4th of July - Insane???

[KristinU]

Hi All,

I wasn't sure where to post this, so kind moderator: please feel free to move it to a different forum if needed...

Here's my set-up: we are fairly seasoned WDW veterans, but we typically head down in the fall. We have done a couple of other trips, but they have been in other "off-seasons" so we know what to expect during the lower attendance times of the year, but...my BIL and his family won a WDW trip at a school fundraising auction for the week surrounding the 4th of July. They've asked if we can meet up with them for part of the time since they know we go to WDW pretty frequently. We live literally on opposite ends of the country so we're trying to make this work since we don't see them often at all (we have a 6 year old neice that we haven't met!).

So my questions are:
How crazy-busy will it be?
How crazy-hot will it be?
What kind of special things are going on for the 4th?

Any tips or suggestions for a July trip would be appreciated!

TIA!!!

 

[Robo]

How crazy-busy will it be?
How crazy-hot will it be?
What kind of special things are going on for the 4th?

Chances are that it will be as hot and humid as it ever gets: sweltering and tropical. Who can predict the weather, but July and Aug. are the worst!

You can plan on riding about 5-7 attractions at MK if you stay from open-to-close and use FastPass.

This will be about the "most opposite" of going in off-season as you will find (at least at Christmas, it cooler!)

You'll get to see Special Fireworks (oh boy, more HEAT!)

 

[Magic2000]

We've been three times for the week of July 4th, and other than the heat - the crowds have been fine! We've been able to ride many rides each day, especially using fast pass! My two older girls probably ride Big Thunder and Splash Mountain at least 10 times each day we're at Magic Kingdom!

What works best for my family is to get to the parks early, take a mid-day break - go back to the hotel and rest/swim, then go back at night! It is going to be hot, but you should be able to get a lot done at each park!

We usually spend 4th of July at Epcot - the fireworks show is awesome!!!!

Be sure to make at least one ADR each day - that way you know you'll get whatever restaurant you really want to eat at without a long wait. We've seen some restaurants turning people away without a reservation!

Enjoy your trip! We almost made plans to go back for July 4th, 2006; but my DH couldn't get off of work that week. So, we'll be back in June!

 

[psiprez]

If it was your first trip, and you were in full commando mode, I'd say you are crazy for sure.

BUT...since you are vets, and have been many times, I'm guessing you are beyond the "gotta see it all this trip" mentality. I think you will have a great time in July! Visiting the World in a new season will be fun and refreshing (even if the heat and crowds aren't).

 

[disneyfanfamily]

We went this year in July and 2 years ago in July (the week of the 4th...the only vacation my husband can get because the whole factory closes the plant down...)

It is crowded and hot...but we had so much fun that we don't remember that part as much as the awesome time we had.

We used the morning early entry and got a ton done in that 1 hour. I bet we rode 8 rides on those days at MK. We also got everything we wanted to do at Animal Kingdom and Epcot in the mornings by 11:00. I have to say around noon it gets busy.

If you plan right, it will be great. We are fairly new Disney people, but we did a lot, so if you are vets you will do great...

Have fun!

 

[beccasmom]

We've done this twice and were talking about doing it again this weekend! It is very hot and humid (big surprise there!! ) and the crowds are somewhat intimidating. But if you are veterans, that may not bother you. For first-timers, I think it would be tough. Keep in mind that the MK may stop allowing people to enter if it gets too crowded, (especially on July 4), so get there early and enjoy the party! Mid-afternoon lunch/swim/nap breaks would be a great idea. Staying on-site would help tremendously with this. Keep hydrated, dress for the heat and wear lots of sunscreen (you'll be standing in line a lot!). Try one of the water parks for a day. As long as you are prepared and flexible (you probably will not see/do everything you want) and go with the flow, it is doable. And you're in WDW - even under less-than-perfect conditions, it is still wonderful!

 

[LiteBrite]

We went down for our first 4th of July this past summer (been many many times at different times of year, just never the 4th of July). It was kind of spur of the moment and we only went to the parks that one day. We chose Epcot because of its capacity to deal with large crowds. We had a great time! Do the smart things - get there early, have a plan, use fast pass, leave in the afternoon for a swim, make ADRs - you'll be fine. It helped tremendously that we stayed at the Dolphin that night. First it made it easy to go back for the afternoon swim, then after the fireworks (incredible, by the way - so worth it!) we strolled back to our room, avoiding the nightmare crush of people waiting for buses/trams/parking lot traffic. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[emmabelle]

We went to Disney July 4th week in both 2002 and 2003, and went at Christmas 2004. It was definately more crowded Christmas week. It's busy July 4th week, but not insanely busy. In 2003 we tried to do MK on the 4th at night, but it was unbearably too crowded for us, so we hopped over to MGM and that was fine. It's hot, but if you're in Disney with friends you'll have a blast.

 

[boomhauer]

You can plan on riding about 5-7 attractions at MK if you stay from open-to-close and use FastPass.

I would bet good money this is false. At the most crowded, using fastpass, you can do a good amount of the rides/attractions. Follow a touring plan, and you'll be just fine.

 

[KristinU]

Thanks everyone!

It sounds like if we keep expectations light and plan to spend a lot of time swimming that we'll be OK. We're DVC members and our home resort is Boardwalk - since we're just in our home resort booking window right now I went ahead and made the reservation this morning. It sounds like we'll probably be best served staying at BW and going to the Epcot fireworks so we can walk back. I don't know where BIL's family is staying or where they'll want to do fireworks, but I'm fine with splitting up since their kids are older and our DS will be 2.5 at the time...all the more reason to have a quick escape plan after fireworks! I hope we can steer BIL's family into some advanced planning and scheduling since this is their first time and really pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime trip since they live on the west coast and have older kids in a lot of activities all year around - it is tough for them to get away like this and I hope it will be a fun time for them. Hmmm...perhaps a Passporter or Unofficial Guide for Christmas for them!

Thanks again!

 

[boomhauer]

Staying at Boardwalk - You'll be just fine. Like you said, you can walk back to the resort and go swimming if the park gets too much.