How Bad is the week of July 4th?

[gatormom2tots]

Ehhh...crowded but Christmas was worst! Did MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th. The 4th we stayed in the grassy area between The Cool Spot in Epcot and the World Showcase for the fireworks. Kids ran around and played until the show started. Lots more room than MK the day before.

The heat was more of an issue for us than the crowds, especially with our ASD child.

 

[davale4]

We always go the last two weeks in August, but in 2016 we were there for July the 4th week. The only day we didn’t go to a park was on the 4th. We rented a pool cabana for the entire day and it was perfect. The rest of the days we were there (2 weeks), it didn’t feel as crowded. I was expecting it to be worse. It was actually pretty good. We got to do everything we wanted.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Couple years ago we had AP and went every major holiday exceptJuly 4 and Christmas week and crowds were light. Going this summer and will be there July 4 week and expecting crowds might be heavier than the last couple years because of Toy story just opening (but hope that isn’t the case). Doesn’t matter - it is what it is. We will be in the MK July 3 crowd and the Epcot July 4 crowd.

 

[disneymomma76]

We’ll be at Epcot on the 2nd, MK on the 3rd and HS/AK on the 4th. TP has MK as a 7 on the third, and AK a 4 on the 4th.

We’ll see.

I used the CL service, so we’ve got 6 FPs ; hopefully that will help. Still waiting for the desert parties to open up for the 3rd. I’ve told everyone just to settle in and enjoy the atmosphere, even if the crowds are worse than one might hope.

If you do end up going, look for me. I’ll be the middle aged guy with kids in shorts and a Disney shirt.

We've gone over the 4th several times. We did AK on the 4th last year and thought crowds were pretty light. This year we are taking it up a notch and staying at the Poly over the 4th. Usually we try to avoid that area at that time but we are giving it a go.

I would also have to agree with PPs. We think overall crowds are completely manageable and very similar to the rest of the summer.

 

[mousestruck]

We've gone over the 4th several times. We did AK on the 4th last year and thought crowds were pretty light. This year we are taking it up a notch and staying at the Poly over the 4th. Usually we try to avoid that area at that time but we are giving it a go.

I would also have to agree with PPs. We think overall crowds are completely manageable and very similar to the rest of the summer.

We will be at the Poly, too! View of MK fireworks is spectacular!

 

[SarahC97]

We went last year and left on the 4th. I really didn't think it was any worse than the rest of the summer. We were in MK for the fireworks on the 3rd, and that was pretty crazy. But so is HAE every night. We went to NFL and watched from Gaston's and had plenty of space to ourselves. But lines the whole trip were manageable.

I haven't been since 2015 on 4th of July and I thought it was crazy -- but I still had an absolute blast. It's all about mindset, I think. But maybe summer is becoming the new slow season?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Lol, so many of us appear to be going that week this year. Maybe the secret is out!

 

[SarahC97]

In the past two years this simply isn't true. July 4th used to be one of the busiest weeks of the year. The last two years it has been very manageable (as have summers overall). Whether that pattern will hold true this year is anyones guess.

I haven't been since 2015 on the 4th -- you may have just inspired me to try again!

 

[anniemae]

I think it used to be a busy time, but all reports have been that it was not too busy the last few years.

 

[whiporee]

We've gone over the 4th several times. We did AK on the 4th last year and thought crowds were pretty light. This year we are taking it up a notch and staying at the Poly over the 4th. Usually we try to avoid that area at that time but we are giving it a go.

I would also have to agree with PPs. We think overall crowds are completely manageable and very similar to the rest of the summer.

We'll be at the Poly as well. Should be quite a party!

 

[North of Mouse]

Are you saying the 'so bad' from personal experience? Just wondering what year(s) you were there?

No, have never gone on any major holidays.
This info is from friends and relatives that tried it just once, and from their photos and others that I have talked to, and their reports of shuffling through the crowds, very long lines and chaos at CS's and restrooms.

 

[Klayfish]

No, have never gone on any major holidays.
This info is from friends and relatives that tried it just once, and from their photos and others that I have talked to, and their reports of shuffling through the crowds, very long lines and chaos at CS's and restrooms.

