4th of July

[rentayenta]

Hi all. We are thinking about spending the 4th of July at Disneyland and I am wondering what the crowds are like? Our Deluxe APs are good but the So Cal and So Cal Select are not.

Any tips from past park goers who have gone or typically visit on the 4th of July would be much appreciated. The fireworks would be a must.

 

[Mike482]

Thanks for starting this thread. We are also looking for tips. As Deluxe AP'ers from NorCal we go 4-5 times a year but have never been on 4th of July. We are going this year! I did notice the 4th of July firework show is scheduled Sun/Mon/Tues (2nd/3rd/4th) which are the days we are going. (Sunday travel day since blocked out). Also, do they do anything special at California Adventure?

 

[chickapin parterre]

it will be a nine, with possible 10 gate closure for the 4th.....if folks make a week out it.....but I am suspecting, with my fellow employees and neighbors, that most folks will take advanatage of the Monday day off and only use two vacation days to visit, those two vacation days being friday and Monday. But what is also happening in the work force is the overtime culture now being forced on workers, so many companies will call it a four day weekend and not work on Monday, so that will also encourage a free four day weekend. It is a perfect storm of a weekend, especially if the June gloom continues....the upside, is that many folks may actually head home on the morning of the 4th and arrive in time to see their own community fireworks....because of the myth.....it will be crowded July 4th night.!!

there is another thread that was started in April, that has resurfaced, but many changes have taken place since....and if ROA opens.....everyone like that new Disneyland smell!!!!!!!!

 

[farmfresh]

I did post on the other thread about our experience last year with the parks on July 4. Basically we found the parks to be busy but very manageable that day. We had been worried about parks reaching capacity etc etc, but that did not prove to be the case. However we did make some advance bookings to get the most out of the time there. We arrived on Sunday 3 July, and used the Aladdin's parade dinner package (3.30 pickup) to see the first show followed by fireworks . Looking back at my bookings we also had a table at Tortilla Joe's at 7pm. My plan was to use that if the parks didn't seem full. We did go out to eat there, and came back in to our parade spot with no difficulty.

On 4 July we had prebooked WOC dessert party seats. Again we intended to park hop but pay attention to the crowds and move if we thought we were in danger of a park closure. But again, there was no problem. DCA was very quiet. Walked on to TOT - obviously that will have changed now Stopped into Carthay circle for a drink - tables no problem. (Downtown Disney was very busy though). There was nothing particularly special about 4 July in DCA that I recall. However there wasn't that much to notice at DL either. We are not from the US and had expected more actually !

My guess is that APs have a huge impact on these dates, and as others have found, it's sometimes busier on the days leading up to a blockout than on key holidays themselves. Certainly we had found a pre xmas visit (early December ) felt busier. As the OP suggested there have been plenty of changes over the last year. But I think with a plan, an early start and a few strategic bookings, you'll have a great time! If you are going to be in DL for July 4, I'd go for a dining package, so you wil see the fireworks with ease.

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks for starting this thread. We are also looking for tips. As Deluxe AP'ers from NorCal we go 4-5 times a year but have never been on 4th of July. We are going this year! I did notice the 4th of July firework show is scheduled Sun/Mon/Tues (2nd/3rd/4th) which are the days we are going. (Sunday travel day since blocked out). Also, do they do anything special at California Adventure?

I would love to know if they do anything at DCA too! DCA is a nice reprieve when DL is a zoo.

it will be a nine, with possible 10 gate closure for the 4th.....if folks make a week out it.....but I am suspecting, with my fellow employees and neighbors, that most folks will take advanatage of the Monday day off and only use two vacation days to visit, those two vacation days being friday and Monday. But what is also happening in the work force is the overtime culture now being forced on workers, so many companies will call it a four day weekend and not work on Monday, so that will also encourage a free four day weekend. It is a perfect storm of a weekend, especially if the June gloom continues....the upside, is that many folks may actually head home on the morning of the 4th and arrive in time to see their own community fireworks....because of the myth.....it will be crowded July 4th night.!!

there is another thread that was started in April, that has resurfaced, but many changes have taken place since....and if ROA opens.....everyone like that new Disneyland smell!!!!!!!!

