July 4th info & advice-Fireworks

[need2travel]

Hi All,
I'm hoping some of you can help me, out of nowhere 2 weeks ago my husband surprised me by asking if I wanted to go to Disney World this summer for our 21st wedding anniversary on July 1st. Of course I said YES!!!! I tried to play it cool but it didn't work, I've been dancing around the house ever since

Anyway, we will be there from June 30-July 8, I know it'll be crazy crowded but we always go for Easter Week so we are used to crowds, we also have been 7 times so don't need to see/do everything. I know it'll be really hot as well but we spent 10 days in Rome last year during a heat wave w/ no A/C & temps of about 98 degrees every day so we should be ok on that score too. (Fingers crossed of course).

We figure we'll avoid the parks on the 4th but what are some of the best places around property to view some of the fireworks? It doesn't have to be full on or w/ piped in music or anything, just a decent-ish view of Wishes. Also, I read somewhere a while back that Disney does their July 4 fireworks on the 3rd as well, do they still? Is it just for MK or Epcot (Illuminations is our favorite) as well?

Long story short, what's the scoop on fireworks?? What's the scoop on being there for the 4th?
Thanks in advance, I figure you guys are the experts!!!

 

[dwwlmw]

Hi All,
I'm hoping some of you can help me, out of nowhere 2 weeks ago my husband surprised me by asking if I wanted to go to Disney World this summer for our 21st wedding anniversary on July 1st. Of course I said YES!!!! I tried to play it cool but it didn't work, I've been dancing around the house ever since

Anyway, we will be there from June 30-July 8, I know it'll be crazy crowded but we always go for Easter Week so we are used to crowds, we also have been 7 times so don't need to see/do everything. I know it'll be really hot as well but we spent 10 days in Rome last year during a heat wave w/ no A/C & temps of about 98 degrees every day so we should be ok on that score too. (Fingers crossed of course).

We figure we'll avoid the parks on the 4th but what are some of the best places around property to view some of the fireworks? It doesn't have to be full on or w/ piped in music or anything, just a decent-ish view of Wishes. Also, I read somewhere a while back that Disney does their July 4 fireworks on the 3rd as well, do they still? Is it just for MK or Epcot (Illuminations is our favorite) as well?

Long story short, what's the scoop on fireworks?? What's the scoop on being there for the 4th?
Thanks in advance, I figure you guys are the experts!!!

The ferry boat dock at the TTC had a great view of the MK fireworks and they pipe in the music. We were there last year and I believe they were showing them on the 3rd as well although we didn't watch them that night. We spent our day on the 4th at Epcot and it didn't seem horribly crowded to me. We did not arrive there until around noon and didn't have a problem getting in. Illuminations has a 4th of July add on to the end that is great, only shown on the 4th though. I've never seen so many fireworks go off at once. I would suggest standing somewhere with a good view of the American pavilion for these if you go.

 

[Oswin]

On July 3, MK does their patriotic fireworks (they do them again on the 4th). If you are staying on property you will want to try and see them on the third. If you want a view of the MK fireworks directly in front of the castle, you will need to stake out a spot early. There were people getting spots about 4 hours early last year. I would very loosely recommend going to the Poly beach to watch them. I say loosely because it is insanely crowded on the beach both the 3rd and the 4th and as someone who paid to stay at Poly over that busy holiday, it was frustrating to not have any room to go out and enjoy the fireworks at our resort because so many other people were crammed in there. But if you're going to be at the parks, MK is recommended on the 3rd and Epcot the 4th. Epcot has a lot of extra little patriotic things happening on the 4th in the American pavilion so be sure to check them out. MK does nothing special except put up an independence day banner over in Frontierland and do the fireworks. Illuminations on the 4th is the same show as the rest of the year, but they add on a special patriotic finale that's about 7-10 minutes long. It's really amazing, and people do start staking out spots for it as early as 3 1/2-4 hours early. We got our spots for this about 3 hours early and sat in the rain along with thousands of our new closest friends. If seeing a clear view along world showcase isn't a priority for you, then I would say you don't really need to worry as much about staking out a spot and can view them anywhere. It will be very busy at MK on the 3, and feel crowded at Epcot on the 4 but both days are very manageable with use of FP+, dining ADRs, and a good touring strategy. I can say that Epcot on July 4 isn't something that you need to avoid, and that we were a little shocked at how people had built up how insanely packed it would be and it didn't seem that way to us. The only time we felt crowded in was when everyone tried to leave at once after Illuminations. If you've gone Easter week, this is nothing. Hollywood studios also does July 4 fireworks and they're pretty good. We were in a place at Epcot on the 4 where after Illuminations finished, we turned our heads and were able to see the show at Hollywood Studios too. It was really neat.

