July 4th week?

[Accident]

I went into MK for the july 3rd fireworks this year (2016). I got there in time for FoF parade since it's a favorite of my daughter. We found it lower than expected crowds and enjoyed some rides and then around 4 or 5, things got a little more crowded as locals came in for the fireworks and it just kept growing and growing and growing.. The hub and main street was full long before it got dark and the rest of the park just kept getting more and more.. behind the castle actually had a crowd form and got really full to watch. I think the biggest thing that caught be by surprise is they wanted everyone to enter the hub or try to exit from tomorrowland so they were sending mass crowds around the back to get there. There is a link below to a day trip report I did if you want more details and some pics.. Most people left after the fireworks but it took awhile for that to happen and we slowly made our way out long after but before closing.

It was probably a very low crowd day for the morning and early afternoon but I wasn't there that early to confirm.

 

[keishashadow]

Don't give up the ship...

Today both Sunday 7/2 & Thursday 7/6 opened up for an AK Value Studio, so surprised to see it on member site this am.

 

[Anal Annie]

Yes, I love fireworks, and I love BCV. So, we book a night or two at BLT so we can see the MK fireworks from the Top of the World on the 3 rd. Then we move to BCV ( we own at each) because we both like to swim, and BLTs pool is not deep or large enough for us to enjoy. The fireworks at Epcot are really amazing.

My DSis is joining us this year. We have a 1 bedroom at BLT and at BCV we have 2 studios so she can invite a friend.

Sorry to sound stooopid but just to be sure, they have special 4th of July fireworks at MK on both July 3rd and July 4th and then special ones at EP on July 4th only? I mentioned something to DH that it might be worth booking the Illuminations Dessert party for good viewing if they're something different than what we're used to seeing. So just trying to wrap my head around what's going on. They don't do Illuminations then that night, right? Or do they do both? Thx

 

[edk35]

Sorry to sound stooopid but just to be sure, they have special 4th of July fireworks at MK on both July 3rd and July 4th and then special ones at EP on July 4th only? I mentioned something to DH that it might be worth booking the Illuminations Dessert party for good viewing if they're something different than what we're used to seeing. So just trying to wrap my head around what's going on. They don't do Illuminations then that night, right? Or do they do both? Thx

They ONLY do it at MK twice....3rd and 4th. AT Epcot the special ones are ONLY on the 4th.

 

[edk35]

"They" say that the reason it was lighter crowds this past summer was because of the Olympics being held in Rio and that because the economy is not doing well over there.....not as many tour groups to Disney at Disney summer 2016.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sorry to sound stooopid but just to be sure, they have special 4th of July fireworks at MK on both July 3rd and July 4th and then special ones at EP on July 4th only? I mentioned something to DH that it might be worth booking the Illuminations Dessert party for good viewing if they're something different than what we're used to seeing. So just trying to wrap my head around what's going on. They don't do Illuminations then that night, right? Or do they do both? Thx

I missed this when you asked, but yes. MK does the fireworks both on 3and 4, and Epcot only on 4 th!

After the fireworks, (Epcot)the song Proud to be an American came on and we all sang. It was wonderful. We walked back to BCV to the sounds of songs like Daisy Daisy!

 

[Anal Annie]

Dumb question but how do you know ahead of time what TIME they will do the fireworks on these nights since they keep dicking around with the park hours all the time now? Will they be at like 10:00?

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Dumb question but how do you know ahead of time what TIME they will do the fireworks on these nights since they keep dicking around with the park hours all the time now? Will they be at like 10:00?

When you enter the park you can pick up both a map and a "time schedule" that has times for fireworks, parades, shows, etc. The Time Schedule is good for a week. You can also pick these up at resort hotels.

 

[Anal Annie]

When you enter the park you can pick up both a map and a "time schedule" that has times for fireworks, parades, shows, etc. The Time Schedule is good for a week. You can also pick these up at resort hotels.

Well I KNOW THAT. I mean NOW, for planning purposes for dining etc. Is there a set time for the special July 4th fireworks?

 

[bobbiwoz]

The time in the above picture is 10:17, so I am pretty sure they begin at 10 in Epcot on July 4!

 

[Anal Annie]

The time in the above picture is 10:17, so I am pretty sure they begin at 10 in Epcot on July 4!

Thank you!! I think I'd really like to book that Illuminations Dessert party thing but the dates aren't available yet. Best advice Disney Dining has is to call every day. SERIOUSLY? Uggg.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you!! I think I'd really like to book that Illuminations Dessert party thing but the dates aren't available yet. Best advice Disney Dining has is to call every day. SERIOUSLY? Uggg.

It seems to me that there's a thread in one of the dining forums in which people keep track of things like that. Just find the thread and subscribe to it.
We did a Wishes dessert party one 3rd of July, it really was a great way to see fireworks and avoid crowd.

 

[Anal Annie]

OK, sooo I know TIW will be blacked out on July 4th but does anybody know if we can still get whatever AP or DVC dining discounts on that day or will those also be blocked out?

