July 3rd MK Strategy

[Megsie1000]

Our upcoming trip is June 27-July 4th. I am going by myself with my three kids ages 15, 12 & 10. They currently prefer nighttime touring to getting up early, but are also Disney vets and know that we need to do a combo of rope dropping and late starts.

We leave to go home midday on July 4th and that was the only day I could get FOP fastpasses, so that date is already set for a half day tour of AK.

I have no desire to deal with crazy MK crowds all day at the MK on July 3rd. By that point we will have seen pretty much everything we want to see and will have been to MK twice already.

But we would like to see the special holiday fireworks at MK. What do you think of this plan? My current plan is to sleep in (our only day to do this, really), let the kids swim, pack for the next day leaving and then head over to HS where we have a late lunch at Sci-Fi and fastpasses for Slinky Dog, ToT & RnRC. After that, head over to Magic Kingdom, watch the fireworks, have a late dinner somewhere (?) and then maybe see if we are up for extra magic hours that night. Is that crazy? Will MK fill to capacity if we don't go earlier in the day? Are extra magic hours stupid to try and do that particular night?

So far I am seeing plenty of availability for late meals at the MK, which has not always been true in the past, so it makes me wonder if it is going to be as crowded as I fear. If a dessert party opens up for that date, I might be willing to do that.

 

[whiporee]

We’re going to be ther the 3rd, too. Touring Plans only calls it a 7, so there’s hope. I was even able to get a PPO BOG reservation last week, so we’ll get there early and see what we can get done. We made our FPs for later in the day, because even though it locks us out of extra FPs, I thought the park will get more crowded as the day goes on and the fireworks get closer.

I’m checking every day for desert parties, but the CMs I’ve talked to said they don’t open those until closer to Memorial Day. The good thing is that this show doesn’t have much projection, so you don’t have to be in front of the castle like you do for HEA.

In other words, dont think it willbe as as crazy crowded as you fear.

I hope

 

[JARNJ3]

We were at MK two years ago on the 3rd - it was crazy busy. We had plans to go back to the fireworks - but we were tuckered out & went back to the resort & stayed there (Boardwalk). I did not hear anything about the MK reaching capacity on the 3rd. It was just very, very crowded.

Saw the actual 4th Fireworks at Epcot (had seats in the Rose & Crown) - they were spectacular. Truly worth it.

I think its worth it for you to do your 3rd as you planned - as long as you aren't tired & don't mind crowds - because it will be crowded. Less than the 4th - but crowded!

 

[Tink1017]

We were there last year and it was busy but did not close at all due to capacity. Do you really not think the dessert party is open to book yet? I had checked for openings but didn’t see any but plenty of openings later in the month. I assumed it was sold out already.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We were at MK on the 3rd last year. We didn't arrive until early afternoon and had no problems getting in. Whilst it was busy, we didn't think it was terrible until a couple of hours prior to the fireworks. We had dinner at Be Our Guest that night. We got out about 90 minutes prior to the fireworks starting and they areas roped off behind the castle for people to wait that were already pretty full. We had difficulty getting around to the front so gave up and watched then from there.

 

[disney1474]

This year MK is open until midnight (EMH) so at least we all won't be fighting to get on busses right after the fireworks!

 

[Megsie1000]

We were there last year and it was busy but did not close at all due to capacity. Do you really not think the dessert party is open to book yet? I had checked for openings but didn’t see any but plenty of openings later in the month. I assumed it was sold out already.

I saw another thread in this forum (general fireworks dessert party thread) that talked about how nobody has tickets for that night yet, so either they are not doing it at all, or they are waiting until later to release them. Last year it looks like it was mid to late June before they were released, which is crazy to me. They must be waiting to get a set time for the fireworks or they are still trying to decide whether they are doing it or not.

 

[Megsie1000]

This year MK is open until midnight (EMH) so at least we all won't be fighting to get on busses right after the fireworks!

I thought the same thing. Even if we don't do EMH, at least we could hang out for an hour before we have to head out.

 

[whiporee]

We were there last year and it was busy but did not close at all due to capacity. Do you really not think the dessert party is open to book yet? I had checked for openings but didn’t see any but plenty of openings later in the month. I assumed it was sold out already.

