The fourth of July in the parks

[Wenlitz]

Here's the question is there anything special about the 4th of July at the parks. They already do fireworks everynite??

 

[4407mark]

We were at WDW for the 4th this year - hadn't planned on going to the parks on the 4th but wound up heading to the MK. They were closed due to capacity but since we were staying on property, we were allowed past the main gate. Once we saw the line to get in the parking lot, we turned around and headed out to DTD. They had a special patriotic salute to the men and women of our armed forces and special fireworks for the 4th. I understand Illuminations at EPCOT also featured a special ending with patriotic music.

From what we saw of the MK fireworks from DTD, I would recommend it - just be prepared for a huge crowd and get to the parks early!

 

[jiminyfan]

We were there for 2002 and saw Illuminations at EPCOT, they added a great extra show at the end. It is also one of a few nights you can see Sorcery in the Sky at Studios. From our viewing area at EPCOT we saw the MK fireworks.


I really liked the atomosphere on the 4th, a Patriotic Mickey and Minnie were in front of the american Adventure all day.

We will definitely go back again for the 4th in the future.

 

[goofygal1975]

We've been in the WDW area the last few years for the 4th of July. Mostly we go to Blizzard Beach for the day. Last year we saw the fireworks from the GF,and it was wonderful.

THis year we stayed on property with friends and decided to brave it and go to the MK for the day. My ds got sick from the heat, so we left the MK by 10am, but we were able to get back in around 6pm. (must be because we were resort guests).

We got our seats right at 6pm and took turns exploring/holding our seats. This was the most *crazy crowded* day I have ever seen! (I'm a fl resident and have made many trips to wdw in the past). THe fireworks were AMAZING, and at one point, they was 360degrees of fireworks!! Add to that the patriotic music, and this is a must see at least once!!!!!

I will not go back to the MK for the fireworks like that again, but I am SO glad that we did it this year!!

 

[DeDixie]

We were there this year for the 4th. We went to MGM in the morning and rode RnR 3X in a row without much wait, used fast past for the 3rd time.

MGM was not crowded, we left around 1pm. We hung out at SAB for the afternoon and this was the only day we were there that we did not have an afternoon showers.

THat night we drove from BC to GF for dinner at Narcossi's (sp?) then we watched the fireworks from the MK on the porch of the restaurant. They had security guards keeping people off the dock, protecting the flower beds and off the Narcossi's porch. You had to have a dinner receipt to watch from the porch. The view was perfect, they set off TWO sets of fireworks, one behind the castle and one in the middle of the lagoon, they were identical. They pipe the music in from the MK. It was perfect.

THen we drove back to BC, went to our villa to drop off our doggie bags and walked down to International Gateway. We watched the fireworks from Illuminations and the extra 4th fireworks. It was a perfect plan. The only part that was slightly dissapointing was that the music from Ecpot is not piped out at the International Gateway, and we were right there in the old turn around. You would think it would be easier to have the music there than the MK music at Narcossi's.

 

[TheWho]

We were at MK at 8:30am on July 4th. Maybe because I was expecting the absolute worst, the park wasn't bad until noon or 1 pm. (Don't get me wrong, it was crowded) On a positive note, WDW seemed ready for the masses as they had plenty of help at shops and food venues. We left at 2:30 and went back to the AKL for a swim. Never went back that day. However, the point I want to make is the absolute "American/Patriotic" atmosphere that we felt walking up Main Street that morning. They were passing out free pins with Mickey saluting the flag, red,white, & blue balloons everywhere, it was truly special. Real festive, a real USA celebration. Maybe it was that magic thing everyone talks about.

 

[S. C.]

We were there this year on the 4th, like everyone else said the fireworks 360* were AWSOME! I had read about them on these boards so we knew what to expect. They were still better then we expected and the best we have ever seen.

We did not go to the parks on the 4th. Instead we resort hopped, had dinner at chef mickeys and then watched the fireworks from the contempory resort from the look out on the 4th floor.

We hope to be there next year on the 4th to see them again. from everything i've read you get a better view from outside the MK and you don't have to fight the crowds.

 

[uktigger]

hi all
i have been reading this thread with great intrest we are going to be there next year on the 4th july i will definatly be trying to see these celebrations, we are staying on site so will we be able to get in the park even if it's full?

thanks eve

 

[4407mark]

Eve, the way it was explained to us was that the park was closed due to capacity but since we were staying on property, they would allow us to go in if we so desired. We decided to try, the CM at the parking plaza put a slip of paper under the wiper blade to identify us as staying on property, and we headed the short distance to the parking lot. Seeing the line there was what deterred us so we turned headed back to the resort. So yes, if you are staying on property, I believe you will be allowed entry into the park.

 

[goofygal1975]

Originally posted by uktigger
hi all
i have been reading this thread with great intrest we are going to be there next year on the 4th july i will definatly be trying to see these celebrations, we are staying on site so will we be able to get in the park even if it's full?

thanks eve

I asked this exact question this 4th of July when we went in the morning to the MK. I asked someone who looked like a management CM. (i asked because i knew my son wouldnl't be able to handle the heat of the day) She told me that for the 13 years she had been there, that they have never closed the MK to resort guests. She made sure to remind me that she couldn't *guarantee* it, but she's never seen it happen.

THey close the gates to people needing to buy tickets first, then to people driving into the parks even if they have tickets, then if they ever need to...to resort guests.

I don't know about a better view from outside of the MK. I saw them from the beach of the GF last year, and it was so amazing..but no music, and it just wasn't the same. But on the other hand, to not have to deal with the crowds was *wonderful* This year, being in the park, we saw both sets of fireworks going off and heard the music, and seeing the castle lit up in front of us was so amazing. I couldn't ask for anything better than being in the MK for this!!

Of course next year, we will not be in the parks simply because of the crowds!! We will make a PS at Ohanas and watch them from outside the Poly!!

 

[uktigger]

hi
mark and goofygal,thanks for letting me know,we will head for the mk no the 4th july and just hope for the best

eve

 

[dbond]

We were at the MK this year on the 4th. We arrived about 11:00 AM. We had a great day. It was hot, but not as hot as it got a few days later. I'm surprised to hear about park closings due to capacity, it just didn't seem that crowded to me. We've been there before on the 4th and thought this year was surprisingly low. Anyway, the fireworks from the inside are spectacular, awesome, can't even be described, you just have to be there and experience it for yourself. Everywhere you look people are dressed in red, white & blue. It's a really great way to spend the day.

 

[S. C.]

At the CR they did pipe the music in, and we could see the castle from the outlook we were on. Fireworks started out in only two sets and then went to 360* for the rest of the show, it was great.