 

[TJA]

We usually go to WDW during July 4 week, and we love it! Last year, there were a lot of bad thunderstorms, but the 4th fireworks were still able to go on. I can't answer about Illuminations, but we always stay at Poly so we watch the MK show on both July 3 and 4 from there. Not sure where you're staying, but GF and CR would also have good viewing spots. Also, I've heard the TTC is a great spot to watch as well.

As far as the parks, we usually go to MK on July 3 just in the morning/afternoon. On July 4, lately we've been going to AK and it has been nice and quiet there. Not sure if that will stay true after their night show begins.

 

[need2travel]

Thanks guys! We're staying at the Boardwalk Inn, I know in the past we've watched Illuminations from the bridge that runs from the Boardwalk over to the beach/Yacht Club. Maybe we could head into Epcot on the 4th in the evening, we wouldn't need a perfect view of Illuminations, just enough for the "higher up fireworks".

As for Wishes on the 3rd, how is the viewing from the beach at the GF or the Contemporary?

Thanks again!!

 

[Oswin]

Honestly, Poly is going to have the best view of the fireworks on the 3rd. It's more head on and you will get a better effect of the line of fireworks that go off being all in a row. If you're not going to view them from the MK, I would view them from Poly or the dock at the TTC. You will still be able to see them at the GF and CR but they will be at an angle where you may not get the full effect of the finale. I would personally choose to watch them at the GF over CR. There will be people pretty much everywhere you go to watch the fireworks on both the 3rd and the 4th though, since you get a good mix of locals and other resort guests watching from the MK area resorts.

 

[Robo]

The Beach at the Polynesian Resort offers a great view
of Wishes and other MK Fireworks shows.
However, the area with an MK view is now much smaller than it used to be
due to the recent construction of the new DVC on-the-water rooms.

They do "pipe in" the audio of the shows, but it is very, very low in volume.
There are several ground-level speakers along the
sidewalk.

They also pipe the audio to the speakers at the Poly pool.
The audio level if better in some places (closer to the sidewalk, for instance) than others (far out on the beach, for instance.)

I marked the area still open with a green arrow and the word "Beach" on the Poly map.

Here's a photo I took from the Poly Beach-
MK Fireworks (MVMCP Christmas Finale)

-----------------------------
More Viewing Spots-

You can see the MK fireworks shows very well from the TTC
(and they pipe-in clear, crisp audio from the show.)
Note: you are not allowed to stand directly in the actual Ferry loading area.

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the Grand Floridian. There is soon to be a paid "Wishes Dessert Party" that will be held on that boat dock.

The Narcoossee's Deck shown is now reserved only for guests of the restaurant.
Also, good viewing from the Patio overlooking the Marina.
The sound of the show is piped into these areas, too.

At the Contemporary, there is viewing on an outdoor
observation area on the 4th floor.
The California Grill observation areas are reserved for patrons that day of the Grill or Bar.

(Fireworks shown above are simulated.)

At Wilderness Lodge, the "secret place" to watch the MK fireworks is from the northern area of the Cast Member (CM) Parking Lot.

At the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds Marina (angle shown on the map below,) some of the view (especially of the "Fantasyland" pyro) is blocked by the now unused Discovery Island in Bay Lake and by the high-rise buildings of the Contemporary Resort.

But, the view from the Ft. Wilderness' sand beach (farther north) is more open.
Still the tree-level can block the views of the lower-firing pyro.

Here are the angles of the views in the Bay Lake area.

Below are the angles of the views in the Seven Seas Lagoon area.

 

[need2travel]

Hi Everyone, thanks again for all the great info!

Robo-your maps are awesome!! Thanks again

 

[jeffxz]

If you are a fan of fireworks and have never seen the 4th shows at WDW, I'd suggest going into the parks to watch them. The Magic Kingdom crowds on the 3rd won't be terrible. I wouldn't expect to be able to ride much, but you will have no problem getting a decent spot in the new hub 30 minutes before the show. Check the FP+ viewing areas for a good spot. Normally people sit on the ground there until near showtime, once everyone stands up there is plenty of room to sneak in.

If you choose to stay outside the park, I'd suggest the beach at the Poly, you will also get to see the Electric Water Pageant as part of the show.


