4th of July

[luckyman_apd]

Just got back from 5 days at SSR and had a great time, so of course.....planning next years trip. We are thinking of staying over the 4th of July. I have no idea what crowd levels are like, difficulty in securing a reservation over that time (I currently have 5 nights of BLT over the 4th but we were looking for 10 at BWV....and I'm not borrowing points unless I know it's really difficult anyway, or I can see what's open at 7 months). Any insite into booking/staying during the 4th of July is appreciated.

We are not opposed to skipping the park on July 4th at watching fireworks from BLT, or doing a split stay.

 

[bobbiwoz]

This year the TOTW was only opened to people staying at BLT, so that's omething to consider.

We've done the 4th of July once a few years ago. The MK had the special fireworks on the 3rd & 4th, so we went there on the 3rd and to Epcot on the 4th. The foreword were spectacular both nights.

There's a patriotic show at the American Garden theater on the 4th. It was cute. The parks were crowded, and it was hot. We stayed at BCV.

We're doing HHI next 4th of July!

Bobbi

 

[NoleFan]

This year, MK did a special fireworks show the week of July 4th. TOTW was blacked out on the 3rd & 4th unless you were staying @ BLT. We stayed at BC on the 7th (I think?). We enjoyed seeing the fireworks show @ TOTW. It was not too crowded but we had heard the parks & resorts were much more crowded earlier in the week. Weather was pretty hot like someone else mentioned. Did not cool down until about 7pm!

We had a great time!

 

[luckyman_apd]

I can handle the heat.....we were just there for 113 degree heat index on Thursday....and I'm considering borrowing now and staying at BLT, and if BWV is open at 7 months, we can bank the currrent years extra points and save.

 

[hakepb]

2 years ago, I was able to book a 1BR BWV standard for the week of July 4. I was not able to get BLT standard on the nights of the 3rd and 4th, otherwise BLT standard was available.
You may have significantly less luck with a studio or 1BR.

This years crowds were larger than 2012. For the 1st time in my 15+ WDW trips, I actually thought rope drop (and waking up early on vacation) might be a good idea. Any fireworks shows on the 3rd and 4th will be beyond insanely busy, but worth the unique experience.

 

[bookwormde]

Stayed at BLT over the 4th 2 years ago.

Great watching the fireworks at MK on the 3rd but actually liked watching the fireworks around Orlando from BLT on the 4th, must have been 30 or more displays that we could see

Crowds were heavy but manageable.

 

[luckyman_apd]

After talking it over with the wife, we have July 1-3, 4-10 booked in a SV BLT studio. We have the 3rd waitlisted. I like the idea of fireworks on the 3rd in the park, and watching them from BLT on the 4th. If BWV SV is open for some nights, then maybe we'll switch for the 5-10th. I'm beginning to think I need more BLT points

 

[boswellnakia]

We did our very first DVC stay over this past July 4th. The crowds weren't so bad except on July 4th. We were in Epcot. I go there early and was able to ride/see everything that I wanted. The people started staking out spots for the fireworks 5.5 hours before they started. It was the largest crowd that I have ever seen in Epcot. They taped off walking lanes around World Showcase. That being said, the fireworks there were awesome! I would go back just to see the Epcot July 4th again.

We saw the MK fireworks on July 2 from ToTW lounge. We got there about 20 minutes before the started and was able to go up even though we were staying at OKW. It wasn't crowded at all and a wonderful view of the Celebration in the Sky Fireworks. I wish they were longer as MK's show seem short.

We were there July 1-5 and it seemed like it rained the majority of every day, but we tolerated that much better than the heat that it could have been.

 

[hakepb]

We did our very first DVC stay over this past July 4th. The crowds weren't so bad except on July 4th. We were in Epcot. I go there early and was able to ride/see everything that I wanted. The people started staking out spots for the fireworks 5.5 hours before they started. It was the largest crowd that I have ever seen in Epcot. They taped off walking lanes around World Showcase. That being said, the fireworks there were awesome! I would go back just to see the Epcot July 4th again.

We saw the MK fireworks on July 2 from ToTW lounge. We got there about 20 minutes before the started and was able to go up even though we were staying at OKW. It wasn't crowded at all and a wonderful view of the Celebration in the Sky Fireworks. I wish they were longer as MK's show seem short.

