Epcot-4th of July-Possible Extended Hours/FP for Illluminations?

[keishashadow]

Our first visit over the 4th of July, taking 6 y.o GD with DH. Feeling a bit overwhelmed reading crowd reports.

Decided to do MK on 3rd & Epcot on 4th hoping for smaller crowd haha. Plan is to enter parks after noon and stay via PM EMHs. Do have ADRs booked for dinner, told it typically will grant entrance even if park is closed to capacity. Guess I'll find out if that's true.

Was surprised to be able to book a FP for Illuminations. Have never done so in past. Typically, we leave beforehand to beat crowd or stake a place out early.

Will be lugging stroller along, which adds to my confusion. Aside from normal crowd concerns, wondering if the FP Illuminations viewing spot 'worth it'. Unsure if GD would be able to see well from that spot, depending on overal size/#of people that are permitted.

Not sure how early people start to typicaly line up, FP says 8:30 - 8:50 for 9-9:15 show.

Last year park hours were extended to 10 pm. Any idea if our FP would be valid/extended if it happens again this year?

Any hints to survive the weekare appreciated!

 

[Robo]

Our first visit over the 4th of July, taking 6 y.o GD with DH. Feeling a bit overwhelmed reading crowd reports.

Decided to do MK on 3rd & Epcot on 4th hoping for smaller crowd haha. Plan is to enter parks after noon and stay via PM EMHs. Do have ADRs booked for dinner, told it typically will grant entrance even if park is closed to capacity. Guess I'll find out if that's true.

Was surprised to be able to book a FP for Illuminations. Have never done so in past. Typically, we leave beforehand to beat crowd or stake a place out early.

Will be lugging stroller along, which adds to my confusion. Aside from normal crowd concerns, 1. wondering if the FP Illuminations viewing spot 'worth it'.
2. Unsure if GD would be able to see well from that spot, depending on overal size/#of people that are permitted.
3. Not sure how early people start to typicaly line up, FP says 8:30 - 8:50 for 9-9:15 show.
Last year park hours were extended to 10 pm.
4. Any idea if our FP would be valid/extended if it happens again this year?

Any hints to survive the weekare appreciated!

1. Always subject to debate. I have lots of favorite places to see IllumiNations.
2. That would be a valid concern. The area will be busy.
3. At LEAST and hour before (more is safer) on July 4.
4. Expect the hours to be extended, and if it affects the IllumiNations time, the booked FPs will be moved to match. You will be notified if this happens.

 

[Accident]

Decided to do MK on 3rd & Epcot on 4th hoping for smaller crowd haha. Plan is to enter parks after noon and stay via PM EMHs. Do have ADRs booked for dinner, told it typically will grant entrance even if park is closed to capacity. Guess I'll find out if that's true.

I came in last year about noon.. I was very surprised how empty the place was but that was quickly replaced and by 4 you could tell a lot were coming in and by 6 is was shoulder to shoulder and it didn't matter if you had a fastpass or not, it was gonig to be a long wait for any rides and the hub was pretty much full with people just waiting. so my recommendation, go as early as you can and enjoy the morning into early afternoon. It was also really hot so we did a table service for lunch just to get cooled off before we were doing nothing but waiting for fireworks. I did a trip report on it here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/independence-day-at-mk-july-3rd.3524193/

I've never done epcot on the 4th but it wouldnt' surprise me if it had a similar pattern with a dream rope drop and a crowded afternoon to close.. It also depends if they add fireworks anywhere else as they have done special fireworks in HS but not since the construction started. And who knows if they have something special that is non-fireworks for animal kingdom with pandora joining the parks this year..

 

[keishashadow]

I came in last year about noon.. I was very surprised how empty the place was but that was quickly replaced and by 4 you could tell a lot were coming in and by 6 is was shoulder to shoulder and it didn't matter if you had a fastpass or not, it was gonig to be a long wait for any rides and the hub was pretty much full with people just waiting. so my recommendation, go as early as you can and enjoy the morning into early afternoon. It was also really hot so we did a table service for lunch just to get cooled off before we were doing nothing but waiting for fireworks. I did a trip report on it here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/independence-day-at-mk-july-3rd.3524193/

I've never done epcot on the 4th but it wouldnt' surprise me if it had a similar pattern with a dream rope drop and a crowded afternoon to close.. It also depends if they add fireworks anywhere else as they have done special fireworks in HS but not since the construction started. And who knows if they have something special that is non-fireworks for animal kingdom with pandora joining the parks this year..

Helpful TR! Thanx.

Afraid GD won't be able to take the heat all day. I had her down last year mid-august and it was a challenge keeping her cool. Don't think she can take the whole day in the parks. Afraid to do AM, leave & then return even with a confirmed ADR. Don't want to risk being turned away.

