4th of July?

My friends are going to WDW for the 4th of July. I've always avoided holidays in the parks. What can they expect? I'm sure there will be some special events? Special fireworks?

Thanks in advance!

We've never done any of the big holidays, though from what I've heard 4th of July is one of the most crowded days, only less crowded than Christmas and New Year. Not sure about the other 3 parks but Magic Kingdom (which is by far the most crowded incidently) do special fireworks for it, I think.

I'm sure someone who knows a lot more about it than I do will be here in a second. :blush:

I would say that except for NYE, July 4th is the busiest holiday, including XMas Day. XMas seemed a little slow, maybe it was less locals or something.

Weather is the hottest you can imagine, thunderstorms everyday, etc.

As far as special events, MK does their fireworks on the 3rd and 4th. It's a special display and usually included shells over the Seven Seas Lagoon as well. Epcot also does a special Illuminations, but only on the 4th. MGM used to do their old fireworks show, but I'm not sure if they do that anymore. MGM is a horrible park to spend the 4th on, it holds crowds badly. AK does nothing...

Tell them to brace themselves - it's going to be mobbed. But if they go in with a good attitude and content with not really riding many rides then they'll have fun. I've been many times on major holidays including 4th of July and New Year's Eve and always have a great time. You just have go in with the idea that you are there to take in the atmosphere rather than to ride lots of rides. The lines are super long.

Bring an umbrella and don't be afraid of the beer carts ;)

One of my daughter's friends family went on 4th of July last year and she said she was astonished that it was not busy at all! So you never know.

If you want to avoid the park crowds, you can watch the fireworks on the beach at the Polynesian. You have a great view, and they have a light show on the lagoon. Granted the beach is crowded, but nothing like the park.

If we go back for the 4th, I would definitely watch from this location.

They usually also have special fireworks from DTD.:thumbsup:

We’ve been there on two different occasions for the 4th and to celebrate DD, DS, and DW’s Birthdays. DD is on the 4th. When we were there the MK was insane with people especially later on before the fireworks begin. During the early part of the day it was crowded but manageable. Just be prepared! The fireworks were awesome. They seemed to be all around us while we were at the MK. There was no bad place to view them.

What to expect on July 4th . . .

1) Crowds
2) Great Fireworks
3) Huge Crowds
4) Festive Atmosphere
5) Really Huge Crowds
6) Best Fireworks (outside of New Year's Eve)
7) Really Huge, Huge Crowds
8) Festive Band Music
9) Hot, humid Weather
10) Rain Showers Likely ("heat rain")

[I]NOTE: Did I mention big crowds? In fact, if you leave MK during the day, you might not be able to re-enter due to park capacity restraints.

Best fireworks display we have ever seen. Huge crowds. When I say huge, I mean that you could not walk without bumping into someone or something. You could not walk where you wanted to walk. You just went where the crowds took you. Miserable experience when it came to the crowds. I must admit however, that the crowds were manageable most of the day, it just got hetic close to fireworks time. I recommend watching the fireworks from Narcoosee's or the Poly beach. You will still be able to see them and hear the music.

Our second trip was during July 4th. I really didn't find the parks overwhelming. We took advantage of TL which was fun and wanted to be in MK for the actual holiday and the nightime fireworks show was out of this world!! Anywhere you stood that night they just lit up the sky. The castle had stars shining on it too. It was very hot as people said but as for crowd levels that year.........not to bad. I would go again during that time but we've fallen in love with the weather and catching the decorations during the Nov season.