You know how much of a WDW lover I am, but I will agree that the week of Christmas to New Years can get that way in spots, at times. Definitely not everywhere, all the time. But we saw some very long lines for restrooms, QS places, etc... Shuffling through a crowd happens during parades, fireworks, etc...or Xmas day itself in MK. But I will unquestionably say that it's absolutely nothing like that during 4th of July week, with the lone exception of late night in MK on the 3rd and 4th. It's really not bad at all, and pales in comparison to Xmas or Spring Break.

 

[momto4obkids]

We are going July 4th to 10th! We've never been at that time, but I'm not expecting outrageous crowds.

Based on dining reservations, its been much easier to get ADR's this time, than when we have gone the last week of November, beginning of December, August, last week of January and June!

It's shocking to still see CRT,BOG, 'Ohana breakfast, Chef Mickey's etc. still available! I have been moving my ADR's around with no issues at all. I even saw Victoria & Albert's yesterday! I've never seen that one available!

 

[North of Mouse]

Sorry @Klayfish, I will respect your opinion, but pictures and experiences of friends/relatives don't lie, and their saying 'never gonna do it again'

This past weekend there were long lines at some CS's and restrooms - the busiest we've been in personally! And this was just a F&G weekend! During the week now/last week is fine.

 

[jolene63]

We had added a couple of Disney days after our Universal trip last summer. We were in the parks on July 2 and 5 and we had an amazing time. Crowds were not bad at all. We continuously used FP+ and were even able to get ones for Toy Story Mania, Test Track, and Soarin' after we used our initial 3 at AK. We couldn't believe they were available as we walked into each park. We were attempting the 4 parks in one day challenge so had low expectations on what fast passes would be available. We went to BB on the fourth and crowds were fine there as well. We choose to stay out of the parks on July 3-4 because of the crowds for the firework shows. We chose to watch them from the Poly beach on the 3rd and from the Boardwalk on the 4th. I would not hesitate to go to Disney during the 4th of July holiday in the future. Our trip exceeded our expectations last summer.

 

[micheleq]

We will be there 7/1-7/5, planning MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th. I had no trouble getting ADRs for those days and even switching a few around recently! I do anticipate insane crowds at HS but we will plan for that. Staying at CCV for the first time.

 

[The VWL Five]

Any of you recent 4th of July week people recall how bad it was getting additional FPs? I see at least one person said they were able to get additional. Anyone else?

We have been many times during this week but not for a few years. Last bunch of years we spent the week between Christmas and New Years. Actually with FP all booked during the evening hours it was not bad at all. July was always workable and I would not defer from going.

Thx

 

[anomamatt]

It's always crowded. We have not been July 4th week, but I honestly didn't think Xmas/NYE 2017 was all that much worse than Jan-2018 or Feb-2017 (or other times we went in 2017). Prepare for it being crowded and have a good touring plan and all will be fine (no matter when you go).

 

[Klayfish]

Any of you recent 4th of July week people recall how bad it was getting additional FPs? I see at least one person said they were able to get additional. Anyone else?

Thx

Not hard. Things like FoP are extremely difficult, if not impossible. But for the rest, including Space, 7DMT, RnR, etc...definitely doable.

It's always crowded. We have not been July 4th week, but I honestly didn't think Xmas/NYE 2017 was all that much worse than Jan-2018 or Feb-2017 (or other times we went in 2017). Prepare for it being crowded and have a good touring plan and all will be fine (no matter when you go).

I wasn't there in Jan or Feb of '17 or '18, but I will say that compared to summer, Thanksgiving or Labor Day, Xmas to New Years 2017 was far, far busier. I had never seen it so busy, but we still had a blast.

 

[TTA Rider Matt]

Granted, this is from 5 years ago, but my wife and I were there June 30-July 4 in 2013. We were surprised how empty the parks were (relative to previous experiences we’ve had in all our years going in the summer time), the week leading up to July 4. The 30th, 1st, and 2nd, we never waited more than 30-40 minutes for anything. The 3rd it started getting busier, but the 4th, we were at EPCOT and wound up leaving around 5 PM. You literally could not walk more than 5-10 feet without needing to work your way around someone in the world showcase, which has wide walking concourses. I have been to WDW a handful of other years on July 4 and this was the worst I have ever seen it.