Questions for July 4th week veterans!

[Anal Annie]

OK, so we're planning for our first ever July 4th week at Disney and I am 2nd guessing a couple of things as we get closer. We are going to MK on the 3rd and have an early lunch ADR at the Plaza and dinner @ CRT at 7:15. I am hoping we can finish up dinner at CRT and get outside to find a spot for the special July 4th fireworks somewhere within the hub area. I maybe should have made the ADR a little earlier but it's too late now. Everything else there is gone now so we're stuck with 7:15. So we'll just have to deal with finding a spot as best as we can after we finish dinner. Reg. park hours have it closing at 9:00 and I read that last year the 3rd fireworks were at 9:00 so it would be an unexpected bonus if they got pushed back to 10:00.

Now, moving on to Epcot for the actual 4th. I read somewhere that the 4th fireworks at EP last year were at 10:00 so we booked a dinner at Tokyo Dining for 7:30 thinking we would finish dinner between 8:30 and 9:00 and then go out onto the terrace to wait for an hour for the fireworks and watch them from the Japan pavilion terrace. But I keep watching the park hours and they still have Illuminations scheduled for 9:00 with EMH's from 9:00 - 11:00 so now I'm thinking maybe we should bump our ADR up a little to 6:30 or 7:00 so we have time to finish and get out onto the terrace before the space is all gone - especially if the fireworks remain at 9:00 not the past 10:00 time. I know they're always messing around with park hours until right before but wouldn't you think that for the 4th they'd have things pretty much settled and in place & updated by now?? We're not typically early eaters but I don't know how fast (early) that terrace will fill up and we'll not find room to wait?? What time do you think we really should try to be out there and do we think that they will eventually update the hours and move things back by an hour?? There are still earlier times so I don't want to diddle around too long before making a change if that's what we should do.

Thoughts?? Suggestions?? Past experiences?? Most importantly how early do we really need to "find our spot" for these 2 evenings?? I read somewhere where a lady said she finds her spot and camps out at MK at 5:00!! REALLLLLY????

As DVC members and AP holders we have been going to Disney 2 or 3 times a year for awhile now but we never really "stop early" for any of the fireworks - maybe 15 or 20 minutes at the most. But I know these 2 days are something we're not used to dealing with crowd-wise. Are we screwed if we don't stop for a spot hours ahead of time??

 

[DVC Jen]

our plan is very similar to yours - as it is also our first 4th at WDW. Subscribing.

 

[hakepb]

The July 3rd I did before the hub expansion were extremely packed the half hour before the fireworks. Like shuffle your feet to move 20' in 14"5 minutes packed. But I think most arrive an hour or 2 before hand.

The people arriving 5 hours early have no FP+ or anything else they would rather do during that time... basically plan on only doing FP+ rides or shows after lunch. It will be the sort of day with an extended queue on peoplemover.

But your normal fireworks viewing sounds like ours. I still wouldnt plan on spending more than an hour waiting.

 

[DVC Jen]

The July 3rd I did before the hub expansion were extremely packed the half hour before the fireworks. Like shuffle your feet to move 20' in 14"5 minutes packed. But I think most arrive an hour or 2 before hand.

The people arriving 5 hours early have no FP+ or anything else they would rather do during that time... basically plan on only doing FP+ rides or shows after lunch. It will be the sort of day with an extended queue on peoplemover.

But your normal fireworks viewing sounds like ours. I still wouldnt plan on spending more than an hour waiting.

We have dinner at BOG scheduled for 7. I am very tempted to leave the park after and take a monorail to the Poly or Grand Floridian - walk around the resort, get a drink and head outside to watch the fireworks from there. Then take the monorail to the Contemporary and boat back to the WL.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We have a similar plan also (sounds like its a popular one) We are headed to other parks during the day but have dinner at BOG on 3 July at 6:20 and dinner at SAI on 4 July at 6:00pm. I'm showing fireworks on 3 July at 8:40pm on Touring Plans and Illuminations at 9:00pm on 4 July. I was a little concerned a little that our schedule might be tight, given that if its busy, we could struggle to get seated on time.

