4th of July at Disney?

[DimpledDevil18]

After taking almost a five year absence from the world, (our last trip was Aug 2008) my Dad is finally starting to get the mouse itch again and despite my Mom saying we can't afford it, my Dad is talking about trying to schedule another Disney trip in the next two years. I know it's really far away, but it definitely is something to look forward to since we've gone through a lot of tough stuff finacially and personally within the last few years.

Anyway we are trying to kick around a good time of year for us to go. We usually go in August for my parent's anniversary, but that is not looking like it'll work out too well since I'm teaching now in North Carolina and we start school mid to late August. The rest of my family is from New York and although we're all adults it is hard to coordinate all of our schedules. My sister is still in college and my Mom works for the school system so we unfortunately have to follow the school calendar.

So it's looking like our best time to go would probably be sometime in July since we'd all be off for the summer. My Dad suggested that we go over 4th of July, but I'm thinking that the parks will probably be super packed, right? Has anyone else went to WDW during 4th of July? How was it? Is there anything special in the parks to celebrate?

 

[Medic77]

We went over the 4th of July several years ago. There was nothing "special" about it aside from the obligatory "Happy Fourth of July" greetings. It was hot, humid and busy....but we didn't think it was any worse than the other days that trip. I'd say go for it!! :wave:

 

[DimpledDevil18]

Thanks. We are used to the heat and there is no getting around that. We've learned to cope with it by trying to do a lot of the indoor attractions during the warmest parts of the day. We are also big on the EMH during the evenings. I'm just more concerned with the crowd level being unbearable. Our only other option would be to possibly go during Christmas week, but I think the parks would be worse then plus it would be hard for us to travel during the holidays.

 

[MissM]

Wall-to-wall people. When we went on the 4th this year, we literally only made it to Main Street and Tomorrowland. We never got to the other side of the park because it was so congested and so hard to get around. Now, granted, we got there like 4:30pm because we didn't want to spend all day in the crowds.

For the fireworks, you had to pick a spot and stay there for about an hour and a half because EVERYONE was all smooshed together and claiming territory.

Here's an idea of Main Street:

If you go, plan on not getting much done the 3rd and even less done on the 4th. Be prepared to be annoyed, to have to wait for EVERYTHING and for bumping/pushing/shoving that happens when the park is very busy. It takes an extra level of patience to go on very busy days like that. Not everyone can handle it but if you can, there's still fun to be had.

 

[tizzo]

Been there a couple of times, and like others have said, it is VERY crowded. Although this year we went on the third, not the fourth, and it didn't seem nearly as bad (we were at Epcot). Maybe it's just packed on the day itself.

As for anything "special", MK has a special fireworks display, completely distinct from Wishes, that they typically show on the 3rd and the 4th. Epcot adds a special holiday "tag" to the end of Illuminations, which I think runs only on the 4th. And if I'm not mistaken, this year I read that they had some fireworks at DHS as well, again only on the 4th.

 

[ob1thx1138]

We went last year for 8 days, or last day in the parks was the 5th (AK) We spent the 3rd in the MK and the 4th at DHS. I was really underwhelmed by the crowds to be honest. I was really worried about it before the trip, but we did a major part of our touring early in the morning (at rope drop almost every day) and we took a break in the middle of the day when the parks were the msot crowded. Of course on the 3rd MK was pretty crowded, but we got to do everything we wanted and then had time to stake out a spot in front of the caslte for the fireworks and then the ELP. We ended up leaving after that, due to being in the park all day, but it was not really the nightmare that everyone makes it out to be, but perhaps I am just more patient than most.

On the 4th we watched the fireworks at DHS in front of the entrance to Fantasmic. After that was over we found a seat for Fantasmic and were treated to the fireworks from Epcot visible over the trees to the left of the fantasmic island. It was pretty nice, and a perfect end to our first trip. (well we did have the last day in AK, but that was just icing on the cake. lol)

 

[ECU_PIRATE]

My family and I go over 4th of July week every year and always have a great time. Although it is very crowded like everyone else said, if you are smart about what time you visit certain places you can minimize the crowds to some degree. We usually try getting to the parks as close to opening as possible and hit the most popular rides first or at least get fast passes for them. Afternoons are the most crowded it seems so we spend that time back at Fort Wilderness at the pool before going back to the parks at night. During the MSEP at MK is a great time to get on some rides that have too long of lines during the day.

 

[DimpledDevil18]

Wall-to-wall people. When we went on the 4th this year, we literally only made it to Main Street and Tomorrowland. We never got to the other side of the park because it was so congested and so hard to get around. Now, granted, we got there like 4:30pm because we didn't want to spend all day in the crowds.

For the fireworks, you had to pick a spot and stay there for about an hour and a half because EVERYONE was all smooshed together and claiming territory.

Here's an idea of Main Street:

If you go, plan on not getting much done the 3rd and even less done on the 4th. Be prepared to be annoyed, to have to wait for EVERYTHING and for bumping/pushing/shoving that happens when the park is very busy. It takes an extra level of patience to go on very busy days like that. Not everyone can handle it but if you can, there's still fun to be had.

Yikes! That picture is insane! Maybe I should show that to my Dad... Definitely something to think about.

Thanks for your input everyone. When we do make it down to the Orlando area we usually stay for about ten days and do Disney, Universal, Sea World, and Busch Gardens, so we do have a little bit of flexibility. I think if we had to we could skip out on Busch Gardens, giving us more time in Disney.

 

[ob1thx1138]

Yikes! That picture is insane! Maybe I should show that to my Dad... Definitely something to think about.

Thanks for your input everyone. When we do make it down to the Orlando area we usually stay for about ten days and do Disney, Universal, Sea World, and Busch Gardens, so we do have a little bit of flexibility. I think if we had to we could skip out on Busch Gardens, giving us more time in Disney.

You have to remember. That picture was taken while people where waiting for the fireworks to start. On our trip, that was the ONLY time mainstreet looked anything like that.

I suggest you just get there early and use the touring plans. That is what we did and we had a ball.