Any park besides MK ever fill to capacity on July 4?

[MichelleB]

Anyone know?

 

[Robo]

Order of likelihood:

MK-Very likely to reach some stage(s) of closure.
DHS-Slightly possible.
DAK-Very unlikely.
Epcot-Won't happen.

 

[MichelleB]

Robo...what about MK on July 3? We have ADR at 1:20 & then want to stay for fireworks. Do we have to go in morn or safe to go about noon?

 

[Robo]

Robo...what about MK on July 3? We have ADR at 1:20 & then want to stay for fireworks. Do we have to go in morn or safe to go about noon?

What is unique about this year is that July 3 is a Friday (and the legal holiday.)
That could mean a LOT more guests flooding into WDW.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens.
If I wanted to -for sure- be in MK on July 3rd, I'd get there by around 10:30AM and not leave.

 

[danny1649]

What is unique about this year is that July 3 is a Friday (and the legal holiday.)
That could mean a LOT more guests flooding into WDW.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens.
If I wanted to -for sure- be in MK on July 3rd, I'd get there by around 10:30AM and not leave.

Good advice I think same thing,

 

[Imagineer22]

What are the chances of a stage 4 closing where resort guests don't get in to the MK on Saturday?

 

[MichelleB]

What are the stages?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

What are the stages?

http://www.wdwmagic.com/park-closing-phases.htm

 

[MichelleB]

So since we're staying on property and have an ADR, we'd be ok unless they hit phase 4. Is there a way to know what phase they're on before you get there? Will they post it on MDE or something?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

So since we're staying on property and have an ADR, we'd be ok unless they hit phase 4. Is there a way to know what phase they're on before you get there? Will they post it on MDE or something?

They will have it all
Over the news. Disney closing makes big news in Orlando.
Usually it doesn't stay at that closure for long. Though the 4th due to the very special fireworks may be different.

 

[Robo]

The point is that nobody (nobody) can say what will actually happen.

If there is no overcrowding problem, all will be well, go about your business, no worries.

BUT…
If there IS an overcrowding problem, and it really MATTERS to you that you must be in MK at X time for Y events…
Go early.

That's all that can be done.

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

Studios won't be crowded this year as many people have found out the usual rock concert with Mulch, Sweat and Shears playing before and during the fireworks is not happening. Disney decided on a DJ instead. The band playing live Rock music to the fireworks show brought the crowds and was unique. Guesses are that this will send more people to EPCOT or MK.

 

[photo_chick]

FWIW.. We have done July 4th week twice now. Last summer and in 2011. I had the same fear you do the first time, that we'd be shut out of the park we wanted to be in. It didn't happen on our trips but then both times we've gone the 4th was during the week. We also did MK on the 3rd both trips and a different park on the 4th. You can check at Guest Relations to see if they think they're going to hit capacity, they were very helpful when we did so on our first trip. Epcot is awesome on the 4th, BTW. Lots of great patriotic things going on. Also the July 4th fireworks at MK are different than Wishes. They go off all around the park and there's not a bad seat in the place. But if you want the castle view you're going to have to camp there very early in the afternoon. We saw people claiming spots very early in the afternoon this last trip.

And if you notice the countdown ticker I've got.. the next trip is July 4th, 2018!

 

[MichelleB]

Thank you for the info photo_chick! We are planning to go to MK on the 3rd and then Epcot on the 4th! I'm going to gamble and plan to go into MK around 11:30. My DD wants to stay until 3 a.m. when they close and there's no way I can handle that if we go in at RD. We picked Epcot for the 4th since so many posted about special things and that it normally doesn't fill to capacity.

 

[bbjunkie]

DISCLAIMER--what I am about to say is based on what I have read and not my experience. I have not been for the the 4th of July.

From what I understand, the Fireworks at Epcot are behind The American Adventure and are amazing. Because Epcot has so much land/space, it would seem like it might be the best choice for that night.

Also, after having a lengthy conversation with a CM while waiting at rope drop, she reported that IF it looks like the parks will close due to capacity, they try to pre-warn the resorts as early as possible because they want their on-property guests to have the opportunity to make it in. Now, this was one CM in one conversation, but I have no reason to not believe her (she was a long-time employee, having been there for more than 10 years) it came up because we were talking about the recent 24-hour day.

 

[MichelleB]

I hate crowds so MK wasn't first choice for the 4th. I brought DD17 on a special mother/daughter trip and she really wants to be in the park to see the fireworks on the 3rd and 4th or I wouldn't go in at all.

 

[bbjunkie]

And honestly, I almost wonder if being at the TTC is where you really want to be for the MK fireworks? They pump in the music and you would get the full view of all of the fireworks. Anyone have an opinion/ experience with that?

 

[Robo]

And honestly, I almost wonder if being at the TTC is where you really want to be for the MK fireworks? They pump in the music and you would get the full view of all of the fireworks. Anyone have an opinion/ experience with that?

Great location.

You can see the MK fireworks shows very well from the TTC
(and, yes, they pipe-in clear, crisp audio from the show.)

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside

observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the

Grand Floridian. Anyone can stand on Narcoossee's Deck.

The outside deck is not a part of the actual restaurant. (All serving is done inside.)

The deck is accessed from the sidewalk outside the restaurant.

Also, good viewing from the Patio overlooking the Marina.

The sound of the show is piped into these areas too.

At the Contemporary, there is viewing on an outdoor

observation area on the 4th floor.

The California Grill observation areas are reserved for patrons that day of the Grill or Bar.

(Fireworks shown above are simulated.)



At Wilderness Lodge, the "secret place" to watch the MK fireworks is from the northern area of the Cast Member (CM) Parking Lot.

At the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds Marina (angle shown on the map below,) some of the view (especially of the "Fantasyland" pyro) is blocked by the now unused Discovery Island in Bay Lake and by the high-rise buildings of the Contemporary Resort.

But, the view from the Ft. Wilderness' sand beach (farther north) is more open.

Still the tree-level can block the views of the lower-firing pyro.



Here are the angles of the views in the Bay Lake area.

Below are the angles of the views in the Seven Seas Lagoon area.

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As for viewing from INSIDE the dining area of restaurants

(you usually need ADRs for most, and they are usually busy during the shows)...

you can see (and hear) them at California Grill at Contemporary,

'Ohana at the Poly, at Trader Sam's and Trader Sam's outdoor patio at the Poly, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian,

and (if you have access there) the Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower.

----------------------------------

 

[MichelleB]

We are staying at Bay Lake Tower so think we'll watch them on the 4th from here but DD wants to see them from in the park too so we'll do that on the 3rd. She wants to go into Epcot on the 4th but not necessarily watch their fireworks. Wants more to see any characters in USA attire.

 

[MichelleB]

Wow, Robo….thanks for all the information!!!!