4th of july at Magic Kingdom

[lemonears6]

Though we have been to Disneyworld many different times if the year, this will be our first 4th of July at the Magic Kingdom! We are super excited. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions? Does the park usually reach max capacity at some point during the day?

 

[Alesia]

MK won't reach max capacity, but it will definitely be pretty busy.

Since they do the MK fireworks on both the 3rd and the 4th, I would go to MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th

 

[ChrisParker]

We'll be there with you!

 

[kj2mom]

My advice is to prepare for the worst (crowd wise) and hope for the best. We were staying off site so we planned to get there super early and do as much as we could until lunch (most rides were no lines no waiting, just the amount of time it took to walk through the que to get to the beginning of the ride). I had made an ADR for lunch which we used as our afternoon break so to speak (nice AC and leisurely meal). After our meal we did the parade and then had all of our FPs. It was glorious to just be walking by everyone in the Splash line mid afternoon because we had our FP. For us, waiting in line would have been much more torturous in the heat of the day than in the morning so it made sense for us to do standby in the am and FP in the pm. We headed to our firework spot once our FP were used and yes, it got crowded but we had put ourselves in a good spot that we were comfortable with. After the fireworks we got a quick bite to eat then did a few more rides until closing. It was a fantastic day and it went MUCH better than I had expected. Sure, we were hanging out with thousands of sweaty new friends but all in all it was a wonderful experience and one I would totally do again. With that being said, plan for the heat, be prepared for the crowds and just enjoy the day. I don't think you will be disappointed! Oh, I had made the ADR in case capacity levels started to be reached (we were off site so that concerned me a little) but our particular year (2015) I don't believe there were any closures. Have fun!!!!

 

[lemonears6]

My advice is to prepare for the worst (crowd wise) and hope for the best. We were staying off site so we planned to get there super early and do as much as we could until lunch (most rides were no lines no waiting, just the amount of time it took to walk through the que to get to the beginning of the ride). I had made an ADR for lunch which we used as our afternoon break so to speak (nice AC and leisurely meal). After our meal we did the parade and then had all of our FPs. It was glorious to just be walking by everyone in the Splash line mid afternoon because we had our FP. For us, waiting in line would have been much more torturous in the heat of the day than in the morning so it made sense for us to do standby in the am and FP in the pm. We headed to our firework spot once our FP were used and yes, it got crowded but we had put ourselves in a good spot that we were comfortable with. After the fireworks we got a quick bite to eat then did a few more rides until closing. It was a fantastic day and it went MUCH better than I had expected. Sure, we were hanging out with thousands of sweaty new friends but all in all it was a wonderful experience and one I would totally do again. With that being said, plan for the heat, be prepared for the crowds and just enjoy the day. I don't think you will be disappointed! Oh, I had made the ADR in case capacity levels started to be reached (we were off site so that concerned me a little) but our particular year (2015) I don't believe there were any closures. Have fun!!!!

Good to know. We might book a lunch reservation to relax around 1:00 or so.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Though we have been to Disneyworld many different times if the year, this will be our first 4th of July at the Magic Kingdom! We are super excited. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions? Does the park usually reach max capacity at some point during the day?

It's our first time on the 4th, too!

After seeking some advice here I made my FPs for Mickey and Minnie, Pooh and 7DMT. We have the dessert party booked, so we wanted to stay on that side.

We plan to stay until closing (fingers crossed). I would love to get over to HM and Splash and POTC. I hope some of the crowds move out after the fireworks. We aren't getting there until 4pm or so in order to stay as late as we can.

 

[leiaorgana]

Sounds like the entire forum’s going to be there on the 4th this year....

My advice to you is try and get there early and do as much as you can early on because after about 3:00pm the park becomes a zoo. Even things like the Peoplemover, the Laugh Floor and the restrooms get long lines on the 4th so plan ahead. You just need to go in with an open mind and know you’re prob not going to get a whole lot done if you don’t get there earlier in the day and to just go with the flow and take in the atmosphere. Use your fastpasses wisely.

The worst areas for bottlenecks in the park tend to be the pathway between Peter Pan and Small World, Tomorrowland by Buzz and the pathway near Winnie The Pooh on the 4th. You pretty much can’t move in the hub about an hour before the fireworks start but the CMs do a good job of keeping pathways clear and directing people.

