July 4th at Disney World 2024 Survival Information

Fourth of July is summer season trip time at Walt Disney World, which implies excessive crowds and sizzling climate, plus fireworks and leisure. This information to July 4, 2024 covers what to anticipate for Independence Day Weekend at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and past. (Up to date June 18, 2024.)

Generally, the very first thing to count on on July 4th is added crowds at Disney as Floridians and Southerners head right down to Walt Disney World for the vacation. With Independence Day falling on a Thursday in 2024, it’s probably a ton of individuals will descend upon Florida for a protracted weekend journey. On prime of the locals, it’ll be busy with vacationers.

The excellent news is that the vacation isn’t on a Saturday or a Sunday, which implies that it’s probably crowds might be unfold out over the course of extra days. Vacationers will head down for the weekend and lots of will head dwelling earlier than the festivities on Tuesday. Then the Floridians will present up on the day itself. The tip outcome ought to be a number of days of elevated attendance, however no single day that’s a ten/10 crowd degree. As a substitute, our expectation is round 7/10 to eight/10 crowds on common.

If these extra manageable (by Independence Day requirements) crowd ranges are catching you unexpectedly, they’re as a result of Walt Disney World is within the midst of a slowdown this summer season. We’ve noticed this in crowds ourselves, with the parks being noticeably much less busy and wait occasions knowledge being down relative to the identical dates final 12 months. Nevertheless it’s additionally not merely a matter of notion or hypothesis on our half.

Disney CEO Bob Iger mentioned that attendance is normalizing after the post-COVID highs of pent-up demand, which implies decrease attendance this 12 months and in 2025 relative to the highs of 2022. Then there are the many reductions that Walt Disney World has launched for now by way of Christmas 2024. Suffice to say, “revenge journey” is formally over–a minimum of at Walt Disney World! Consequently, it’s a near-certainty that July 4, 2024 gained’t be as busy as many previous years.

Extra excellent news: “Disney’s Have fun America! A Fourth of July Live performance within the Sky” might be carried out on July 3-4, 2024 at Magic Kingdom, changing Fortunately Ever After.

Additionally at EPCOT, a limited-time patriotic ambient lighting design will seem on Spaceship Earth for the Fourth of July. This offers EPCOT’s iconic the look of an American flag, and alternates with the usual Beacons of Magic present, which continues to be carried out nightly on Spaceship Earth. The  Fourth of July American flag impact is often proven for a number of nights main as much as Independence Day and typically after. (Walt Disney World didn’t present dates for 2024, sadly.)

Moreover, the Voices of Liberty will sing songs from the American songbook beneath the rotunda within the American Journey. That’s the place you’ll additionally discover Disney fur characters sporting particular “Spirit of ’76” apparel and meet company all through the day. At EPCOT and elsewhere, there can even be distinctly patriotic treats in honor of Independence Day.

As standard, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will not do any particular nighttime spectaculars for the Fourth of July.

EPCOT can also be presenting Portraits of Braveness: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors, a particular exhibit from the George W. Bush Institute. (This isn’t new or particularly for Independence Day–but it surely simply debuted, and is a heartfelt and patriotic tribute, so I wished to name your consideration to it.)

Disney and America go collectively about like America and apple pie, plus nice celebrations and fireworks exhibits, and it’s simple to see why lots of people go to Walt Disney World for July 4th. This submit will provide ideas and methods for surviving Walt Disney World across the Fourth of July, and aid you benefit from the expertise.

Should you’re already in Walt Disney World and are searching for methods to keep away from the warmth, humidity, and crowds and for the most effective expertise on and round July 4th, we’ve received you lined. Should you’ve wished to do the “Distinctly Patriotic” factor and go to Walt Disney World for the Fourth of July, however have at all times been afraid of the chaos and crowds, this submit would possibly simply current an assault plan to persuade you to go.

Since we’re distinctly patriotic (or loopy…your decide!), we’ve visited Walt Disney World for the Fourth of July and weeks each earlier than and after Independence Day itself a number of occasions. It’s sizzling, humid, and crowded. Not precisely ideally suited circumstances. Nonetheless, the environment and fireworks are a number of the greatest in the USA, sufficient to nearly make all of it worthwhile.

