How crazy is July 4?

[Mango7100]

We finish our Disney cruise out of PC on July 3 and are toying with the idea of going to the parks afterwards because 1) we are so close 2) no extra vacation days needed from work until July 8 3) it’s my birthday July 5. How crazy is MK and Epcot July 4-5? We were just there March 17-23 during spring break ( days of 9-10/10 for crowds), but I never felt “omg, I’m going to lose my mind” with the crowds. Bonus for weather less than 100 degrees as well. Is the insanely hot weather combined with crowds just miserable? Another option is to go August 30-September 2 since we have a long holiday weekend, but thats SW:GE opening (though we would not even go to HS during that time). Thanks for the feedback!

 

[AJT607]

We've done multiple trips over the past two years during "busy time periods" and I would say that July 4th is up there in terms of the crowds. But if you have reasonable expectations and a solid plan, I think you could still have a great time. We booked a dessert party for Magic Kingdom's fireworks on July 3 (since they do the Celebrate America fireworks there on July 3rd and 4th) and we made Illuminations one of our fastpasses on July 4th at Epcot. We had a fantastic trip - both fireworks shows were amazing.

 

[Klayfish]

We love July 4th at the parks, we've done it at least 6 or 7 times. In our opinion, the only truly "crazy" crowd is MK at night on July 3rd and 4th. If you go in the morning/early afternoon it's not so bad. Epcot is crowded on July 4th, but the advantage there is that the WS is so big and so spread out that you don't quite pack in like sardines as you do in the hub. We did 4th of July Epcot fireworks in 2017. We literally walked up to the WS 10 minutes before the show started. There were a ton of people, but still plenty of room to get around. We got a fabulous viewing spot on one of the bridges heading back toward FW. In fact it was almost perfect because when the show was over we had a head start on the mad rush to get out. We turned around and walked quickly out and it was as calm as can be. We got on the first tram and were at our car before everyone else.

The rest of the parks aren't bad at all during any part of the holiday. Really not that crowded.

Go for it!!!

 

[SaintsManiac]

We will be at MK on 7/4. It's our first time on this holiday, but we've got Thanksgiving experience, so I am not scared!

We plan to do our FPs and some shows and then have the dessert party booked. I am hoping for at least a midnight closing.

 

[DisMommyTX]

We have done MK July 3rd and EP July 4th several years. It is tough to move in MK after about 6pm. However, both fireworks are amazing and the Illuminations FP is perfect! Despite the crowds and sweltering heat, we love it enough to keep coming back!

 

[TheBigErn]

Last July 3 we were in the MK. Early was fine. By afternoon it was nuts. Cast Members directing traffic. Nearly impossible to get from one side of the park to the other. And that was the 3rd.

 

[mrsap]

The morning of the 3rd was fine, but I personally wouldn’t go in at night on the 3rd or 4th. The lines for the boats and monorail were crazy afternoons on both days. (Took a picture from the Poly pool area on the 3rd of the boat line) Can’t imagine what the park looked like!

 

[soccermom54]

The MK is packed but the fireworks are beyond amazing!

 

[thirtypack]

was there this past 5,6,7th and to be honest was never overwhelmed with the crowds and did "most" everything we wanted. will be back next week and am hoping for similar or less

 

[SaintsManiac]

I’m trying to figure out what to FP that evening. Concerned about navigating from one side to the other. Anyone have any tips?

 

[Klayfish]

I’m trying to figure out what to FP that evening. Concerned about navigating from one side to the other. Anyone have any tips?

Personally, I think it's a bit of an exaggeration to say it's nearly impossible to get from one side of the park to the other. Without a doubt, it's extremely busy, but you can still get around MK. Obviously, if you venture into the hub within 90 minutes of fireworks you're going to go at a snails pace. However, beyond that you may go a bit slower than normal but you'll still be able to get around. FP+ things you want to do, just expect that you may do things at a slower pace than if it were June 4th vs July 4th.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Personally, I think it's a bit of an exaggeration to say it's nearly impossible to get from one side of the park to the other. Without a doubt, it's extremely busy, but you can still get around MK. Obviously, if you venture into the hub within 90 minutes of fireworks you're going to go at a snails pace. However, beyond that you may go a bit slower than normal but you'll still be able to get around. FP+ things you want to do, just expect that you may do things at a slower pace than if it were June 4th vs July 4th.