Make sure you stay hydrated because it’ll be hot. If there is any reservations left anywhere for TS lunch then try and get one because like a pp said it’s a nice break and you don’t have to worry about long lines or trying to find a table at a CS. We’ve got a lunch reservation at The Plaza on the 4th this year exactly for this reason. We’ve been going to MK on the 4th for over 15 years now and have our “battle plan” down to a tee.

Fireworks are at 9:15pm (weather permitting) and most people tend to start staking out spots in the hub around 6:00 - 6:30pm for the fireworks but the beauty of these fireworks is that they’re 360 degrees so you can see them from other places in the park. The only thing you miss out on not being in the hub is the Stars & Stripes being projected on the castle.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Sounds like the entire forum’s going to be there on the 4th this year....

My advice to you is try and get there early and do as much as you can early on because after about 3:00pm the park becomes a zoo. Even things like the Peoplemover, the Laugh Floor and the restrooms get long lines on the 4th so plan ahead. You just need to go in with an open mind and know you’re prob not going to get a whole lot done if you don’t get there earlier in the day and to just go with the flow and take in the atmosphere. Use your fastpasses wisely.

The worst areas for bottlenecks in the park tend to be the pathway between Peter Pan and Small World, Tomorrowland by Buzz and the pathway near Winnie The Pooh on the 4th. You pretty much can’t move in the hub about an hour before the fireworks start but the CMs do a good job of keeping pathways clear and directing people.

Make sure you stay hydrated because it’ll be hot. If there is any reservations left anywhere for TS lunch then try and get one because like a pp said it’s a nice break and you don’t have to worry about long lines or trying to find a table at a CS. We’ve got a lunch reservation at The Plaza on the 4th this year exactly for this reason. We’ve been going to MK on the 4th for over 15 years now and have our “battle plan” down to a tee.

Fireworks are at 9:15pm (weather permitting) and most people tend to start staking out spots in the hub around 6:00 - 6:30pm for the fireworks but the beauty of these fireworks is that they’re 360 degrees so you can see them from other places in the park. The only thing you miss out on not being in the hub is the Stars & Stripes being projected on the castle.

Do the lines stay really long up until closing time?

 

[leiaorgana]

Do the lines stay really long up until closing time?

Most people tend to start leaving right after the fireworks finish tbh but Main Street and the hub are chaos for a while.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Most people tend to start leaving right after the fireworks finish tbh but Main Street and the hub are chaos for a while.

Thank you! I figured it would be a while before we can safely leave the plaza garden.

 

[leiaorgana]

Thank you! I figured it would be a while before we can safely leave the plaza garden.

You’re welcome! Yeah, that’s probably the best plan!

That’s one of the main reasons we’ve stopped watching the fireworks in the park and get reservations for Narcoossee's and watch them from there instead on the 4th. Makes the night much more enjoyable and we don’t have to deal with all of the crowds trying to leave at the same time.

Hope you have a great time at the Dessert Party They normally have some special red, white & blue Cupcakes etc on the 3rd & 4th to make it extra special.

 

[Klayfish]

Do the lines stay really long up until closing time?

I agree with PP that the lines will go down after fireworks. If you're going to stay, stay for a while. The zoo leaving is...well...a zoo. Same thing as Xmas. You know we stay offsite, so we had to get to the TTC. The monorail line was ridiculous. Once we rode the resort monorail. The next time we rode the Poly ferry and walked from there to the TTC. Waaaaay faster than waiting for the TTC ferry or monorail. Though to WDW credit, they do a great job with those. It's one Express monorail after the next, they're lined up...and one big ferry after the next. But with so many people leaving, only so much they can do. Patience is required.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I agree with PP that the lines will go down after fireworks. If you're going to stay, stay for a while. The zoo leaving is...well...a zoo. Same thing as Xmas. You know we stay offsite, so we had to get to the TTC. The monorail line was ridiculous. Once we rode the resort monorail. The next time we rode the Poly ferry and walked from there to the TTC. Waaaaay faster than waiting for the TTC ferry or monorail. Though to WDW credit, they do a great job with those. It's one Express monorail after the next, they're lined up...and one big ferry after the next. But with so many people leaving, only so much they can do. Patience is required.

Yeah I figured it would be chaos. That's why I am making everyone sleep late and rest that day!! I want to close it down.