With that mentioned, right here’s what we’ve realized about taking advantage of the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World!

Pack Correctly

After we had been at Walt Disney World for the Fourth of July final time, I sweated by way of my shirt roughly 13 minutes after we received to the park every morning. Okay, perhaps not that shortly, however the thought is that Walt Disney World is kind of a rain forest setting in the summertime. Will probably be within the upper-80s with 80%+ humidity, and it’ll rain for a minimum of 20 minutes. Each day. It’s good to pack accordingly.

We predict packing mild when going to the park is a good suggestion, as extra weight equals extra warmth. Three gadgets from our Distinctive Disney Packing Listing that we expect might be useful are Frogg Togg Chilly Pads for retaining cool, a collapsible water bottle for retaining hydrated, and ponchos for staying dry…and never getting fleeced on the Disney ones when it’s both shopping for one in a present store or getting soaked!

These things isn’t distinctive to visiting over the Fourth of July, but it surely’ll assist preserve you sane throughout a type of visits. Moreover, if you wish to keep cool throughout your July go to to Walt Disney World, seek the advice of our Ideas for Beating the Summer season Warmth at Walt Disney World submit.

Avoiding Crowds

So far as the foremost holidays go throughout which we’ve visited, Fourth of July isn’t fairly as unhealthy because the others. To make sure, it’s nonetheless unhealthy, simply not as insanely unhealthy as New 12 months’s Eve, for instance. What arguably makes it worse than different holidays is the Florida humidity and summer season tour teams. Crowds, plus humidity, plus tour teams generally is a recipe for catastrophe, and may make your group extra liable to meltdowns.

We are saying this to not scare you, however to present you a robust dose of actuality earlier than you count on to stroll into the park skipping hand-in-hand down empty sidewalks with Sam the Eagle whereas lighting sparklers and being handed apple pies and Cracker Jacks by smiling Solid Members.

There might be none of that. You’ll encounter congestion, extremely lengthy traces (even for restrooms), and different company in foul moods as a result of “surprising” crowds. In truth, the parks get so busy that typically they’re closed to new company at numerous factors within the day through phased closings.

It doesn’t matter what methods we now have that will help you keep away from crowds, it’s unimaginable to keep away from them utterly until you lock your self in your lodge room. Past that, no tip, no matter how good, is pretty much as good of a tip as “go to in September or late January as an alternative.” If avoiding crowds is your paramount concern, try to be avoiding the weeks across the holidays, not studying the following pointers for visiting on July 4th.

With that mentioned, you possibly can undoubtedly make lemonade out of lemons, seeing and doing quite a bit on the Fourth of July regardless of the crowds. Right here’s how…

1. Skip Noon – Throughout Fourth of July week, the Magic Kingdom has longer working hours. Most company will both begin the day late and keep till shut, or begin the day early and fizzle out by late afternoon.

The time when these teams “overlap” is the center of the day. Crowds are at all times lightest within the morning, getting progressively worse till about 1 pm, then tapering down the remainder of the day, with crowds once more being mild the final couple of hours every park is open. The center of the day is the most popular, busiest, and simply usually probably the most depressing time to be within the parks.

So skip it. Begin out your day proper when the park opens, get a ton accomplished earlier than it will get crowded, return to your lodge to take a nap or benefit from the pool in the course of the busiest and hottest hours of the day, then return to the parks–refreshed and recharged–for the nighttime hours.

2. Do Indoor, Much less In style Points of interest – Going to Walt Disney World throughout busy seasons doesn’t trouble us as a result of a lot of our favourite sights aren’t all that well-liked, are positioned in air-conditioning. When you have superior style, you would possibly discover doing the next sights is a superb technique for you. Asterisked sights rating further factors for being “distinctly patriotic” experiences which are Independence Day Should-Dos!