Also, should I assume that we will have to go to BOTH parks on BOTH days EARLY (@ rope drop or shortly after) and stay for the duration in order to guarantee entry for the evening?? I have booked dining reservations on both the 3rd and 4th and I don't want to get hit with the no-show fees (well, CRT I had to pay in full up front and that's a biggie). I went to try to book Rose & Crown today & it's already booked for the evening so we ended up booking at Tokyo Dining (in case I can't snag the dessert party or a FP). Figured the view from Tokyo is a good one as a back-up plan...but I was just wondering about if the parks fill up & close early to further entry??

I haven't found the dining thread yet about the dessert party...I will have to ask around over there...

 

[supersnoop]

Also, should I assume that we will have to go to BOTH parks on BOTH days EARLY (@ rope drop or shortly after) and stay for the duration in order to guarantee entry for the evening??

No, you should not make that assumption. You have an on-site reservation, right? (I assume so, since we're in the DVC section.) You'll only get locked out of the park at a phase-4 closure. There's only been one of those in the past 10 years. And it wasn't on the 4th.

Granted, it will take a bit longer to get to the parks due to traffic, and it will take longer to get through security and the turnstile. And it might even be crowded. But you won't get locked out.

Ironically, July 4th and the surrounding days were some of the lowest crowds last summer. It really confused us all. But it was nice!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I do not think Epcot has reached capacity. We often eat dinner at Cape May and enter Epcot after.

I have not found that "watch thread" but I have subscribed to a thread that talks about perhaps a new Illuminations type night show and there's talk there of dessert party, and if I find out I will post here.

 

[Anal Annie]

No, you should not make that assumption. You have an on-site reservation, right? (I assume so, since we're in the DVC section.) You'll only get locked out of the park at a phase-4 closure. There's only been one of those in the past 10 years. And it wasn't on the 4th.

Granted, it will take a bit longer to get to the parks due to traffic, and it will take longer to get through security and the turnstile. And it might even be crowded. But you won't get locked out.

Ironically, July 4th and the surrounding days were some of the lowest crowds last summer. It really confused us all. But it was nice!

Thanks - I read somewhere today that it was a distinct possibility of closures on the 4th. We were there one spring break the week before Easter a few years ago and MK closed for awhile. We saw the signs on our way out of the park at like 10:30 or 11:00 AM!!! We left bcuz it was so crowded. It was WALL TO WALL.

I do not think Epcot has reached capacity. We often eat dinner at Cape May and enter Epcot after.

I have not found that "watch thread" but I have subscribed to a thread that talks about perhaps a new Illuminations type night show and there's talk there of dessert party, and if I find out I will post here.

Thank you! Can you post the link to this thread you're watching if you get a chance?? Disney planning is getting harder and harder!!


On a bright note we REALLLLLLY enjoyed the new (if perhaps only temporary) AP passholder entrance lines last week!! SOOOO much better than waiting in line with all the inexperienced folks who have no clue how to use the touch points. It was fabulous as the parks were all a lot busier than we expected. (We went the same week last year but didn't experience the same kind of crowds.) I actually wrote an email to guest services to compliment them on the idea and to suggest it was worth keeping FT. We also got to experience the new DVC "welcome home" message and special lights on our entries. It was very cool to have the touch points do something special and to talk to us. I told them that was a nice touch too (whether that's the right place to tell or not who knows). NOW if we only had our own security line....

 

[bobbiwoz]

My mistake, the thread is not on Dining, it's on Theme Parks Strategies, and I am hoping for information.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/dessert-parties.3570783/

 

[supersnoop]

We were there one spring break the week before Easter a few years ago and MK closed for awhile.

Yup, once in the past 10 years; the only phase 4 closing was Easter of 2009. And "New Fantasy Land" added capacity for 20-25,000 additional people since then.

You might hear that "Magic Kingdom closed because of capacity today," like we did on NYE, but there's so much nuance to that. On NYE, MK reached "phase B," which basically means they won't sell you a one day ticket at the gate, but there's a lengthy list of exceptions that will still get you in.

 

[Anal Annie]

Yup, once in the past 10 years; the only phase 4 closing was Easter of 2009. And "New Fantasy Land" added capacity for 20-25,000 additional people since then.

You might hear that "Magic Kingdom closed because of capacity today," like we did on NYE, but there's so much nuance to that. On NYE, MK reached "phase B," which basically means they won't sell you a one day ticket at the gate, but there's a lengthy list of exceptions that will still get you in.

It was more recently than 2009 (the only 2 years we went at Easter were in 2010 & 2012) but we literally saw the signs up outside of the entrance on our way out that said it was closed to further admissions until the current crowd levels dropped.

 

[Anal Annie]

My mistake, the thread is not on Dining, it's on Theme Parks Strategies, and I am hoping for information.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/dessert-parties.3570783/

Thanks Bobbi. I put a "watch" on it!!!