4th of July

[amyandallie]

Hello- we are planning our first trip to DW with two adults and our five turning six year old little girl. We have decided to go over 4th of July weekend- only because we want to celebrate our daughters bday on the 2nd. I am worried about the crowds/heat and can't decide where to stay. We will probably want some down time to swim...away from the parks- but I have heard that on busy days (4th July)sometimes parks reach cap and people can't get back in if they leave.
I have the CR booked (garden room) close to MK, where I imagine we'll be most of the time- but I love the sound of the YC/BC- pool looks fab- only question is it going to be too croweded to take bus between MK and resort? Polly/GF are out of our price range. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

It will be really really crowded, fun and amazing, but very crowded. Stay somewhere ON PROPERTY, like u are, so that u can walk to a park and avoid eally crowded busses. At CR u can walk to MK if u need to, at YC BC u can definately easily walk to EPCOT or the STUDIOS, so either of those that u mentioned are great choices. Relax, drink LOTS of water, and enjoy your DD!!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

the more I think about it......the more I stay stay put at CR........nice and close to MK,,,,,,,,,,you prob will visit again someday and can THEN stay at BC YC when its not during such a packed week and ease of getting around will be better. Stay CLOSE to MK this trip. Book a dinner upstairs in CR at Cali Grill, around 8 ish, (check firework times) and u will see a great view,its pricey$ but lovely. Staying at CR u may have key access to a high level viewpoint to see em without eating at Cali Grill, Im not sure, check on that!

 

[freshlybarked]

I don't know where you are from, but I live in FL and the July heat is something I hate, yet we always seem to go for 1 trip in July. Here is another hint that works for me. In addition to drinking PLENTY of water, those wet cloths that you put water on and they become cold are a must as is going inside gift shops or a long ride/attraction. It will be crowded, but staying on-site is the best. We go early and come back mid day for a swim and, yes a nap. Then we go back at night. It's doable - obviously doable by the large crowds.

 

[amyandallie]

Thank you! I feel much better about my choice.

 

[amyandallie]

Thank you for the great advice.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

if u havent already done this, book a sit down table service lunch somewhere every day .......if u do lunch its the cheaper meal than dinner so u save money, and u will be at a table service sit down cool restaurant at the HOTTEST part of your day....... I suggest, go to a park EARLY....ride your must do stuff immediately, eat backpack snacks so as not to waste the empty park valuable time...then eat lunch around 1 when its super hot, ride a bit more and then go and swim, nap , relax till the sun goes down, .....rinse repeat!!

 

[Metro West]

 

[NewCrew42]

Welcome!

You are staying at an awesome location. There is not a bus from CR to Magic Kingdom. You could take the monorail to MK. Going to MK the resort monorail stops at the Poly, Tickey and Transportation Center as well as the Grand Floridian before stopping at the Magic Kingdom. I would recommend walking to Magic Kingdom. When you are ready to return to the CR from MK, CR is the first stop.

Also, when traveling to Epcot, you would take the monorail to the TTC. Switch to the Epcot monorail. When returning, you would take the monorail back to the TTC, then switch to the resort monorail.

To travel to DHS or AK you would use the bus system.

You will love the CR!!! Enjoy!!!

 

[amyandallie]

Thank you- I noticed you haven't been staying at the CR the past few times. I am close to changing to the WL- just for more atmosphere- maybe to crowded all the time at the CR??- The pool area at the CR doesn't look that great from the pictures compared to the other resorts- my little girl loves swimming- also have read some not great reviews of CR- now I'm really confused- where to stay where to stay where to stay???? on such a busy weekend.

 

[hawkeyesparks]

I have spent one fourth of July in WDW, and all I can say is, "Holy Crap!"

We went to MK, and in the morning had a great time. I actually rode Splash Mountain 3 times in like 15 minutes, but as the day went on it became something I'll never forget. Their were so many people that when you could find a place to stop outside of the main paths you could look and see the people move as one unit, like water out of a faucet, truly amazing.

With that said, The fireworks was awesome, and we did have a good time. You are absolutely staying in the right place, because you can walk to MK from there if you want to.

You'll have a good time, but be prepared for the people.

p.s. The only time I've seen more people in one place was at Epcot for NEw YEars eve, and then I said, "HOly %*#$"

 

[sdchickie]

I would say stay put at the CR. The pool is not as great as some of the other resorts, but for the weekend you are planning on going convience is key! The biggest perk is being able to walk home if you see that there is a hour long wait for the busses/monorail (which there will be). Something else you might want to think about is adding the water park and more onto your passes, then you can go to something better than a pool! Also, they do the same fireworks show on the 3rd of July so go watch it from the beach at the Poly one of the nights. It's amazing the different perspective you get being outside the park, you can see that they really do have the MK surrounded by fireworks. Very cool! Last year they stopped letting people in around 11AM, but my friend was able to come in around 5PM so I'm guessing some people end up leaving at some point during the day. I didn't want to chance it so we ended up going in around 10AM, it made for a very long day. Last year the heat was unberable even for Florida standards. I agree with the previous poster about booking a sit down lunch, it gets you out of the heat for an hour or so and you need to eat anyway. Very crowded , but totally worth it. These are the best fireworks I've ever seen with the exception of the New Years fireworks at MK.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

cant wait to hear all about the 4th when u get back!!

 

[Disn3y]

Welcome to the DIS! Enjoy your upcoming trip! It will be super busy, but DW is fun no matter what!

 

[DIS B]

We did New Year's this year and that was pretty crazy. However, it was definitely dumb luck that we didn't encounter too bad of waits. We did leave the parks around 3pm on New Year's Eve and spent the remaining evening dining and hanging with our friends at our hotel (YC). We watched fireworks from our balcony. Great time.

My question is whether or not the crowds are worse before or after July 4th? Like, is smarter to do July 1-5 or July 4-7?