4th of July Fireworks at MK and Epcot

[MagicalDaze]

Making WDW plans for 3rd and 4th of July and noticed the Magic Kingdom calendar lists no fireworks or special events either day and the Epcot calendar just lists Luminous on both days . . .does that sound right? People discussed special fireworks at MK on July 3rd and what I thought was a special 4th of July fireworks show at both parks last year - do we think nothing currently listed on park calendars means the holiday fireworks shows aren't happening this year? Just want to make sure I plan to get us to the right spot if there's gonna be a special fireworks show.

 

[Girlstar30]

Making WDW plans for 3rd and 4th of July and noticed the Magic Kingdom calendar lists no fireworks or special events either day and the Epcot calendar just lists Luminous on both days . . .does that sound right? People discussed special fireworks at MK on July 3rd and what I thought was a special 4th of July fireworks show at both parks last year - do we think nothing currently listed on park calendars means the holiday fireworks shows aren't happening this year? Just want to make sure I plan to get us to the right spot if there's gonna be a special fireworks show.

That is interesting, Disneyland already has the 4th of July fireworks posted.

 

[MagicalDaze]

That is interesting, Disneyland already has the 4th of July fireworks posted.

I'm assuming they'll have a special fireworks show at least at MK but think it's strange that nothing's posted less than a month out. Frustrating given it's their policies that make me have to plan reservations, etc. this far out.

 

[muppets3d]

Generally they do the special Magic Kingdom fireworks on the 3rd and 4th.

The Epcot special fireworks are only on the 4th. It's really the same show as always, just a short epilogue I guess you could say at the end that celebrates America, directly over the American pavilion.

They typically announce this a week or so before the celebration as I recall.

Often they'll have a military flyover over Cinderella's castle on the 4th as well.

 

[sethschroeder]

WDW is always a mess with giving information for the 4th.

Plan on MK being 3rd and 4th and Epcot being 4th for special fireworks. Additionally plan on the walking path and boat being closed around the fireworks time for MK on the 3rd and 4th.

 

[muppets3d]

WDW is always a mess with giving information for the 4th.

Plan on MK being 3rd and 4th and Epcot being 4th for special fireworks. Additionally plan on the walking path and boat being closed around the fireworks time for MK on the 3rd and 4th.

Why do they close the walking path and boat? When you say boat do you mean the resort ferries, the TTC ferries, or both?

 

[sethschroeder]

Why do they close the walking path and boat? When you say boat do you mean the resort ferries, the TTC ferries, or both?

They close all of it because they shoot fireworks from the water and then need to clean up afterwards. The nice thing is Disney doesn't tell you any of this. hahaha

So yes TTC ferry and the resort boats are all closed during that time. Your only option is the monorail or bus.

They even shutdown the boats to Wilderness area as well.

To clarify if going to BLT that path should still be open its the walking path to VGF/POLY/TTC that is closed.

 

[muppets3d]

They close all of it because they shoot fireworks from the water and then need to clean up afterwards. The nice thing is Disney doesn't tell you any of this. hahaha

So yes TTC ferry and the resort boats are all closed during that time. Your only option is the monorail or bus.

They even shutdown the boats to Wilderness area as well.

To clarify if going to BLT that path should still be open its the walking path to VGF/POLY/TTC that is closed.

This is very useful information for me because I will be staying at the Grand Floridian over the Fourth this year. Thank you!

Is the view of the fireworks better from Grand Floridian, or within the park in your opinion?

 

[sethschroeder]

This is very useful information for me because I will be staying at the Grand Floridian over the Fourth this year. Thank you!

Is the view of the fireworks better from Grand Floridian, or within the park in your opinion?

It really depends what you want but with 2 nights of fireworks you could actually do both. With how crazy it is I personally avoid the parks on 4th of July fireworks night and we normally do Animal Kingdom that morning hoping the crowds are not as bad there.

I think fireworks from the GF/POLY area is fine but its not going to be like being on Main Street or next to the castle. You will get the benefit of seeing the fireworks on the lake.

Videos: (Poly view 1st vs MK view 2nd)

 

[sethschroeder]

Here is the take away. If you are only going to be at MK one time in your life on 4th of July and you are okay with crowds? Go in MK, go early, stake out a spot, and take turns in your group getting in the AC.

My one tip if you go to the park. Take your time leaving and don't be in a rush. That way the boat or walking path will reopen.

Our personal choice with young kids each time has been to avoid it.

