July 4th suggestions please

[mom of five]

I'm sure there is a thread about this already, but after pages of searching...

My disney party of 7 would like some suggestions for how to spend this day.
I did see a thread that suggested MGM fantasy in the sky. Is this a good show?

What are all you other July 4thers doing?

Thanks-Melissa

 

[Mickey527]

Be prepared for major CROWDS. I am not talking busy day, I am talking butt to butt crowds.
Magic Kingdom will most likely be the first to close the turnstiles due to the crowds, and in the past it has happened around 10 am. This means that if you are there, stay, but if not, plan on going somewhere else.
Last year AK and MGM closed at around 12 but MGM opened back up around 5 because some of the crowds left. Ak has no fireworks and closes at 6 so being there is not an issue later in the day. Epcot did not close last year but did the two years previous.
If you are planning on doing some rides and attractions you will have hour to two hour waits for the popular ones.
I love the fireworks at Epcot but most people prefer to be at MK for their fireworks.
You will see more people sleeping in the grass on the 4th than you will ever see in an entire week at WDW. People get into the parks as early as they can and take naps on grass rather than going back to their resort and not getting back into the parks.
I have taken more pictures o the 4th and New Years Eve than I ever took in all my years visiting WDW, but I have no photos to show for it. I spend the day walking around soaking up the "happy" and volunteering to take photos for all the family groups that usually only have mom and the kids.
I will be there again this 4th and can't wait to spend the day in Epcot, enjoying the crowds and my margaritas.
By the way, if you want a good spot for the fireworks, plan on choosing the spot and staying there for hours. I usually settle down in my favorite place at around 6 pm for the 9 pm fireworks. Bring a good book and some toys for the kids, or you grab a spot while someone else take the kids for a few rides or for a walk to pick up dinner at a snack shop. Peggie

 

[mom of five]

Thanks Peggie!
Hey, we once lived in Bridgeport, CT!
And I LOVE margaritas too!

Thanks for all the info.
-Melissa

 

[funcinderella]

What if you have a PS in the MK? Will they let you in for that even if the park is closed?

 

[jenr812]

I read somewhere (in the UOG I think) that resort guests are guaranteed admission but I could be wrong.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Resort guest are not always guaranteed admission. THey are different levels of closing, of course they close first to outside guest but there is a level where they close to resort guest. Originally we planned on having dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern on the 4th but because there was a chance that we wouldn't be able to get into the park we decided to go to Whispering Canyon Cafe since it's not in a park and we could take the boat over. We're planning on doing Epcot until after lunch and then just coming back to the Grand FLoridian swim/nap go to dinner at WCC and hopefully watch the fireworks from our balcony. I'm surprings the kids with a chocolate mickey and two mini castle cakes and chocolate covered strawberries for DH and I. Can't wait until the 4th of July!

 

[Aroura]

We did Epcot last year on the fourth, and after being there for it, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. We were able to see the MGM fireworks over the lagoon, and the music, and the pics on the sphere.... *tears* IMHO the crowds were managable, though I did stake my claim for my family at around 7. It was DH, two DS's, mother in law and father in law. We sat on the benches right near the American Pavillion.

It was really wonderful, so that would be my suggestion for you.

 

[tomerin]

when we were originally planning this trip we wanted to go to MK the 4th for the fireworks. well after reading and researching we realized by the time we get to MK the park may be already closed. well we decided to go to epcot instead but when i was able to get an illuminations cruise for the 5th we decided 2 nights of illuminations was too much. me i couldnt care i love fireworks but my family doesnt share the passion. well we are now going to go to mgm instead to see sorcery in the skyt instead. honestly if the crowds at meg are a bit too much to deal with after a long day of traveling watching fireworks from our balcony at SSR while sipping pina coladas arent such a bad way to spend the 4th of july

 

[buzz2400]

I once inquired about the on site guests guaranteed to get in. I was told onsite guests are guaranteed admission to "A" park. The cm also had said why would you want to get into a park that is full to capacity.

Mickey527 - I live right next door to you, trumbull, ct. We are going to be at epcot on the 4th also.

 

[goofymama]

So how bad are the crowds on the other days surrounding the 4th. My sisters and their families are going this week and we are considering it, but we just got back from WDW during spring break.

 

[donnab2005]

We have PS at the Hollywood & Vine for the Fantasmic dinner package. If we don't get to MGM until afternoon and the park is closed, will they still let us in for the dinner package??? We are going to Animal Kingdom in the morning for a few hours and then back to the CBR for a swim and then the MGM Fantasmic dinner show.