July 4th - BLT

[Ladygator]

Our family of 5 plans to check into BLT on July 4th. We currently have reservations for O'Hana at 5:30 and want to watch the fireworks from the Top Of The World lounge (we have no plans to go to a park on the 4th). Anybody have experience with July 4th at BLT? I want to make sure we arrive early enough to be admitted into the TOP lounge. I don't want to miss the fireworks.

 

[edisneydreaming]

I don't think BLT was open last July 4... I think you will need to get there early but I don't know how early.

 

[Ladygator]

You're right..now I remember it didn't open until August maybe Sept. I just can't decide if I need to cancel O'Hana and get there when the lounge opens or if we'll be ok getting there around 7or 7:30pm.

 

[Sandisw]

I would assume that 4th of July might be busy, but I am not sure it will full by 7:00 or 7:30 since the fireworks are later in the summer.

BLT opened August 4th last year so you are right, it wasn't yet open for this.

Have a great trip!

 

[delauzons]

Just wanted to say that my family of 5 is also checking in to BLT on July
4th. We have dinner reservations at Chef Mickey's and then plan on going to TOTWL. I was going to ask them what time we need to be up there. Our reservation for dinner is 5:25. Have a great trip!

 

[BBG-BLT]

I don't believe its ever gone to capacity but it doesn't hurt to go early. I've watched from the TOWL and I have to admit its just not the same as being in the park but it is cool.

Have fun

 

[Chic]

The fireworks will probably begin at 9:30pm so if you're at the TOTWL by 8:30 you won't have a problem getting in. There are usually more people up there during the fireworks but it typically never reaches capacity. Most people go 30 minutes before showtime and have no problem with availability. I was there in October and the place was a ghost town every night. Each time I went to the lounge, I never saw more than 4 or 5 people in the whole place. It's definitely a bland and unexciting atmosphere. The Tambu Lounge at the Polynesian is much more fun and has excellent theming. Maybe the 4th of July will breathe some new life into the TOTWL. I don't expect it to continue operating much longer.

 

[ToddyLu]

I would gladly go there with my AKV ownership if they would allow it....maybe they will open it to all DVC before they close it. It sounds like they (TOWL) are missing an opportunity here.

July 4th is DH's B-Day....I hope your trip is terrific!!

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

You won't have a problem with arriving at 7 or 7:30 for the TOTWL, even with 4th of July. The fireworks are scheduled for 9:00. Most people won't start arriving until 8 or 8:30.

Enjoy them! The TOTWL is very nice! I plan to make great use of it most nights of my trip in June!

 

[DMKEDM]

Was at BLT 3 weeks ago, and watched Wishes each of the four nights I was there from the bench in front of the entrance to BLT...the view was terrific and the music was piped in ... I've seen Wishes from inside MK and while I didn't/couldn't see Tink "fly" (the trip wire thing), I found the rest of the show totally comparable.

I thought about going to the TOTWL; also thought about watching from the skyway/walkway...but the view from the ground right in front of BLT entrance was so good (and so empty) that I just stayed put...basically right next to my ground floor villa...it was perfection.

In other words, while TOTWL might offer add'l benefits (food and drink), I question whether the view is any better (at least than it would be from the ground at MK)...so I'd "risk" it if it were me...head over at whatever time you get there after your dinner and if you can't get in (unlikely as that seems based on reports of use of it so far), you won't miss Wishes...

Good luck...

 

[Ladygator]

Just wanted to say that my family of 5 is also checking in to BLT on July
4th. We have dinner reservations at Chef Mickey's and then plan on going to TOTWL. I was going to ask them what time we need to be up there. Our reservation for dinner is 5:25. Have a great trip!

What ages are your children? We have DD ages 10 and 13 and DS age 14 (almost 15). We will only be at BLT for 2 nights, then we move to BCV. Still contemplating what to do...my DH and I have seen the fireworks from the TOTWL and really enjoyed it. We definitely do not want to go to the parks on July 4th (too crowded). So our options are to try to get into the TOTWL, or watch it from outside of BLT, or possibly the beach at the Poly.

 

[delauzons]

We have 3 daughters-our little one will be 6 on July 13th, our middle daughter is 11 and my oldest is turning 15 this week. We are staying through the 9th. We were at BLT in September and loved it so much we added on there and are really looking forward to the 4th of July. We LOVED the TOTWL! The kids had light up fancy drinks,we had fancy adult drinks and there were no people pushing or shoving to see the fireworks and then we just took the elevator back to the room. It was wonderful!

 

[gamomof2]

We check in on the 7th and will be there till the 11th. We have two DD, 17 and 15. We promised them at least one viewing from the "Top".

 

[spiceycat]

now really though there were 2 july 4 fireworks - okay it has been a long time since I went on July 4.

once at regular time and one at closing.

 

[StormalongKay]

I was at Ohana's July 4 2008. Had dinner and watched the fireworks from the Poly boat dock. That would save you monorailling back to TOTW. Crowds are really high on 7/4. We were at WL and just did the pool that day. Remember the holiday fireworks will probably also be 7/3 - maybe catch them from TOTW then.

 

[Blonde Princess]

We are a family of 4 and will be checking into BLT on July 3rd. We also have 530 dinner reservations at Ohana and will be heading to TOTW. Hopefully it won't be full!

 

[Ladygator]

We are a family of 4 and will be checking into BLT on July 3rd. We also have 530 dinner reservations at Ohana and will be heading to TOTW. Hopefully it won't be full!

Maybe we'll see you at O'Hana or TOTW. I have a feeling most people don't plan ahead like we do, so hopefully we will be OK getting in to TOTW.