4th of July suggestions....PLEASE?????

[TheresaNY]

This will be our DDs (11 & 7 ) first trip to WDW. We'll be there for 13 nights at CSR including the 4th of July. Does anyone know what special events usually occur or have any ideas on what we should do and where we should be? The CM when I booked only said to pick one park and stay there ALL DAY because if we leave we might not make it back. Which park ?? Any comments on CSR?? All advice and opinions greatly appreciated !!

 

[turbodisney]

It will be crowded that day. But resort guest still get in, even if they close it to the public. Magic Kingdom will be the busiest.

The fireworks will be longer. Having been many times, I would go to MGM and watch the fireworks there. We like them at MGM and are sorry they don't do it there anymore on a nightly basis. They will have them all week at Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

We will be at WDW on the 9th. Hoping to miss the 4th of July week and the crowds. Not sure how it is then.

Most of all, take your time and go early. Just enjoy what the day brings you.

 

[airhead]

Looks like I'll see ya there!!!!

 

[CarolA]

Resort guests are guranteed admission to A park, not always the park of thier choice (I think).

However, last year I spent the day by the pool and then went to MGM a few hours before closing to watch Sorcery in the Sky. I then HOOFED it over to Epcot to see Illuminations and thier special fireworks.

I had no trouble getting in either place. (Even made it to Epcot in time to buy a beer before the fireworks started!)

 

[sugermouse]

WE WILL BE JOINING YOU!!!!!!!

 

[colleen costello]

We were there two years ago and avoided parks entirely on the 4th. A nice CM told me about being trapped in "a sea of bodies" on a previous 4th when her shift at the MK ended, and that didn't sound like fun to me. Instead, we swam and relaxed all day. There are poolside activities at some of the resorts. That said, the MK fireworks are not to be missed. We had dinner reservations at the Polynesian and watched from there. It's hard to describe how wonderful the fireworks were -- you didn't know where to look because so many were exploding.

I have read here that Polynesian guests have been upset about the onslaught of visitors who want to watch the show from the pool/beach. If it were me, I would make a late dinner reservation at 'Ohana or somewhere at the Grand Floridian and watch from either of these resorts. Especially at the Polynesian, I doubt they will allow visitors to park and visit that evening. But if you have a prioroty seating you'll be allowed in. The view of the fireworks from 'Ohana is great.

PS: We love Coronado. The grounds are lovely, especially at night. I have been told there is even a little alligator in the lake, but you have to look for him early in the morning! The pool is one of the best on property. Enjoy!

 

[gm]

We went to MK at around 5pm and they were announcing that MK was at Capacity in the Monorail but still let us in since we were staying onsite.

We were standing near the castle with a SEA OF BODIES. It was terrible!!!. They roped the area off near the castle entering tomorrowland. Once you entered tomorrow land, you could not come back near the castle or main street until the firework show was over.

We finally headed to frontierland also with so many people that you could not move but just look up in the sky towards the fireworks. Never again on Fourth of July.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

We are planning to spend the day in Epcot. Figure it's the most spread out. Hopefully it won't be wall to wall people, but if it is, I'll just suck it up and deal.

 

[TheresaNY]

Thank you all for the suggestions and ideas !! I have no idea what we will do - really like the information that I am getting though !! Any ideas where we might be able to pull over in our van on one of the Disney roads just to watch the fireworks ?? Seems like resort hopping is out of the question.....really don't want to miss MK fireworks though.

 

[colleen costello]

There is a path from the Grand FLoridian that runs along the beach toward the Polynesian. You might watch from there. As far as I know the only problems in the past have been that so many visitors crowded the Poly -- some behaving rudely -- that registered guests couldn't enjoy the balconies or pools they were paying for. The parking is limited at the Polynesian. At the Grand Floridian, though, public parking is more ample and a bit remote. As you approach the resort entrance, self parking is to the left. You could park there and then walk onto the GF grounds -- perfectly legal -- and find a spot along the beach to watch. I don't think anyone would object to this. The area between the two resorts is kind of "no man's land."

You might also use the bus system to get off at the MK stop but not enter the park. Anywhere between the MK and Contemporary -- along the brick walking path -- would be a good spot. There is a public observation deck on the Contemporary's 4th floor, but I expect it will be crowded. The deal with the July 4th fireworks is that they are "perimeter" ones, shot off from spots all around the lake as well as from Main Street and the castle. That is why they are so great and why a view from somewhere around Bay Lake is so good.

Have fun!