Going to Disney on Fourth of July

[xtreme083]

Due to being the only time I can get off work I will be visiting Disney World on the Fourth of July this year. Any advice on how to make this trip as pleasant as possible with all the crowds?

 

[disneynut11]

Are you only going to be there on the 4th or will you be there for an extended stay?

 

[reeveha]

Expect 10+ crowd levels in MK & Epcot.

We went the year after 9/11 and the crowds were low.

The next year, we went again and MK was at Level 3 closure. It was shoulder to shoulder people, hot & humid. Wait times were 120+ minutes. FastPass was empty by 10 am. We gave up and went back to the Poly took a nap, played in the pool and watched Fantasy in the Sky from the beach.

I'd never go to one of the parks on the Fourth, not fun!

 

[kaligal]

I've always wanted to see the fireworks at MK on the 4th. Never been that brave.

If I ever do, I'll follow the advice of the UG peeps. I'd expect to be hot and miserable all day. Anything else would be a bonus.

If you get a chance take some pics of the crowds and post them, will you?

 

[DisneyKevin]

The fireworks are usually "tested" on 7/3 as well.

Hot and crowded are understatements.

 

[jcb]

I've never been but I have heard that everyone who lives in Costa-guada-mexi-rico goes to the MK on July 4.

 

[LocustPoint]

I've never been on the 4th but my DH and I are extending our trip after PCC 3.0 through the 4th just so i can see the fireworks on the 3rd. We don't have any plans but have made a dining reservation at Ohana for dinner early enough that it gives us the option of watching the fireworks from the beach or joining the masses and watching them from inside the MK.

 

[k5jm]

If my brain could still send signals to my face, you’d see I’m horrified right now.

 

[xtreme083]

Tried to make reservations at Ohana to avoid the parks as much as poosible of the fourth but it is all booked up. any other suggestions?

I will do my best to post any pics of the ridiculousness of the masses.

 

[connie1042]

I have been on the 4th of July. Be there at least an hour early and do not watch the opening show, be the first at the furthest rope drop in the park. We road BTMR twice, Splash Mountain twice, got fast passes every chance we could for later, ( not an option now). Had late breakfast at CP and dinner at Plaza, just to stay cool. Walked out of the Plaza and stayed put for the fire works. After that, most people left. Do not try to get out with the crowd. Just sit and enjoy people watching, then when it thins out, make your move. We were off site, so had to take the boat over to TTC.We walked 15 miles that day. We had a great day, but we did know what we were getting into. Rode everything we wanted and did some twice. So you can have fun. Now I will say were all Disney Adults, so no strollers, or young kids.

 

[Joshua_me]

Hot and crowded are understatements.

I'll say...

I don't know how many times you and yours have been to the parks, but if you're going to the MK with the desire of, "we're going to ride all the rides and see everything possible..." Well, frankly, you need to put that idea out of your head as quickly as possible.

This is not to say that the 4th is not an exciting day to visit Disney, (just the opposite, actually) but if your focus is the Magic Kingdom then you need to accept a few things:

1) The park will most likely reach capacity by noon, which means NO one (even those staying at hotels on property) will be allowed entrance.

2) No matter HOW much of a Disney fan you may be, that "magic" can quickly wilt in the face of oppressive heat, lines for restrooms and counter service restaurants and a guaranteed lot of "guests" losing their cool during the day.

3) Disney knows all too well the "chaos" that happens during this holiday, and has plenty of non-ride related shows and activities to help alleviate this problem. This is a day to people watch and enjoy the holiday, NOT a day to try and see everything, ride the three "mountains" and the HM and Peter Pan's Flight. The lines are endless, and the mood can be less than magical.

On the 4th itself, I'd *strongly* recommend touring Epcot. It handles large crowds the best, and it's "open air" design helps mightily with the heat. Plus, "Illuminations" has a really nice little *zing* on this night. (Not to mention there is beer and tequila just steps away...) (Did I say that out loud ? )

Also, remember you kind of have to play it by ear. On the rare times we visit the park during the fourth, we stay at the CM, knowing full well that once we exit the park we MAY not be allowed back in. But, the view of the fireworks from the balconies on the park facing side of the hotel can be just as magical. And being able to WALK back to your resort is WELL worth the extra $$$

But all is not so dreary as I might be describing it.

