4th of July?

[Dustball]

Has anyone been during 4th of July? We have other plans and can only go on July 3rd (evening), July 4th, and July 5th (morning)....Staying at SSR (requested to be near Springs). Any suggestions? Do you think the parks will be ridiculous? Should we attempt MK?

 

[maxiesmom]

4th of July at the Magic Kingdom is packed. The 3rd will be too, though it is a smidge less crazy. If you can, go to MK on the 3rd, Epcot on the 4th, and hit a park early on the 5th. Everyone sleeps in on the 5th so if you can get to a park you will get on a lot of rides! We did MK on the 3rd and 5th, and the difference was amazing.

 

[TheWeasel]

The 3rd in the evening will be crowded because they do the 4th of July Fireworks that night also. If you go on the 4th and 5th, make sure you are there right at rope drop. Have a plan! By 12 pm it will be packed. We've done it for many years and still enjoy it.

 

[msr709]

We have planned to go to AK on the 3rd in the day and go to MK at night to see the fireworks. We are staying onsite, would we still be turned away if park is packed? I've made my FP+ ressies already, should we switch it around? We would still leave park after day parade since we are traveling with a 4yo that needs a nap. Any suggestions? Also we plan on going to EPCOT on the 4th in the evening, would that be OK, I mean attendance wise? Planning on spending the day at TL.

 

[maxiesmom]

We have planned to go to AK on the 3rd in the day and go to MK at night to see the fireworks. We are staying onsite, would we still be turned away if park is packed? I've made my FP+ ressies already, should we switch it around? We would still leave park after day parade since we are traveling with a 4yo that needs a nap. Any suggestions? Also we plan on going to EPCOT on the 4th in the evening, would that be OK, I mean attendance wise? Planning on spending the day at TL.

Would your 4 yr old sleep just riding around in a stroller? Or if you were on Carousel of Progress? Once you leave there is a possibility of not getting in once the park starts to fill up.

 

[TheWeasel]

Epcot on the 4th is not a problem. We got there about two/three hours before the fireworks and actually found a good viewing area after walking around for a while. It is crowded but do-able. By the way, a day at TL in July can take its toll on everyone.

 

[patrickpiteo]

Epcot on the 4th is not a problem. We got there about two/three hours before the fireworks and actually found a good viewing area after walking around for a while. It is crowded but do-able. By the way, a day at TL in July can take its toll on everyone.

TL?

 

[TheWeasel]

Typhoon Lagoon

 

[patrickpiteo]

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Has anyone been during 4th of July? We have other plans and can only go on July 3rd (evening), July 4th, and July 5th (morning)....Staying at SSR (requested to be near Springs). Any suggestions? Do you think the parks will be ridiculous? Should we attempt MK?

Which parks are you interested in visiting? Park hoppers or not? Would help with recommendations.

 

[Dustball]

We are very flexible as we have been many times.... I was hoping to see the MK special fireworks, but if it is "epic crowded"
will try to see from outside of the park. So far thinking either MK (or not! ) on Friday 7/3 evening after 8:00 (which is when we can get there....)
Epcot on Sat 7/4, and Sunday will go to MK (if we don't go to MK Fri night...). I was told that Epcot is doable on 7/4. If not and it is crazy, we would
consider HS if they have fireworks?

Hope this helps and truly do appreciate insight from anyone who has done this before....

 

[rubbergypsy]

we have gone on the 4th many times
have not done it the past two years but we are going this year
in the past we never did a park day so we would stay at resort do a little shopping always eat at ohana and see the fireworks from either the restaurant or the beach
magic kingdom ridiculous but after the fireworks tons leave the park so if its open late go after fireworks

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

We've been the past several years over the 4th of July. We've seen all the fireworks shows and think Epcot definitely has the best show.

This year we will be at MK on July 3rd -- which we did last year as well as a couple years prior. Before that, we watched from Grand Floridian and Polynesian after dinner reservations. Definitely the show is better from within the park versus outside. We found space along Main Street once it started filling it, probably about where bakery/Starbucks would be. Only about 45 min-1 hour out I believe. It does get crowded but doable and gives you a good perspective of fireworks both in front of you and behind. You would also be able to secure at least the 3 FP rides, plus be able to go on more the later you stay as crowds thin out. Fireworks are at 9 pm instead of 10 pm so looks like you would enter right onto Main St, find your spot and then get to do attractions after.

Epcot on July 4th is good. They have some extra activities throughout the afternoon by American pavilion. Have also seen patriotic displays in the Land. Lots of people in Red White & Blue creates a cohesive all American atmosphere. Can't comment on finding a location to watch Illuminations (at 10 pm this night) as we've had Rose & Crown reservations, but plenty of room around the lagoon. Definitely recommend having a good view of American pavilion thought. Extra July 4th tag at end is awesome!

Previous poster is correct about park not being busy morning of July 5. We hit MK and really felt lower crowds than ususal those first few hours, but then the masses arrive after sleeping in more than other days.

We did watch fireworks at HS last year just to say we've seen all 3 parks July 4th shows. They were good but not as good as their New Years or even the Frozen fireworks. I would rather see those on the 3rd or 5th.

Wherever you are those days, the 3 FP will definitely help get in attractions with otherwise long waits. You may have better luck securing hard to get ones as two parties of one with overlapping times.

Have a fun time!

 

[Greg K.]

We've done both Epcot and MK on the 4th and prefer the fireworks at Epcot -- the post-IllumiNations show is incredible.

Having said that: anywhere will be crowded. Be prepared. And be prepared to have to stay in the park all day. At some point, they may close the parks due to full capacity, so getting back in could be problematic.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

We were at WDW last year over the 4th. Got to MK at rope drop on the 3d and it was pretty packed by noon. But do-able. We had planned to stay for the fireworks; however, my mother and DD were worn out by 4 pm and outvoted me--we left the park and headed for the resort. And by the way, there were terrible thunderstorms that evening, which may have affected the fireworks anyway? Not sure but it's something to keep in mind, anytime in July.

We were at HS at rope drop on the 4 th. This time, we had dinner reservations at Hollywood and Vine, with the passes to see Fantasmic. I think both are slightly overrated, but what I didn't realize is that they have nothing to do with the fireworks display. By the time Fantasmic was over and my mom and DD were ready for "home," we could hardly get down the street. I suggested we might as well stay but was once again outvoted and so haven't seen any 4th of July fireworks!

To sum it all up, in our experience it is possible and even enjoyable (we had a good time most of both days) but you need a lot of stamina. My DD and I will be back this 4th, and we've decided it's EPCOT's 4th fireworks or bust! We're planning on arriving in the afternoon, but I see from other posts here that it shouldn't be a problem (right?).

 

[kmoore7]

We were there last July 4th. RD at MK, then stayed till the end. CRAZY CROWDED BY LUNCH. We would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[DisCatGirl]

Does anyone know - will HS have 4th fireworks on the 4th? I think they did last year...

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I will definitely comment the Epcot fireworks are excellent, but definitely need to be able to see the american pavilion.

 

[tinkerhon]

Yep----

Does anyone know - will HS have 4th fireworks on the 4th? I think they did last year...

Yep--- 10:15 fireworks ! That's where we will be !!

 

[DisCatGirl]

Yep----


Yep--- 10:15 fireworks ! That's where we will be !!

Thanks. We hope to be there too (arriving from MCO early evening). I don't see that the HS fireworks are posted on the official park schedule. Am I looking in the wrong place?