When I booked the CL stuff, the CM told me that they a) were not offering the CL viewing area for the 3rd and 4th and b) they expected the desert parties to open in late May/early June. I don't know if that's the real story, but I since no one has mentioned desert parties for those days anywhere around here, i think it's true they haven't opened them up. I think the question is will they?

I asked this on another thread, but if anyone sees them open, please post something here (after you get yours, of course). I'm checking every morning, but I'd hate to miss it just because I got lazy one day.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I have checked daily for July 3 MK dessert party since they opened summer dates. They have not opened yet. I know this with 100% certainty.

 

[micheleq]

We are also planning on going to MK on the 3rd. I have late am Fastpasses at AK, then we will head back to CCV for an afternoon break before a 6pm dinner ADR at Citricos. Hop on the monorail and head to MK for fireworks and late night rides. Sleep in on the 4th!

I switched up my ADRs for the 3rd yesterday, and there were still options at MK for lunch and dinner. The only MK area restaurant that did not have availability was California Grill, but that’s no surprise.

 

[leiaorgana]

I saw another thread in this forum (general fireworks dessert party thread) that talked about how nobody has tickets for that night yet, so either they are not doing it at all, or they are waiting until later to release them. Last year it looks like it was mid to late June before they were released, which is crazy to me. They must be waiting to get a set time for the fireworks or they are still trying to decide whether they are doing it or not.

Last year the 3rd & 4th July Dessert Parties went on sale on the 23rd June. Disney did a couple of upsell events for the 3rd & 4th outside of the parks as well last year (the BBQ at the Grand Floridian & the Top Of The World Dessert Party at the Contemporary) both of which went on sale well before the in-park Dessert Parties. Seems like last year they were trying to find ways to get people out of MK for the fireworks. Not sure if they're going to do the same this year. Would of thought they'd of announced something by now if they were.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Last year, hours on 7/3 were eventually changed to 8am-11pm with 11pm-1am EMHs.

At the moment, posted park hours are 9am-10pm with 10pm-12am EMHs. I am “assuming” you could see those hours change to be something similar to last year, but TBD of course.

Last year, I watched the fireworks that night from Poly, waited awhile, then went to MK. It was brutally crowded trying to get through Main Street / the Hub. It was one of those super crowded / no personal space / why did I make this decission kind of moments. But of course things cleared up deeper in the park. I found the EMH time pretty darn crowded and things didn’t really clear out like I was hoping, but may have just been my luck.

Still tons of fun though! Good luck OP!

 

[Tink1017]

Thanks for the heads up on the booking date for the dessert party! We did the 3rd last year and loved the dessert party for the special fireworks. I booked it like a week or two before coming but I had just assumed someone cancelled last year and that’s how I got a spot. Great news now I can stop stalking the app for openings for a little while.

 

[wareagle57]

We were in MK on the 3rd last year and it really wasn't bad at all. We watched the fireworks from Gaston's, but the hub did look pretty crazy when we passed through it on our way to our spot. As far as lines and stuff that day, it was just a usual day at MK until that night. I will say that we ended up leaving early as there really weren't any low waits even towards 11pm. All I remember doing after was riding the teacups, 7DMT with FP, the Tangled Lantern Photo, and shopping on Main Street.

 

[pitpat]

We were in MK on the 3rd last year and it really wasn't bad at all. We watched the fireworks from Gaston's

was it fun from back there? that is our plan and we even have a 7DMT FP during the fireworks.

 

[ultimatefans]

We went on July 3rd in 2015 and booked the dessert party (only Terrace option at that time), we really lucked out with that because there were torrential downpours and the fireworks were delayed about an hour. Even with the rains the hub was packed with people, but we were in a covered area with a table and desserts. It is the most royalty-like I have ever felt at Disney.

That year - and in 2016 - EMH was until 3am which was glorious. Just about everything was a walk-on at 2am. Last year EMH was only until 1am though. The hours weren't extended until right before our trip, so it's very possible EMH will be past midnight.

Have fun!!

 

[wareagle57]

was it fun from back there? that is our plan and we even have a 7DMT FP during the fireworks.

Yes, I really like watching from back there, especially for the bigger shows with fireworks going off all around. I'm sure the hub would be better, but I just don't want to wait in that mess. My only complaint is that it was hard to hear the audio.