July 4 and other questions

[maleficent_man]

Hi everyone

I have been reading for a while and having finally booked up to go to Orlando again on Thursday, I wanted to check a couple of things.

First, 4 July - okay, it will be mobbed but is it worth it for the special fireworks or would MGM be a better option? I am hoping to propose to my girlfriend and thought about doing it as the fireworks light the sky at MK. Any tips on how I can make this extra special?

Parking - during our stay we have a car and I was wondering about hopping from park to park - is it best to simply use Disney transport to get around and then go back to where I first parked? For example, if I park at AK which closes at 5 and stay in MK to 10, can I still get back and get my car out of AK parking lot? How late does transport run? If I do park in one park and go to another do I have to pay again?

Last question for now! We haven't been since 2000 - what are the main additions in terms of parades, rides etc?

Thanks so much - this board has been really helpful up to now. Look forward to hearing from you all!

Nick

 

[Janice]

Hi Nick ~ Welcome to the Dis!

I havent been during the 4th July celebrations but can imagine that the parks are going to be heaving, especially MK. However, if this is the day you are going to propose (how romantic! ) then personally I would suffer the crowds and do it in front of the Castle during the Fireworks. That to me would be a Dream come true scenario.......if your GF is a big Disney Fan.

We always park in the parking lot of the park we are going to end our day at (usually Epcot) and then take the transportation from there around the parks - it works for us really well as we dont have small kidlets to worry about. I think that the Transportation service only runs for an hour or two after the parks shut - so you may struggle if you leave your car in AK parking lot.

Parades....... well I havent been myself since last May and am not sure if there have been any additions this year, but the new Parade for the Animal Kingdom, Mickey's Jammin' Jungle parade is one of my faves. It is so colourful, lively and fun. There is the Snowglobes Parade in MK (how dreadful, I cant remember the name!) and the Cars and Stars parade in Disney's MGM Studios. You still have Illuminations and Tapestry in Epcot.

Hope this helps - look forward to hearing more of your plans soon

 

[maleficent_man]

Thanks for your reply!

Am now swaying between doing the SIS fireworks at MGM - decisions, decisions!! Anyone any tips on locations for fireworks at MGM or MK?

I am looking forward to the new parades - I didn't realise that Tapestry was still on the go. Does anyone know a good play to find Stitch in the parks?

Girlfriend is a huge Disney fan - thank the Lord!!

Nick

 

[Peebee]

Hi Nick,

One suggestion for viewing the fireworks at MGM - beware the sorcerer's hat I would guess that if you positioned yourself about halfway along Hollywood Boulevard that should be fine. Echo lake might also be a pretty good spot, and perhaps less crowded as well. I think they are running the show at 9pm this year, whereas when we saw it in 2001 it was around midnight, so I would expect a lot more people to hang around.

From what I remember when we were there last December, Stitch regularly showed up at the animation courtyard, near the queuing area for the animation tour.

I've got a feeling that Tapestry isn't actually running anymore - unfortunately - might be wrong on that though.

Lastly, good luck with your proposal. I asked my wife to marry me about 3 years ago on the boat dock at the Contemporary of all places! We'd been for a great meal at the California Grill (glass of wine or two for dutch courage), and then wandered down to feed the ducks. We then settled down to watch the fireworks at the MK and in the distance at Epcot, and I proposed as the last one died down. It worked for us....we've been married two years last Friday, and our little boy was born 2 months ago

Paul

 

[maleficent_man]

Cheers Paul
Head off tomorrow - looking like we will go for MGM just because we can't see the fireworks there any other time - I think we might start the day in MK and head over at lunchtime (or maybe after the parade) to MGM.

The uncertainty makes it hard to plan when to pop the question but the most important thing is that it is the right person!

Nick

 

[Peebee]

Exactly

I found this list of ways that others have done the deed - there are one or two that might appeal http://members.aol.com/sharonr899/proposals.html

Not sure about doing it whilst riding space mountain, but the wishing well at MK sounds good, as does the hammock at the Polynesian, as the electric light water parade passes by.

Have a great trip and be sure to drop by and tell us how it went when you get back.

Paul

 

[steve_rob]

I would come up with a couple of standby plans just in case.

Having tried to propose to my Disney-mad girlfriend at DLP last year, I can tell you an amazing amount of things that could go wrong.....

..... thankfully on my fourth attempt, I finally managed to pop the question in the Gardens outside the main hotel and got the answer I wanted (just before she burst into tears!)

 

[steven1105]

I have been to Magic Kingdom on 4th July 2001 and it was great it was busy getting out of the place but once across to the car park its fine, its well worth it.

steve

 

[maleficent_man]

Back from WDW an engaged man!! We had a wonderful trip - the highlight of which was the proposal - we decided to go to MGM for the fireworks and we were sat in front of the Mickey Hat and as the fireworks started I had to get up on one knee and propose - I had bought a nice little mickey ring at the Emporium on Main Street in MK earlier that day. It was lovely - I had worried about the crowds before I went but to our surprise they were fine - even on 4 July. So many speical memories of a wonderful trip - other highlight has to be riding Mission Space twice - it is exceptional. Only grumble was Who wants to be a Millionaire - I would have thought that given the international flavour of guests to WDW the questions would have been more worldly rather than the strong American knowledge which was needed - maybe we just got it on a bad day. Disney questions would have seemed appropriate!

If anyone has any questions then please feel free to ask.

Nick

 

[Janice]

Congratulations Nick! How lovely

Sounds wonderful, glad you had a great trip.

 

[Peebee]

Excellent news Nick. Congratulations So is it going to be a Disney wedding then (if so, start saving now!!)

I know what you mean about the questions on Millionaire....I was doing very nicely on a previous trip until they asked who was on the back of a particular denomination of dollar bill. Never mind - I got the baseball cap and some pins - doubt i'll ever manage to get the cruise though

What did you think of the MGM fireworks ? (I guess you had other things on your mind however - nerve-racking, isn't it ? )

Paul

 

[maleficent_man]

Don't think we will go for the wedding as my future Mother-in-law (that's scary!) wouldn't fly. I think we have both agreed that we may do some form of renewal of our vows there someday. All so we can walk about in those awfully stupid hats!

I thought the MGM fireworks were brilliant - admittedly they now have a special meaning for us both. Don't suppose anyone knows where it is possible to watch a video or listen to the music that accompanies it?

I also realised on this trip just how much I love Fantasmic - what a show!!

Nick

 

[Peebee]

Yeah - you've got to do the 'hats'. When you do there is seriously nowhere to hide, and everyone wishes you all the best, etc. We got free drinks and desserts in a couple of restaurants as well, so don't be shy!

WDWMagic have a page that has a video of SITS, but you need to be a member to access it ($3.50 per month). Here's the link : http://www.wdwmagic.com/sorcery_in_the_sky.htm

Paul

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Congratulations.......we witnessed a proposal on our trip - it was on the 4th July between Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club - under the little gazebo but, and everyone cheered.

Glad you got to do Mission:Space - it was the highlight of our trip too!!!


Cath