Calling July 4th at WDW experts. Help!!

[disgirl]

Hi! I am still trying to plan my ADR's for our early July trip and am having trouble deciding which park which day. I know many have said avoid MK on the 4th because of the CROWDS. I thought since we were staying at the BCV, we would have dinner in our room and then head over to Epcot on the 4th for their fireworks. However, now I see Epcot has extra evening hours on the 4th, being open until 1 am. We would like to see special fireworks since we have never been to WDW for the 4th of July before. However, is it a mistake to go to Epcot on a night that has extra hours, way too crowded? Should we try for MK instead? I thought I had read that they do sometimes close MK because it fills to capacity. We would probably just hang at the pool that day and only go to a park after dinner so could we get closed out? I am really confused and can not make up my itinerary and I have to so that I can call for our ADRs.

Any advice would be truly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

 

[buzz2400]

epcot is able to handle the 4th of july crowds because it is so big. I usually go to mgm and it really doesn't get that bad. Last year we did go over to epcot at night to see the fireworks there and this wasn't that bad, we only went to the world showcase. MK is terrible and have been told to avoid it.

 

[civileng68]

Hi! I am still trying to plan my ADR's for our early July trip and am having trouble deciding which park which day. I know many have said avoid MK on the 4th because of the CROWDS. I thought since we were staying at the BCV, we would have dinner in our room and then head over to Epcot on the 4th for their fireworks. However, now I see Epcot has extra evening hours on the 4th, being open until 1 am. We would like to see special fireworks since we have never been to WDW for the 4th of July before. However, is it a mistake to go to Epcot on a night that has extra hours, way too crowded? Should we try for MK instead? I thought I had read that they do sometimes close MK because it fills to capacity. We would probably just hang at the pool that day and only go to a park after dinner so could we get closed out? I am really confused and can not make up my itinerary and I have to so that I can call for our ADRs.

Any advice would be truly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

Go to Epcot. First of all (except for the rare disappointing NYE show), Epcot has a much better and more powerful fireworks show. Also, Epcot holds crowds MUCH better than MK.

Example: I go to Disney every NYE and July 4. Just this past NYE, the MK was so crowded you could hardly even walk (in many areas you couldnt at all) and it took people up to 2 hours to get back to their hotel after closing.

Epcot had so many people the parking lot was full and people were EVEN PARKING ON THE GRASS at the back of the lot!!!! However, when I got in, even though it was crowded, it was EXTREMELY manageable. Now, lines for rides are so long you wont get to do much, but in terms of maneuverability, it wasn't bad at all at Epcot.

At Epcot, walking areas are wider and things are more spacious in general.

However get your ADR's ASAP as they got fast for that ENTIRE WEEK.

Also just a tip many don't stop to think about: Epcot's parking lot is wide, not deep, meaning that if you can walk to the car, you should when it's super crowded like on holidays.

My mom and wife waited for the tram. I and my dad who is handicap and walks VERY slowly walked to our car towards the back of the lot (which really isn't far at all, unlike MK) got to the car and waited for 20 minutes before my wife and mom ever showed up.

 

[disgirl]

Thank you for the quick replies. I think we will head to Epcot after dinner and hopefully, we can get on atleast a couple of attractions with the late hours. Thanks!

 

[phorsenuf]

We were there last July 4th (and a few other times before that one). We were at Epcot on the 4th for their fireworks. They put on a great show.
But, as a suprise to us when we were at the Magic Kingdom on the 3rd they did their 4th of July show then too. So, we ended up seeing the special MK fireworks on the 3rd and Epcots on the 4th.

You may want to check into seeing if indeed MK is going to do their show both nights again this year.

 

[disgirl]

Thank you. That would be great. I will check into it since we were planning on going to the MK on the 3rd anyway. Was it really crowded at MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th? Do you remember? Thanks again.

