Have you ever been in MK on July 4th?

[Mimi Q]

If you have ever been in the Magic Kingdom on July 4th, please tell me if you would do it again. We are going to be near Orlando on another trip, and that is the only day we could possibly go to Disney World. My dd and my two nieces would love to go for the day, but I need to know if it will just be miserable. They are 11, 12, and 13 years old. My dd and I have been many times, so we do know our way around MK well.

 

[kj2mom]

We have not done it yet (we have done NYE before) but we are this year. We are planning open until as close to close as we can make it. I think it is all about expectations so as long as you know you will be experiencing this with thousands of hot and sweaty friends you will have a great time!

My twins are 13 and their twin friends are turning 13 on the 4th.

 

[tinkwdw53]

yes we've been there once and it was crowded and so so Hot!!!

 

[LUVDisney1975]

We were there last July 4th and honestly I wouldn't do it again. The fireworks were AMAZING but it was just too crowded for me. Now watching the fireworks from outside of Magic Kingdom - yes.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

I have too, I totally agree with tinkwdw53. It was super crowded and beyond hot!

 

[glassslippergirl]

We went a few years ago and had a great time. You have to go with the attitude that the crowds followed you there because something awesome is going to happen. Plan two sit down meals in air conditioning and take your time-- CP is good for this, just take your time snacking on little plates from the buffet. Do CS meals at off-times to ensure seating. Stake out a place for fireworks early. If there's multiple adults, have one or two hold the space while another adult takes the kids on a ride or for ice cream or to the candy shop. Know that you won't get to do everything, but plan ahead with the kids to prioritize a few things. Plan to stay the whole day and bring everything you'll need. I'd recommend even a change of clothes for the kids so they can get wet on rides and not be miserably soggy for the rest of the day. A locker can help lessen the load.

 

[kmoore7]

Our family went in 2014. It got crazy crowded after dinner. Crazy hot and humid that day. We expected both so we were ready. Would do it again, absolutely. Our kids-5 of them-are a little older though, so I'm sure that helped.it's all in your mindset going in.

 

[DVCcurious]

We went in 2010 and it was amazing. We're totally going to do it again in 2016. Is it crowded? Yes. Is it hot? Yes.

But the fireworks were the best I've ever seen and the crowds emptied after the fireworks. I remember the fireworks were at 10:00. We watched them in fantasyland and immediately after they were done we rode PP with a 30 minute wait. Then we headed to Frontierland to catch the 11:00 parade. There was nobody there. We saw empty boat after empty boat going down the hill at Splash. The park closed at 1AM and it was only 11:00.

It's a good time. But if you're only going 1 day are you paying the $105 price per person for a one day MK ticket? If that's the case it may not be worth it. If you have an annual pass I say do it.

 

[sophiasapientia]

We were there last July 4th. We went in knowing that it would be beyond crowded and planned accordingly with breakfast reservations at the castle and good Fastpass selections. It was very enjoyable but by noon, MK was absolutely packed and the attraction lines were very long. We did a little shopping, had a Dole Whip and went back to our hotel to watch the fireworks. We'd do it again but it wouldn't be our first choice of days to go.

 

[Mimi Q]

Thanks so much for your replies! I booked a room at Port Orleans Riverside this morning with the summer discount. Now to figure out our FastPass+ game plan.

 

[momimouse27]

We did it when my kids were real young and I swore I'd never try that again! I remember it being so hot my skin felt like it was melting off me(and growing up in the south, I'm no stranger to heat and humidity) and the people... just soooo many people. We haven't been back in summer since.

 

[dssdevl]

Was there last Fourth. Largest crowd I've seen at MK. Dealing with the crowd was worth it for the fireworks By far the best we've ever seen.
Remember, the hub expansion is partially done and quite a bit more done by then. That will relieve a lot of the crowd.

 

[ArielDreams]

Yes it's crowded (it's a holiday!) and yes it's hot (July!) so putting that aside because they are givens, July 4th at Disney was fun! Great fireworks and a festive atmosphere. I recall exiting out of a "secret exit" behind Tomorrowland after the fireworks that year because there were so many people crowded on Main Street and they wanted to empty the park quickly. That was kind of cool too

 

[Mimi Q]

Booked all our ADRs today.

 

[IMDORY]

Yes, 1997. I have never, ever been in MK with it more crowded than it was that night. It was so crowded that when we arrived in the late afternoon/early evening we were "herded" upon entrance to the right side of Main street USA and taken around the back of all of the stores and wound up re-entering in Tomorrowland-it was THAT crowded. I would say it was about the same amount of people being herded behind Main Street USA that would fit walking down Main Street USA-I have never before or since experienced this. I was shocked that we were being taken "backstage"-and we didn't have a choice-we were forced to go that way. It was really strange. We were in the parks New Years Eve 2004-probably the 2nd most crowded time I've been in MK other than the 4th of July. I would not go to MK on July 4th again.

 

[jumpropemom]

Are all of the parks super crowded that day, or just MK? We will be in Orlando for a tournament and part of our package is a 4 day park hopper. Is it worth it to go to MK or should we pick another park for the 4th?

 

[bsbrady]

Been there several times on July 4th Second busiest day of the year next to Christmas. The Magic Kingdom WILL close due to capacity. So you will have to get there early and stay all day and night, if you are waiting for fireworks.

 

[DaisyFoote]

Can anyone compare what it is like seeing the 4th of July fireworks from the MK vs. the Poly? We saw them from the Poly a few years ago and they were amazing. The water parade was awesome as well. If you were in the MK you would miss the water parade. Are the fireworks that much better from the MK? My first thought was to go to the AK for the day and leave in time to be at the Poly to get a spot to watch the fireworks. Reading some of your comments is making me think I should do MK instead.

 

[DaisyFoote]

I know they close MK due to capacity on the 4th. My question is, after the mass exodus after the fireworks do they let more people in?

 

[dledger]

I know it's comparing Apples to Oranges, but I've been to disneyland on the 4th and the fireworks were awesome, and the crowds weren't as bad as I expected. That being said, I'm also considering a week of the 4th honeymoon for next year so I'm interested in what people think of this time, too!