Well, we are home from Atlantis for the next two weeks, then we are off to Michigan again. Although I was so hoping to get to Disney World for their Fourth of July celebrations, it looks like I will have to live vicariously through everyone else who is going. This week Disney World and Disneyland are expanding all of their usual Independence Day celebrations to the whole week. Yes, an entire Independence Week!
This week Disney World is expanding some of their usual Independence Day celebrations to the whole week. Yes, an entire Independence Week! Since there will be plenty to see this week at Disney, I thought a quick list of must-see festivities along with tips on how to see them could be handy... Here we go, some tips for enjoying Disney's 4th of July Celebrations...
Before we begin, one of my biggest tips is to review how to avoid crowds. The Fourth of July is one of the busiest days at Disney World, best to be prepared for long lines, lots of people, and a few crowded areas. Thank goodness, there are some great apps and handy tips for avoiding at least a few people on your Disney trip!!
Magic Kingdom
As part of Disney's Limited Time Magic, the Magic Kingdom will be having the traditional 4th of July fireworks every night from July 1st to July 7th. These fireworks will be at 9:00 PM on the 3rd and 4th, and 10:00 PM every other day. Since this will be a fifteen minute, 360 degree display, there is really no bad viewing location. The castle will also have special display coordinating with the fireworks. If you wish to see the castle as well, I highly recommend viewing from the Main Street Train Station, The Starlight Cafe patio in Tomorrowland, anywhere on Main Street if you are prepared to get there early and stay late, and the crowd overflow area behind Main Street. The crowd overflow area is where we watched the New Year's fireworks and we absolutely loved it!
If you do not care about the castle display, you may love to watch the fireworks from one of the hotels on the Seven Seas Lagoon. My personal favorite is the beach at the Polynesian Resort. This fireworks viewing location comes with water breezes and Hawaiian music. Glorious.
Since the 4th of July is one of the busiest days at Disney World, it is not such a bad idea to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks on a different day during the week, then visit either EPCOT or Hollywood Studios for the Independence Day festivities.
Magic Kingdom will be open until 1:00 AM on the 4th.
EPCOT
Disney World's EPCOT will be hosting a few special 4th of July festivities on Independence Day itself. If you are interested in getting pictures with Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, and a few other important figures of American History, check out The USA Pavillion throughout the day.
EPCOT will also be hosting a few special singers and bands throughout the day since the 4th of July falls during the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series. Slippery When Wet will be performing as part of this series. Voices of Liberty will also have multiple performances throughout the day from 12:30 to 5:00 PM.
If fireworks are what you are after, get dinner reservations now for one of the restaurants on the water. My two favorites are Hacienda De San Angel and The Crown and Rose Pub. These are located on the World Showcase Lagoon almost directly across from one another. The Rose and Crown Pub has indoor and outdoor seating along with a private fireworks viewing area. The Hacienda De San Angel has indoor seating only but has massive windows that look straight out to the fireworks display.
EPCOT's fireworks display will have a special 5 minute, patriotic fireworks finale on the 4th of July. The Illuminations Recflections of Earth fireworks display will be starting one hour later than usual on the 4th of July- they will be at 10:00 PM.
EPCOT will be open until 10:00 PM on the 4th.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios will be hosting it's own Independence Day celebrations starting at 6:00 PM with a dance party under the Sorcerer's Hat. Mulch, Sweat & Shears will also be performing on the hour from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
In true Hollywood fashion, the Hollywood Studios will be having a rock themed fireworks celebration at 10:00 PM. If you have a hotel in the EPCOT resort area, you may even be able to see both the Illuminations and Hollywood Studios fireworks at the same time! Please, please, please tell me how that works out for you since it could be the coolest thing ever!
Hollywood Studio's will be open until 12:00 AM on the 4th with Extra Magic Hours from 8:00 to 9:00 in the morning.