Best hotel for 4th of July?

[Jacq7414]

My husband and I are debating taking our daughter to Disney for the 4th of July. It’ll be our anniversary. I would like to stay at a hotel that we haven’t already. We have stayed at WL, Polynesian, & Beach Club. We are doing a family vacation and staying at FQ in the winter.


I’m debating between the Contemporary or Boardwalk. My husband doesn’t want to stay at AKL because he says it’s too far and if I’m going to pay the prices at GF, I’d rather stay at the Polynesian again - So that’s why that’s out.

I really do like the look and feel of the Boardwalk better and love that whole area for location. But I feel like maybe the contemporary is better during the 4th? Any insights. Our daughter will be 7 next summer. I’m thinking about only doing 4 park days this time and would like to try out the water park. So we’d probably have a rest day at the hotel.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

My husband and I are debating taking our daughter to Disney for the 4th of July. It’ll be our anniversary. I would like to stay at a hotel that we haven’t already. We have stayed at WL, Polynesian, & Beach Club. We are doing a family vacation and staying at FQ in the winter.


I’m debating between the Contemporary or Boardwalk. My husband doesn’t want to stay at AKL because he says it’s too far and if I’m going to pay the prices at GF, I’d rather stay at the Polynesian again - So that’s why that’s out.

I really do like the look and feel of the Boardwalk better and love that whole area for location. But I feel like maybe the contemporary is better during the 4th? Any insights. Our daughter will be 7 next summer. I’m thinking about only doing 4 park days this time and would like to try out the water park. So we’d probably have a rest day at the hotel.

I did CR this past 7/4 and Poly for many years prior to that. I personally think Poly is the best 7/4 resort IMHO IF the MK show is your focus ON 7/4, but I know that wasn’t your question.

Before I provide any opinion my first question is what is more important to you on 7/4, the MK special fireworks or Epcot special fireworks? If MK, do you want to be in the park or watching from the resort? Are you considering a TPV room at CR, or other room type? Or maybe you’re planning some combo of MK/Epcot shows since MK also does their special fireworks on 7/3 too? (Epcot only does 7/4).

Sorry for the 20q’s, will just help frame my response.

 

[Jacq7414]

I did CR this past 7/4 and Poly for many years prior to that. I personally think Poly is the best 7/4 resort IMHO IF the MK show is your focus ON 7/4, but I know that wasn’t your question.

Before I provide any opinion my first question is what is more important to you on 7/4, the MK special fireworks or Epcot special fireworks? If MK, do you want to be in the park or watching from the resort? Are you considering a TPV room at CR, or other room type? Or maybe you’re planning some combo of MK/Epcot shows since MK also does their special fireworks on 7/3 too? (Epcot only does 7/4).

Sorry for the 20q’s, will just help frame my response.

I probably could convince my husband to stay at the Poly again if need be lol. Since a theme park view room at the contemporary is the same price as a standard at the Poly, I’d rather just stay at the Poly. So I was going to do a Garden Wing room there.

My daughter prefers the MK to the Epcot. So I wanted to do those for sure. Either 7/3 or 7/4 were fine for me. Is there a big difference in watching them inside? I assumed it probably would be insanely crowded.

My daughter really wants to do the Moana rooms again at the Polynesian but I was thinking it would be nice to try a new resort.

Does this help any?

 

[DL1WDW2]

She’ll love the Incredibles theme too!
I would choose the Contemporary . The ability to walk back to the room at the end of the night or just watch fireworks from Resort !
Worth it over the 4th of July!

 

[Jacq7414]

She’ll love the Incredibles theme too!
I would choose the Contemporary . The ability to walk back to the room at the end of the night or just watch fireworks from Resort !
Worth it over the 4th of July!

Yea that’s why I was thinking contemporary - the proximity to MK.

ETA: but I’m just not in love with the theming of it. So that’s why I’m still on the fence and may book BW instead.

 

[Wood Nymph]

So that’s why I’m still on the fence and may book BW instead.

When we were there over the 4th of July holiday a few years ago I went to MK on July 3rd and then Epcot for July 4th. They have been holding the special 4th of July fireworks on July 3rd at MK, which turns out to be a good way to see both sets. The Epcot July 4th fireworks are really good and the best part would be the walk back to the resort when it is over.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

When we were there over the 4th of July holiday a few years ago I went to MK on July 3rd and then Epcot for July 4th. They have been holding the special 4th of July fireworks on July 3rd at MK, which turns out to be a good way to see both sets. The Epcot July 4th fireworks are really good and the best part would be the walk back to the resort when it is over.

I agree with this. I’m doing a split stay, July 1-4 at Grand Floridian so I can walk or boat back to the resort after July 3 fireworks at MK. Then July 4 onwards at Boardwalk, so I can also walk back after Epcot fireworks on July 4.

My husband and I are debating taking our daughter to Disney for the 4th of July. It’ll be our anniversary. I would like to stay at a hotel that we haven’t already. We have stayed at WL, Polynesian, & Beach Club. We are doing a family vacation and staying at FQ in the winter.


I’m debating between the Contemporary or Boardwalk. My husband doesn’t want to stay at AKL because he says it’s too far and if I’m going to pay the prices at GF, I’d rather stay at the Polynesian again - So that’s why that’s out.