As Kevin said above, the fireworks on the third are pretty much the same display, and remember, regardless if it's the third or the fourth, one of the best places to view the show is on "the beach" at The Poly. (Shh ! Don't tell anyone ! ) Simply hop on the monorail, a bus or boat headed for that destination.

If you insist on "park hopping" that day, I'd recommend the MK EARLY in the morning, then DHS or AK midday (although the AK will be swelteringly hot) then Epcot to finish off your day of exhaustion.

Although, at this point, if I were you, I'd just get to the MK before the rope drop and drink in the magic of where you are and what you are seeing from a nice park bench in the shade.

But, I'm guessing your family may have different ideas.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Because I am a teacher, I can only make long (more than 2-3 days) trips to WDW or DL during the peak season. With that being said, it's come to be a blessing for me due to the extra long Extra Magic Hours at night. There's virtually no lines when MK is open until 3 AM. This has allowed me to sleep in and casually travel the park or DTD during the day, and then complete all of it at night during EMH.

This is going to be my first year at WDW for July 4th, and I am beyond excited. I know to expect massive crowds on that particular day, but having done NYE at WDW in the past, I'm looking at it as positively as possible. I'll be in WDW with friends after a fantastic cruise and celebrating the end of a successful school year. I can't wait to see the skies light up with fireworks on the 4th!

Go with a positive attitude. Name 2-3 "must-dos." Once you hit those things, everything else is a bonus.

 

[Joshua_me]

Go with a positive attitude. Name 2-3 "must-dos." Once you hit those things, everything else is a bonus.

...And with three sentences, Nikki manages to express the point I was trying make in 13 paragraphs.

 

[zulemara]

I'd highly recommend watching the MK fireworks from the Poly on July 3rd, then hitting EPCOT on July 4th. That way you get both shows(MK is better IMO), and you avoid the worst of the crowds by seeing the fireworks outside MK and the fact that EPCOT handles crowds better(and there's booze!)

edit: and as a local, I'm spoiled, I hate the parks when they are crowded(which seems to be all the frickin time these days) and I hate them even more when it's hot, BUT I've become quite good at still seeing what I want(fireworks) while avoiding the things I hate(crowds)

 

[*NikkiBell*]

...And with three sentences, Nikki manages to express the point I was trying make in 13 paragraphs.

 

[gojoe]

We live in an area where closing the first week in July is tradition. This will be our third July 4th trip. It's also my birthday. Seeing the fireworks from the hub should not be missed. You are completely surrounded by fireworks and crowds. Like Kevin said they usually preview or test on the 3rd. Our plan is to see the fireworks on the 3rd at MK. Hollywood has it's only fireworks show on the 4th. I know Epcot has some special tribute but I've been told it still Illuminations (love Illumination). Have fun look for me and my Klan and wish me a Happy Birthday.

 

[tigger813]

We will be at WdW for our first 4th of July. We plan on visiting AK on the 4th with friends. We have lunch reservations for 14 of us at Tusker House that day! We will watch the fireworks somewhere, hopefully the Poly Beach. We plan on visiting IOA on July 3rd and DH and I are hoping to go to Cirque de Soleil that night.

 

[vwlfan]

It was quite a few years ago but I remember that you couldnt even find room in the pool!

Never again.

 

[gojoe]

If you think July 4th week is crowded try Thanksgiving or Christmas.

 

[bkoehl]

I'd highly recommend watching the MK fireworks from the Poly on July 3rd, then hitting EPCOT on July 4th. That way you get both shows(MK is better IMO), and you avoid the worst of the crowds by seeing the fireworks outside MK and the fact that EPCOT handles crowds better(and there's booze!)

This is EXACTLY what we did last year and it worked great. If you get a spot at the Future World side of WS Lagoon you also get to see the fireworks from DHS too! And Wishes from the Poly is always a great time.