4th of July ideas or info needed

[wifey]

We realised we'll be in Orlando for Independance Day next year, how extra busy will it be?? Having seen the effects of Presidents Week and ThanksGiving we are curious about the queues and how soon the dining ressies fill up. Is there alot of extra firework displays etc and do transport companies provide extra buses for off site guests to accompany the longer park hours? We are staying off site and fly home on the 5th july .

 

[loadsapixiedust]

We were there last year for 4th July. We spent the day at Discovery Cove which was a perfect way to avoid the crowds, it was heaven. We then went on to MGM for the special fireworks in the evening. The park was packed to bursting but the atmosphere was great and the fireworks were fantastic.
MK has the special fireworks on the 3rd and 4th so we were able to catch them on the 3rd, again very impressive and worth the effort even though the park was packed.
I haven't heard of any special arrangements for travelling from offsite hotels, a lot of the shuttles do not run late enough for fireworks normally. I would budget for a cab.

 

[gems_smiling]

We were there last year for the 4th July too and we went to BB that day and spent the evening at the hotel (AKL). We were worried about the crowds too but our plans worked out well and we didn't notice any difference in the crowds compared to the other days. This year we are going in September and i am worried about Labour day lol I'm such a worrier.

 

[Red-Snapper]

Usually the main parks will be very crowded and close by lunchtime to new arrivals.

We went to MK once but decided not again as it was full by 11.30am and the waits for everything were very long.

Second year we left it until 5.00pm to go but even then they would not let us in.

The fireworks across Disney on the 4th are larger and it is worth it to see them from a distance - from where we were (LBV) it seemed as though they had extra going off between the parks.

 

[disneyholic family]

the 4th is one of the busiest days of the year (right up there with christmas and new years). Busier than you thought the parks could ever be (you don't have to bother standing up, the crowds will hold you up - like the ginza in japan if you've ever been there)..

having said that, i wouldn't be anywhere but in the MK for the fireworks on the 4th....but i say that as an extremely patriotic american (and i do mean extreme) who cries when i sing the star spangled banner...

so perhaps it wouldn't be quite so heart-wrenching for a Brit....

 

[Minniespal]

Independence Day after 9/11 we spent in the MK. The park was so busy and reached maximum occupency on several times during the day. We lose count of the amount of Americans who approached us and thanked us for visiting the USA. We did the KTTK tour and had dinner in the LTT. The park was packed and it took us 90 minutes to get from Main Street to the parking lot. It was a long but fantastic day.