Oy. That is what I was afraid of. The 4 days weekend did not occur to me. We are moving from Utah back to Southern California July 1 and I was thinking what better way to celebrate than Disneyland but I better look for other options.

 

[rentayenta]

I did post on the other thread about our experience last year with the parks on July 4. Basically we found the parks to be busy but very manageable that day. We had been worried about parks reaching capacity etc etc, but that did not prove to be the case. However we did make some advance bookings to get the most out of the time there. We arrived on Sunday 3 July, and used the Aladdin's parade dinner package (3.30 pickup) to see the first show followed by fireworks . Looking back at my bookings we also had a table at Tortilla Joe's at 7pm. My plan was to use that if the parks didn't seem full. We did go out to eat there, and came back in to our parade spot with no difficulty.

On 4 July we had prebooked WOC dessert party seats. Again we intended to park hop but pay attention to the crowds and move if we thought we were in danger of a park closure. But again, there was no problem. DCA was very quiet. Walked on to TOT - obviously that will have changed now Stopped into Carthay circle for a drink - tables no problem. (Downtown Disney was very busy though). There was nothing particularly special about 4 July in DCA that I recall. However there wasn't that much to notice at DL either. We are not from the US and had expected more actually !

My guess is that APs have a huge impact on these dates, and as others have found, it's sometimes busier on the days leading up to a blockout than on key holidays themselves. Certainly we had found a pre xmas visit (early December ) felt busier. As the OP suggested there have been plenty of changes over the last year. But I think with a plan, an early start and a few strategic bookings, you'll have a great time! If you are going to be in DL for July 4, I'd go for a dining package, so you wil see the fireworks with ease.

Thank you for replying. Can you tell me about the Aladdin's parade dinner? The kids are really wanting to see the Disneyland fireworks on July 4.

 

[farmfresh]

Actually it was really good. You pick up the meal from Aladdin's Oasis, and we chose to eat it there. Very peaceful...almost deserted! The food was fine - I had low expectation but was happily surprised! I 'm assuming now that the parade times will work as they did last year, so do check to be sure, but we bought the early parade option, which meant we could stay put for the fireworks. The Aladdin's meal reserved spot at that time was on a raised portion of ground by IASW. We left ourselves a little bit of time to find it, but not lots.This meant it gave an excellent parade view, (especially for kids)but obviously that is not the best orientation for fireworks. However, it is still pretty good and in my view beat trying to fight it out down a busy main street.
If you really want Main Street then I think you can go for the BB package. But this worked really very well, and is reasonably priced.

Hope that helps...can drag more from my memory if you have specific queries!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Keep in mind that much of this year has defied conventional crowd patterns! Much of February was wretched vs Easter being strangely empty, etc... it is just so hard to predict.

I'd expect big crowds, but if you plan well and have expectations in check, you can still have a blast (and you may be pleasantly surprised if crowds aren't crazy).

 

[Mike482]

Thanks for the replies. I'm a huge fan of the fireworks so I'm really looking forward to seeing the 4th of July show. The dining package is a great idea. We haven't been to the Blue Bayou in years (not since we discovered the Jazz Kitchen). We go every year on the 1st Sunday in December for Candlelighting. We are expecting those type of crowds which make the dining idea even better.

 

[rentayenta]

Keep in mind that much of this year has defied conventional crowd patterns! Much of February was wretched vs Easter being strangely empty, etc... it is just so hard to predict.

I'd expect big crowds, but if you plan well and have expectations in check, you can still have a blast (and you may be pleasantly surprised if crowds aren't crazy).

So true. I don;t know that there is a slow time any more.

Thanks for the replies. I'm a huge fan of the fireworks so I'm really looking forward to seeing the 4th of July show. The dining package is a great idea. We haven't been to the Blue Bayou in years (not since we discovered the Jazz Kitchen). We go every year on the 1st Sunday in December for Candlelighting. We are expecting those type of crowds which make the dining idea even better.

Is there a special July 4th fireworks show?