In my opinion the 4th fireworks at Epcot are worth the price of a days admission. If you haven't seen illuminations with one of the finale tags, it is a must do from inside the park. The best spots will be with a view of the American pavilion to see the additional fireworks they show there, but the main finale is launched from the lagoon and can be seen from everywhere.

 

[KT0191]

I HIGHLY suggest seeing MK's fireworks on the 3rd and then doing Epcot on the 4th. Yes, the fireworks are the same on the 3rd at MK so you won't be missing anything (well, you'll be missing more crowds lol!).
We did this in 2014 and it was great. We had an absolute blast. I don't know if I was literally expecting the absolute worst crowds and heat but I didn't think it was that bad. We got everything we wanted to do done and more. The tag onto Illuminations is wonderful and definitely something you should plan on seeing.

 

[Shellyb84]

I HIGHLY suggest seeing MK's fireworks on the 3rd and then doing Epcot on the 4th. Yes, the fireworks are the same on the 3rd at MK so you won't be missing anything (well, you'll be missing more crowds lol!).
We did this in 2014 and it was great. We had an absolute blast. I don't know if I was literally expecting the absolute worst crowds and heat but I didn't think it was that bad. We got everything we wanted to do done and more. The tag onto Illuminations is wonderful and definitely something you should plan on seeing.

This is the same thing we did last year. I think this year we are going to watch from the Poly on the 3rd, and go back to Epcot for the 4th. We are staying at BC so it is easy to get out IG after the show. Wishes and Illuminations were both very impressive!

We are going to AK for the day on the 4th - it's EMH and crowds there should be low.

 

[Robo]

If you are a fan of fireworks and have never seen the 4th shows at WDW, I'd suggest going into the parks to watch them. The Magic Kingdom crowds on the 3rd won't be terrible. I wouldn't expect to be able to ride much, but you will have no problem getting a decent spot in the new hub 30 minutes before the show.

Fireworks Crowd on Main St. - July 3, 2009

 

[need2travel]

Wow, the pic above is nuts, I think we'll definitely be seeing Wishes on the 3rd but outside the park. I can't wait for this trip, I'm getting really excited now!

 

[jeffxz]

Keep in mind that pic was before the hub expansion, the outer ring allows for better movement. It will be packed, but 2 adults should have no problem moving around.

 

[Robo]

Have a great trip!

 

[HockeyMomNH]

We were at WDW for the 4th week last year. We did MK on the 3rd. It was crazy storming and raining, which was good for the crowds. They kept postponing the start so they went off really late.

For the 4th we did DHS. They did a rock and roll themed fireworks show that was really fun. I'm not sure if they will do that this year now that they are doing the SW fireworks there.

 

[kj2mom]

4th of July 2015 (we had an incredible day, I think we got to our spot around 7pm for the 9pm fireworks). I was prepared for insanity but it really wasn't bad. I have heard great things about watching from the TTC and someday I would like to do that since the fireworks are 360, all around, I think it would be cool to be further back and see everything!

 

[need2travel]

Thanks again Everyone! I think we decided on the MK fireworks on the 3rd from outside the park, one of the places Robo pointed out in his great pics after having "dinner" at The Territory Lounge at WL or some such. Then on the 4th we'll do Illuminations, I checked already & several of the World Showcase restaurants have ADR's available for that evening so we'll have dinner & then grab a spot to watch the show. I know we won't have a great view because we won't be staking out a spot a few hours early but it doesn't matter, we're still there, still on vacation & still celebrating our anniversary

 

[JayhawkFans]

GREAT thread .. we too decided just this week to spend the 4th at WDW. We will be staying at the Boardwalk Inn. I think we plan to try to watch the MK fireworks from the Poly Beach on the 3rd and then brave the crowds for a little bit of EMH at the MK afterwards. We will watch Illuminations on the 4th. I just booked TeppanEdo for 8:10 p.m. so hopefully we will be out in enough time to find a decent spot with a decent view of the American Pavilion for the 10:00 Illuminations!

 

[Robo]

GREAT thread .. we too decided just this week to spend the 4th at WDW. We will be staying at the Boardwalk Inn. I think we plan to try to watch the MK fireworks from the Poly Beach on the 3rd and then brave the crowds for a little bit of EMH at the MK afterwards. We will watch Illuminations on the 4th. I just booked TeppanEdo for 8:10 p.m. so hopefully we will be out in enough time to find a decent spot with a decent view of the American Pavilion for the 10:00 Illuminations!

I would not be very confident or comfortable about heading to (what's left of) the Poly beach on July 3 or 4.