4th of July Weekend

[barreloflaughs]

Probably not the best time for our first visit to Disneyland but it cannot be helped! (actually we were in the Disneyland parking lot twice in one day back in Nov. 1988 but that doesn't count)....

We'll be visiting the parks for 3 days. We have the option of choosing between these 2 sets of dates for park visits:

Fri. 6/30
Sat 7/1
Sun 7/2

OR

Sat. 7/1
Sun. 7/2
Mon. 7/3

I'm inclined to think that the first option would be best. Any local experts think otherwise? Assuming Option 1, does anyone have any thoughts as to which days are best to attack Disneyland and which day (or half day) is best to do DCA.

Thanks much in advance..............................barrel

 

[iceskatejen]

It's going to be busy either way. Option one might be slightly less crazy as more people would be able to take that Monday off than the Friday I would think. Make sure you get to the parks early. I would do DCA on Saturday either way. Go to DL that morning anyway (you'll be able to get quite a few rides in that early) then hop to DCA around 9:30-10 (Soarin' opens at 9:30). After doing what you want ride/show wise in DCA, go back to DL for a bit. Hop back to DCA if you want to see Block Party and the Electrical Parade.

You can always hop back and forth on any day--the park entrances are only about 200 yards from eachother. If DL is getting too crowded for you, go to DCA for a while. Sometimes it's DCA that's more crowded (don't ask me why, but it happens).

 

[ErinJill]

I went to Disneyland in 2003 during the week before 4th of July. It was busy, but definately not unbearable. July 4th was completely insane, but the days leading up to it were okay. Whichever week you go, just go with a relax mentality - don't stress about the crowds and think up ways to have fun despite all the people.

Here are my favorite ways to cope with crowds:
When the afternoon seems hectic and crazy, grab an ice cream and find some shade!

Head to the Disney Gallery above Pirates - it's air conditioned and usually fairly uncrowded.

Go to Disneyland first thing in the morning and if it starts feeling too crowded, head over to DCA. DCA feels more open and I think it usually less crowded.

At DCA spend hot and busy afternoons in the Animation Building in Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Ahhhh...I could spend all day in there!

Use fast pass!!

Beware of crowds at Fantasmic! It's still worth seeing, but go into realizing that you will be surrounded by thousands of people and after the show know that it will be a zoo trying to leave. My husband and I usually find a place on the riverside and just wait for the people to clear out before we try to leave, too.

Whenver you go - have fun!!!!

 

[karylrocks]

I agree that the first option would be better because a lot of people will have the 4-day weekend including Monday. Do as much as you can in DL first thing on Friday because that will be the least busy time. Start collecting as many fastpasses as you can throughout the day to be used that afternoon and evening. If you have EE, use it on Saturday morning to do Peter Pan and anything else you want to do in Fantasyland, then do what Jen said. I think she lives in Disneyland so she always knows what she is talking about.

 

[iceskatejen]

I don't technically live there (I wish I did), but I'm there so much it sometimes seems like it. I do refer to it as home (even though my real home is an hour from there).

 

[mello]

It was crowded, but manageable. It was actually quite festive, and we had a good time. I agree that Friday will be slightly less busy than Monday, and I'd do DL on Friday - see the parade & fireworks that day. Then do DL again early Saturday before CA opens. Once CA's open, head over there. When it closes, head back to DL and do rides during the parade/fireworks. We employed that strategy on the 4th, and it actually worked out fine. The only time the crowd was unbearable was on Main St. for the fireworks on the 4th. I've never seen such a mass of humanity packed in so tightly, so I'd avoid that scenario. Then Sunday you can hit the high points and do the less crowded attractions, or hang out by the pool.

 

[barreloflaughs]

Thanks to all for your suggestions! Much appreciated!

barrel

 

[Ella1]

We arrive on the 30th June and we will be visiting the parks up to and including 4th July (then after until the 18th). We are going for the atmosphere on the 4th, not really to do any rides, as coming from England, we don't have anyhthng like your 4th July over here. We were at WDW last year for the 4th July and we spent it at Discovery Cove followed by an evening at Seaworld.
Love Ella

 

[heidimn]

We will be there the 2nd to the 5th of July also. We are planning to not do the fireworks on the 4th, but rather the 2nd or 3rd. May even go off site the evening of the 4th - my son wants to do Excalibur, and that may be just the day to do that! We are at GCH so will try to go into DL early on the 3rd, and do that and then keep CA for the 4th.

 

[ItzKaren]

We were at DL from July 1-7 in 2002. Since we enjoyed the fireworks and wonderful evenings at the park leading up to the 4th of July, on the 4th, we decided to celebrate in a different way. We were staying at the DLH on the 8th floor with a view of DL. (is that 'resort' view?) We decided to watch the fireworks from our room! (Yes, you miss the music.....but still have a great view of the fireworks)

We made an evening of it. We ordered room service for dinner (cheeseburgers for DH, myself, DS-then 15 and DD-then 9).....we opened the drapes & sliding glass door all the way......moved some cushions from the couch to the floor......and enjoyed "our" fireworks!! No crowds to navigate through......just a comfy place to watch the fireworks. We really enjoyed that....and since we were fortunate enough to have 6 nights at Disneyland.....we decided to take a break from the crowds.....especially on the 4th. And.....we all had on our red 2002 4th of July t-shirts that I had purchased for the occasion.....except....we were all in our room! lol

That was a great trip........now I'm in the midst of planning our first DD and mom "solo" trip without DH and DS........we're going in July to celebrate her 8th grade graduation and her 14th birthday. Can't think of a better place to do it!!! Thanks for letting me enjoy the memories of 4th of July 2002!!