4th of July week?? How are the crowds compared to Easter week?

[edk35]

We have been many times in July and Aug. However we have never been during the 4th of July week. We are thinking about a trip next 4th of July. We have been several times the week of Easter and Thanksgiving week. Can someone tell me if 4th of July is wicked crowded? Is it better to start your trip a day or two before the holiday and have most of your vacation days after or vice versa maybe departing for home on the 5th or 6th??

I know that MK does fireworks on the 3rd. Does that mean we have to stay in MK all day in order to see fireworks? Do they ever close MK on the 3rd? If we were to say leave at noon but return at 6 or 7 that night would we get in???


I would appreciate any tips. I know this past summer there were lower crowds at Disney.

 

[Robo]

July 4th is crowed.
If the 4th is on/near a weekend, even MORE crowded.

MK does the same fireworks on July 3 and 4.
MK may close in stage 1, stage 2 or stage 3.

If you have an AP, and/or are staying at a WDW resort, and/or have an MK dining reservation, you won't be blocked from entering
MK under stages 1-2-3.
But, again, it will be very crowded.

MK "Independence Day" Fireworks Crowd on Main St. - July 3, 2009

 

[SanDiegoDayTripper]

Hi! I can tell you about our experience July 2-9, 2015, staying at WL, so last summer. I haven't been in spring since I was a teen, so this is just what we experienced last year.

My daughter and I did not feel like the parks were horribly crowded, but we did pretty early mornings, not RD but at about 30 after opening, and scheduled all of our FPs for mid morning, like 10, 11, 12. We got in 4-5 rides every morning. We then had a TS lunch ADR, always indoors in lovely air conditioning. Then usually back to room, as we are just one adult and a 16 yo, and stayed until around 5-6 p.m. Sometimes went back to an ADR, sometimes just winged it. In room during rest, booked 4th fast pass if we could think of something we still really wanted to see. Had no trouble getting something, and 5th or 6th FP for D-ticket rides. E-ticket rides were our morning FPs. Definitely took advantage of late night hours as well, staying until midnight or later, and did the 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. stint in MK one night.

As far as the actual holiday, we chose the 4th as our rest day, and spent it at the Vineland Outlets. That was a nice break. I booked an 8:00 p.m. ADR for the night of the 4th at the Cali Grill, and we had an AMAZING view of the fireworks at MK, Epcot, and HS. In fact, we started to laugh that the fireworks were getting old. They just didn't seem to stop. Special moment that night -- sound system at CG kept going out, so entire dining room sang God Bless America.

I think with the right plan, mid-day ADRs and breaks, and taking advantage of late nights, going the week of the 4th can work out just wonderfully! Longer hours, every ride working at capacity, and plenty of CMs on duty at parks and hotel.