July 4 crowds - can we get in at 11 am?

[dragonflymom]

I just called to make priority dining reservations for our upcoming July 4 weekend trip. Originally I wanted to dine at Storytellers Cafe on July 4 and the cast member asked whether I was planning to NOT go back to the park to watch fireworks. Of course we want to watch fireworks! The CM then said that I should not plan on leaving the parks AT ALL on that day as it is their busiest day of the year. I said not even to park hop? He said he would not advise me to leave Disneyland Park AT ALL after we arrive in the morning. I then revised my reservation for Blue Bayou.

I've heard of Disneyland closing their doors mid-morning Christmas Day and day after Thanksgiving. I've never heard of July 4 being the busiest day; I know it will be crowded, but now the CM got me all scared because our flight won't get in until 10 am, so by the time we check in and arrive at the park, it'll probably be 11 am. Can we get in? Has anyone visited July 4 in past years or heard about people not getting in after a certain time on that holiday? It would be a shame to make the trip and not be able to hit the park on that day. Our trip is only 2.5 days long, so missing 1 day would be a lot. We cannot extend out trip on either end. Any advice?

 

[kiwitravel]

In 2006 July 4 was the quietest day of our stay in so far as crowds went. It was however a Wednesday where as this year its a Friday. July 4 is a blackout day for the APs which is why it was quiet for us, being midweek there were not many out of towners and even those that were there may have given it a miss because they thought it might have been busy. End result was short queues....

 

[stacielee]

In 2006 July 4 was the quietest day of our stay in so far as crowds went. It was however a Wednesday where as this year its a Friday. July 4 is a blackout day for the APs which is why it was quiet for us, being midweek there were not many out of towners and even those that were there may have given it a miss because they thought it might have been busy. End result was short queues....

That was actually last year, 2007. I know because my DD's birthday is July 4th so we took her and a friend specifically because it was a Wednesday. I think this year, with it being a Friday it will be EXTREMELY busy!!!

 

[kiwitravel]

That was actually last year, 2007. I know because my DD's birthday is July 4th so we took her and a friend specifically because it was a Wednesday. I think this year, with it being a Friday it will be EXTREMELY busy!!!

Actually might of been Tuesday for us in 2006, I know it was midweek. Must be a leap year in there somewhere...

 

[stacielee]

Actually might of been Tuesday for us in 2006, I know it was midweek. Must be a leap year in there somewhere...

This year was leap year

 

[cccdisney]

We were in DL for July 4th 2007 and it was not nearly as crowded as I thought it was going to be. I didn't notice any difference in the crowds from July 3rd or 5th. However, it might be because it was mid-week? Having it fall on a Friday will probably add crowds!
Have fun!