We like to do POTC, Splash and Thunder on our first day. I was thinking those and then we can always walk the long way to Tomorrowland Terrace.

Thanks for the confidence. I've seen how well CMs keep things flowing on crazy busy days.

 

[NMK62303]

Yes it's hot - and it will likelyl rain somewhere in the parks that time of year - but it's very manageable! For the MK on night of 7/3 or 7/4 just plan to go through fantasyland versus the hub to cross, and it will take longer, but you can do it. We take midday breaks to enjoy the pool and then love the nighttime at the parks. And the fireworks at MK and at Epcot are AMAZING! We do MK on 7/3 and Epcot on 7/4. Illuminations finale is spectacular. Enjoy!

 

[Klayfish]

We like to do POTC, Splash and Thunder on our first day. I was thinking those and then we can always walk the long way to Tomorrowland Terrace.

Thanks for the confidence. I've seen how well CMs keep things flowing on crazy busy days.

They certainly do. On 4th of July, they are everywhere. They've got their work cut out for them in the hub, but even there you can still get around....slowly.

Yeah, if you're in Frontierland, you should be able to get around without much trouble. You'll probably hit a bottleneck as you start to approach the Terrace, that walkway near Laugh Floor gets tight even on normal nights, so just allow a bit of extra time.

Having said all that, the hub is definitely pretty crazy the last 90 minutes before fireworks. I'm very glad we did it (a few times), but not sure we're going to do it again. Poly beach is our new go-to spot for fireworks during the busiest holiday nights.

 

[Mango7100]

Sounds like if we can handle spring break we could handle July 4. We usually stay offsite, so it sounds like it would be a mistake to leave mid day due to the congestion trying to get back in during early evening... We usually RD and adopt a “suck it up buttercup” attitude and stay until after fireworks on regular days anyway. I do worry about the heat mid day though...

 

[Klayfish]

Sounds like if we can handle spring break we could handle July 4. We usually stay offsite, so it sounds like it would be a mistake to leave mid day due to the congestion trying to get back in during early evening... We usually RD and adopt a “suck it up buttercup” attitude and stay until after fireworks on regular days anyway. I do worry about the heat mid day though...

We're offsite people too. We never plan mid-day breaks, if they happen it's just by a whim. We also don't rope drop. We'll show up around 10am and stay until we're ready to leave. That could be 2pm, could be 4pm. If we get back to the condo and later decide we want to head out, we do, but it's never planned...and it's fairly uncommon. If you want to do fireworks on the 4th, just start your day around 3-4pm. Yes, you'll need a little extra time to get into MK, but you'll still get there.

As for the mid-day heat, plenty of ways to avoid it. Rides like POTC, CoP, Laugh Floor, Buzz, Space, etc...are perfect for mid-day. You can pretty much stay in a/c all afternoon with the exception of walking from spot to spot. Avoid things like Speedway, Astro, BTMRR, etc...

 

[ChrisParker]

We are planning to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour on the morning of the 3rd at the 8:00 time. That should finish by one and we'll have eaten lunch. Then back to the resort for a swim and rest and back to LTT for dinner and then the fireworks. I'm going to make my FS for just before and just after dinner.

Then on the 4th off to Epcot for the whole day... I'm going to park myself in front of the Voices of Liberty and just soak in the red white and blue before the fireworks. Thinking about the FEA Dessert party afterwards just so we can enjoy the fireworks that much more.

Also I'm making Mickey Flag shirts for both days... (of course!)

 

[Love Tink]

It may be wishful thinking, but I'm hoping that the summer free dining - which starts July 5 - might mean for smaller-than-usual crowds in June and the first few days of July.

 

[mshanson3121]

I wouldnt do it if you paid me, but that's me. We were in AK on July 3, and it was miserable. We left early. It was incredibly hot, and the bottleneck areas were very difficult to navigate through. And generally, the crowds were thick throughout. I can't imagine being in MK on July 4.

But, if you are travelling without kids, aren't concerned with getting many rides done, and don't mind shoulder to shoulder crowds, then go for it!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We go almost every year, and we’ll be there this year. We are DVC, and stay in BLT on the third so we see the fireworks from TOTW Lounge there, but on the 4th we head over to Epcot!