 

[Oswin]

I've been the past 5 years over July 4 week. I would honestly say that eating at 7:15 is very late for the draw with getting a spot in the hub for fireworks. If it's just two of you, you may be able to squeeze in somewhere but I wouldn't count on being able to do that with an entire family. On July 3, 2015 the fireworks were delayed until after 10:00 pm because of storms. Last year, they did go off at 9:00 pm. People started staking out spots as early at 5:00 pm and by 7:00 the hub was slammed. At 8:00 pm, it would be laughable to try and walk up and get a decent spot where you're not standing on top of someone. In 2015, we ended up leaving the hub and watching the fireworks from near Gaston's Tavern and we were right near where they shoot off the main MK fireworks. There were no crowds there and it was really nice. They really were 360 around us though so we had to spin around and see all of them, and you don't get a front view of the castle so that's a dealbreaker for a lot of people. Last year we ended up heading back to the Poly (we were staying there) at about noon and wandered out of the room to the beach at 8:00. The view here was head on and much better and there were essentially no crowds.

On July 4 at Epcot fireworks are at 10:00. It is Illuminations followed by a special finale sequence of July 4 fireworks. It's amazing. Disney ends up changing hours on things up until a week or so before July 4 so count on changes as you move forward. The terrace will be slammed with people, every single place where you can view fireworks will be insanely packed in. I would count on people dawdling and backing up ADR seatings at Tokyo Terrace, so they can try to get out on the terrace for fireworks. A lot of places with firework viewing around the lagoon end up with very backed up evening/night ADR seatings on July 4 because people do this. In 2014, we were over by France and got pushed and shoved so much that we got a spot at 6:30 pm in 2015 and ended up having people show up at the last minute and push and shove us to try and fit in. So last year we did a FP for the fireworks in 2016. A lot of people will tell you that it's a waste of a FP, but for us it isn't. We get a straight on view of the fireworks with no obstruction, and we actually don't have to cram in like sardines despite the fact that the FP+ area is crowded. The downside to this is you have to get in the FP+ line for this VERY early. Last year our ADR ran very late (we had a 5:45 ADR, were seated at 6:30, didn't get out until almost 8:00) and by the time we got in line it was all the way back in China (it lets in dead center at the start of the world showcase lagoon). I honestly would count on them expanding park hours to 10:00 (maybe even 11) and have Illuminations at 10:00 pm with EMH until midnight or 1am.

If you want good viewing of these fireworks (not even the best spots, just generally decent/good), I cannot stress to you enough the importance of finding your spot and staying in it and being firm with people who try to shove you out of their way or stand on top of you. People can and do wait 4+ hours for the good spots at both parks, even on July 3 at MK. People sit in the rain and won't move because they don't want to give up their spot. Having an 7:15 ADR at CRT means you won't be getting out of there until 8:00 if you're lucky and seated right at your ADR time and have a server that moves you through your meal quickly. It's rare I've been seated right at my ADR time or gotten out of CRT without it taking 70-90 minutes. Even with the hub expansion, July 3 & 4 sees the entire area filled in completely. If having the view of the castle straight on is important to you, I'd honestly keep looking for earlier ADR times for CRT or cancel it altogether. If it isn't, enjoy your meal, then head out behind the castle toward Gaston's Tavern. It's a very different way to enjoy the fireworks, but you lose the front on view of the castle.

At Epcot, the spots start filling in as early as 6:00 pm there too, all around the lagoon. By 8:00 pm, it is very hard to find holes in the clusters gathered around the lagoon to start squeezing groups in. A large part of this is because the tour groups come to Epcot on July 4 and take up huge chunks of space around the lagoon about 2 hours before the show starts. The other part that factors into this are the people who want to make sure they're up against the fence to see everything and will get there early to do it. We've had a lot of bad experiences with aggressive and drunk guests coming up at the last minute and pushing/shoving us and cursing at us when we refused to move because we had nowhere to go, it was so crowded. The terrace will be crowded, like I said, but you probably won't have to deal with as much pushing/fighting for space there. I don't have any personal experience trying to view from that area, but have walked past it on July 4 at about 8:00 and it was packed.

Basically: any other day of the year (apart from Dec 30 & 31) I would say roll up about 30-45 minutes early or just step up right at showtime. But on July 3 & 4 you really do unfortunately need to stake out a spot and be firm in keeping it if you plan on watching in the parks.

 

[preemiemama]

We have a reservation at Rose and Crown at 7 on the 4th (with a party of 21). Hoping Illuminations stays at 9, but share the concern after hearing that last year was at 10. I'm thinking that Pandora is competing for hours, though...

 

[Klayfish]

We've done 4th of July week many times including the past two, and are doing it again this year. I'd agree that your dinner is kinda late to be able to get a prime spot in the hub. If you truly want a prime spot, yeah, you'd need to be there 3, 4, 5 hours early. Some people do that and take the prime spots. I personally think that's crazy, but people do it. To get at least a halfway decent spot, you need to be there about 60-90 minutes early. One year, we did show up about 10 minutes before fireworks (we hadn't intended to stop, but on our way out just figured we'd do it. We found a limited view spot outside the Crystal Palace. The trees were blocking part of the view, but we still saw enough to make it worth our stop.

