Advertisement
As you read, this we are just about two weeks from the Fourth of July. It's one of those special days of the year where everyone in the United States comes to celebrate the birthday of America.
We all have fond memories of what we have done in years past. Were you in a parade? Did you participate in some games and races?
How about those backyard cookouts with the family? And, oh, do we remember those Fourth of July fireworks.
Now let's turn to 2003. Have you determined your plans for this year's celebration? Are you going to a special breakfast slated to benefit a local charity? How about those hometown parades?
Have you ever thought about what possible itineraries you could put together for a Fourth of July at Walt Disney World?
In this session we take a look at some suggestions of what to do (and what not to do) if you happen to find yourself at WDW on the Fourth of July.
The Importance of May 5
Before we turn to July, let's turn back the clock to May 5. If my math is correct, that is about 60 days before The Fourth of July. It is from this day onward that you can call ahead to make priority-seating reservations at one of the many WDW restaurants.
Because the Fourth of July is a busy holiday, it's even more important to be pro-active in arranging any special dining intentions you have in mind for this special day.
Here are some places that tend to fill up fast for lunch and dinner on The Fourth of July:
Cinderella's Round Table
You can imagine that this particular establishment is tough enough on normal days. If you would like to book a meal here you best be up early on May 5 and have a quick trigger finger to dial dial dial. It doesn't hurt to keep your fingers crossed.
Liberty Tree Tavern
This restaurant is very popular on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. You can also put down The Fourth of July for yet another popular day. Those guests in the park get very patriotic on the Fourth and the Liberty Tree Tavern is the first place they think of when they get those patriotic feelings.
Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room
Hmmm, why this Epcot restaurant? Well, those sly guests will fill up this restaurants time between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. because it is a prime spot to view the special extended presentation of the Illuminations. Your humble author has priority seating this year at this restaurant for this evening.
Cantina de San Angel
See Rose and Crown Pub Dining Room above.
California Grill
This restaurant at the top of the Contemporary Resort fills up fast because those patrons are also looking forward to viewing the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the observation deck.
Hoop-Dee-Do Revue
This is a popular dinner show and even more so on the Fourth of July. However, it's the earliest show that is the big favorite. The later shows are not necessarily as crowded, as most guests are concerned about watching fireworks.
Mickey's Backyard Barbeque
That's right. It's pretty popular on this day if it is scheduled. Think of the setting: Now you know why it's popular.
It goes without saying that the three major theme parks (the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, MGM Studios) have heavier-than-normal crowd levels and thus more hungry mouths so plan accordingly.
So if you plan on a special meal on the Fourth then the time to call is on May 5.
Hot Spots on the Fourth
The Fourth of July is without a doubt one of the four busiest days of the year for Walt Disney World. The other three days are Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Let's look at the hot spots for that day where the crowds may be just a tad heavier than some may prefer.
The Magic Kingdom is obviously the most popular theme park. Many families target that theme park as the place to be on the night of the Fourth. You can imagine the crush of people on Main Street U.S.A. that evening. Not only will many of the tourists be there, but you can also bet that some of the locals may take in the fireworks.
If you plan to be at the Magic Kingdom that particular evening, think about entering the park sometime in the mid- or late-afternoon, but no later. Getting around will be difficult, and you will see some long attraction lines.
If you wait until evening to get in, you may find that the park has either reached its capacity or that you can only move at a pace of about five feet per hour as soon as you get within the turnstiles.
Epcot does not experience this glut of guests as do MGM-Studios and the Magic Kingdom. If you are particularly annoyed with large crowds, then Epcot is the park for you on the Fourth.
Disney's Animal Kingdom is a great park to tour on the morning of the Fourth. Most people head directly to the Magic Kingdom or MGM Studios. Disney's Animal Kingdom park should be the lightest park for this morning.
Extra Activities on the Fourth
There are a few extras that take place on the Fourth of July in WDW.
First, in the Magic Kingdom, Fantasy in the Sky fireworks display takes on a whole new dimension. Those guests who plan on viewing this nighttime spectacular from Main Street U.S.A. are in store for a special treat. On the night of the Fourth, guests will be treated to what many call the 360-degree Fantasy In the Sky. Besides the fireworks from behind the castle, guests are also entertained from the special Fourth of July display set from Seven Seas Lagoon. For several minutes, the night sky turns into day as the sky lights up from all around the resort.
