July 4th?

[stephwynn]

Hi


We have a trip planned which will encompass July 4th celebrations. I have read places where the parks will be at capacity, and closed to visitors. We are staying onsite, and will have hopper passes, I don't suppose we would be exempt from the "full" rule would we? Suggestions from anyone who has been there on July 4th in the past would be welcomed! Thanks!

 

[brack]

Hi


We have a trip planned which will encompass July 4th celebrations. I have read places where the parks will be at capacity, and closed to visitors. We are staying onsite, and will have hopper passes, I don't suppose we would be exempt from the "full" rule would we? Suggestions from anyone who has been there on July 4th in the past would be welcomed! Thanks!

I don't think it will help but I go wouldn't during the 4th of July for anything. It will be stinking hot and humid!

 

[stephwynn]

I realize that, but the trip was FREE, and for 9 days, at the AK resort for six of us, including park passes etc...I don't really care what the weather is!!! I'll take it!!!

So, trying now to make the best plans possible so that we will have a fantastic trip, have already decided to split the days and swim/nap during the hottest hours of the day, but just trying to plan around the 4th now, and try to figure the best plan of action that day.

Thanks for the tip tho...I will be traveling with dh, dd 17, dd's bf 18, dd 15, and dd's friend 17, so shouldn't have any problems with little ones, but want to have a plan going in.

 

[wildernessfamily]

I have been to Disney many times and the most crowded time was over 4th of July. Yes, we spent the 4th at MK. But remember the parks are open late...espeically for those staying on property. No problem for teens who love to stay up late. One park at least will have extra magic hours except for AK. Do plan breaks and do realize you will not "see it all" on those days. But with nine days you should be able to enjoy and see enough. In July there are usually late afternoon thunderstorms, so keep that in mind when planning some things...like water parks. Make your dining reservations as early as possible, use fast passes. If your teens ever wanted to try surfing, at TL they give surf lessons early in the morning 7 am and it costs quite a bit, but it was a great experience for our 4 teens. It only goes certain days of the week. Just try and get the teens to decide on which park which days and then hop for things you missed. With some planning, reservations, breaks and fast passes it should be a good trip. Enjoy your time with your teens, and make memories.

 

[disneyfanfamily]

Our family has gone the last 2 times over July 4th week. We were there for 9 days also. We have had WONDERFUL times. Yes, it is hot, but we thought it was managable. We took afternoon breaks most of the time. We stayed away from the parks on the 4th. We did, however, go July 3 to MK because they have the patriotic fireworks that night too. I thought they were very nice.

I think you will have a wonderful time. Get to the early entries when you can. We got ALOT done when we did that. We did NOT do any evening EMH. Good luck!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

When the parks fully close due to capacity, it doesn't matter where you are staying, you can't get in. For MK, I would get there early to ensure that I could get in the park for all the fireworks. The other ones have been crowded but I don't remember them closing in the past. Since the crowd levels are up recently, this may change this year.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just as at Christmas, or any really busy time, as onsite Guests you are guaranteed entrance into A park, not necessarily the park of your choice. Try for MGM, at least at night - this is my goal, since this park only does fireworks twice a year and 7/4 is one of those times
To the poster who mentioned EMH except at AK, it's been my experience that Animal Kingdom DOES have Evening Extra Magic Hours.

 

[DebIreland]

We were at WDW last July 4th. We had a great time! Yes, it was extremely hot and humid but drink lots of water and go at a slow pace and you'll be fine. The fireworks on July 3rd and 4th at MK were spectaculor. They will have the 4th July fireworks show on the 3rd too so you'll have two chances to see them. Beautiful!!! We spent the day at AK and it was very quiet and then moved to MK around 7ish for the fireworks. It worked out great.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We were at WDW on July 4th last year and didn't have any problems. We went to EPCOT early (avoided MK) and it wasn't bad at all. We were staying at the GF so we just stayed in our room that night to watch the fireworks. There were many people from other resorts who came to have dinner at one of the GF restaurants and then stayed for the fireworks. Also, last year they did a special 4th of July fireworks at MK on July 3rd. They were spectacular. While it was still crowded there wasn't any problems with the park being full and not being able to get in to see the fireworks. We had dinner at Ohana that night and just took the ferry over with no problems at all. Have a great time - we loved being there on the 4th. BTW Epcot was giving out free American flag pins on the 4th, don't know if all the parks did this or not.

 

[ybalx]

We were at MK last 4th and made the mistake of trying to get in the front of the castle about 90 minutes prior to the fireworks... I don't know why... maybe its that my wife and I are very symmetrical people when it comes to watching shows. So we did a quick walk to Walt's statue and felt there was enough time to walk around for one more ride. So off to Space Mountain or something like that and then found ourselves coming back to the center of MK with about 30 minutes to go. By now, the prime bridge rail spots were all reserved by dads and strollers. We pressed our way to the small walk right of the castles and jammed ourselves into the side next to another woman who had inadvertantly left about 2 feet open between her and a trash can. The CM were busy keeping everyone off the grass and out of the center of the walk. If you didn't have a rail spot on the edge you were out of luck... so we thought. We had enough room for two of us sideways against the rail with our stroller perpendicular in the walk. As time neared close, the ropes came out and then the center flow of people backed up and became stuck. The walk was soon jemmed and everyone more or less stayed in place, regardless of whether they were on the side or not. The show went off and was fantastic. Then as the lights came back on the ensuing traffic jam of hot sweaty tired people and strollers, etc. took about 90 minutes for us to move off the walk, on to main streeet, and finally out to the entrance.

I don't think we'll ever visit WDW on July 4th again...

 

[disneymom99]

We always go to WDW during the week of the 4th of July. However, we stay away from the parks on the 4th. We just don't feel like dealing with the crowds. Last year, we went to MK the day after the 4th and were able to walk on most of the rides. We planned to go the day after, assuming everyone who went on the 4th and stayed late, wouldn't be back early the next day. We were right!