MK on July 4--Are we crazy???

[randbmom]

We are planning our 2006 to WDW and are trying to decide which park to visit on July 4. We are leaning toward MK. Since we go just about every year, we're not needing to do the "commando-ride every ride" visit. We've been in the heat of August and late May, so the weather won't be a surprise. I know MK usually closes due to crowd size every July 4, so we realize we will be there all day without leaving.
My questions are these:
Is the July 4 experience worth the crowds?
Besides the special fireworks is there anything else really cool on July 4 at MK?
Just how long are the waits for rides?
How far ahead do you need to get a spot for the parade?

I really appreciate your input as we decide where to go so we can make our dining PS as soon as it's time.

 

[siestakeys04]

From what others have been saying on these boards mk is very crowded on the 4th we are planning our trip on jul2-8 and so i am making my schedule to be at a different park that day. May do mk on the 5th.

 

[randbmom]

I just saw the July hours, and Wishes fireworks are replaced by Fantasy in the Sky fireworks on July 3 and 4. Are the special July 4 fireworks worth it? Are the Epcot ones better?

 

[TheresaNY]

We have gone on the 4th of July for the past 2 years. Yes, it is crowded but manageable. The fireworks are nice, but other than that I can't say that I remember any other "Holiday" festivities. The parks are crowded - especially MK - but if you don't mind the mob then get there early and don't plan on leaving. It is SO SO nice to go in the summer when it is light out til late, warm (ok HOT) at night but everything is open so late !! The water parks are great in July. We were just there Dec. 2 - 10 and it was out of the question for us to go to TL. There is nothing like Disney in the summer, for me anyway. There was MUCH more to do in July than December !

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

We were there July 4th 2002 . . .and the MK was elbow to elbow . . .I can't stand that many people in one place so we headed back to the GF, swam, had a nice dinner at Narcoossee and watched the fireworks from our balcony. The fireworks were simply awesome, not only from the MK but the lagoon as well . . .

Were are you staying?

 

[byoung]

You got to be nuts.

 

[teacher31]

I had asked this question a while ago. People suggested avoiding MK at all costs. We are. We'll be doing a resort day on the 4th and just enjoying the atmosphere.

 

[geffric]

We were at WDW on July 4 2004. We swam and were lazy for part of the day, visited at Epcot and MGM. We had dinner at Chef Mickey's and then watched the fireworks from the contempary. We then went to MK. It was open to midnight and everything was walk on...


Just an idea...

 

[Elfstar]

Last year we went to MK on the 3rd for the fireworks (they do the 4th fireworks usually on both the 3rd and the 4th) - that was plenty crowded for me. On the 4th, we did the Keys to the Kingdom tour in MK in the morning, then left about 2pm for MGM for dinner at Mama Melrose's (very good!) and MGM's fireworks since they don't do them much (if at all - not sure) during the rest of the year. It was a good plan - MK was tolerable on the 3rd (I sometimes experience claustrophobia in crowded situations and have to leave), and MGM had plenty of guests on the 4th but didn't seem overly crowded.

This year we're going to try Epcot for the 4th - we'll see how that works out!
Whatever you do, have a good time! We love it in July.

 

[disneyfanfamily]

We did July 3rd this year. I thought the firework show was very touching. I enjoyed it very much. It was crowded. I couldn't imagine it more busier than it was on the 3rd. But it is...I'd stay away from MK on the 4th. Just my opinion.

 

[SeaChristine]

MK does tend to be really crowded on the 4th, but if you don't mind it may be worth it to you. I prefer to be in a different park, or at the resort, on that particular day. . .