Fourth of July advice

[MinniMama]

Anyone been there for the 4th this is our first time we have done Feb, April and Aug but I am nervous about the crowd, heat and rain- we'll be there 6/29-7/6 any special events on 4th or any other tips?

 

[AmyBWV99]

We were just there last 4th of July. We'll be back this year (the 2nd to the 11th; BWV). We've been to WDW on just about every holiday (Easter, Christmas, etc) and during the busiest holiday seasons and I can tell you I have NEVER seen crowds like there were on the 4th. The weather was hot but not oppressive. We went to MGM at about 5:00 to watch the fireworks there, then took the walkway to EPCOT to watch the fireworks there. The fireworks at MGM were good, but not great and the crowds weren't terrible. The fireworks at EPCOT were spectacular and the crowd was insane. We watched the fireworks from the brigde between England and France. When the show ended, we attempted to head out the front exit but got stuck in line in Canada. I'd never seen crowds like that. Until we hit the MK later that night. At 11:00 at night, there was a line queing to get on the monorails. There was a 90 minute wait to catch the monorail. When we got in the park, it was a sea of people. Like nothing I've ever seen.

I know that sounds bleak, but it was the best time we've had at WDW. The crowds were a nightmare, but everything was so alive! The firworks were spectacular and the images projected on Spaceship Earth after the firworks are wonderful. We plan to go back every year on the 4th.

We didn't get rained on (we rarely have in July - it's usually just a downpour for 20 minutes in the afternoon, then the sun comes back out). There are special events going on everywhere that day (we hit all 4 parks on the 4th). Each park hands out American flag pins for everyone to wear and is decorated for the 4th. It's a great day to be there!

 

[mhingher]

I went to WDW last year from 6/26-7/5. I'm sorry to say, I will never go this time of year again... the crowds were typical when we first got there, but within a couple days of the 4th and things got out of control. They raved about how great the fireworks were going to be, and they were good, but nothing better than usual. We were sitting right near the castle, by the tomorrowland entrance... and it took a good hour to get out of the park at the end! The weather that week was typical, a few short thunderstorms. A few nights though the rain continued through the night. Not heavy though.

My suggestion- don't go in a park on the 4th. Relax by the pool, go to DTD for some shopping, or maybe resort hopping. But, in my opinion, it's just not worth going into a park on 4th of July. I've been going to WDW in July or August most of my life, so I'm used to crowds. But this was insane!

 

[suez live]

I concur with mhingher—like visiting anytime during the summer, expect long lines, horrific heat, high humidity, and grumpy people. While it is not the most insane crowds I’ve experienced (that would be reserved for New Year’s Eve), living nearby, we have gone over and watched the fireworks but cannot imagine trying to spend a day “doing” anything. It is bad enough having to wait for 45 minutes to use the toilet in winter—in summer. . .holy cow.

If you are on site, I too would consider a day around the pool, a nice meal or two, and a gander at the fireworks. Staying at one of the Epcot resorts will make this so much more pleasant.

Better yet, take a drive over to Cocoa Beach. The public fireworks are great but the literally thousands of people spending hours shooting aerials off over the water is truly amazing!

 

[MinniMama]

Well we are crazy but we plan to go to the some/all parks for the flavor How did you do 2 fireworks aren't they at the same time we want to do MK fireworks but we may walk ot Comtemp or boat to poly and catch a taxi home to POR we don't do lines for busses even if it take longer to walk LOL so any tips for crazy people like us? Carole

 

[AmyBWV99]

The MGM fireworks were at 9:00 and the EPCOT ones were at 10:00. We had plenty of time (it was about a 10 minute walk). A couple of tips we found out the hard way: unless you're staying at the resort, you can't get in to park (even DVC members can't get into DVC resorts) on the 4th. So don't try parking at BW and walking to MGM and EPCOT. You can park at Poly, GF or Contemporary with a dinner ressie. But they are strict on parking on the 4th. Also, make sure you get where you want to be early. We got to the bridge at EPCOT about 30 minutes before the firworks started and were literally 10 people deep (from railing to railing). If you want to ride anything, ride early in the morning. If you want dinner ressies, especially at nicer resturants, make them as far out as you can. Don't use Disney transportation and don't park in their lots. Get a taxi if you can.The bets advice I can give is to be patient. If you let the crowds and heat get you in a bad mood, it's all over, because the crowds are tough. No offense, but I wouldn't want to be at WDW on the 4th and not in a park. At EPCOT, the fireworks were spectacular. They did Illuminations and then a finale that was set to classic patrotic tunes (think Stars and Stripes Forever). Throughout the 10 minute finale, you could barely hear the music there were so many sheels going off. It was incredible.

 

[MinniMama]

Great tips! We might eat at Liberty tree or Chef Mickeys not sure we don't have a car but can usually get a taxi at hotels and do it often in crowds better to be at poly sippin a drink and waiting for a taxi than in the crowd.

 

[MinniMama]

More tips please! Anyone else brave the parks what if you have to use disney transportation any ideas?

 

[MinniMama]

Bump