4th July

[cheryl.UK]

The first full day of our holiday will be the 4th July.

So the question is, what do we do with it? Do we battle the crowds to one of the parks and if so which one?

Anyone know if there's anything special we should do? It's unlikely we will ever be there again on this date so if there is something special, we don't want to miss it.

 

[xox_Violet_xox]

Hey

I've been in WDW on the 4th of July a few times.
The first time we steered clear and didnt go anywhere near it on the day

The second time we had an ADR at Princess Breakfast at Akershus in Epcot. We were staying in CBR at the time so we were at MK for opening, parked the car as close to the TTC as possible and got the monorial to Epcot and spent the morning there. It wasn't too busy at all, we met Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Chip and Dale all in full 4thy July attire at the American Adventure and had them all to ourselves for a good 10 minutes.

We headed back to CBR for a bit, and had made an ADR at TTS in the MK to guarantee we'd get in, and then managed to battle through the madness via a makeshift walkway through the backstage area to watch the fireworks. They were pretty impressive if i'm being honest!

Now whenever we go we usually just spend the day in Epcot

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

This was (what ended up being) our last park day last year. We had decided to go to Universal for the day due to hearing Disney often ended up at capacity. We had a good day, queues there were long but manageable - I hate to think what Disney's would have been.
It was hot hot hot and there was a massive thunderstorm about 5pm (We got stuck between Toon Town and Jurassic Park) and got so ridiculously soaked that we decided to call it a day. We ended up getting pizza from Dominoes and sitting in our hotel room watching TV.
Though, we'd been talking to a couple of TMs at Universal and they seemed really excited about the fireworks, it was a shame we missed them as it was the whole reason as to why we had booked to be there around that time.

 

[Red-Snapper]

Just my opinion but I wouldnt waste a day at the parks on 4th July (well MK anyway)

We have been several times and it was always a hot and bothered day with a minimum hour wait for even the rides you can usually walk on.

MK usually at capacity by 11 or 12 adn it stays that way until close. (We left at lunchtime the last time we were there on the 4th - went back at 6pm and they were turning cars away at the car park booths.

Might be different now I suppose given the economic turndown, but I doubt it.

On the other hand I know some people think the atmosphere of a jam packed
MK on 4th July is worth all the hassle....

For you first day I would have a lazy day by the pool or DTD and then go somewhere where you can get a good view of the fireworks across the parks (they have more on 4th July and seem to join up across MK and Epcot- at least it looks that way from a distance)

 

[babystar]

We were there in 2009 for 4th July, we spent the evening at celebration (trying to avoid the crowds but still get a bit of a experience) I wouldnt do it again with small children!! Everywhere we went was SO SO busy.

You can watch the MK fireworks on the beach at the poly hotel and last year they had the 4th July firework on the 3rd and 4th so if you are looking for something a little more relaxed that is a option.

 

[cheryl.UK]

We were there in 2009 for 4th July, we spent the evening at celebration (trying to avoid the crowds but still get a bit of a experience) I wouldnt do it again with small children!! Everywhere we went was SO SO busy.

You can watch the MK fireworks on the beach at the poly hotel and last year they had the 4th July firework on the 3rd and 4th so if you are looking for something a little more relaxed that is a option.

That was the conclusion we were coming to, nice meal at the Poly and watch from the beach.

We don't really care about 'wasting' a day as we have annual passes. We went in August last year so we will have had almost 7 weeks use out of them, bargain! As for the rest of the day, maybe AK. My guess is it will be the least busy.

 

[Ann B]

Whenever we have been there on the 4th July we always go to EPCOT world showcase. It is busy but not crazy busy!! We also watch the special MK fireworks on the 3rd as they are performed that night too!
HTH