane with the heat and length of day, etc...
There are also some late EMH at MK on the 3rd and would love to take advantage, but now way if we spend the entire day there.
looking for advice. thanks.

Cheshire Figment · 02-06-2013, 10:54 PM

I would suggest going to MK on the 3rd, as they do a "rehearsal" of the fireworks for the 4th. Then on the 4th go to DHS as that is the only night they do fireworks.

FlightlessDuck · 02-06-2013, 11:03 PM

The one time we were around on the 4th of July, we watched the fireworks from The Contemporary. We didn't step foot into a park.

calablovedisney · 02-07-2013, 12:04 AM

I thought about watching from the Poly? Not sure it would have the same effect.
We are going to try for the 3rd. Do you have to stay the entire day to see them? Will the park actually close due to capacity? I have heard this happens on the 4th sometimes. Or can we plan to go into the park after dinner?

maxiesmom · 02-07-2013, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calablovedisney

I thought about watching from the Poly? Not sure it would have the same effect.
We are going to try for the 3rd. Do you have to stay the entire day to see them? Will the park actually close due to capacity? I have heard this happens on the 4th sometimes. Or can we plan to go into the park after dinner?

It is a bit chancy. If you have an ADR in the park for that night though they won't keep you out until the park is at the last phase of closing. So having an ADR would buy you a little extra security.

Or maybe make an ADR for a area resort? The Kona Cafe at the Poly is very tasty. And then you can watch the fireworks from the beach.

Honestly? The one time I've been to WDW over the 4th, we watched the fireworks from MK on the third, and once we were in the park we stayed. I didn't want to take the risk of not getting back in. Not sure if we reached capacity on that day, but by the time the fireworks started the park seemed packed.

I would also suggest going to Epcot on the 4th. Epcot is so large you don't notice the crowds so much. Plus they seem to add some extra bang to Illuminations, and the extra part on the end is wonderful.

preemiemama · 02-07-2013, 08:42 AM

We went a few years ago the week of the 4th. We found that it got more crowded the closer we got to the 4th, and MK was almost closed when we arrived back for our 4:30 ADR at Crystal Palace. We actually left the park after dinner and went to HS. We had no trouble getting in, and found some decent seats on a wall around the lake near the hat about 45 mins-1 hour before the fireworks. It was much less crowded, and the fireworks were pretty good!

I agree with Cheshire Figment that the "rehearsal" on the 3rd is the way to go for MK. We actually had a late (8 or 8:30?) ADR at Tony's and sat in the sunroom- had a decent view of them from there. It is a little obstructed unless you venture outside to Main St., but it was not a bad way to experience them.

IMHO, I'd rather deal with the tour groups than deal with MK that crowded again.

I'm not sure the parks were completely without them, anyway, at that time.

Traveliz · 02-07-2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calablovedisney

I thought about watching from the Poly? Not sure it would have the same effect.
We are going to try for the 3rd. Do you have to stay the entire day to see them? Will the park actually close due to capacity? I have heard this happens on the 4th sometimes. Or can we plan to go into the park after dinner?

In my opinion the effect (the big picture) is far better watching from the Poly. The music is loud (it's piped through the EWP barges), the atmosphere is festive and the view is the best.

Liz

calablovedisney · 02-08-2013, 10:41 AM

Thanks everyone. I am going to try to make ADRs at the MK for dinner. That way we should be able to get in. I think they take credit cards no anyway so I can't imagine they would not let you in and then charge for a no show. Hopefully it won't close to capacity anyway.

Plan B can always be the Poly.

DopeysMom · 02-08-2013, 10:59 AM

I was there 2 years ago and we had ADRs at O'Hana on the 3rd and had a great view. We spent the 4th at HS, but heard MK was full by 1pm.

maxiesmom · 02-08-2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calablovedisney

Thanks everyone. I am going to try to make ADRs at the MK for dinner. That way we should be able to get in. I think they take credit cards no anyway so I can't imagine they would not let you in and then charge for a no show. Hopefully it won't close to capacity anyway.

Unfortunately they would charge you for a no-show. They won't know if you are in the park and just decided not to go, or if you are stuck outside and can't get in. Though maybe Magicband will fix that....

But as of now yes, you would be charged as a no-show. Unless you book The Plaza, which doesn't take your credit card number. And is a very tasty place to eat, imho.

