What can I expect for July 4th?

[bookcrazy]

This will be our first time to visit Orlando during the busy season. We'll be at US & IOA for July 3,4,5 and we'll be staying at Portofino Bay Hotel.

What types of waits do you think we can expect with FOTL? Will it be wall to wall people and hard to manuever? Will our dinner waits be long?

I'm looking forward to visiting during the holidays and the fireworks, but I'm a bit nervous about going during a busy holiday.
Will three days be enough to do everything at both parks AND enjoy the hotel & pools?

TIA,
Lisa

 

[JT3000]

Lines should be decent if you have FOTL. If you're gonna wait for the fireworks, get to wherever you wanna be at least an hour ahead of time. No later. And don't expect to get anywhere fast when they're over. Two years ago it took me literally an hour to get from the IOA park gate to the car after the fireworks finished. Yep, an hour just walking through CityWalk. Everyone in CityWalk was shoulder-to-shoulder and there was no open space ANYWHERE. It was a sea of people that wasn't about to allow anyone to get through to the opposite direction they were heading. Don't get trampled.

 

[gschmerl]

We've been to Universal twice during the July 4th holiday. The fireworks on the 4th were spectacular. They were set off simultaneously at IOA, US, and City Walk. With staying on site, you'll be fine with the wait times.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I would like to just stay at RPR and enjoy the fireworks on the 4th. What is the best viewing area at RPR?

 

[gbluvr2886]

Last year we got there about 8:45 (in the morning)and went to IOA. Good planning!!! We finished the park in 2 hours since we beat the crowd going around the park. Getting there an extra 10-15 minutes puts you ahead of the 9:00 crowd.

For fireworks, Universal was nice. I just stood in the street and watched them ALL around me!! I saw the CityWalk, IOA, and obviously Universal ones. It was a beautiful showcase though!!! Just don't be in a rush to get out!!! We spent over two hours in the parking garage!!! We're gonna go again this year, but just chill after the fireworks because why sit in the car when you can be chillin' at CityWalk??

 

[snowsdad]

Would love any further recommendations about best spots to view the fireworks on July 4th. Please be specific if you have any ideas! Which park? Which spot? We're staying at PBH, so we'll just meander back slowly afterwards - so I don't care how "deep" in a park we might be when the fireworks are finished. Thanks!

 

[gschmerl]

We watched the July 4 fireworks sitting on the wall behind the Discovery Center in Jurassic Park in IOA. Great location.