Magic Kingdom

• *Carousel of Progress — Rotating theater showcasing the progress of the American household, together with a Fourth of July scene and a usually patriotic tone; not often has a line that means you possibly can experience repeatedly for those who’d like.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — Leisurely experience by way of Tomorrowland on elevated monitor; particularly nice for a soothing nighttime experience.
• Nation Bear Musical Jamboree – Nearly makes the patriotic listing (what’s extra patriotic than musically-inclined bears?!); a enjoyable, humorous present. (CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR REIMAGINING)
• *Corridor of Presidents – Stage present that includes each US President; except for their mere presence, this present just isn’t political–it’s historic, academic, and shifting.
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room – Fast, indoor present with singing tiki birds makes for a fast relaxation cease.

EPCOT

• *American Journey — World Showcase pavilion with performers adopted by Audio-Animatronics stage present about America. Should do on the Fourth of July!
• Turtle Speak with Crush – A cute present with Crush from Discovering Nemo. Add the aquatic displays and this pavilion is a pleasant respite from the warmth.
• Impressions de France (Night Solely) — Distinctly unpatriotic, however this movie about France is an efficient possibility for escaping the warmth. This travelogue is an efficient possibility for a break whereas Ingesting Across the World at Epcot! (Truly, Ingesting Across the World is a reasonably good Fourth of July exercise, too…)

Hollywood Studios

• *MuppetVision 3D — Muppet 3D movie with Sam the Eagle, and a wonderful Salute to All Nations, However Largely America!
• *Walt Disney Presents — A walk-through exhibit tribute to Walt Disney, one of the patriotic males to ever dwell.

Animal Kingdom

• Discovering Nemo: The Huge Blue…and Past — This prolonged musical was just lately reimagined and is properly value seeing. A number of seating for this indoor stage present.
• Competition of the Lion King — One other indoor stage present with a descriptive identify.

Generally, Animal Kingdom just isn’t a terrific possibility for avoiding crowds and warmth throughout a summer season go to. That’s, until you need to spend ~3 hours within the air-conditioned queue for Avatar Flight of Passage. We don’t suppose that’s precisely the easiest way to spend your day, but it surely’s actually one strategy to keep away from the warmth!

3. Don’t Eat at Lunchtime – Folks prefer to eat lunch at lunchtime. That’s a reasonably apparent factor to say, proper? Nicely, due to that, and as a consequence of restricted restaurant capability, the waits to order meals are longest at midday. Eat when eating places first open or later within the afternoon. One of the best time of day goes to be earlier than 11 am, or round 3 or 4 p.m.

A corollary to that is eating at smaller or out of the best way areas. Cosmic Ray’s, Pecos Invoice, Casey’s Nook, and Pinocchio’s Village Haus might be completely slammed in Magic Kingdom. As a substitute of these spots, go to a extra out of the best way location, walk-up home windows, or kiosks. That is even simpler at EPCOT, the place the extra “unique” eating places are usually far much less busier than the core meals courts like Connections Cafe & Eatery. For these doing a noon break, contemplate consuming at a lodge meals courtroom–these might be far much less busy. Should you do need or have to dine on the massive crowd-pleasers, do it early.

4. Use Lightning Lanes Throughout Prime Hours – Visiting Walt Disney World in the course of the Fourth of July summer season season requires a sophisticated diploma in theme park touring, so for those who’re asking, “what are Lightning Lanes” you might want to start out by studying our Information to Genie+ at Walt Disney World & Lightning Lane FAQ for all the foundational need-to-know data about this substitute without spending a dime FastPass+.

Since traces are longest noon, it follows that you just’ll get probably the most utility out of these Lightning Lane experience reservations when the parks are busiest, which is closest to the center of the day.

July 4th Fireworks

Of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks, solely Magic Kingdom and Epcot have particular fireworks exhibits for the Fourth of July. Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios run their regular nighttime spectaculars. Magic Kingdom exhibits “Disney’s Have fun America,” its Independence Day fireworks on each July 3 and July 4. Identical story with EPCOT and the Heartbeat of Freedom tag.

We extremely advocate seeing each of those tags, and it’s often higher to see Have fun America on July 3 than July 4. Nonetheless, we must also be aware that it’s been some time since EPCOT has accomplished Independence Day fireworks on July 3, in order that returning in 2024 may change the equation. (Our advice continues to be Magic Kingdom on July 3; EPCOT on July 4, 2024.)

