4th July

[Kmagilton]

Hi we fly from the UK on 3rd July 2019 so first full day is the 4th, what’s the crowds like in the parks and is it worth staying for the fireworks? Are they different than usual?

[Kmagilton]

Anyone got any tips for 4th July then?

[THOscar]

4th July is crazy busy in the parks. The fireworks are bigger and better but the crowds are crazy. We were staying in Beach Club so we watched the fireworks from the hotel.

[minnie41]

The whole area is super busy, I'd avoid magic kingdom for defo, you might want to check the busy day guide, universal or Epcot might be easier.

[Stitch & Smudge]

Hectic, but a terrific atmosphere. MK fireworks are amazing but they tend to put them on for the best part of the week now so you should be able to catch them on a quieter day. Epcot not any quieter, it took me over an hour to get out the car park alone one year. Can’t vouch for any of the other parks, that’s the only two I’ve done on the 4th.

[KC2014]

We actually avoided the parks and went to a local display near Southern Dunes. The fireworks were amazing, much better than local displays in the UK. I googled to find what was on and there were several displays around the Orlando area.

[Quensabob]

We did a waterpark on the 4th and then Magic Kingdom on the 5th to see the fireworks,it was still very busy but manageable!

[AmexVflyer]

We avoided the parks and went down to Celebration - traffic was crazy but a good evening.

[Ridersmom]

I am not sure it would make much difference now but years ago many manufacturing plants would shut down the week of July 4th. All employees had a mandatory vacation week. For some it was their on vacation so any tourist locations were packed.

[Disney Dreamer]

Originally Posted by Stitch & Smudge

Hectic, but a terrific atmosphere. MK fireworks are amazing but they tend to put them on for the best part of the week now so you should be able to catch them on a quieter day. .

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This must have changed this year then? We tend to go in July every 2nd year and the fireworks have only ever been on the 3rd and 4th.

The MK 4th July fireworks are amazing, very different from the HEA ones. The park will be rammed though and will probably close, certainly to off site guests, at some point so factor this in when planning what time you will be arriving.

I think they look better from outside the park as they are set off around the MK (obv not in it), not from just one focal point like HEA.

If you can get a reservation, you can watch them from one of the MK resort restaurants. We watched from Narcoossee's last year and it was fab. You can also watch them from the beach at the Polynesian which is lovely too. We got a reservation for Kona café and went out after. I don't think they are keen on people going to the beach to watch if they haven't got a dining reservation though. All resorts pipe in the music too. Next year we hope to get a reservation at the Cali Grill and watch from there.


Epcot is busy but it's a big park so can take more people without feeling rammed. The 4th July fireworks are different from the normal Illuminations ones-more spectacular, though not sure what'll happen when they end at the end of the Summer next year.