How crazy are we JULY 4th?

[logansmummy]

I need some in put on July 4th at Disney. We have been to Disney in August before, but never July that I can remember. How are the crowds during this time. We are usually 1st week of May goers but our son is in Kindergarten now and we can't take him out during school. I'll take all that I can get from my fellow disers.


This is our first time staying at SSR using our DVC. We are so excited!

 

[keishashadow]

i have no input, yet need to know too

from what i've gathered on strategy board, it's best to 'do' MK on 7/3 & Ep on 7/4, both will have special FW those dates

i fear MK closing to new arrivals @ 11 am on the 4th, no way can i hang in the park that long ...you'd think Ep could gobble up more bodies = later entry-noon?

 

[yasuern]

We have been a few times over the 4th of July week - The crowds are high and its hot and humid and there is always a chance of rain. Okay knowing all this I think you are not crazy at all - I would recommend going to MK on the 3rd as the same 4th FW are done on the 3rd too.


WE usually go to DHS(then MGM) for their FW and then we head to Epcot for their FW on the 4th(entering via International gateway).



Use FP, drink lots of water, use sunblock and reapply, plan breaks into your day and PLAN any ressies you want for meals at your 90 day window.


We usually go sometime in July and its crowded but doable if you pace yourself and relax and be flexible.



Sue

 

[5forDiz]

We were at WDW this past July 4th; opted not to do parks but headed over to BWV in evening, iirc around 8 pm, but earlier may be an even better idea because parking was already becoming scarce by that time (we used valet). We didn't have adr's so we decided to walk up to ESPN and had about a 20 minute wait before our party of 6 was seated in bar area. We had a great time, there was dj on the Boardwalk Village Green lawn, lots of entertainers (jugglers, magicians, etc.), surrey bikes were available to rent and lots of folks were having a blast riding although it was slow going because there were lots of people walking the boards. We were able to see fireworks at MK in the distance across Crescent Lake and had an awesome view of Epcot's (over ESPN) and DHS (looking over Jellyrolls). My best suggestion would be that after all the fireworks are done plan to linger at least an hour or more (get ice cream, stroll around to other resorts, etc.) because exiting resort and getting onto Lake Buena Vista Blvd. will take at least that long so no point being trapped in the midst of that traffic ( from what I understand leaving the parks after fireworks on July 4 amounts to the same virtual standstill traffic situation ).

Btw, my youngest DD & I went to MK on July 5 while the rest of family& friends went up to NASCAR race at Daytona and it was virtually EMPTY - we got up to MK about 3 pm and by 10 pm had either walked right into/or less than 5 min wait for every ride/attraction with exception of Space Mountain & Splash which has long waits so we decided to do those later in the week. That was my best MK experience ever.

Have a great time on your trip

 

[disneychic]

We've gone to Epcot on July 4th and the best advice I can give is to get to the park early. Fast Passes will be gone by noon.

 

[Kuzco]

I've only been at the Magic Kingdom on 7/4, and it was when I was a Cast Member. It was pretty packed. I just remember at fireworks time, every single guest in the park stopped moving and it was just a sea of people standing around looking up. That said, it is nice to be at one of the parks on a special day like 7/4. The fireworks are better than most other days!

 

[CarolA]

I have been a few times.

My suggestion... stay by the pool on 7/4 and then go to Epcot late. You won't have a GOOD view of Illuminations, but you will see the 4th of July tag!

 

[logansmummy]

Thanks so much, I second the pool thing. I told my hubby lets just chill out at the pool all day, and hit DTD in the evening? Not sure if they have fireworks or not, I've heard yes and no answers? We will see.

