4th of July planning help needed

[4Rfamily]

We switched our dates for free dining and now I need some info to reconfigure our plans as we will be there over the 4th. We are 2 adults and 2 kids 9 & 4. Our initial thought was we wanted to avoid the crowds and would do AK on the 4th. But I'm wondering if we shouldn't consider some alternatives.

I've heard there are special shows the 3rd and 4th and at MK and Epcot. Is it both dates for both parks? Does HS have something?

If we do one or both of the Independence day shows is that instead of the normal MK/E show? Or tacked on in addition to?

We will be at POP- Thoughts on just watching whatever we could see from there or driving to another less crowded but publicly accessible location to see? Currently we have a Cape May reservation at 7:20 on the 4th. Can we watch Epcots from the beach or Boardwalk? Will we fit within the allowable time for parking if we do?

We are planning an Artist Point dinner on one of the nights. Is there a view from there of the Magic Kingdoms show if we could get a reservation on the 3rd or 4th?

Besides the crowds, the main issue I'm trying to address here is not burning my kids out. We want to see the normal/nighttime shows at MK, E and HS (2 if they are still doing the night star wars show) plus the parade but also RD several days and take midday nap breaks, plus working in our TS meals. We have 10 nights, 8 day tickets and the hoppers but it feels like quite the challenge to make these objectives blend.

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

MK and has July 4th fireworks on the 3rd and 4th. No HEA on these nights.
Epcot should have their regular nighttime fireworks show with the special July 4th tag ending. Epcot's is on July 4th only.
HS will have normal Star Wars fireworks and Fantasmic.
AK normally doesn't do anything special. But AK had a special NYE Awakenings at The Tree of Life for the first time this year, so I suppose it isn't out of the question that they come up with something for July 4 this year.

I really really recommend not going to MK on July 4th. Do it July 3rd if you want to see those fireworks. They are pretty cool. I like doing MK the 3rd and epcot the 4th because we get to celebrate twice.

 

[maxiesmom]

Mk on the 3rd, Epcot on the 4th. The Magic Kingdom will still be very busy on the 3rd, but is still pretty doable. If you can snag a dessert party, it would be money well spent. Otherwise plan on squishing onto Main Street about 20 minutes before the fireworks. Or if you don't care about the projections, behind the castle is a great location.

This last 4th we did a Rose and Crown ADR about 2 hours before the fireworks. It was just enough time to eat, and then go to their reserved viewing area. The Epcot fireworks are impressive!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Or if you don't care about the projections, behind the castle is a great location.

I agree with everything you said above, just wanted to note that the special 7/3 and 7/4 MK fireworks show does not have a material projection component to it, only castle accent lighting changes and a few stars. Which is good as those that want to escape the Hub aren't really missing much, other than watching the show and surrounding fireworks "framed" with the castle in the center.