How bad was it on the 4th of July?

[d96j97]

Just curious to all of you who braved the crowds on the 4th...how bad was it?

 

[MelanieC]

bumping!

 

[crow11ad]

I was thinking about this same thing. How was it at each of the parks? Did they close the parks due to compacity?

 

[aladdinsgirl]

I don't know from first hand experience what it was like, but based on the pictures on mouseplanet this morning, it was packed. There was a picture of Cosmic Ray's and people were eating on the floor because there were no tables open. People were exiting the parks backstage for safety reasons, takes away from the magic, but I guess the crowds were so heavy there wasn't much of a choice. I'm so glad I wasn't there!!

Krista

 

[Chicago526]

I don't understand why Disney lets MK get that full of people! Okay, yes I do know, they want the max amount of $$$. But when you let 75,000 plus people into one park on a single, hot and muggy summer day, how can you expect any of those guests to have a good time, and have those people want to come back? MK should have a lower maximum number of guests so the ones that DO make it in have a much better expericance.

Personally, I'd never go to MK (or any WDW park) on July 4 just for that reason! I'd make it a pool/resort day, and try to figure out how to see fireworks that night without having to be in any of the parks!

 

[crow11ad]

Originally posted by Chicago526
I don't understand why Disney lets MK get that full of people! Okay, yes I do know, they want the max amount of $$$. But when you let 75,000 plus people into one park on a single, hot and muggy summer day, how can you expect any of those guests to have a good time, and have those people want to come back? MK should have a lower maximum number of guests so the ones that DO make it in have a much better expericance.

Personally, I'd never go to MK (or any WDW park) on July 4 just for that reason! I'd make it a pool/resort day, and try to figure out how to see fireworks that night without having to be in any of the parks!

I agree with not going to a park on that day. I would do the resort thing like Chicago said. If not the resort, then tour FL.

 

[Jamieb]

While we were at DisneyWorld last year for the 4th, we would never think of going to MK for that day due to the crowds. We had a lot of fun last year at Epcot on the 4th. The crowds did not seem to bad to us and we did not have to really wait for anything that long except Test Track. We used fastpass so it was not bad at all.

We went to MGM for Sorcery in the Sky and MGM seemed much busier but it is a smaller park. All the lines were very long so we just walked around, did a couple of rides that had shorter lines. Then we picked out a spot to see the fireworks from and rested until they started.

 

[Stitchfan]

At EPCOT this year, crowds weren't bad at all throughout the day, at night it was packed for fireworks.

 

[crazelion]

Yes the crowds was aweful during the July 4th last year. But it was fun see people having fun. The crowds did not bother me. I am use to crowds.

 

[lilpatty19@aol.com]

I was in AK on the 4th and the corwds weren't bad at all..actually it was a lot lighter than I thought it would be

 

[lilpatty19@aol.com]

I was in AK on the 4th and the corwds weren't bad at all..actually it was a lot lighter than I thought it would be

 

[gshoemate]

We went to MGM. Arrived around 5:00 and it was pretty empty. We were able to squeeze alot in. We found our spot for fireworks around 8:30 and it still wasn't bad until about 5 minutes before the fireworks started. Then it seemed really crowded. We also went to Fantasmic and it was packed, but Fantasmic usually is. Last year we went to MK, got there early, found our spot and then right before the fireworks started, we had just crowds of people come stand in front of us, so much for getting there early. And it took us about 2 hours to get from inside MK to the Ticket Center.

 

[FatCow]

Isn't there a max capacity number safety reasons? Regardless, I don't think the max cap number is realistic for a park that huge.

Imagine if an emergency evac needs to be done. The panic itself can kill.

I'm deeply concerned after my trip in February. Supposedly it's only reached 70-80% of max cap but I hardly can walk.

 

[robmary]

ok. I fess up, we were at MK this 4th and actually several other 4th's in prior years. After taking a family picture we left to walk our dog at the EPCOT kennel and have a picture done there. Then we went to Contemporary and rode mouse boats. then back to the car and went back to SSR. Left the car and took the bus. We thought that would be better for leaving in the evening. We got back to MK about 4:00 Rained some. that didn't thin the crowd. By the late night it was easier to go on rides while parades were happening. We had also done MK 2 other days, so we didn't need to go on a whole lot. More than crowds the heat and humidity is what gets to you.

 

[emmabelle]

We tried to go and see the fireworks in MK last year on the Fourth of July at 5:00pm. I've never seen crowds like that in my life. We walked around to all the fast pass things, but most were either gone or not good until 11:00pm, so we decided to leave and do MGM instead, that wasn't nearly that crowded. I've been to Disney six times over the years and have yet to see the MK fireworks. This April 2005 I'm making it a must.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by FatCow Isn't there a max capacity number safety reasons? Regardless, I don't think the max cap number is realistic for a park that huge.

Yes, of course there are max capacity numbers, otherwise the parks could not "close at capacity" on holidays and during busy times.

Imagine if an emergency evac needs to be done. The panic itself can kill.

True, but it's not like Disney hasn't thought of this. I would think it would take a MAJOR emergency to have to do a quick evac of the parks. There would need to be a tornado literally bearing down, or a direct hit to the castle or something to require an instant evac. The 9/11 evacs were extremely orderly, with no panic -- people were simply ushered out quickly. Even during the famous chlorine spill at MK many years ago, the area was emptied quickly with very little problem. There are literally a hundred ways out of a park like MK, when all the possible access / egress routes are made available.

I'm deeply concerned after my trip in February. Supposedly it's only reached 70-80% of max cap but I hardly can walk.

But did you feel unsafe, or simply crowded? MK has more narrow walkways, and people tend to congregate in popular areas like Fantasyland and tomorrowland. Even when the park is at capacity, you can find wide open spaces at Hall of Presidents and other less popular locations. All of the parks have capacity limits set on them by various safety organizations, to protect both the guests and the CMs. And, of course, what feels "wall-to-wall" to some people is "not that bad" to others. Just depends on your perspective.

 

[FatCow]

Originally posted by WDSearcher

But did you feel unsafe, or simply crowded?

Actually, on that particular day (a Thursday Feb 20th '04, IIRC), I hardly could walk. From the locker to the castle took me about 10 minutes, that's more than twice as long as any other days during the week.

I left the park at around 2pm because I actually felt unsafe being unable to walk at a regular pace (and sometimes need to walk sideways). Maybe (and most probably) it's just me, but it came up to the point where I needed to get out of the park.

Funny thing is, I'm used to extremely crowded places (live concerts etc, it's a part of my job)

I guess I'm just not a "summer-Disney-crowd" person

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by FatCow
I guess I'm just not a "summer-Disney-crowd" person

I'm right there with you! Couldn't PAY me enough to go to the parks in the summer. (Well ... maybe Epcot.)

But if you made it from the lockers to the castle in 10 minutes, that's a pretty good clip. That's normal. I mean ... unless you're power walking.

 

[allicat]

Im assuming this crowd was way worse than Easter crowds!?

 

[crow11ad]

I don't know. There is mixed reviews. Some saying it was busy and some saying suprisingly not. We were there the week before Easter and it did not start getting busy until the Friday before.

So maybe someone will add to the insight of how busy it was.