Don't think they've closed any parks during 4th of July in recent years

Going to quote you below. We've never attempted viewing behind the castle, told normally it's much more doable.

I'm wondering 'where' A) your normal spot is (if you care to share lol) & B) if we might be better off just watching from back @ TTC?

Now that I'm thinking of it, wondering if we should drive or use resort bus? Not sure what conventional wisdom is on that as i usually go with the car option, even @ MK.


"The fireworks themselves started promptly at 9pm and lasted about 14 minutes.. I didn't take any photos and just enjoyed.. I was behind the carousel near my normal spot but they had viewing areas taped out.. It was a great spot and there was heavy over our head, bigger than ever behind the park (including using the 2 side road launch sites to make it fill the sky 3 times wider).. They also had a barge in the seven seas lagoon so there was fireworks coming from the front of the park in the lake.... Very well done, loads of excitement.. finale used all the launch sites making it a 30-50 second everywhere they can fire lots of fireworks from at the same time they did ending... Very happy to have seen this in person and very happy where I stood to get that 360 view including overhead. It's the only place in the world I know you can be a visitor and see fireworks this way. we picked the right place to see july 3rd fireworks from.."

 

[Robo]

Guests trying to PARK at the MK lot on July 3rd - 4th would be taking a risk.

 

[Accident]

Going to quote you below. We've never attempted viewing behind the castle, told normally it's much more doable.

For normal nights it's very easy to get back there, stand around and be comfortable showing up last second. For July 4, NYE or any holiday with a special large fireworks show, it'll fill up just like the hub, only a little closer to the show..

I'm wondering 'where' A) your normal spot is (if you care to share lol) & B) if we might be better off just watching from back @ TTC?

Now that I'm thinking of it, wondering if we should drive or use resort bus? Not sure what conventional wisdom is on that as i usually go with the car option, even @ MK.

If I'm just out to watch, I prefer the back of the castle not too far from the carousel as I like any of the fireworks shows being around and above me. it's the only place in the world I know you can be that close to them. but it involves a lot of looking straight up and back and forth as the fireworks fire from the buildings and behind the park which you are inbetween. If it's a show I want to see the castle or it's been awhile since I have I like the old fastpass area in front of casey's but that'll fill up if not turned into a pay ticket party spot.

If I'm looking to record, I do things in 360 which I can't zoom so I'm very particular on a spot in the hub and because there is tons of obstructions the camera picks up that you don't even notice if you can lean to the side or anything. I've spent most of this year actually trying out all different spots. behind works well but a lot of times I'm trying to get the hub spot.. it's somethign you need to be at many hours in advance on a large fireworks night.. there is literally ten of thousands of peopel who come in just to watch the fireworks and they come in early prepared to have a great time in the hub just hanging out and waiting.

as robo mentioned, TTC is going to be swamped. the lot will probably fill up (although they are currently making more parking lots so we'll see if they are done and how it impacts this year). but people are going to be all over, it's that big of a fireworks show so I recommend some youtube searching to watch video.. many never set foot in the park and it's a great night if you only want fireworks to do that, but it won't be without challenges and crowds like any other night. Also note all boat traffic is stopped before the fireworks until a little after it as they pull out barges so there is a period of time there is no ferry or boat anywhere to change your mind and get to mk.

 

[keishashadow]

Very helpful thank you!

Moved my FP @ MK back. Have an 5 pm CPalace ADR. Figure we can hit 7DMT 6:45 - 7:45 pm, then hopefully find a place to lean somewhere

I've read comments on old thread re watching FW from Frontierland. Not sure if they mean over near 'the mountains' or not.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Our first visit over the 4th of July, taking 6 y.o GD with DH. Feeling a bit overwhelmed reading crowd reports.

Decided to do MK on 3rd & Epcot on 4th hoping for smaller crowd haha. Plan is to enter parks after noon and stay via PM EMHs. Do have ADRs booked for dinner, told it typically will grant entrance even if park is closed to capacity. Guess I'll find out if that's true.

Was surprised to be able to book a FP for Illuminations. Have never done so in past. Typically, we leave beforehand to beat crowd or stake a place out early.

Will be lugging stroller along, which adds to my confusion. Aside from normal crowd concerns, wondering if the FP Illuminations viewing spot 'worth it'. Unsure if GD would be able to see well from that spot, depending on overal size/#of people that are permitted.

Not sure how early people start to typicaly line up, FP says 8:30 - 8:50 for 9-9:15 show.

Last year park hours were extended to 10 pm. Any idea if our FP would be valid/extended if it happens again this year?

Any hints to survive the weekare appreciated!

I didn't love the Illuminations FP area. It was crowded and several viewing areas were blocked by poles or other structures. It is many people deep, so unless you get there really early, you probably won't have a great view. We could not see most of the globe or anything on the water, really. We saw Illuminations much better when we just grabbed a place along the gate about 30 minutes before the show. Of course, that was not on the 4th of July, and I doubt your GD will want to sit around for an hour or more and wait for it to start.

