July 04th Weekend?

[serendipity]

Has anyone gone for July 04th weekend? We've been lucky enough to go to Disney many times, and because of limited vacation time were considering a 5 night stay during the 04th of July. I'm pretty good with arriving early and taking advantage of night hours, but just wondering how overwhelming the crowds may be even during these times. Any and all feedback would be appreciated!

 

[hakepb]

Only with a mid-week 4th of July.
It's hot, can be very rainy, lots of S American tour groups and busy. It's especially insane in the evening at parks with special fireworks (MK on the 3rd, and MK, EPCOT and DHS on the 4th) like shuffling 30' in 30 minutes in the hub insane.

But the special fireworks are a nice treat for putting up with summer heat and crowds.

You can tour OK if you take advantage of early and/or or late hours. It's also helpful

 

[Art 1]

Once, and never again.

 

[Mommy to Kayla]

On our last WDW trip in 2013 we were there June 24-July 5. We had a great time and are going back this year June 21-July 5 however this time we are doing 3 days at Universal Studios and will be there the last 3 days of our trip. We did rope drop every morning and got a lot done. We were usually out of the parks by 2:00 and back at our hotel swimming or walking around world showcase at Epcot. We actually spent the 4th at Blizzard Beach and watched the fireworks (which were amazing) from our balcony at the polynesian.

Just know it will be crowded but if try and hit up rope drop you will be fine!

 

[beccasmom]

If this is not your first trip, you should be okay. Just keep in mind that lines will be long, so keep your expectations flexible. On the holiday itself be aware that crowds often force park closures (Disney has to follow fire & occupancy regulations too). Heat and humidity are a given, but coupled with huge crowds, it can be challenging for sure. Use your knowledge of the parks to guide you, but know you'll have lots of company!

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

We had a great time and are going back this year June 21-July 5

I'll be there June 22-July 5!

We are doing MK on the 3rd and AK on the 4th. It will be busy, nasty hot, and a whole lot of fun.

Brazil's economy just went flat so maybe less tour groups? (I doubt it)

 

[kmoore7]

We went last July 4th. We did RD on the fourth in MK. Just be prepared for crazy crowded later in the day. But, we had a blast

 

[MidgeD79]

We will be there from June 29-July 9. We usually go to a water park on the 4th, but this year the only morning EMH at DHS is on the 4th, so we'll see how it goes.

 

[mshanson3121]

On our last WDW trip in 2013 we were there June 24-July 5. We had a great time and are going back this year June 21-July 5 however this time we are doing 3 days at Universal Studios and will be there the last 3 days of our trip. We did rope drop every morning and got a lot done. We were usually out of the parks by 2:00 and back at our hotel swimming or walking around world showcase at Epcot. We actually spent the 4th at Blizzard Beach and watched the fireworks (which were amazing) from our balcony at the polynesian.

Just know it will be crowded but if try and hit up rope drop you will be fine!

We'll be there the same time

Interested to hear how crowded you found it last time? Especially the time frame of June 25-July 1? Those will be our main park days.

 

[madge]

considering a July 4 trip ... wondering if there's a noticeable difference in the crowds the week before vs the week after?

 

[WEDWDW]

Hot,crowded and peak time for South American Tour Groups,but I love it.lol

I hate cold weather so I can live with the "3 showers a day season".

I love the LONG Park Hours-easy to get a lot done.

When I run into the SATGs,I just join in and chant right along with them.lol

The Heartbeat of Freedom is probably my favorite fireworks show of the year.

The Magic is definitely there on the 4th-it's just a hot,humid,sticky,double-up on the deodorant kind of Magic!lol

 

[patrickpiteo]

I hate cold weather so I can live with the "3 showers a day season".

I love the LONG Park Hours-easy to get a lot done.

When I run into the SATGs,I just join in and chant right along with them.lol

The Heartbeat of Freedom is probably my favorite fireworks show of the year.

The Magic is definitely there on the 4th-it's just a hot,humid,sticky,double-up on the deodorant kind of Magic!lol [/QUOTE]

Is the Heartbeat of Freedom fireworks at Epcot on July 4?

 

[TJA]

I'll be there June 22-July 5!

We are doing MK on the 3rd and AK on the 4th. It will be busy, nasty hot, and a whole lot of fun.

Brazil's economy just went flat so maybe less tour groups? (I doubt it)

We'll also be at MK on the 3rd and AK on the 4th! We did this same thing last year. Only difference is this year we plan to leave MK on the 3rd by dinner time. We are staying at the Poly and plan to watch Wishes from there.

MK got super crowded last year on the 3rd when it got close to Wishes time, which is totally expected but just not for us. I could see how it would be fun, though, to find a spot to watch the show and then stay afterward until the crowds disbursed a bit.

OP - you will be fine as long as you have your FP's and ADR's booked. Just know the crowds will be heavy at MK once it's afternoon time straight through evening hours, at least on July 3 and 4. The last few years over the July 4 week, the other 3 parks have been fine crowd-wise.

 

[WEDWDW]

Is the Heartbeat of Freedom fireworks at Epcot on July 4?

Yes,they do the full IllumiNations and then The Heartbeat of Freedom follows.

I call the Finale of HoF "World War 3"!