4th of July Celebrations

[lou lou]

HI there - my first time in Florida is getting closer, and we have just realised (Duh!) that we will be there on the 4th of July, have any of you been there then? Are the parks crazy busy because of the holiday - we just did a priority booking for Dinner then and we could either get 9pm on 3.50pm, so with having kids we are all eating dinner at 3.50pm!!! Any suggestions on how to make it a good day, we are staying in the Animal Kingdom Lodge until the 6th then going to our villa.

Thanks for all the responses about the terminal I am glad we have booked the Hilton which is joined onto the South Terminal - that was lucky.

Lou

[esprit]

The parks will be very packed. There is entertainment and a very nice firework display in Celebration on July 4th if you want something different. This year there is an additional display in Celebration on 2nd July which is a Saturday and July 2nd there will also be an open air concert by Jim Belushi and the premiere of a new animated childrens film on big screens set up in the town centre streets.

[njstringer]

We did Downtown Kissimmee (by the lake) on the 4th of July. It was super. Lots going on all day followed by a massive firework display in the evening.[msnwink]

[Ana]

We did Universal and Islands of Adventure last year. It was fairly busy during the day, but got mega busy in the evening. People were coming for a meal and fireworks, so we decided to head for the car park just before the fireworks started. There was a great view of the fireworks from the roof of the car park - when they had finished we got out before the thousands who stayed in the Citywalk area to watch!

[domster]

We have been during 4th July to Magic Kingdom. very Busy indeed. Might be worth doing something else as was too busy for me. Don't know if any of the other parks would be less busy.

One of the waterparks might be a better option.

[Newhomebuyer]

Here is a Disney announcement for the 4th July celebrations.

Disney to Fill July 4 Skies with Special Edition 'Heritage' Fireworks

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- July 4 guests at Disney-MGM Studios and Magic Kingdom will be treated to performances of fireworks shows that are part of the parks' heritage but rarely seen in recent times at Walt Disney World Resort:

Sorcery in the Sky, a dazzling fireworks show and symphonic serenade, celebrates the magic of motion pictures at 9 p.m. at Disney-MGM Studios. The spectacular was the park's "good-night kiss" for years following its premier in 1990 -- until the Disney entertainment wizards crafted "Fantasmic!" which has been captivating guests most nights since 1998.

Fantasy in the Sky, familiar to generations of Magic Kingdom visitors who "oohed" and "ahhed" its bursts of color above Cinderella Castle for more than a quarter century beginning in 1975, will be presented at 9 p.m. in a special edition that includes extra dazzling pyrotechnics. "Wishes" fireworks spectacular replaced Fantasy in the Sky in 2003.

Meanwhile, Epcot's nighttime spectacular, IllumiNations, will be presented at 10 p.m.

Walt Disney World theme park hours on July 4: Magic Kingdom (9 a.m.-12:30 a.m.), Disney-MGM Studios (9 a.m.-10 p.m.), Epcot (9 a.m.-10 p.m.) and Disney's Animal Kingdom (9 a.m.-6 p.m.).

[Val]

We were over for the 4th July last year and went into Celebration, plenty going on and the fireworks were great, go early it also gets very busy, but plenty of restaurants etc.
Val

[lou lou]

thanks for all the advice - as we are arriving on the evening of the 2nd we thought we would leave it a day before going to MK so the kids recover a bit, as that would make it 4th of July I think we will go the day after we arrive and plan something a bit less busy for the 4th.

thanks for all the help -

Lou

[twarde]

We went there this year for 4th July celebrations. The fireworks were great. The food stalls are good. If you go, take something to sit on if you watch the fireworks from around the lake. It gets very busy.

Tony

[orlandodaze]

The 4th July festivities at Celebration is really terrific, there is a great athmophere , and plenty to do for all ages , they do a terrific massage in the Celebration natural health tent . We had a wonderful picnic by the lake , the food was mostly provided by the food stalls , great variety of food , and great music. Its the kind of place you chat away to the family beside you and people share their picnics . There is that goodwill feeling that you tend to associate wiht Christmas. Its always a special day on our hoilidays .