So if you want a good spot at MK, be as early as possible. Frankly, you may want to consider doing QS instead and eat earlier.

 

[Cinderella94]

I know this is not good enough for some people, which is fine, but, in 2015 we got out of our BOG dinner on July 3 and walked over to Auntie Gravity's in Tomorrowland for some ice cream, I think it was, and the fireworks started while we were over there. We weren't planning on being anywhere special to see them, but we had a great view and it was not crowded back there at all.

 

[calablovedisney]

We have been over the 4th 2 years, 2013 & 2015. We don't enter the park until later in the afternoon for our ADR, and stay as late as the EMH allow. We are going again at the same time this year since we love it so much. We have BOG at 4:40 on the 3rd and Teppan Edo at 5:40 on the 4th. In the past, at MK on the 3rd, we have headed towards Main street by 7ish. If I remember correctly you are not allowed to wait on Main Street and they have a small area roped off along the walkways to wait. One year we were able to squeeze in along the roped off areas, and in 2015 we just did some main street shopping and hung out near the doors in time to head out when people move into Main Street and we have been able to get right in there without a problem. I do think your reservation may be a bit late. You may not be able to get anywhere in front of the castle due to the crowds. Just getting to the front of the castle can be a problem. As a previous poster mentioned they were delayed 2015 due to weather so many of us were waiting in the stores to get out of the storm. We actually had a great spot right in front of the castle at one point, but ended up back in the stores and on main street near Casey's for the show-packed in like sardines!! It was a long wait, but it was worth it. On the 4th we watched both years in the Japan area and it was fine. We were back a bit so not a perfect view of the globe, but okay. This year I hope to get a better spot, but will stay near the same area. I do remember a lot of rude people in 2015 pushing us right out so we just moved to a new spot-not worth letting someone ruin my night. So, I feel like your Epcot ADR might be okay if your not worried about being right in front, but I thought the fireworks started at 9 there. That could cut it close. I would say get to your reservation a bit early to try to get seated sooner. You will enjoy both fireworks, they are GREAT shows!

 

[ktate82]

Just saw this thread, and I believe my question was answered. I wasn't sure if they would offer FP+ for Illuminations or if it would be blacked out. How difficult is it to get a FP+ for Illuminations?

 

[DVC Jen]

Just cancelled our BOG at 7:30. Instead we booked a fireworks cruise to pick us up at Ft.Wilderness. We will have dinner at Trails End before. I was able to reschedule BOG for breakfast instead of dinner.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Just saw this thread, and I believe my question was answered. I wasn't sure if they would offer FP+ for Illuminations or if it would be blacked out. How difficult is it to get a FP+ for Illuminations?

I think this is what we've decided to do also. I'd love to know also.

 

[mshanson3121]

OK, so we're planning for our first ever July 4th week at Disney and I am 2nd guessing a couple of things as we get closer. We are going to MK on the 3rd and have an early lunch ADR at the Plaza and dinner @ CRT at 7:15. I am hoping we can finish up dinner at CRT and get outside to find a spot for the special July 4th fireworks somewhere within the hub area. I maybe should have made the ADR a little earlier but it's too late now. Everything else there is gone now so we're stuck with 7:15. So we'll just have to deal with finding a spot as best as we can after we finish dinner. Reg. park hours have it closing at 9:00 and I read that last year the 3rd fireworks were at 9:00 so it would be an unexpected bonus if they got pushed back to 10:00.

Now, moving on to Epcot for the actual 4th. I read somewhere that the 4th fireworks at EP last year were at 10:00 so we booked a dinner at Tokyo Dining for 7:30 thinking we would finish dinner between 8:30 and 9:00 and then go out onto the terrace to wait for an hour for the fireworks and watch them from the Japan pavilion terrace. But I keep watching the park hours and they still have Illuminations scheduled for 9:00 with EMH's from 9:00 - 11:00 so now I'm thinking maybe we should bump our ADR up a little to 6:30 or 7:00 so we have time to finish and get out onto the terrace before the space is all gone - especially if the fireworks remain at 9:00 not the past 10:00 time. I know they're always messing around with park hours until right before but wouldn't you think that for the 4th they'd have things pretty much settled and in place & updated by now?? We're not typically early eaters but I don't know how fast (early) that terrace will fill up and we'll not find room to wait?? What time do you think we really should try to be out there and do we think that they will eventually update the hours and move things back by an hour?? There are still earlier times so I don't want to diddle around too long before making a change if that's what we should do.

