July4 at DL?

[tmli]

We will be in DL for July 4 for the first time. Do you think we need to be concerned with the park closing due to capacity. I can relate to WDW but have no clue about DL. We want to see the fireworks and would like some idea as to when we have to hit the parks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I would definitely try to get there and get in line before the gates open that day. It will be a long day for you, but if you get there early and hit lots of rides and attractions in the morning, you can relax a bit in the afternoon - maybe ride POTC over and over again.

 

[keishashadow]

we'll be there from the Saturday prior, departing on the 3rd...

will it be "holiday busy" the whole week

had hoped that with the various blackout dates in effect it would help deter local crowds?

 

[mamawanavacation]

This is 20 year old news....so I imagine it's got to be worse by now. My husband used to work there 20 years ago. He tells me that the 4th of July was the busiest day of the year with the park reaching capacity and not letting people in. He said they did however start letting people in as people left. I imagine the days leading up to the 4th will be crazy busy too.

We're AP owners with July blacked out, so we won't be there.....and that's fine with us, lol!

 

[obithar2]

We also will be there on the 3rd and then going to San Diego for the weekend and back to DLR for the following Tuesday, Wed, and Thurs. Will this be as bad as the 4th? I am very scared. We usually do WDW in the off season and have never been to DLR.

 

[cccdisney]

We were there on July 4th last year (2007). It was crowded but didn't seem any more crowded than the day before or after.
I should also say that we were at DL this past March during spring break (right around Easter). It was FAR MORE CROWDED during spring break than last July 4th! Maybe it was just this year - but that was my experience!
Have fun!

 

[tmli]

We are arriving on the 27th and staying until the 6th. We are expecting heavy crowds that week but plan on pacing ourselves!! The 4th we weren't planning on hitting alot of attractions but mostly wanted to see the fireworks and any other special events/entertainment that may be available.

CCCDisney.....do you know if the parks closed last year due to capacity?

 

[obithar2]

should also say that we were at DL this past March during spring break (right around Easter). It was FAR MORE CROWDED during spring break than last July 4th! Maybe it was just this year - but that was my experience!

You helped me breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks so much.

 

[caliangel528]

I have been to DL in the past with my family and it was PACKED! It was REALLY crowded. You didn't have any personal space so the whole day you were hot and sweaty. You were breathing in hot, icky air because of so many people around you. I think the whole day we got to go on 8 rides total. I guess it was just really packed that year.
All I know is I'm not trying that again on any of the holidays. I'm scared for life.

 

[cccdisney]

We are arriving on the 27th and staying until the 6th. We are expecting heavy crowds that week but plan on pacing ourselves!! The 4th we weren't planning on hitting alot of attractions but mostly wanted to see the fireworks and any other special events/entertainment that may be available.

CCCDisney.....do you know if the parks closed last year due to capacity?

Not to my knowledge. I know we left in the afternoon and came back in the evening. I never heard that they had to close due to capacity.

 

[jernysgirl]

I have been to DL in the past with my family and it was PACKED! It was REALLY crowded. You didn't have any personal space so the whole day you were hot and sweaty. You were breathing in hot, icky air because of so many people around you. I think the whole day we got to go on 8 rides total. I guess it was just really packed that year.
All I know is I'm not trying that again on any of the holidays. I'm scared for life.

I was there years ago on the 4th and it felt just like this. I remember walking through NOS, trying to get over to SM and the rest of Critter Country, and you were shoulder to shoulder with every other hot sweaty person. It was so disgusting! Being there that one time made us never want to go back on the 4th.

If you are going, definitely get there early, and make sure you bring in lots of extra snacks, and water in with you. Bring in everything you are going for the whole day (even light sweaters for the evening). I would get a locker ASAP. Use the locker for all your gear so that you don't have to pack it through the crowds all day (or worry about losing any of it). I would not leave the park unless you have too, just in case the park does get full. If you leave and the park fills to capacity while you are out, you are not going to be able to get back in.

Most of all, don't expect too much out of the day and try to relax and try to have fun. Enjoy the holiday!

 

[dizneekrazee]

We were there for the 4th in 2006. I do not recall them closin the parks, the only time I ever really hear of that is for New Years Eve.

In comparing the 4th with other times I have been, the 4th was not as crowed as I had anticipated, and we went for 2 days in 12/02 (the 13th at DCA and the 14th at DL), that 1 day at DL was the most crowded I have ever experienced.

HTH! Have a great trip!!
Brandy

 

[cccdisney]

We were there for the 4th in 2006. I do not recall them closin the parks, the only time I ever really hear of that is for New Years Eve.

In comparing the 4th with other times I have been, the 4th was not as crowed as I had anticipated, and we went for 2 days in 12/02 (the 13th at DCA and the 14th at DL), that 1 day at DL was the most crowded I have ever experienced.

HTH! Have a great trip!!
Brandy

I had the same experience. We were expecting horrible crowds on the 4th and didn't have them at all. It was crowded - don't get me wrong - but it was not the insanity that I experienced this past March during spring break. I would NOT ever go back during spring break again! It was pure insanity. We go to DL often and I have NEVER seen it so crowded than this past March.

 

[Brenna&Noah's Mom]

We will be there over the 4th of July weekend.

 

[tmli]

Thanks everyone for the responses. We are prepared for busy, just hoping we can get back in the park for the fireworks at night. Would prefer to not have to stay in the park from morning to night.