 

[rentayenta]

Actually it was really good. You pick up the meal from Aladdin's Oasis, and we chose to eat it there. Very peaceful...almost deserted! The food was fine - I had low expectation but was happily surprised! I 'm assuming now that the parade times will work as they did last year, so do check to be sure, but we bought the early parade option, which meant we could stay put for the fireworks. The Aladdin's meal reserved spot at that time was on a raised portion of ground by IASW. We left ourselves a little bit of time to find it, but not lots.This meant it gave an excellent parade view, (especially for kids)but obviously that is not the best orientation for fireworks. However, it is still pretty good and in my view beat trying to fight it out down a busy main street.
If you really want Main Street then I think you can go for the BB package. But this worked really very well, and is reasonably priced.

Hope that helps...can drag more from my memory if you have specific queries!

So the parade view was by IASW and then you stayed put for fireworks. Great idea!!!! I will look into BB, just need to decide if time is money. LOL!

 

[Butterfly123]

Two years ago our last park day was July 3. We were expecting bigger crowds as our park days got closer to the 4th, but that didn't really happen. And I remember looking online, and it didn't seem that the fourth was that crazy, either. But who knows...it seems very random and hard to predict crowds lately!

 

[rentayenta]

Two years ago our last park day was July 3. We were expecting bigger crowds as our park days got closer to the 4th, but that didn't really happen. And I remember looking online, and it didn't seem that the fourth was that crazy, either. But who knows...it seems very random and hard to predict crowds lately!

Thanks! I am hoping because the 4th falls on a Tuesday, it won't be as bad as if it fell on a weekend.

 

[Butterfly123]

Thanks! I am hoping because the 4th falls on a Tuesday, it won't be as bad as if it fell on a weekend.

Yes, and I think sometimes people fear the crowds and stay away!

 

[chickapin parterre]

.....but opposite could happen....because in two years the fear of crowds will be a reality and Disneyland will be unmanageable. So folks who keep tabs on Disneyland are going to travel to Disneyland for that last family Disneyland vacation until the Star Wars weather system by-pass, and this summer, with a four day weekend, is the time.


When July 4th was on friday, reports came in the place was empty till fireworks, when it was Saturday the next year, word was out not so crowded so crowds showed up . 2016 by passed Sunday and went straight to Monday,naturally crowds increased with the three day weekend and 60th. Now it is on a Tuesday, many blue collar working contracts call for Monday to be a paid holiday if it falls into the parameters of this year

 

[Mike482]

So true. I don;t know that there is a slow time any more.





Is there a special July 4th fireworks show?

Yes there is. They are showing them Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues. Deluxe AP blocked Sat and Sun. I figure that gives me two nights to not hear that "due to winds at higher elevations, the firework show has been cancelled." It's been one of those years this year during the off season when we were there.

 

[rentayenta]

Yes, and I think sometimes people fear the crowds and stay away!

That and the rain! Not that it would rain in July.

.....but opposite could happen....because in two years the fear of crowds will be a reality and Disneyland will be unmanageable. So folks who keep tabs on Disneyland are going to travel to Disneyland for that last family Disneyland vacation until the Star Wars weather system by-pass, and this summer, with a four day weekend, is the time.


When July 4th was on friday, reports came in the place was empty till fireworks, when it was Saturday the next year, word was out not so crowded so crowds showed up . 2016 by passed Sunday and went straight to Monday,naturally crowds increased with the three day weekend and 60th. Now it is on a Tuesday, many blue collar working contracts call for Monday to be a paid holiday if it falls into the parameters of this year

There is just no predicting it anymore.

Yes there is. They are showing them Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues. Deluxe AP blocked Sat and Sun. I figure that gives me two nights to not hear that "due to winds at higher elevations, the firework show has been cancelled." It's been one of those years this year during the off season when we were there.

Thanks! We have Deluxe APs and I am a little surprised and very excited that we are not blocked July 4. Has it been extra windy?

 

[farmfresh]

I figure that gives me two nights to not hear that "due to winds at higher elevations, the firework show has been cancelled." It's been one of those years this year during the off season when we were there.

Ha! That sounds familiar... on July 3 last year they delayed them...then went ahead...phew!

 

[maleficent55]

I wonder what the weekend following the 4th of July will be like