Thoughts?? Suggestions?? Past experiences?? Most importantly how early do we really need to "find our spot" for these 2 evenings?? I read somewhere where a lady said she finds her spot and camps out at MK at 5:00!! REALLLLLY????

As DVC members and AP holders we have been going to Disney 2 or 3 times a year for awhile now but we never really "stop early" for any of the fireworks - maybe 15 or 20 minutes at the most. But I know these 2 days are something we're not used to dealing with crowd-wise. Are we screwed if we don't stop for a spot hours ahead of time??

So, when we were there (week leading up to the 4th), Wishes were at 10:00. I'm 99% sure they'll be bumped to 10:00. If they are, you'll be better off, still may not get a great spot, but definitely a better one. If not, you're going to be pretty much up the creek for any spot. CRT is typically a 90 minute meal, which means you won't be done until 8:45 - and that's IF you get seated on time. Is that your only day you can possibly do CRT? And what is worth more to you - CRT or Wishes? Again, they likely will be changed to 10:00, but if not...

As for Epcot, again, you should be fine. They haven't been adjusting hours until within 30 days out I believe, sometimes less, and no, I doubt the 4th is any exception. Disney doesn't really care about their travelers and the plans they're forced to make (in this regard). If you can get an earlier time, I would take it.

Will it be that busy for fireworks? In a word, yes. July 3 & 4th, are two of the busiest days of the entire year, and the fireworks shows will be extremely crowded. Now at Epcot, it's much bigger with more viewing options, so I'm guessing that it will be a less crucial to be there hours in advance (though I would definitely plan on at least a full hour) than at MK. I would probably want to have my spot staked out at least 90 minutes before hand on July 3rd.

 

[mshanson3121]

On July 3, 2015 the fireworks were delayed until after 10:00 pm because of storms.

Yup. We were there that week. Same thing happened July 1st. Fireworks didn't go off till 11:00 that night.

 

[hilaryjudsong]

We are also going during this time frame. We are going to Typhoon Lagoon on the 4th with diner at O'Hana at 6:10pm. Thought we'd stay and watch from the beach at the Poly. On the 3rd, we are at EPCOT for the day. With dinner at Teppan Edo at 6pm. I rented a cabana for Typhoon Lagoon for the day on the 4th. Can't wait!!

 

[Joltin Joe IV]

Yup. We were there that year. They didn't end up going off until 11:00 pm, and they didn't do the projection shows. That was a crazy storm. The only good thing about it was so many people gave up and left. We sat on the porch of Town Square, and watched people streaming out by the thousands. By the time they finally went off, we were able to get a prime viewing spot

Ugh, my wife and I were among those thousands streaming out. We had gotten there shortly after park opening and had gone all day like absolute madmen. We were stranded in Tomorrowland at the end of the night with the storm beating down. Must've done Buzz and Monsters Inc 3 or 4 times each. I asked a Monsters Inc CM if he thought the fireworks would eventually be cancelled or if they'd keep postponing... We were both shot from the day and decided to give up. We heard the fireworks from the bus back to POFQ. Ugh. One of my life's biggest regrets. First world problems.

 

[mshanson3121]

Ugh, my wife and I were among those thousands streaming out. We had gotten there shortly after park opening and had gone all day like absolute madmen. We were stranded in Tomorrowland at the end of the night with the storm beating down. Must've done Buzz and Monsters Inc 3 or 4 times each. I asked a Monsters Inc CM if he thought the fireworks would eventually be cancelled or if they'd keep postponing... We were both shot from the day and decided to give up. We heard the fireworks from the bus back to POFQ. Ugh. One of my life's biggest regrets. First world problems.

Haha I edited my post as i realized it was July 1st that happened to us. I wanted to leave but my husband convinced me to stay and wait.

 

[ktate82]

We have a dinner at Garden Grill on the 4th at 5:50. If we are able to get a FP+ for Illuminations, do you think we should be there at park opening and just wait out the day with the crowds or would we be ok to wait till afternoon to come into the park? Our plan will be to eat dinner and then go over to get in line for our FP+.

 

[mshanson3121]

We have a dinner at Garden Grill on the 4th at 5:50. If we are able to get a FP+ for Illuminations, do you think we should be there at park opening and just wait out the day with the crowds or would we be ok to wait till afternoon to come into the park? Our plan will be to eat dinner and then go over to get in line for our FP+.

As far as phased closings, you'll be fine as you'll have a dinner reservation. However, will you be driving yourself or using Disney transportation? I would guess that if you're driving yourself you could have parking problems by waiting until afternoon.