4th of July week?

[jfelcie]

We will be onsite, BWV, 6/27-7/5. I read that last year the special 4th. of July fireworks were shown the whole week. When and where can I find out the celebrations for this year. Those of you that survived last year's crowds . . . .What do you suggest?

 

[Run princess]

Hmmm. Not sure if they do the special fireworks all week but they do run them at least twice, usually July 3rd and July 4th. Surviving July 4th crowds and heat is all about the attitude! Our usual plan is hit parks early, leave mid-day for pool or to avoid the rain and than back out to whatever park is open late.

We also avoid the parks on July 4th. Epcot is tolerable in the morning but even with all that space it can be unbearable crowds by lunchtime. We either watch the fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian or from the top of Bay Lake Tower (you must be DVC to do this and it may be limited to bay lake only for that day).

 

[WEDWDW]

The week-long 4th of July fireworks shows at MK last year was a one -time deal for Limited Time Magic.

I will just be July3,4 this year.

 

[juliebug1997]

We also avoid the parks on July 4th.

This. After a terrible experience at MK on the 3rd, we changed our plans for the 4th in 2011. We ended up at Typhoon Lagoon and had a nice relaxing day. It was still crowded, but it was much better compared to what we had experienced the day before. We still went to our dinner at Garden Grill though. Not gonna miss Chip and Dale.

 

[Koh1977]

This. After a terrible experience at MK on the 3rd, we changed our plans for the 4th in 2011. We ended up at Typhoon Lagoon and had a nice relaxing day. It was still crowded, but it was much better compared to what we had experienced the day before. We still went to our dinner at Garden Grill though. Not gonna miss Chip and Dale.

Did you stay for the fireworks at Epcot on the 4th then? We are planning on Garden Grill for dinner and staying for fireworks on the 4th this year. Watching the MK ones on the 3rd from the GF. How crowded is Epcot on the 4th then?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[kickash]

We were there for the 4th two years ago. We purposely avoided MK and instead did DHS, starting with an early ADR at Hollywood and Vine. There were about 4 families total in the restaurant! Park was great, became crowded as day wore on, but it is Disney. In the summer. I expect that. Overall we had a wonderful time!

 

[calablovedisney]

We were there last year through the 4th and loved it. We did MK on the 3rd. We went in for an ADR at about 6:30. After dinner we stayed around Main Street since it was so crowded. We were near Casey's Corner in the middle of Main Street for the fireworks. We were packed in like sardines and had our daughters hold on to us when they ended and waited in the stores for a while before we made our way into the park. The park was open until 3 a.m. and we stayed until then. The fireworks were fabulous and we loved staying in the park so late. We think it was worth it. We took a good nap that day to prepare.

On the 4th we went to Epcot. We slept in due to our late night the night before. We had an ADR at Teppan Edo for dinner. It was also crazy crowded. People find spots and just hang out for hours. I thought that was nuts until we tried to walk around. We did walk a bit and tried to do a couple of rides, but I think we only managed Nemo. We ended up between Japan and America to watch the show and we think it may have been even better than MK the night before. We took our time leaving the park, letting the bulk of the crowd get ahead of us. If extreme crowds bother you, you won't like it. But, we think it was worth it. My kids still talk about it. Both nights were spectacular and a great way to end out trip. Wish I was doing it again this year.

 

[juliebug1997]

Did you stay for the fireworks at Epcot on the 4th then? We are planning on Garden Grill for dinner and staying for fireworks on the 4th this year. Watching the MK ones on the 3rd from the GF. How crowded is Epcot on the 4th then?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I think we got sat well after our ADR time (7 PM ish) and didn't see the start so we left ahead of the crowds. However, it did not feel that crowded.

 

[bluwater]

I have a poor "crowd+heat" attitude. I avoid that week. But, to be constructive it depends if u r on site or not. Off site, avoid emh parks. On site: do emh mornings then park hop to a different park. Avoid mid day anything. Don't be In a hurry. Be ok with non-park days (be sure you like your resort). Get up early - do rope drop: late arrival during 4july week is a deal breaker. Be prepared not to eat in parks if you don't have ADRs. Be prepared for lots of rain.....big storms midday. Expect rain everyday. Dont leave the park when it rains....it may be your only shot to ride more rides. Lower your expectations - then hope for the best.

 

[Koh1977]

I think we got sat well after our ADR time (7 PM ish) and didn't see the start so we left ahead of the crowds. However, it did not feel that crowded.

I thought they start at 10pm on the 4th? (Epcot's)

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[photo_chick]

This. After a terrible experience at MK on the 3rd, we changed our plans for the 4th in 2011. We ended up at Typhoon Lagoon and had a nice relaxing day. It was still crowded, but it was much better compared to what we had experienced the day before. We still went to our dinner at Garden Grill though. Not gonna miss Chip and Dale.

This is where subjectivity comes in. We were in MK on the 3rd in 2011 and loved it. It was an awesome day for us. Of course we did DHS on the 4th and it was awful at fireworks time but I'm sure that some people loved it. Just not us.

Can't wait to get back there for July 4th this year!

 

[EeyoresTwin]

The family and I were there last year for the week of the 4th. We watched MK fireworks on the 3rd and it still seemed pretty busy. We watched fireworks at Epcot on the 4th and admittedly we arrived a little late (1hr before the show) and we ended up watching the show from the walkway between FW and WS right near the monorail overpass. The path around WS was absolutely ridiculous. Especially tight near the Mexico Pavillion(perhaps because of the margarita stand). But, overall the parks are crowded, people do camp out many hours ahead, but proper planning and picking perhaps a less obvious viewing spot will work in your favor. The major pathways do get congested the closer to showtime you get, but if your expectations are reasonable you won't be disappointed.