july 4 MK fireworks

[jacncaitsmom]

The fireworks on July4 at MK are listed at 9pm. Are these the special fireworks or do they do them later? Do they still do a special July 4 fireworks display. I see that Illuminations is listed for 10. Don't they do an add-on with American music, etc. We live in Orlando and figure we'll fight the crowds to see Disney fireworks. Any suggestions? We don't have passes so I just figured we would go to the Poly and watch from the beach.

Thanks,
Ginger

 

[nativetxn]

Hi Ginger, my sister shares your name

I've never been to WDW over the 4th. I'm just going to bump this back to page one for you. I'm sure some of our WDW veterans can answer your question.

Katholyn

 

[wdwguide]

All three parks (MK, EC and ST) have special July 4 fireworks. If you don't want to buy tickets, the MK show is spectacular from the Poly beach. In past years (and I assume they will do this again this year), they launched the shells not only from behind the park and its perimeter, but also from one of the islands in the Seven Seas Lagoon, thus giving you a very nice close-up view of the action.

Epcot's show is the regular Illuminations followed by an incredible (!) finale that makes the regular show look like your average county fair fireworks.

As for the Studios, I have only seen the holiday version of Sorcery once, which was plagued with problems. I am thinking that I'll try that one again this year.

 

[CarolA]

They do special July 4th fireworks after the regular MK and Epcot Fireworks.

I watched them from the Poly last year and the only problem was I could not hear the music.

 

[jk1]

You will not be allowed to park at the Poly unless you are a resort guest or have confirmed priority seating ressies for a Poly restaurant.

 

[wdwguide]

Originally posted by jk1
You will not be allowed to park at the Poly unless you are a resort guest or have confirmed priority seating ressies for a Poly restaurant.

Well. the Polynesian is right next to the TTC - you can just park there and walk over to the beach.

 

[tonyk]

Originally posted by wdwguide
Well. the Polynesian is right next to the TTC - you can just park there and walk over to the beach.

Beachhopper!

 

[catsfan]

I have a related question regarding July 4th. Where would everyone recommend my family go to watch fireworks? I knew that Sorcery in the Sky was an option at MGM, as well as the fireworks at MK. I didn't realize Epcot would have some as well. We plan to attend Early Entry at AK that morning, and switch sometime in the afternoon to whichever park we plan to watch fireworks. Is this risky? I'd hate to NOT be allowed into one of the other parks due to them reaching capacity. What are the chances of this happening?

I appreciate any help from you experts.

 

[wdwguide]

Originally posted by catsfan
I have a related question regarding July 4th. Where would everyone recommend my family go to watch fireworks? I knew that Sorcery in the Sky was an option at MGM, as well as the fireworks at MK. I didn't realize Epcot would have some as well. We plan to attend Early Entry at AK that morning, and switch sometime in the afternoon to whichever park we plan to watch fireworks. Is this risky? I'd hate to NOT be allowed into one of the other parks due to them reaching capacity. What are the chances of this happening?

I appreciate any help from you experts.

Well, the MK is sure to reach capacity for a while (at least its parking lot will), but then you wouldn't want to watch the show from there anyway - you'd miss most of the pyros.
Epcot and MGM will probably not shut down, and if they do, it shouldn't be for very long. Epcot is generally the most comfortable park to be in on a major holiday because there is so much room for guests to spread out, and you have all the live entertainment in addition to the regular attractions to keep you entertained.

 

[catsfan]

Thanks, wdwguide. Now my next question: Where is a good viewing spot at MGM for Sorcery in the Sky? What about at Epcot for Illuminations? I appreciate opinions from everyone out there on this!!

 

[kjustice]

Catsfan - thanks for asking the questions I was interested in. Someone mentioned MK may close to capacity. Does anyone have any more info on this? What about if you are staying on property? ie no need for the parking lot.

Thanks!

 

[jacncaitsmom]

As far as the Poly, we are able to go there on any other occasion to have drinks at the bar and walk around. There is a 3 hour parking limit. Do you know if they limit this on busy holidays such as July 4?

 

[jk1]

Yes jacncaitsmom, they do restrict access to the Poly parking lot on the 4th of July. They seem to have a problem with non-resort guests driving to the Poly to watch the MK fireworks. For the past 3 years, they have had a sign at the entrance telling people that only resort guests and persons with a confirmed dining ressie will be admitted to the parking lot.

The Poly beach and the immediate area was such a disaster last year with non-resort guests that Tikiman, I believe, has said something along the lines that the Poly may be trying to control access a little more this year so that their resort guests do not have such an unpleasant experience again.

kjustice, the MK is first closed to persons using the MK parking lots. When the MK reaches maximum capacity, they finally close to resort guests using resort transportation. At that point, you would need to wait for people to leave the MK in order to gain admittance.