We were there July 1-5 and it seemed like it rained the majority of every day, but we tolerated that much better than the heat that it could have been.

No kidding, I've never spent so much time in a poncho than all my other WDW trips combined, many more hours of rain than the typical Florida 15-45 minute daily shower...but without full sun there was not too much heat.

 

[luckyman_apd]

I have heard that the MK does special fireworks for several days. Is Epcot special only on the 4th? I like the idea of world showcase fireworks...as you can enjoy a few beverages there. We were there for an 8:45 reservation at Tokyo dining. While we were waiting illuminations started. We were not up against the glass, but I wonder if you could reserve a window seat for that time on the 4th? It might be worth it to get a "front row" seat without getting there 5 hours ahead of time.

 

[boswellnakia]

MK did their fireworks all week long this year as part of the "Limited Time Magic" I think, but Epcot's was only on that one night. For Epcot, it was the "normal" IllumniNations and then a special July 4th addon at the end which was shot from behind the American Pavillion or on top of it. I don't think you would see much of the special fireworks from a dining location in Japan.

We were near the bridge to Mexico. We could also see part of the fireworks from Celebration and Holllywood Studios. It seemed like Hollywood Studios had the biggest fireworks show, but their's was only on July 4th too.

 

[hakepb]

Typically, the MK fireworks are on the 3rd and the 4th, but DHS only has fireworks on July 4th (and NYE). EPCOT adds 5 minutes to illuminations on the 4th, I believe.

 

[luckyman_apd]

MK did their fireworks all week long this year as part of the "Limited Time Magic" I think, but Epcot's was only on that one night. For Epcot, it was the "normal" IllumniNations and then a special July 4th addon at the end which was shot from behind the American or on top of it. I don't think you would see much of the special fireworks from a dining location in Japan.

We were near the bridge to Mexico. We could also see part of the fireworks from Celebration and Holllywood Studios. It seemed like Hollywood Studios had the biggest fireworks show, but their's was only on July 4th too.

Thanks. Yeah, it doesn't sound like we would see much LOL! We are going July 1st to 10th. Only room I didn't get was the 3rd, but it's waitlisted. I could get a lake view in case the standard view doesn't come thru, but I have plenty of time to decide that. I just hate borrowing more than I need, only to then bank current points. I am thinking of just staying at the TOWL and watching fireworks from all around Orlando as another suggested. We didn't sit for fireworks this last trip.....We actually caught them coming out of the Pooh ride with the kids. Not an ideal viewing location, but no crowd to deal with while getting a few extra rides in.

 

[NeedMorePoints]

My wife and I did a split stay, July 3 & 4 at BWV and the remainder of a week at OKW this year. Rain was very heavy on the 3rd but fortunately stopped just before the fireworks at MK. Even with the rain, we were directed to the staging area behind Main Street due to the heavy crowds. The fireworks were fantastic especially the finale which seemed to completely surround the whole park.

July 4th we did Epcot, complete with two Voices of Liberty shows at the American Garden Pavilion. We found a viewing place for the fireworks about one and half hours before start time. Park was very crowded. We did hear that MK went to Stage 3 or 4 (no more guests allowed) at approximately 11:00 AM that day so this most likely added to the guest count. The fireworks were very good (after the normal Illuminations show), however when walking back to BWV we caught some of the HS fireworks. Those looked fantastic.

The next time we go to WDW over the 4th I will want to see the HS show.

 

[Mickey527]

I love the 4th of July fireworks at Epcot and have seen them every year for the past 7 years.
My son had leave this year during that time so he went with me.
I staked out a spot at 5 pm at the handicap area and he took my grandson on rides until about an hour before Illuminations started. I always bring a book to read while I wait but I wind up chatting with the people around me.
He has already asked me to book a room for next year, he thought the fireworks display was fantastic and he wants to see it again.
I try and get to Polynesian on the 3rd for the MK fireworks. It is really fun to sit on the beach with a Pina Colada and watch the fireworks from there. we usually stake out a chair about 3 hours before, grab dinner at Captain Cooks and of course a Dole whip. I lke the view for the fireworks better there than at TOTW since you see them straight on. The only problem I have is that the volume for the music is very low and you can't really hear it on the beach.