We’ve seen all the Fourth of July fireworks exhibits, and they’re all superior. Every makes use of sufficient pyro to declare battle on a small nation (assuming you can someway use pyro to declare battle…by no means thoughts that), and every present is so intense that some company would possibly contemplate sporting sun shades and earplugs whereas watching.

Right here’s a rundown of every fireworks present on July 4th at Walt Disney World:

• Have fun America (Magic Kingdom) – One of the best of all three exhibits. It has the soundtrack that’s each patriotic and quintessentially Disney, together with particular fireworks bursts accompanying the soundtrack. These fireworks have an superior 360-degree impact. On the draw back, it attracts the biggest crowds.
• Heartbeat of Freedom Tag (EPCOT) – Probably the most intense 5 minutes or so of fireworks you would possibly ever see at Walt Disney World, and on the park with probably the most patriotic festivities.
• Fantasmic (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) – Fantasmic might be proven on July 4…simply as it’s each night time now. The reimagined Fantasmic is superior, however you possibly can see it July 1-2 and 5-31. Try this as an alternative of viewing it July 3-4.
• Nothing (Disney’s Animal Kingdom) – Animal Kingdom completely retired Rivers of Mild, which was its nighttime spectacular. It has been changed by nothing.

We’re already assuming you’re going to see Have fun America on July 3 (if not, undoubtedly see that present on the Fourth of July), so which means it comes right down to EPCOT or Magic Kingdom a second time for the Fourth. My take is that EPCOT has a greater patriotic environment in the course of the day, and the fireworks are way more intense and spectacular.

EPCOT’s World Showcase can maintain lots of people, but it surely nonetheless manages to replenish, and turns into tough to navigate. It’s nonetheless a terrific expertise, and properly value braving the crowds to see. Don’t simply present up for the fireworks–EPCOT has an entire day of patriotic leisure choices.

Arrive wherever you’re going to look at these fireworks exhibits a minimum of two hours upfront. Presumably extra. Folks begin saving fireworks spots in late afternoon, a number of hours earlier than the exhibits. That is very true within the Magic Kingdom, which is extra crowded than EPCOT, which is extra crowded than Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. We’ve a weblog submit detailing our favourite viewing spots for Magic Kingdom fireworks, and this holds true for the Have fun America fireworks.

One factor value noting in that listing of viewing areas is the spots outdoors the park. These are busier than regular, however they’re nonetheless nice alternate options. Once more, Bay Lake Tower warrants mentioning right here, because the High of the World Lounge is a implausible, comparatively uncrowded spot for fireworks (if you’re a Disney Trip Membership member who can entry it). The Ticket & Transportation Middle can also be a terrific spot.

Creating a plan for the fireworks earlier than the Fourth of July is a good suggestion, as you can’t stroll up on the final minute and seize a spot. The whole lot from transportation to navigating the parks is harder in the course of the busy summer season season. Having issues to do whilst you wait will make the expertise way more bearable!

When it comes to the “different stuff,” Magic Kingdom has particular PhotoPass choices on July 3 & 4, together with a fun-looking mild portray impact at night time. In any other case, EPCOT is the place the Fourth of July stuff occurs, the place there are further performances of the American Journey leisure, plus Disney characters assembly in particular patriotic apparel.

Across the accommodations, nothing of significance is formally scheduled. Magic Kingdom space resorts should not have any official occasions, however you possibly can count on massive crowds and casual ‘events’ as these resorts crowd with lodge company and locals desperate to view the fireworks.

All in all, Walt Disney World is a superb, patriotic place to spend the Fourth of July. Not all the pieces will go based on plan, and it may be a irritating expertise for those who let the crowds and warmth get to you. As a substitute, go in with the correct perspective and plan on doing issues which are within the AC, and don’t have lengthy traces. The fireworks and the opposite supplementary leisure make a Fourth of July go to to Walt Disney World loads of enjoyable, it doesn’t matter what!

Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces it’s worthwhile to know!

Your Ideas

Have you ever ever visited Walt Disney World for the Fourth of July? Would you ever do it? Have any further ideas for making probably the most out of the expertise, or concerning which fireworks exhibits to see? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!