4th of July 2013

[princesspooh323]

I know I am two months from the 11 month mark, but it is my first year that I am booking as a DVC member, and I want to make sure that I am ready. We will likely do a split stay between beach club and animal kingdom. I am trying to decide which one we want to be at the night of the fourth. I can see pros to both. I like that AK is far from the chaos and crowds, but I like that the beach club is near all of the Epcot fun. I am assuming we won't be able to get into the park as that we like to take midday breaks , and we would rather chance not getting back into a park then dealing with a full day on the park at max capacity.
Has anyone had any experience at either of these resorts on the fourth? Any suggestions?


Thanks!

[BillPA]

If you are staying at a Disney or DVC resort, you will be able to return to the park.
I would be at BCV for at least the 3rd and 4th. They have extra fireworks at EPCOT and you can just walk back to BCV after, no big crowds to deal with.

We have been at BCV several times for the 4th. This year we will be at BLT to see what MK has to offer for fireworks.

[princesspooh323]

Thanks. Your input is appreciated, and I will plan for BCV. I did read that although resort guests are guaranteed entrance to a park, it may not be the park of their choosing. For that reason I am going with the assumption that the order of filling up will be MK, Epcot, HS, & finally AK.

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by princesspooh323

I know I am two months from the 11 month mark, but it is my first year that I am booking as a DVC member, and I want to make sure that I am ready. We will likely do a split stay between beach club and animal kingdom. I am trying to decide which one we want to be at the night of the fourth. I can see pros to both. I like that AK is far from the chaos and crowds, but I like that the beach club is near all of the Epcot fun. I am assuming we won't be able to get into the park as that we like to take midday breaks , and we would rather chance not getting back into a park then dealing with a full day on the park at max capacity.
Has anyone had any experience at either of these resorts on the fourth? Any suggestions?


Thanks!

You own at both of these resorts?

[Sammie]

Resort guests are not guaranteed admittance if the parks reach a certain level.

You could leave and not be allowed back in.

[mybabesuz]

Unless you own at BCV or are renting points, it is impossible to get BCV for July 4th at 7 months.
I try almost every year. My B-Day is July 4th.
We usually spend the 4th at EPCOT and the 3rd at MK...

Going a week later this year, since the 4th is on a Wednesday it messes up the days off.
But I'll be trying for BCV again next year...

[Traveler14]

Been to WDW for the 4th? I am trying to get an idea of what to expect for special events and celebrations.

[bobbiwoz]

Originally Posted by Traveler14

Been to WDW for the 4th? I am trying to get an idea of what to expect for special events and celebrations.

Mickey and friends have a skit in the American Gardens Theater. I think it took place 3 times, and we went to the first show, it wasn't particularly crowded, but the other shows were.

We stayed at BCV and did leave for an afternoon swim and walked back to the park in the early evening because we did want to see the fireworks. The fireworks were great!!! We had seen the MK fireworks on the 3rd, and they were great too!

As far as booking. At 7 months, I was able to get a studio for a friend for the 4th at BCV, just the one night. This was 2 years ago. I had booked a standard view at BWV at 11 months, but was able to get our friends over to where we were staying. So, waitlist if you must, but people do change their plans.

[Jasonkat]

The first time I went to WDW was July 4th week 2010.

I didn't think the crowds were really all that bad. We got there early and fast-passed efficiently and we always had a ride to go on without waiting too long.

The fireworks at MK were absolutely amazing. The show was probably 30 minutes long and it was the best show we've ever seen. I haven't seen the fireworks at the other parks but I imagine they would be really good, too.

MK was open until 1:00. We left at 11:30 (since we were there at rope-drop 8:00AM). The fireworks were about 9:00 and the park really emptied out by 10:00. We were sitting in Frontierland right next to Splash Mountain to watch the 10:00 parade and all of the logs at Splash kept coming down the drop completely empty.

I imagine a good strategy could be to arrive at MK about 7:00PM and find a good spot to watch the 9:00 fireworks show, then you'd have the 10:00PM-1:00AM time period with very few lines. You could probably ride as much during those 3 hours as you could during the 11 hours between 10:00AM and 9:00PM and you'd avoid the heat.

[spiceycat]

it has been several years - but we did not even enter the parks until the fireworks were over. the second parade was great and the park had very few guests in it.

the kids wanted to ride the roller coasters - 3 times each - so we did. (not sure I would now)

[PrincessV]

Originally Posted by Traveler14

Been to WDW for the 4th? I am trying to get an idea of what to expect for special events and celebrations.

Yep, I go over the 4th most years... but I normally skip the parks entirely that day. We gave the MK a try last year - arrived for rope drop (8am) and stayed until around 11 or so... it was EMPTY! Crowds started filling in around 10:30 so we got out shortly thereafter.

We like to swim in the afternoon and then have dinner at the Poly and watch the MK fireworks from the beach.

[Traveler14]

Great ideas on beating the heat and crowds but still enjoying the special events of the 4th. Thanks all!!

Originally Posted by bobbiwoz

Mickey and friends have a skit in the American Gardens Theater. I think it took place 3 times, and we went to the first show, it wasn't particularly crowded, but the other shows were.

We stayed at BCV and did leave for an afternoon swim and walked back to the park in the early evening because we did want to see the fireworks. The fireworks were great!!! We had seen the MK fireworks on the 3rd, and they were great too!

As far as booking. At 7 months, I was able to get a studio for a friend for the 4th at BCV, just the one night. This was 2 years ago. I had booked a standard view at BWV at 11 months, but was able to get our friends over to where we were staying. So, waitlist if you must, but people do change their plans.

Oh, this is so good to know!! Is there a meet and greet with characters in patriotic costumes?

Originally Posted by PrincessV

Yep, I go over the 4th most years... but I normally skip the parks entirely that day. We gave the MK a try last year - arrived for rope drop (8am) and stayed until around 11 or so... it was EMPTY! Crowds started filling in around 10:30 so we got out shortly thereafter.

We like to swim in the afternoon and then have dinner at the Poly and watch the MK fireworks from the beach.

And if we don't go to Epcot on the 4th then this is what I'd plan

[amurphy369]

I own at SSR, but was a able to secure a whole week 1 brm at BCV 6/29-7/6 for 2013. I did however book the very first day, early in the morning on the first day of the 7th month mark. I almost never stay at my home resort, but I almost always book on the first day of the 7th month mark, & I am almost never turned down. I just figure out when we want to go, & then figure out when the 7th month mark is & mark it on my calendar, done. Good luck, maybe we will see you there.