July 4th Celebration?

[MississippiMom]

Due to my husband's work, we are very limited on when we can take a family vacation this Summer. Looks like we may be considering a Disney/Universal trip beginning Friday, July 4th. If we are going to be stuck with the holiday crowds, I would prefer to be at THE best July 4th celebration. Any thoughts on whether that is on the Disney side or the Universal side?

Any details you can share would be appreciated.

 

[juliebug1997]

MK is a nightmare on the 3rd and the 4th. The fireworks may be the best, but it's a nightmare of a mess with the crowd. You can watch them from the beach at the Poly, eat dinner at the California Grill and watch them from the observation deck. Illuminations that night at Epcot is supposed to be awesome.

PS: I completely understand about having to go around the 4th of July. We did it two years in a row and, so long as you have a good plan, you should be fine.

 

[WEDWDW]

If you want to do it "in style",watch the MK fireworks(9:00 PM) from the TTC.

Then IMMEDIATELY hop on the Epcot Monorail and watch the Epcot fireworks from the English Channel Bridge(10:00 PM)-they are AMAZING-think World War 3!

Then hurry out the International Gateway to and watch the last part of the DHS show(high fireworks) from the Beach Club beach.

Yes,it is possible-I do it every year.

 

[MississippiMom]

If you want to do it "in style",watch the MK fireworks(9:00 PM) from the TTC.

Then IMMEDIATELY hop on the Epcot Monorail and watch the Epcot fireworks from the English Channel Bridge(10:00 PM)-they are AMAZING-think World War 3!

Then hurry out the International Gateway to and watch the last part of the DHS show(high fireworks) from the Beach Club beach.

Yes,it is possible-I do it every year.

First of all . . . I bow to your awesomeness . . .

Our three girls (ages 12 - 20) will LOVE your recommendation, but I am not convinced that my husband and I can move that fast. LOL I do have questions, though. What is the "English Channel Bridge"? And can anyone just stroll over to the Beach Club beach or will we need to be staying at a Disney resort? (Still trying to determine where we will be staying.)

Thank you!

 

[chitwnnole]

We were at MK on the 4th 3 years ago. Each of the last two years we have gone thanksgiving week. We found MK to be absolutely nuts more than ever on the 4th than the week of thanksgiving. I can remember it taking us over a 1/2 hour to go from the haunted mansion to fantasy land. If you know the ark it usually doesn't take that long. One of my daughters and I decided to do BTM during the FW and we had no wait times.

 

[photo_chick]

Due to my husband's work, we are very limited on when we can take a family vacation this Summer. Looks like we may be considering a Disney/Universal trip beginning Friday, July 4th. If we are going to be stuck with the holiday crowds, I would prefer to be at THE best July 4th celebration. Any thoughts on whether that is on the Disney side or the Universal side?

Any details you can share would be appreciated.

We are doing MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th this year. The special fireworks are the 3rd and 4th at MK and there is more at Epcot on the 4th than just extra fireworks. Last trip we did MK on the 3rd and DHS on the 4th and did not care for the DHS 4th of July experience.

The crowds aren't too bad all things considered.

 

[2Tiggies]

We are doing MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th this year. The special fireworks are the 3rd and 4th at MK and there is more at Epcot on the 4th than just extra fireworks. Last trip we did MK on the 3rd and DHS on the 4th and did not care for the DHS 4th of July experience.

The crowds aren't too bad all things considered.

Please could you give me more info on the extras at Epcot on the 4th? I know about the Voices of Liberty but although I've posted a couple of threads over the last few months asking for more details, I'm still none the wiser. Our days are planned out the same as yours (MK on the 3rd and then Epcot). Any advice and info would be much appreciated (by these Summer First-Timers )

 

[athumann]

I've never experienced Universal but we were at Disney last year during the week of July 4th and found the crowds and heat so manageable that we are going the exact same week this year. So much fun!!

Not sure if they will do it the exact same way this year but last year they had special 4th fireworks at Magic Kingdom the whole week, but the 3rd and
4th were the main ones I think. We were at Magic Kingdom on the 3rd and then went to Hollywood Studios for the 4th and we absolutely loved that one. There was a live band and the fireworks were in sync with the music. Overall just a super fun atmosphere.

The only thing I heard about the fireworks at Epcot was that it was Illuminiations with an extra bit at the end. That may or may not be accurate but that is what I heard.

 

[WEDWDW]

First of all . . . I bow to your awesomeness . . .

Our three girls (ages 12 - 20) will LOVE your recommendation, but I am not convinced that my husband and I can move that fast. LOL I do have questions, though. What is the "English Channel Bridge"? And can anyone just stroll over to the Beach Club beach

The English Channel Bridge is between United Kingdom and France(Not sure if the name is "official",but that's what I call it.).

It is close to the International Gateway exit of Epcot.(exit to go to The Beach/Yacht Club,etc.)

Anyone can do anything at any Resort except use the Pools(unless they are at a Sister Resort).

