Thinking ahead...4th of July Strategy

[AngiTN]

I thought that about epcot...so much space. But then I was watching a video from last year and people were staking out spots about 5:30p. Yikes! The whole reason for the trip is to see the special fireworks so we do want to watch from a decent spot. And at MK we do want to be in the hub. But at what cost. Just trying to figure out what's a realistic expectation, lol. Thanks for your pointers!

Oh, people stake out spots well before 5:30. More like 9:30 am. But totally unnecessary. The fireworks are visible from like 90% of WS and a fair bit of FW. A good spot is not needed. We employ the same process for July 4 and NYE. We just stop where we are and watch.

 

[AngiTN]

I can't speak for Epcot Forever, since it's a new show. We've done 4th of July about 6 or 7 times now, it's our favorite. If Epcot Forever is similar to Illusions with respect to crowds, then it's no big deal whatsoever. A few years ago, we stepped of FEA and got a decent viewing spot at 8:55pm, with the show starting at 9pm. Were we right on the railing? No. We were actually on one of the bridges heading back toward FutureWorld, which worked perfect. We still had a great view of the show and were the first ones out when it was over. Since the World Showcase is so large, there's plenty of viewing. And the nature of the show (at least Illuminations) doesn't require a "front row" seat.

As for MK, well it is what it is. The hub is only so big. If you want a good spot, be 90-120 minutes early. A so-so spot on Main St you'll need to be 60+ minutes early. If you don't care about that, Poly beach is a fabulous place to watch. Not crowded at all, you can walk up as they start and see. Pretty cool view too.

Only on the 3rd. Can't go there on the 4th if you aren't staying there

Something to keep in mind. This year they are not doing the holiday tag at epcot so there's no guarantee that they will do the 4th off July tag next year.
As for spots for epcot forever the beauty of these fireworks is that you don't need to be by the water, with illuminations you needed to see the globe as that was a huge part of the show, epcot forever is a true fireworks show so as long as you can see the sky over the lagoon your fine
Ive always done mk fireworks on the 3rd from the poly beach and epcot on the 4th

I was at the media event yesterday for FotH and I asked. They said nothing will be offered, only epcot forever

Not even for NYE? Just Epcot Forever twice?

 

[yulilin3]

Only on the 3rd. Can't go there on the 4th if you aren't staying there


Not even for NYE? Just Epcot Forever twice?

Yes they are doing the nye fireworks just not the holiday tag for the season

 

[Klayfish]

Only on the 3rd. Can't go there on the 4th if you aren't staying there


Not even for NYE? Just Epcot Forever twice?

That may have changed. When we were there a few years ago, they did have a section fenced off for resort guests, but there was also a section for non-resort guests. Neither was crowded, especially the resort guest side. At least I think that was 4th of July....could it have been New Years or Christmas? I can't remember for sure. Ugh, my memory is terrible.

 

[AngiTN]

Yes they are doing the nye fireworks just not the holiday tag for the season

Whew! While Epcot Forever is fine, I don't care to fight NYE crowds just to see it, especially twice.

 

[osufeth24]

Did the 4th for the first time this year

We did the Tomorrowland Terrace dessert party on the 3rd for MK, and just watched the fireworks near test track on the 4th at epcot. It wasn't all that terrible. The dessert party was clutch because didn't have to deal with crowds around the hub at all, we left after the fireworks and had a easy shot to space mountain afterward.

 

[scottishgirl1]

Did the 4th for the first time this year

We did the Tomorrowland Terrace dessert party on the 3rd for MK, and just watched the fireworks near test track on the 4th at epcot. It wasn't all that terrible. The dessert party was clutch because didn't have to deal with crowds around the hub at all, we left after the fireworks and had a easy shot to space mountain afterward.

I was wondering what the view is like from the Terrace as I know the fireworks are more 360 degree for 3rd and 4th July. I was hoping to do a dessert party on the 3rd but cant decide which one to do!

 

[osufeth24]

I was wondering what the view is like from the Terrace as I know the fireworks are more 360 degree for 3rd and 4th July. I was hoping to do a dessert party on the 3rd but cant decide which one to do!

Probably the garden would be better (but that also sells out very quickly). We def missed some parts because of the 360, but it's not much. It sprinkled a little bit, so that part was nice to be under cover.

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

We did MK on the the 3rd, got a spot in the hub 30 min before fireworks. Easier to get a spot and manuever in the hub with so many people when you don't have a stroller. Our spot was more to the left than we would have liked, but at least we were in the hub without having to arrive earlier. There was a rain delay of 15 min on the 3rd last year. Some people actually left when the delay was first announced so that gave us even more elbow room around us.
We did epcot on the 4th. I really wanted a spot at the railing on the lagoon for lllumination's last 4th of July and had planned to get there an hour early. We were a little behind on time, arriving about 50 min early and still got a spot at the railing.
I remember MK had dance parties on the 3rd, don't remember anything else. I probably still have my Times Guide around here somewhere.

 

[maxiesmom]

I thought that about epcot...so much space. But then I was watching a video from last year and people were staking out spots about 5:30p. Yikes! The whole reason for the trip is to see the special fireworks so we do want to watch from a decent spot. And at MK we do want to be in the hub. But at what cost. Just trying to figure out what's a realistic expectation, lol. Thanks for your pointers!

We had a late dinner at the Rose and Crown on the 4th this year. So we were able to go into their reserved viewing area, 5 minutes before the fireworks started. It was a great viewing spot!

For the 3rd of July, brother in law and I just hopped into a spot on Main Street (which was pretty packed) a bit before the fireworks were to start. We were held for a delay, but everyone was pretty good dealing with the wait. Beautiful fireworks, but for sheer impact Epcot wins!

 

[twirly123]

I was planning to eat at Cali Grill on 3rd next year and watch fireworks from there. Would poly beach be a better shout?

 

[twirly123]

The competition has group rates for blocks of rooms in the tower and throughout the resort. Rates are good, so many will stay onsite. I was under the impression that this was the first year the actual competition was held onsite, for this competition at least. We were in Atlanta last year.

We will be in the hotel all day and into the night. We were at Atlanta last year and stayed in the same hotel as the competition and the main places we noticed crowding was Starbucks and the elevators. The pool was also overcrowded each night so we skipped that. But it was just one pool and much smaller than Disney.

It wasn’t rowdy, just didn’t want OP to be surprised by large groups if he was expecting most people to be in the parks during the day. On another note, some of the production numbers are amazing and it’s free to view.

We are also as Coronado next year June 25-July 11. My daughter (10) would probably really like to watch one of the productions - will there likely be info around the resort on this?