Please help me decide when to go July 4th or...

[wed2luis]

We went to Disney 4 years ago but I had no choice in where we stayed and when we went, it was a "gift. Now I have all the freedom and stress. I booked us for AllStar Movie Resort for July 2-8 because my husband absolutely loves fireworks and is excited to be at the Magic Kingdom on July 4th. After doing more research I am kind of scared of being there on July 4th. Also he really wants to be able to get great photos of the fireworks (he is a photographer) and I think this will be impossible on the 4th or even the 3rd.

So if you have made it this far my question for you is will the crowds be as bad as I am afraid they are? I saw the pic below from 12/30 this year waiting for fireworks and started questioning my plans. We can change our dates to any of the below and our trip must start on a Saturday because of work and my dog sitter. So should I reschedule? Thank you so much in advance for any helps, tips and advice!

June 18 - 24 Crowd levels all 7 this week and my 15 year anniversary with my hubby! Also I can get the 1 free meal dining plan but I cant base my dates on that alone.
June 25 -July 1 Looks like crowd levels of 8 and 9 so I think not this week
July 2 - 8 The days I have booked BUT are 10 and 8 for crowds because of July 4th
July 9 - 15 crowd levels 7 and My youngest daughters bday
July 23 - 29 crowd levels 7 & 8

 

[disny_luvr]

We were in the World over July 4th last year and I thought the crowds were fine. I didn't feel like the parks were anymore crowded than our summer trips in 2012 and 2014. I actually wanted to go this year again over the 4th but we are going about two weeks earlier to celebrate our twins' 10th birthday on June 20th. The MK 4th of July fireworks are amazing!

 

[North of Mouse]

We went to Disney 4 years ago but I had no choice in where we stayed and when we went, it was a "gift. Now I have all the freedom and stress. I booked us for AllStar Movie Resort for July 2-8 because my husband absolutely loves fireworks and is excited to be at the Magic Kingdom on July 4th. After doing more research I am kind of scared of being there on July 4th. Also he really wants to be able to get great photos of the fireworks (he is a photographer) and I think this will be impossible on the 4th or even the 3rd.

So if you have made it this far my question for you is will the crowds be as bad as I am afraid they are? I saw the pic below from 12/30 this year waiting for fireworks and started questioning my plans. We can change our dates to any of the below and our trip must start on a Saturday because of work and my dog sitter. So should I reschedule? Thank you so much in advance for any helps, tips and advice!

June 18 - 24 Crowd levels all 7 this week and my 15 year anniversary with my hubby! Also I can get the 1 free meal dining plan but I cant base my dates on that alone.
June 25 -July 1 Looks like crowd levels of 8 and 9 so I think not this week
July 2 - 8 The days I have booked BUT are 10 and 8 for crowds because of July 4th
July 9 - 15 crowd levels 7 and My youngest daughters bday
July 23 - 29 crowd levels 7 & 8

Everyone has different levels of crowd tolerance, and what you are easily able to accomplish, but as for us, you could not pay us to go July 4, or any other major holiday - just not worth it to us - even the simple act of getting a CS meal is a nightmare with lines.

To each their own - good luck!

 

[roseaster]

We went one time over July 4th and it was an absolute mad house. The MK was so packed they stopped admitting people by noon.

Not only could we not get a good view of the fireworks in the MK, we could barely move during them.

It was very hot and very crowded.

 

[kj2mom]

We went for 4th of July 2015 and it was fantastic. We were fully prepared for insanity but it was nothing as bad as expected. My children (age 13 at the time) are begging to go back again during the 4th (we pretty much go once a decade so it will be awhile). I do have some pictures that make it look pretty crazy but it didn't feel bad. The FP area for Wishes is great for taking pics, unfortunately they didn't have FP for the 4th when we were there (we did get one for the 10th for regular Wishes) so that wouldn't really work.

 

[kam1011]

I avoid July 4th. I prefer June or August over July because of the tour groups. I would think the first week you mentioned would have slightly lighter crowds since us northerners are still in school. With the anniversary and free dining potential, week 1 sounds like a great pick!

 

[roseaster]

I avoid July 4th. I prefer June or August over July because of the tour groups. I would think the first week you mentioned would have slightly lighter crowds since us northerners are still in school. With the anniversary and free dining potential, week 1 sounds like a great pick!

Out of interest, barring a ridiculous amount of snow days, our kids are usually out of school by then.