 

[Corinne]

We always go in the summer as well....last year was our first visit for the 4th of July, it was our son's 18th bday!
I cannot remember what we did on the 4th during the day, I am trying to find my post from last year, but I do remember hearing reports that the MK had stopped allowing guests in a certain points. I think we may have gone there for a very short time. At any rate, in the evening we celebrated DS bday at Kona Cafe and then headed to the Poly Beach. There were a lot of people there but it was really a nice atmosphere. The view of the fireworks is spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have fun!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Next year we're going to do the 4th of July! I hope you have a great time and do a report!

Bobbi

 

[Disneyhappy]

We did notgo to any parks during our 7/4 visit 3 years ago. We watched the fireworks from the Polynesian Beach. It was great!

 

[BraveMom3]

I'm kinda worried about July 4th crowds, too. We always went the last week of May/first week of June for years, then daughter's dance recital forced to wait until mid-June for the last few years. Now she made dance team for 7th grade next year, and she has dance camp when I had our ressies for June 14-28, so we are going from June 28 - July 12! We'll be at BWV for the weekend of the 4th, so hopefully we will have a few options. I would like to be in EPCOT for fireworks, but I don't think watching from the boardwalk would be too bad.

 

[Greyhound22]

We've been the past two 4th's. Two years ago at MK and last year AK. The crowds at MK were pretty packed. Lets put it this way, my marriage can not take another 4th at Magic Kingdom. Last year at AK was much better (I'm sure the lack of fireworks have something to do with it). This year we'll be lounging at Kidani's pool. Anyway, hope that helps.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We've been the past several years during the July 4th week. It is crowded, but we do not do the parks all of the time and we enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Last year's July 4th week we had 4 rooms at the POLY (The fireworks from there are great), and this year a GV at OKW.

Go and have FUN!!!

 

[katmittens]

We did July 4th. in MK a few years ago. It was very busy. We went for the evening at about 4:00 had ADR for the Plaza and stayed for the fireworks. It was packed. Once you had a spot you pretty much stayed there. At one point dh and dd went to get something to drink and could not get back to us easily. We were on the bridge from Main St to Tomorrowland. They were in Tomorrowland to get drinks and had to go around the back and back up Main Street to get back to us. DD and DS were older at the time like maybe 19 and 16 so it was easy to deal with the crowds, I think it would be difficult with young kids and strollers, etc. We did love the fireworks and I may be crazy but I enjoy the parks on a holiday. We do go twice to three times a year so if we just see fireworks and shop or go on a few rides on a crazy day I can deal with it, as long as it is not for the whole vacation. Good Luck

 

[dblr]

We are looking to do the 4th in 2010, we did New Years Eve this past year @ the MK and lived to tell about it so I hope we can do the same with the 4th. We are planning to camp @ Fort Wilderness for this trip and maybe go to a DVC resort for the 2nd week.

 

[danielle782001]

We have been a few times over the 4th of July week - The crowds are high and its hot and humid and there is always a chance of rain. Okay knowing all this I think you are not crazy at all - I would recommend going to MK on the 3rd as the same 4th FW are done on the 3rd too.


WE usually go to DHS(then MGM) for their FW and then we head to Epcot for their FW on the 4th(entering via International gateway).



Use FP, drink lots of water, use sunblock and reapply, plan breaks into your day and PLAN any ressies you want for meals at your 90 day window.


We usually go sometime in July and its crowded but doable if you pace yourself and relax and be flexible.



Sue

Thanks for the postive words...So many people are so against July...We do not want to go in July but we have no choice this time around...So thanks!

 

[JasonDVC]

We are looking to do the 4th in 2010...

See you there! We'll be staying at Kidani.

It's hot but you get used to it quickly after the initial punch in the face when you step outside from an air conditioned building.

Just remember H2O

 

[BraveMom3]

I'd rather be crazy at WDW than crazy at home!! Weather is the same and I know how to get out of the crowds.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are looking to do the 4th in 2010, we did New Years Eve this past year ...

That's our thinking as well. I'm taking reservations from family members now...VB then WDW? or WDW then VB?, but BCV over the 4th for sure!!

Bobbi