4th of July weekend

[juliebee]

I am considering going to Disneyland for the 4th of July weekend. I read that prior years weren't bad for crowds due to the Magic Key blackouts for that day. Do you think that it will be reasonable crowds this year as well? Will they do Paint the Night that weekend? I have never seen it because we traveled during the Christmas holiday season and they weren't doing PTN so I'd love to catch it this time.

How long prior to the fireworks would we need to find a place?

Also for the flag retreat, do you have to sign up in advance to participate? My husband is a former Marine and we saw the flag retreat on our last trip, but didn't know how the service members were selected before. I know he'd really honored to be part of the 4th of July ceremony.

Thanks, any help would be appreciated!

 

[Wedgeout]

If able to lock it in this year, it should be a spectacular day. 250th anniversary! Not sure how selection works but usually on the service holidays, each branch will get recognition during the ceremony.

I will never wait long hours for any fireworks. I’m a walk up guy. With Main Street projections during fireworks. Mid Main St on toward the castle from there is best overall.

No clue on their main parade and cavalcades scheduled for the 4th.
(My best & unique paint the night walk up is Fantasyland. You do the roped parade route crossing spots at Matterhorn-Tea Cups. Each break, cross, uturn, watch behind rope & repeat).

(Don’t miss the special Soaring during this time!)

Thank you for your service! I always enjoy when my Navy Corpsman wife is recognized.

 

[LKing]

This year, the 250th fireworks show will be on July 3rd, 4th and 5th. That should spread out crowds a bit.

July 3 - two MK can attend, three are blocked, single day ticket $184
July 4 - one MK can attend, four are blocked, single day ticket $199
July 5 - two MK can attend, three are blocked, single day ticket $184

Paint the Night ran last year on July 4. Viewing for PTN filled very early. On July 4, projections are on the Matterhorn as well as the castle, Small World, and ROA.

 

[KPeterso]

I am considering going to Disneyland for the 4th of July weekend. I read that prior years weren't bad for crowds due to the Magic Key blackouts for that day. Do you think that it will be reasonable crowds this year as well? Will they do Paint the Night that weekend? I have never seen it because we traveled during the Christmas holiday season and they weren't doing PTN so I'd love to catch it this time.

How long prior to the fireworks would we need to find a place?

Also for the flag retreat, do you have to sign up in advance to participate? My husband is a former Marine and we saw the flag retreat on our last trip, but didn't know how the service members were selected before. I know he'd really honored to be part of the 4th of July ceremony.

Thanks, any help would be appreciated!

I definitely consider it a great day to visit. I have also been on the 3rd and 5th before and found those to be great days as well..

I definitely watched Paint the Night on the 4th last year. I know I lined up early (and believe it was in front of the train station as I like that area). Made friends while waiting for sure! I did not stay for fireworks, but would have seen the high ones from there for sure. I was on the tram and in the garage during fireworks. There were quite a few of us watching from there though!

For flag retreat, there is no sign up needed. Just get there early. Flag retreat starts typically at 4:15 (might be 4:30 in the summer again - double check that day) and for the 4th, I would be in the area by 3:30. There is a very loyal following for flag retreat and many will be around the flagpole area around that time. Each branch of the military gets honored and all members of that branch are invited to come forward at that time to be right in the center. There will be a lot of service members that day, so it makes it a great day to see it. Hopefully I will be there on the 4th again this year. I go to flag retreat every time I visit Disneyland (and if a multi day staycation, every afternoon).

 

[juliebee]

Thank you for that info! It sounds like it would be a special moment to be part of the flag retreat. It was awesome to see my old Marine husband tear up at the flag retreat that we saw. I don't know how we missed it before but just happened by it in December and it really captured my husband's heart.

 

[dina444444]

This year, the 250th fireworks show will be on July 3rd, 4th and 5th. That should spread out crowds a bit.

July 3 - two MK can attend, three are blocked, single day ticket $184
July 4 - one MK can attend, four are blocked, single day ticket $199
July 5 - two MK can attend, three are blocked, single day ticket $184

Paint the Night ran last year on July 4. Viewing for PTN filled very early. On July 4, projections are on the Matterhorn as well as the castle, Small World, and ROA.

I got a curb spot on Main Street for PTN last year where I wanted to watch fireworks from. This was the only way to guarantee I would be where I wanted to be for fireworks on Main Street. I started mulling around the area around 6:15-6:30 and we were allowed to sit just before 6:45 (8:45 PTN show) and the area filled up super fast.

 

[OlliePop27]

The 4th is a great weekend to visit! I went the last two years and crowds were very manageable, except the actual night of the 4th for fireworks. Since they are showing the special fireworks for 3 nights this year, I suspect crowds will be more reasonable. I expect PTN to show every night during July.

 

[Wedgeout]

4th is on a prime night Saturday. Everyone going to be celebrating that weekend Friday-Sunday. Should rephrase that. Every Patriot will be!! And that’s a lot of people!!