One caveat is you won't have the best view by the time you get to Epcot-you will be looking "over and between" Guests,so if a great view is important,I would suggest "staking out" a spot early at Magic Kingdom on July 3 and staking out a spot early on July 4 at Epcot.

The TTC to Epcot RUN on July 4 is fun though.

Watching from the TTC gives a good view of the 360 degree perimeter fireworks and the "mirror fireworks"(they launch fireworks on one of the Islands in Seven Seas Lagoon that "mirror" the ones shot from behind the Castle.

It is also amazing to see both shows so close together.

 

[WEDWDW]

Not sure if they will do it the exact same way this year but last year they had special 4th fireworks at Magic Kingdom the whole week, but the 3rd and
4th were the main ones I think.

The only thing I heard about the fireworks at Epcot was that it was Illuminiations with an extra bit at the end. That may or may not be accurate but that is what I heard.

MK fireworks will just be July3,4 this year-they did it the whole week last year as part of Limited Time Magic.

Yes,they do the full IllumiNations followed by the "4th of July Tag".

The "tag" is AMAZING-fireworks going off in the lagoon and also behind The American Adventure.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Please could you give me more info on the extras at Epcot on the 4th? I know about the Voices of Liberty but although I've posted a couple of threads over the last few months asking for more details, I'm still none the wiser. Our days are planned out the same as yours (MK on the 3rd and then Epcot). Any advice and info would be much appreciated (by these Summer First-Timers )

I am sure there more but on the 4th of Julys we spent at Epcot (2013, 2011) I recall getting a USA flag pin, a craft/coloring station in the land pavilion near the garden grill that featured making an American eagle as well as a display of patriotic carvings out of vegetables, the fife & drum corp performing at the American pavilion asking kids to join in and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, the Voices of Liberty performances and the exceptional 4th of July ending to Illuminations.

Additionally, lots of guests in red, white and blue and overall just a very patriotic feeling to be sharing such an important day.

 

[ferd]

MK usually meets capacity on the 4th by 12noon, so if you are going to go to the park that day, you will want to get there early. They also open early (8am, I believe) so it can be a long day to wait. Last year people were sitting and holding their spots for the fireworks in front of the castle before lunch time. It is a VERY crowded day. Epcot absorbs crowds much easier than MK does (because of its sheer size) and it's parking lot is far larger.

 

[WEDWDW]

I am sure there more but on the 4th of Julys we spent at Epcot (2013, 2011) I recall getting a USA flag pin, a craft/coloring station in the land pavilion near the garden grill that featured making an American eagle as well as a display of patriotic carvings out of vegetables, the fife & drum corp performing at the American pavilion asking kids to join in and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, the Voices of Liberty performances and the exceptional 4th of July ending to Illuminations.

Additionally, lots of guests in red, white and blue and overall just a very patriotic feeling to be sharing such an important day.

Also,Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross usually make appearances at The American Adventure and Patriot Mickey,Patriot Donald and Patriot Goofy usually are part of the VoL patriotic shows at America Gardens Theater.

 

[balcerfamily]

We will be arriving mid-afternoon on the 4th this year. We are staying at Caribbean. We really don't want to burn a park ticket for only half a day, so could we have a good view if we just go to the beach club for fireworks? We have a 3 year old and 5 year old so moving quickly is more difficult.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

We will be arriving mid-afternoon on the 4th this year. We are staying at Caribbean. We really don't want to burn a park ticket for only half a day, so could we have a good view if we just go to the beach club for fireworks? We have a 3 year old and 5 year old so moving quickly is more difficult.

If you decide not to go to a park and try from the Beach Club, you will need to be on the bridge between the BC and Boardwalk in order to see some of the show from Epcot.

You won't be able to see a majority of the show though since it takes place on the water. You will be able to see the very high up fireworks, including the 4th of July tag at the end of Illuminations. You cannot hear the music very well from the location either.

If you just want to see some fireworks, this will work. If you really want to see a great 4th of July show, you need to be inside the park.

Depending on your tickets, it may not be a lot to add on another day. You could even arrive to do a couple of attractions -- it will be crowded, but with Fastpass+ you could secure at least 3 rides/characters before time to get a spot to see the fireworks. With the littler ones, you might choose meeting Mickey & friends, Finding Nemo ride, Spaceship Earth or Living with the Land.

 

[WEDWDW]

Balcerfamily,I would watch the Heartbeat of Freedom(Epcot show) from the bridge and then quickly move to the beach and watch the DHS fireworks from there.

 

[La2kw]

We've done both many times. MK by far is the best (and the most crowded). Universal does usually have an upcharge party on Citywalk with fireworks which is pretty cool, but the MK fireworks in the round are something to see.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

We spend July 3rd at MK every year. Although the park is packed to capacity and it can be quite insane standing with those crowds side by side with no where to move about, we still do it. We get there early, find our spot on Main street and wait. I've said plenty of times "I'm not doing this next year", but after watching the fireworks in front of the castle with fireworks in front and behind you nothing compares! We then head to Epcot on July 4th. Enjoy, anywhere in Disney World is magical for the 4th of July.