I really do like the look and feel of the Boardwalk better and love that whole area for location. But I feel like maybe the contemporary is better during the 4th? Any insights. Our daughter will be 7 next summer. I’m thinking about only doing 4 park days this time and would like to try out the water park. So we’d probably have a rest day at the hotel.

Both Boardwalk and Contemporary are good resorts. It depends if your family likes MK better or Epcot/HS better. Boardwalk doesn’t have a good quick service option imo, although I’m hoping the new deli is decent. Would you consider a split stay? Lol

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I probably could convince my husband to stay at the Poly again if need be lol. Since a theme park view room at the contemporary is the same price as a standard at the Poly, I’d rather just stay at the Poly. So I was going to do a Garden Wing room there.

My daughter prefers the MK to the Epcot. So I wanted to do those for sure. Either 7/3 or 7/4 were fine for me. Is there a big difference in watching them inside? I assumed it probably would be insanely crowded.

My daughter really wants to do the Moana rooms again at the Polynesian but I was thinking it would be nice to try a new resort.

Does this help any?

I sort of struggle with this as I'm a CR fan and no doubt it's a good location for the holidays if walking to the park is in the plan.... but if watching from the resort is the plan I think Poly is a better all around choice on that particular day. Couple of thoughts....

- Ultimately I think the more direct / head on angle from Poly is a "better show" than the CR angle, which is basically from the side. Given the angle it's hard to take in the entire show in one view.

- Poly has an abundance of places to watch (many with good show audio) and they reserve the main beach for guests. CR has places to watch but they are sort of scattered all over, all with pros/cons. We had a TPV room so didn't have to mess with it but there were people packed early in all sorts of places... emergency exits, 4th floor observation deck, out front of the building... basically anywhere with an angle. Good show audio is questionable from some of these locations.

- The elevators were annoyingly crowded after the show as people flooded out of the building.

- Both do a great job with the evening recreation activities, DJ, etc. CR's is out back by the pool, while Poly's is right on the beach in what makes for a beautiful setting (and adult beverages just steps away if inclined).

- Overall the Poly resort experience that evening > the CR experience, IMHO.

A couple of photos just to illustrate angles.

CR...looks cool with wide angle iphone camera... but IRL your eye has to move back and forth. Also there are A LOT of car alarms that go off during the show, it's a bit distracting.




Vs from the main Poly beach. Pics are technically from 12/31 as I have those handy, but launch points are the same for 7/4. So you see... more direct angle, big open sky viewing, great audio and reserved beach section.... both are great experiences, but I think the edge goes to Poly. One caveat, there will be Poly DVC Tower construction going on soon for a few years so depending on your room type/tolerance for construction that's something to be mindful of.

 

[Lisa_lvspplmvr]

If you haven’t done the Moana rooms at the Poly yet I would stay there . Poly is beautiful, convenient and perfect for fireworks inside or out of the park . Have a great time !!

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I like an Epcot resort for the 4th (and NYE) for this reason
MK does their special night twice, 3rd and 4th
Epcot does it once. 4th.
So, we go to MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th
Which means it's handy to use transportation on the 3rd and walk on the 4th
Same theory works on NYE
It's not failed us yet.

 

[Jacq7414]

I agree with this. I’m doing a split stay, July 1-4 at Grand Floridian so I can walk or boat back to the resort after July 3 fireworks at MK. Then July 4 onwards at Boardwalk, so I can also walk back after Epcot fireworks on July 4.

Both Boardwalk and Contemporary are good resorts. It depends if your family likes MK better or Epcot/HS better. Boardwalk doesn’t have a good quick service option imo, although I’m hoping the new deli is decent. Would you consider a split stay? Lol

If you haven’t done the Moana rooms at the Poly yet I would stay there . Poly is beautiful, convenient and perfect for fireworks inside or out of the park . Have a great time !!

We did a Poly/Beach Club split in April. I don’t know if I really wanted to do a split again. While it was nice to experience both resorts, we went for 10 days. This trip would be shorter so I don’t know if I really want to go through the hassle of doing a split on a shorter stay. I don’t like being without a room.

My sister in law and brother in law want to come with their daughter, so I think I’ll let them decide since it’ll be their first time.

 

[Robber Baron]

We've stayed CR 3 times and Poly 4. I think if I had to pick one of those I'd choose CR. The Poly, with it's popular dining places and location seems to always be overrun with people everywhere. It also bugs me that they don't have covered walkways, hate when it's raining like crazy, as it does every day when we go, and I can't get from my longhouse to the Ceremonial house without getting drenched.

One thing about your husbands AKL concern. The time waiting for a bus is the same as at every other resort. All you are doing by staying at AKL is adding a couple minutes transport time at a couple parks, MK & Epcot. It really isn't noticeable. If you've never stayed AKL, don't let that overbaked 'too far' argument change your mind, it's a great resort with unbelievable theming.

 

[Jacq7414]

One thing about your husbands AKL concern. The time waiting for a bus is the same as at every other resort. All you are doing by staying at AKL is adding a couple minutes transport time at a couple parks, MK & Epcot. It really isn't noticeable. If you've never stayed AKL, don't let that overbaked 'too far' argument change your mind, it's a great resort with unbelievable theming.

We did go there for lunch one day and that’s why he didn’t like it. We took the bus from animal kingdom. He said he’d rather do Boardwalk to walk to Epcot or be close to MK