Has anyone ever only gone to the parks after 4pm?

[airhead]

I met a Disney fanatic a a grad party this past weekend!!! She told me they have been going to WDW every July 4th for 15 years.
She told me that they never tour the parks(except AK) before 4 pm. They go every night,staying until closing. She said last July 4th it was 104 degrees!!! They sleep late, shop,and stay at the pool. She said she can't imagine being in those crowds in that heat!! Also,she said there were very few if any strollers or ffamilies with young kids. This sounds like a good deal to me! Anyone out there tour this way???

 

[laurabelle]

I haven't, but I sure have been thinking about it...especially after hearing how well it's worked her. Typically we get to the parks early, leave by lunchtime to swim, then head back at dinnertime. I know my hubby would be happy to sleep in on vacation!

 

[Disney845]

Just a word of warning. On holiday's the parks generally fill to capacity and will close the parking lots and not allow anyone else into the parks. During this time only resort guests who are using Disney transortation will be admitted, and then only until the park reaches capacity. Suggesting that you wait until 4pm to enter a park on the 4th of July sounds very iffy to me. There have been tales of people leaving the parks for afternoon breaks and then not being allowed back in.

During other times of the year there should be no problem gaining entrence to the parks. I had APs for years and would often enter the parks (mainly Epcot) later in the afternoon/evening to take in one or two attractions, have dinner, and watch Illuminations.

 

[CarolA]

I have been the last two July 4ths. I spent the day by the pool. Late in the evening (about 7 or so) I headed to MGM. I had no problem getting in and staked out my spot for the fireworks.

As soon as these are over I powerwalked to Epcot and saw the fireworks there. I even got there in time to buy a beer. LOL!

The only park that was closed on July 4th last year was MK.

 

[airhead]

That my new Disney friend is there for the week before and week after the 4th staying at GF. This was great news for me because that's when we will be there! She and her family go to WDW as soon as the kids get out of school. Even her 8 year old son told me not to go in the day time!!

 

[Selket]

It is a fine strategy if you don't really want to ride much! FP's for some things like TT and MS in Epcot could be gone by the late afternoon. For strolling, shopping and eating it works fine. We did this one time for the MK - got there around 4:30 - had a PS for dinner, watched Spectro and the fireworks. There were certainly lines and crowds. They were turning away folks who didn't have a PS for dinner too. I don't think we rode anything cause the lines were quite long. This was the 3rd week in August. Or it would work fine for an eride night - just go to the park for dinner and stay for eride and do your riding then.

Have fun!

 

[jennz]

FYI...we rode on the monorail from EPCOT today at 4:45 and the MK parking lot looked full, and they were STILL bringing in full tramloads of people! I was surprised! I'd planned on doing an after 4 day too. Maybe it was just the day, Monday at the MK?