 

[DarthGallifrey]

This will be my first year going during the 4th as well but I decided to watch all the crazy from California Grill on the 4th itself haha

 

[kj2mom]

Just a note for anyone off site (or driving)...at the end of the night there is a bus to the TTC (in addition to the ferry and monorail). It is not as widely known as the monorail and ferryboat so sometimes the wait can be significantly less...emphasis on sometimes...it really just depends on how many people are aware of that option.

 

[lemonears6]

It's our first time on the 4th, too!

After seeking some advice here I made my FPs for Mickey and Minnie, Pooh and 7DMT. We have the dessert party booked, so we wanted to stay on that side.

We plan to stay until closing (fingers crossed). I would love to get over to HM and Splash and POTC. I hope some of the crowds move out after the fireworks. We aren't getting there until 4pm or so in order to stay as late as we can.

That’s awesome. We got out FP for splash,big thunder and space. Did not see any for 7DMT left. Will Mickey be in any 4th of july theme wear? We are going open to close.

 

[lemonears6]

Sounds like the entire forum’s going to be there on the 4th this year....

My advice to you is try and get there early and do as much as you can early on because after about 3:00pm the park becomes a zoo. Even things like the Peoplemover, the Laugh Floor and the restrooms get long lines on the 4th so plan ahead. You just need to go in with an open mind and know you’re prob not going to get a whole lot done if you don’t get there earlier in the day and to just go with the flow and take in the atmosphere. Use your fastpasses wisely.

The worst areas for bottlenecks in the park tend to be the pathway between Peter Pan and Small World, Tomorrowland by Buzz and the pathway near Winnie The Pooh on the 4th. You pretty much can’t move in the hub about an hour before the fireworks start but the CMs do a good job of keeping pathways clear and directing people.

Make sure you stay hydrated because it’ll be hot. If there is any reservations left anywhere for TS lunch then try and get one because like a pp said it’s a nice break and you don’t have to worry about long lines or trying to find a table at a CS. We’ve got a lunch reservation at The Plaza on the 4th this year exactly for this reason. We’ve been going to MK on the 4th for over 15 years now and have our “battle plan” down to a tee.

Fireworks are at 9:15pm (weather permitting) and most people tend to start staking out spots in the hub around 6:00 - 6:30pm for the fireworks but the beauty of these fireworks is that they’re 360 degrees so you can see them from other places in the park. The only thing you miss out on not being in the hub is the Stars & Stripes being projected on the castle.

What is TS? We are so excited to go!! We have been so many different times of the year so now we are getting brave and can’t wait to try the 4th. We always go with a open mind and just to enjoy ourselves rain or shine, or crowd. We plan to go open to close so I know a little sit down brake will be great. Where is the best place to watch the fireworks? Right in front of the castle or down Main Street? ( if we can brave the 4th maybe I can talk my husband into Christmas)

 

[Klayfish]

What is TS? We are so excited to go!! We have been so many different times of the year so now we are getting brave and can’t wait to try the 4th. We always go with a open mind and just to enjoy ourselves rain or shine, or crowd. We plan to go open to close so I know a little sit down brake will be great. Where is the best place to watch the fireworks? Right in front of the castle or down Main Street? ( if we can brave the 4th maybe I can talk my husband into Christmas)

TS = table service

As to where to watch the fireworks, that's really up to you. Anywhere from the castle to about half way down Main Street is great (with obvious exceptions like if you're behind a tree). Just know that the closer you are to the castle, the earlier you will need to be. And on the 4th, it will get packed...shoulder to shoulder packed...in the hub.

 

[AngiTN]

MK won't reach max capacity, but it will definitely be pretty busy.

Since they do the MK fireworks on both the 3rd and the 4th, I would go to MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th

It often does for people not staying on site, buying single day tickets bought at the ticket counter, and without a dining reservation or some other type of thing inside the park. At least for a short time during the day.
Doubt that applies to the OP, or many readers here for that matter.

We too prefer MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th.
Last year we really lucked out with a massive storm on the 4th, if you can call it that. Rolled in right about 8:15ish or so. Right in the middle of the Voices of Liberty last set. Delayed fireworks for quite some time. Cleared lots of folks out of the park but they did set the fireworks off eventually. If you had the wherewithal to wait them out you had small crowds left.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I'm over here hoping everyone goes to Epcot for the final 4th of July Illuminations.