Help! Need Strategies from season July 4th Goers :)

[MushLRC]

We usually go at times that aren't crazy busy. This year we have AP's and are attempting a few extra trips at different than usually times. This will be our 1st July 4th. I know it will be insane and I have NO expectation that my usual plans or touring methods will work so I am ditching them, lol. If anyone has any tips or advise (besides stay home, lol) of how to make this a good (all be it different) experience I would love to hear. We will be in town for the 3 day weekend. Want to soak up MK on the 4th evening. Was hoping to head over there late afternoon but I don't know if that is a problem. My FP+s are scheduled for that evening but is there a chance the park would be full and we would get turned away? I really have no idea what I am about to step into. Please fill me in and prepare me, lol. Thanks a bunch guys!!

 

[IamJBo]

With the 4th landing on a Friday (not to say it wont already be packed regardless) I would say your odds of getting shut-out are medium to high. Every time I've been at MK near or on the 4th it always gets full - but keep in mind as people leave they let people in as well.

Late afternoon might not be as bad as lets say 12pm - 3pm.

At that point your FP+ will be your best friends. I don't remember seeing any lines shorter than 45minutes other than CoP at times.

Most people hate dealing with EMH but if MK has them that night then I would suggest milking it. Keep in mind if EMH is in the AM your chances of getting shut out increases.

 

[Epcotfan64]

I'm planning on visiting AK on July 4 until it closes, then going over to Epcot for the rest of the evening, including 4th of July fireworks. I'm not sure if I will be let in, though.

In any case, I've been watching the weather, and there's a 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms throughout the day on the 4th, so that might reduce the number of guests.

 

[Bay Lake]

When we did the 4th, we did the MK fireworks on the 3rd and Illuminations on the 4th(EP has larger park capacity) it worked out nice. One thing we did which was perfect timing, left EP at 9:30 and went straight to MK, we were on MK monorail when the 4th Wishes started and saw it from there. Really cool seeing the fireworks go up from the islands in the lagoon. Oh and wall to wall people.

 

[MushLRC]

Thanks guys. We were just talking about if we can get in to MK for our evening FP+'s. lol, catching a monorail over to EP and then back over to MK. My head is spinning. I'll just have to keep telling myself to breath. Not sure it will be possible with that many people though, lol

 

[Aurora0427]

We usually go at times that aren't crazy busy. This year we have AP's and are attempting a few extra trips at different than usually times. This will be our 1st July 4th. I know it will be insane and I have NO expectation that my usual plans or touring methods will work so I am ditching them, lol. If anyone has any tips or advise (besides stay home, lol) of how to make this a good (all be it different) experience I would love to hear. We will be in town for the 3 day weekend. Want to soak up MK on the 4th evening. Was hoping to head over there late afternoon but I don't know if that is a problem. My FP+s are scheduled for that evening but is there a chance the park would be full and we would get turned away? I really have no idea what I am about to step into. Please fill me in and prepare me, lol. Thanks a bunch guys!!

Yes, there is a HUGE chance the park will be full and you will not be let in. We went to WDW in July 2008 over the Fourth. Magic Kingdom was at capacity by 3pm. You need to get there early- not necessarily rope drop early, but relatively early, and stay there. We did MK on the morning of the Fourth and then DHS in the evening. We just got lucky- it wasn't at capacity. We waited an hour for a bus after closing at DHS to get back to the Contemporary, and then it took 45 minutes to get back to the hotel. It was INSANE. I have never seen so much traffic in my entire life! But it was also very, very fun. We were childless at that time, so the crowds and waiting were no big deal. The fireworks are just wonderful. We watched the Fourth of July MK fireworks from California Grill on the 3rd, and did DHS fireworks on the 4th.

 

[MushLRC]

I am totally prepared to roll with whatever happens. Not too worried about the kids. They are troopers. I do however wonder what happens if the park is full and I can't get in to use my FP+'s?? That would kinda stink since I've got them scheduled starting at 4:00. We drive our own vehicle but seriously taking into consideration where to park and where to hop to and from. Argh! So many possible scenarios. My head is spinning, lol.

 

[hakepb]

If I had to drive, I would probably plan on parking at a EPCOT and take the monorail. Closing the parking lot is one of the earliest phases of closing.
(BTW, I would NOT park at DHS, last year (7/4/13) I stood in a bus for 40 minutes in the DHS parking lot because no traffic was getting out, because no traffic on that road was moving...)