One of the reasons Illuminations is my least favorite show at Disney is that it seems you have to have a front row view to really enjoy it (the kids and I are not very tall). Since I have young girls, the sitting and waiting is not worth it. With the nighttime shows at the other parks, I can usually stake out a spot fifteen minutes before and really enjoy the show.

We were there last July 3rd and 4th and it was fantastic. Yes, it was hot, but it was not as crowded as I had feared. And because so many people stay out late for the late hours and shows, the morning is a great time to be in the park.

 

[spleuchan]

Guests trying to PARK at the MK lot on July 3rd - 4th would be taking a risk.

We are going during that time frame and will have a car. Is there anyway to know if a parking lot is full before we try? If we knew the parking lot is full, we would take a bus.

 

[Robo]

We are going during that time frame and will have a car. Is there anyway to know if a parking lot is full before we try? If we knew the parking lot is full, we would take a bus.

Guests are usually better off taking a Disney bus to/from MK under normal conditions.
During holiday overload conditions, Disney adds on many more buses to handle the guest loads.

 

[keishashadow]

I didn't love the Illuminations FP area. It was crowded and several viewing areas were blocked by poles or other structures. It is many people deep, so unless you get there really early, you probably won't have a great view. We could not see most of the globe or anything on the water, really. We saw Illuminations much better when we just grabbed a place along the gate about 30 minutes before the show. Of course, that was not on the 4th of July, and I doubt your GD will want to sit around for an hour or more and wait for it to start.

One of the reasons Illuminations is my least favorite show at Disney is that it seems you have to have a front row view to really enjoy it (the kids and I are not very tall). Since I have young girls, the sitting and waiting is not worth it. With the nighttime shows at the other parks, I can usually stake out a spot fifteen minutes before and really enjoy the show.

We were there last July 3rd and 4th and it was fantastic. Yes, it was hot, but it was not as crowded as I had feared. And because so many people stay out late for the late hours and shows, the morning is a great time to be in the park.

Only time we bother with illuminations is when staying @ BWV. Heck, i don't want to sit an hour and wait for FW lol but want to get the full 4th experience.

Glad to hear crowds were manageable &. You had a great time with the kiddos over the 4th

 

[PrincessV]

I go to WDW nearly every July 4th and we often do the July 3rd at MK/July 4th at EP thing. I've never used an Illuminations FP, so this is just general info form my experiences...

We don't usually enter EP on the 4th until around 4pm and have never had a need to go earlier. But we also are there for the fireworks, not attractions. We'll generally FP an attraction and get a couple in before dinner, then after dinner stroll WS and find a spot to wait about an hour before showtime. Note that we also don't care enough to get a perfect view, so that works for us. The best views are being saved by folks hours ahead of time. Overall, EP handles crowds really well and I've never felt like things are uncomfortably crowded on the 4th.

For the 3rd at MK, we watch from behind the castle and find a spot about 15-30 minutes before it starts. Again, we're not picky about our view, though. Crowds back there weren't bad at all last year, and dispersed quickly once the fireworks were done.

I normally drive everywhere because I despise the buses, but July 3rd at MK is one of the few times I'll go with the bus if I'm staying onsite.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Guests are usually better off taking a Disney bus to/from MK under normal conditions.
During holiday overload conditions, Disney adds on many more buses to handle the guest loads.

Yes! Their bus service was generally outstanding last 4th of July week. There were a couple of times during the day of the 3rd and 4th when we were the only people on the bus between parks and resorts. One of the bus drivers said he worked for an outside company with whom Disney had contracted just to be there for a few days around the 4th. It really seemed that Disney had worked very hard to do everything it could to handle crowds.

 

[ktate82]

Good to hear everyone else's plans. We are onsite till the 3rd and then move off property. Our plan is MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th as well. We got a FP for Illuminations as well as we didn't really want to steak out spots for several hours before hand two days in a row. On the 3rd, we have a BOG lunch for a break in the day. What time should we get a spot for MK fireworks? Any thoughts on if they will have a dessert party on the 3rd or will they have those spots in the Hub open to people watching fireworks?

 

[keishashadow]

Have been watching for MK & Ep dessert party for some time. Have a feeling perhaps private events in those spaces?

 

[leiaorgana]

Have been watching for MK & Ep dessert party for some time. Have a feeling perhaps private events in those spaces?

I've been calling and emailing about the MK 4th July Dessert Party since my 180 day mark in January. Last time I called was this Sunday just gone and I just keep being told that there's nothing on the calendar for it, they don't know what they're doing with it this year, no one tells the phone CMs anything and to just keep checking back. I'm hoping now that they've announced that thing at the Grand Floridian that they'll release the Dessert Parties soon.