Robo · 02-08-2013, 11:07 AM

MK "Independence Day" Fireworks Crowd on Main St. - July 3, 2009

02-06-2013, 10:52 PM	#1
calablovedisney Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 313	July 3/4th fireworks...best way to ensure seeing them? We are planning to go back to the world in late June/Early July. I really want to see 4th of July fireworks and plan to try and see them on the 3rd)think we are staying until the 5th). I have read various reports on how to handle going to the park on this day and make sure we see the fireworks. One such report was to go in early and stay the entire day until fireworks. WE really like to break midday, but I don't want to miss the fireworks either. any suggestions on how to do this and stay sane with the heat and length of day, etc... There are also some late EMH at MK on the 3rd and would love to take advantage, but now way if we spend the entire day there. looking for advice. thanks.

02-06-2013, 10:54 PM	#2
Cheshire Figment Friend of Figment Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Poinciana, FL (20 miles to WDW) Posts: 36,577	I would suggest going to MK on the 3rd, as they do a "rehearsal" of the fireworks for the 4th. Then on the 4th go to DHS as that is the only night they do fireworks. __________________ 41 WDW Stays Totalling 321 nights between 1987 and mid-2003. Animal Kingdom Lodge; All Stars(2); Beach Club; Boardwalk Inn; Caribbean Beach (9); Contemporary Tower (13); Courtyard (2); Disney Institute; Dixie Landings; Grand Floridian; Grosvenor; Hilton; Old Key West; Polynesian; Port Orleans; Royal Plaza; Shades of Green; Wilderness Lodge; Marriott World Center (3); Other Off-Property (Other Than just 1st or last Night) (8). Now Working Part Time at Walt Disney World! (Guest Services/Ticket Sales/Turnstile Greeter) A few very helpful links which are on DisBoards: Everything About WDW Tickets and this one disABILITIES FAQs

02-06-2013, 11:03 PM	#3
FlightlessDuck Pluto's personal nose scratcher Dumb people spoiling my fun makes me a sad Panda Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 9,512	The one time we were around on the 4th of July, we watched the fireworks from The Contemporary. We didn't step foot into a park. __________________ FlightlessDuck DH of MouseEarsJenny '87: Off Site, '94: GF, '02: FWC, '06: POP, '09: CSR, '10: POP, '12: CSR

02-08-2013, 10:59 AM	#9
DopeysMom Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 112	I was there 2 years ago and we had ADRs at O'Hana on the 3rd and had a great view. We spent the 4th at HS, but heard MK was full by 1pm. __________________ MeDHDD12DD7DD11Mos:

02-08-2013, 11:07 AM	#11
Robo Attention: There's a '71 Castle in the Hub with its lights on! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: In the Magic Mirror, I'm closer than I appear. Posts: 67,627	MK "Independence Day" Fireworks Crowd on Main St. - July 3, 2009 __________________ . . . .

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02-07-2013, 12:04 AM	#4
calablovedisney Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 313	I thought about watching from the Poly? Not sure it would have the same effect. We are going to try for the 3rd. Do you have to stay the entire day to see them? Will the park actually close due to capacity? I have heard this happens on the 4th sometimes. Or can we plan to go into the park after dinner?

02-07-2013, 08:42 AM	#6
preemiemama Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 65	We went a few years ago the week of the 4th. We found that it got more crowded the closer we got to the 4th, and MK was almost closed when we arrived back for our 4:30 ADR at Crystal Palace. We actually left the park after dinner and went to HS. We had no trouble getting in, and found some decent seats on a wall around the lake near the hat about 45 mins-1 hour before the fireworks. It was much less crowded, and the fireworks were pretty good! I agree with Cheshire Figment that the "rehearsal" on the 3rd is the way to go for MK. We actually had a late (8 or 8:30?) ADR at Tony's and sat in the sunroom- had a decent view of them from there. It is a little obstructed unless you venture outside to Main St., but it was not a bad way to experience them. IMHO, I'd rather deal with the tour groups than deal with MK that crowded again. I'm not sure the parks were completely without them, anyway, at that time.

02-08-2013, 10:41 AM	#8
calablovedisney Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 313	Thanks everyone. I am going to try to make ADRs at the MK for dinner. That way we should be able to get in. I think they take credit cards no anyway so I can't imagine they would not let you in and then charge for a no show. Hopefully it won't close to capacity anyway. Plan B can always be the Poly.

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