 

[loadsapixiedust]

W were there over 4th July for the first time last year (2005). We were at MK July 3rd and saw the special fireworks then, it was not too crazy, but we were there early to get a good spot to see them.
On 4th July we were at Discovery Cove all day which is a brilliant place to avoid the crowds as they only allow 1000 guests in max. We spent the evening at MGM arriving around 6.30pm and although it was crowded it was manageable for us as we did not expect to do any rides. We left right after the fireworks as there was a storm beginning and were out of there in no time, they handled the crowds really well.
We had intended to dash to Epcot then, but the weather defeated us. I am sure that Epcot can handle the crowds best of all.

 

[civileng68]

Thank you. That would be great. I will check into it since we were planning on going to the MK on the 3rd anyway. Was it really crowded at MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th? Do you remember? Thanks again.

Yes MK normally does do their 4th show on both the 3rd and 4th, so you can see them both. The MK was PACKED on the 3rd as well this past year. Just for an example........we stood (on the 3rd) near the hub at the end of Main St (just past the Ice Cream Parlor). We arrived at our spot (by creeping through the already there crowds) about 30 minutes early of the show and it was so tight, you couldn't even turn around without bumping someone. I even started to panic when I realized that you couldn't leave that spot even if you had to. I mean if you HAD to leave the spot, even if polite people around you tried to move, they couldn't. You were stuck.

It was so crowded (on the 3rd) that for example. After the fireworks show ended, we tried to walk across Main St. (from one side to the other) and it took about 5 minutes (that's alot if you just think about crossing the street).

Now, Epcot does get crowded BUT TRUST ME!!!!!!! it is really not that bad. It is VERY manageable. For example. Leaving the park after July 3 in the MK, we didn't get to our car for nearly 1 1/2 hours. However we left Epcot (on July 4) and walked to our car in the back of the lot and were from World Showcase Lagoon to our car in just 30 minutes (even stopping at the kennell along the way).

Also, don't (just my opinion) spend all night at Epcot waiting in the front row so you can get the best spot. That's just a waste of a day. (At MK I'll wait because there are not so many great spots) . Do rides and other stuff during the time when people start lining up for the show. You can get there just before the show, stand back of a crowd and see it just as good as if you were front row. One thing about Epcot is the show is very close to you, so standing back 50 feet really doesn't put you that much further off.

in fact we stood front row (yes, front row) for July 4 Illuminations and I had wished I stayed back more because it's so close you dont really get to see it all. So for NYE we stood back about 50 feet and the perspective was MUCH better.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

We have been there lots of time during that time period, so here is what I suggest. First, spend the afternoon at Animal Kingdom. It was nearly empty when we were there two year ago, no kidding! Then, we watched the MK fireworks from the beach at the Poly. It was much more relaxing than fighting the crowds anywhere! We got there about an hour early, sipped on a drink while watching from a lounge chair, then easily strolled back to the TTC. Since the boats and monorails are stopped during the fireworks exiting was a breeze!

I know you will have fun no matter what!

Laura

 

[SandraC]

We are considering going to WDW during July 4th too. Is the holiday just the actual day ~ Tuesday, July 4th? Or do people get Monday, July 3rd off work too? I am in Canada so I don't get the same July 4th info you do. Would it be wise to stay away from the parks all together ~ crowd wise. And do TL or BB instead? Thanks! Sandra

 

[jenrose66]

I just wanted to add something about MGM on the 4th...I didn't like their fireworks. I didn't feel that the park was that crowded and we got to go on all the rides we wanted to but the fireworks were a let down. They were short and just not very well orchestrated compared to the other parks.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks again everyone.

IndyDisneyfan: Since we were going to try AK one day on this trip, maybe we will go on the 4th. I was going to plan an AK day later in the week and just stay at the pool on the 4th, before going to Epcot for fireworks, but maybe we should try AK instead if it is not that busy and then come back to BCV for dinner and hit Epcot for the fireworks. We have not gone to AK in about 7 years and wanted to go this trip. I keep going back and forth with our plans and have not made our ADRs yet. I have got to get my act together here. LOL!