 

[MagicalDaze]

Here is the take away. If you are only going to be at MK one time in your life on 4th of July and you are okay with crowds? Go in MK, go early, stake out a spot, and take turns in your group getting in the AC.

My one tip if you go to the park. Take your time leaving and don't be in a rush. That way the boat or walking path will reopen.

Our personal choice with young kids each time has been to avoid it.

Thanks so much for all the information - feeling pretty glad we booked BLT in anticipation of crowds and transportation difficulties. One more question: do they typically extend MK park hours on the 3rd and 4th or do they actually close things down at 10pm?

 

[sethschroeder]

Thanks so much for all the information - feeling pretty glad we booked BLT in anticipation of crowds and transportation difficulties. One more question: do they typically extend MK park hours on the 3rd and 4th or do they actually close things down at 10pm?

I dont remember any extended hours. They even have the week of the 4th moved the extended hours of Deluxe to AK as well.

I would think hours are set at this point and will not be changed.

 

[sethschroeder]

@MagicalDaze actually strike that. Normally MK closes at 11pm on the 4th and right now its only until 10pm. I went back and checked.

There is a chance they update this when they announce the fireworks possibly.

I haven't been paying to close attention to park hours for our trip yet as been focusing more on food and LL.

 

[muppets3d]

It really depends what you want but with 2 nights of fireworks you could actually do both. With how crazy it is I personally avoid the parks on 4th of July fireworks night and we normally do Animal Kingdom that morning hoping the crowds are not as bad there.

I think fireworks from the GF/POLY area is fine but its not going to be like being on Main Street or next to the castle. You will get the benefit of seeing the fireworks on the lake.

Videos: (Poly view 1st vs MK view 2nd)

I'll definitely be in EPCOT on the 4th, I can't miss the Voices of Liberty and the special fireworks show that day. Now on the 3rd I am undecided, whether I'll be in MK or watch the fireworks from the beach at Grand Floridian.

 

[sethschroeder]

I'll definitely be in EPCOT on the 4th, I can't miss the Voices of Liberty and the special fireworks show that day. Now on the 3rd I am undecided, whether I'll be in MK or watch the fireworks from the beach at Grand Floridian.

3rd shouldn't be as crazy. Many don't realize it has special fireworks and simply are thinking of where to go on the 4th.

How hard is it to see voices of liberty? Never seen them but I know people speak highly of them.

We are at BCV so could walk in.

 

[muppets3d]

3rd shouldn't be as crazy. Many don't realize it has special fireworks and simply are thinking of where to go on the 4th.

How hard is it to see voices of liberty? Never seen them but I know people speak highly of them.

We are at BCV so could walk in.

They perform throughout the day in the rotunda of the American Pavilion in EPCOT. On the 4th they do traditional patriotic songs. If you've ever been in there they have a few benches but you really want to be close to them under the rotunda if you can.

It will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Been doing MK on the 3rd and Epcot on 4th for quite a few years now. Once viewed it from the dock of the TTC which was pretty cool as you got to see all the extra launch points.

It's super crowded in the parks but for some reason I always find Epcot on the 4th manageable.

 

[pinkxray]

They close all of it because they shoot fireworks from the water and then need to clean up afterwards. The nice thing is Disney doesn't tell you any of this. hahaha

So yes TTC ferry and the resort boats are all closed during that time. Your only option is the monorail or bus.

They even shutdown the boats to Wilderness area as well.

To clarify if going to BLT that path should still be open its the walking path to VGF/POLY/TTC that is closed.

That is interesting. I had no idea they closed the resort boats. We are staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins, but are having dinner at California Grill on July 3 during the fireworks.

Are the boats closed for awhile? Was planning on doing the CR-FW boat back, but we do have a car and can drive to CR if needed.

 

[sethschroeder]

That is interesting. I had no idea they closed the resort boats. We are staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins, but are having dinner at California Grill on July 3 during the fireworks.

Are the boats closed for awhile? Was planning on doing the CR-FW boat back, but we do have a car and can drive to CR if needed.

I could be misremembering.

They shutdown the boats somewhere around 30 mins to 1 hour prior to fireworks if I remember correctly.

The part I can't remember is how long before they start running the boats again. We were staying at VGF and coming from WL for dinner but took the bus from WL to MK to get back.

My suggestion is going down to the dock on the July 3rd and asking the boat crew. They should know for sure the timing.