Sandra I am sorry since I do not work full time I am not positive on the holiday situation, but I believe only the 4th is treated as the actual holiday, even though it is a Tuesday. I do not think people will have both days off this year, but am assuming many will make it a four day weekend or take the whole vacation week themselves. Good Luck with your plans!

Jenrose Thank you for your MGM fireworks comment. I am sorrry you did not enjoy them. I see your honeymoon was spent at WDW. How Nice!!

 

[tiggrbaby]

We went for the 4th last year and thanks to all the good people on this board, we knew enough to avoid the MK! We spent the day at TL, then went to O'Hana's for dinner. As my husband did not believe me that we needed to leave early, we were stuck in traffic as they were turning away people from the MK as it was closed. The road for people to exit was the same as arriving to the Poly. But we had a great dinner and a nice view of the fireworks, which IMO weren't as impressive as Wishes, but were of a patriotic nature. Oh, and the lot at the Poly was filled and we had to park valet, but I guess my husband was grumpy enough (I had run ahead to make sure we didn't lose the ADR) that it was comped when we went to pick up the car.

Outside of listening to my husband complain about the heat, I would go again that time of year. If you listen to the advice of the people on this board, you can plan you park visits around the very largest crowds.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks tiggrbaby. I guess this is a dumb question, but now I am starting to regret planning to visit around the 4th. Did you find the entire week crazy as far as crowds or was the weekend surrounding the actual 4th the worst? I know the answer is probably the whole week. Oh, I hope we did not make a mistake. We have gone the end of August, for 2 years and in 04 we escaped all the hurricanes by going to DisneyLand instead. This year partly because of DS starting high School and possibly starting school before Labor Day, and not knowing DH's August schedule yet, I chose the 4th. Help!!

Thanks again for all the advice. If anyone else cares to share their 4th of July (or days surrounding it) stories, that would be very appreciated, as I am starting to get nervous. I know in the long run, we will be happy being at the BCV and being at Disney anytime of year.

 

[mhingher]

Definitely stay away from MK! Based on our trip in 2004, I would just avoid the parks all together. Spend some time at your resort, or maybe some shopping in DTD. I'm sure you can still watch the fireworks from somewhere on WDW property. But that's just my opinion.

 

[geffric]

We went over the 4th 2 year ago... We also were at BCV LOL, anyway, on the 4th, we swam at SAB, relaxed and mid afternoon we went to MGM to ride RNR and TOT, and then to Epcot for TT and MS. We had 7 pm reservations for Chef Mickeys, saw the fireworks from Contempary and then walked to MK. It was very crowded on mainstreet but all the crowd was going for the buses. We went on all the Mountains, et all walk on.. we stay until the park closed at midnight..

 

[disgirl]

Thanks everyone as I really do appreciate all the advice and personal accounts of the 4th of July experiences you have had. I finally called for my ADRs yesterday, not making any for the 4th itself. I think we will plan to cook in our 1bedroom that night and probably head to Epcot for the fireworks. Now, I just have to decide if we will make that our Animal Kingdom day, as Indydisneyfan suggested or just stay at the pool during the day, as I originally thought. If AK is not that crowded than that would be good since I don't plan to stay at AK more than a few hours. The last time we were at AK (about 7 years ago), it was SO HOT and that was in April. I can just imagine what July will be like.

Planning is half the fun, but it can also be frustrating. Knowing where you will be and where you want to eat 6 months from now is not easy.

 

[tiggrbaby]

We arrived on the 2nd and left the night of the 7th. We were staying at Doubletree, so one thing I did was plan around the early entry; if the park had it that morning, I planned another park. We also left mid-afternoon to swim, do lunch, or shop.

We had usually gone the end of August, but we had been in Cocoa Beach for my boys to attend a swim camp until the 2nd, so we figured while we were so close...