Usually, the Magic Kingdom nighttime parade presently SpectroMagic takes place around 9 p.m. followed by Fantasy in the Sky.
However, the night of the Fourth will have a slight schedule change. The fireworks display draws so many guests that the theme park begins the show an hour earlier than usual this year, that is 9 p.m.
SpectroMagic take place at 10:30 p.m. and midnight that evening. If you plan to go to the Magic Kingdom that evening, you will surely get your money's worth in fireworks as well as people.
The popularity of this Fourth of July celebration makes the Magic Kingdom theme park the hottest spot in Florida on that day.
Disney-MGM Studios celebrates the Fourth of July a bit differently, offering its guests Sorcery in the Sky and a special salute to the Fourth of July. This takes place on Hollywood Boulevard high above the Great Movie Ride.
WDW veterans may remember Sorcery in the Sky from the early '90s, hosted by the late Vincent Price. Following this special presentation is an extended Fourth of July fireworks spectacular.
This makes for a tough decision for many guests should they see the 360 at The Magic Kingdom or Sorcery at MGM-Studios? Fantasmic will be shown at 10:30 p.m. at MGM on this evening.
Not to be outdone, Epcot will provide its guests with a special Fourth of July presentation of Illuminations that will surely please all who attend. For those of you who plan on attending, please note that Illuminations starts at 10 p.m. on the Fourth because Epcot will be open for one hour later than usual that night.
Of course, Pleasure Island will also get into the act with its own salute to America with a special fireworks display.
You cannot escape fireworks in Orlando on the night of the Fourth of July.
Scenarios for the Fourth
Now that we know about crowds, restaurants, fireworks, and parades for the Fourth, it's time for us to draft a few scenarios that might just work on this big day.
It's important to remind guests with children that the Fourth of July can be a very exhausting day so it would be a good idea to plan a light July 3 and early bedtime for the kiddies (and the grown-ups). You want everyone to be well rested for the The Fourth of July festivities.
Scenario #1: An Epcot Evening
Morning Start off the morning at the Animal Kingdom. The crowds should be light and you may be able to do quite a bit before mid-day. Try to fit in breakfast at Donald's Breakfastsaurus. On this day everyone will need that extra boost of energy.
Afternoon More than ever it pays off to spend some quality pool time on this day. It's a pretty good guess that it will be hot, hot, hot in Orlando on the Fourth of July, and if you can take steps to ensure that you'll be fresh for the evening activities, then do so.
Evening Ah, we have made reservations at the Rose & Crown Pub Dining Room so we are heading over to Epcot. If we are lucky enough to leave earlier in the day, we may catch a performance of the Liberty Voices on the Fourth of July. That would be entertaining. We finish the evening watching the special Illuminations presentation and return to our resort fulfilled but not exhausted, as we planned our day well.
Scenario # 2: A Magic Kingdom Evening
Morning Start off with a Character Breakfast at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort.
Afternoon After breakfast, head off to Disney Quest. That's right. If it's a sunny day even better. You'll get some quality time there, and to top it off no heat and humidity. What an idea. No crowds and you are enjoying most of the hottest part of the day in an air-conditioned building. You'll be in great shape for the night's activities.
Evening Leave Disney Quest around 5 p.m. and do some shopping at Downtown Disney. Again, it may not be too crowded. This is a good time to buy those souvenirs. Take your time. Around 6 p.m., head over to Fort Wilderness and have a nice relaxing meal at the Trail's End Buffeteria cheap but good food. At around 8:30 or so, head over to the Magic Kingdom but don't go in the park. Plant yourself outside the park, but go near the dock and near a speaker. Enjoy the fireworks.
Scenario #3: A MGM-Studios Evening
Morning Start off the morning at Trail's End Buffeteria at Fort Wilderness. No crowded theme park just a relaxing breakfast.
Afternoon After breakfast, do a little shopping at either Downtown Disney, or even better, visit the Character Warehouse at Belz's. Why not? After you have shopped, head back to your resort to get your camera, freshen up, maybe take a nap, and try to get to MGM-Studios by 4 p.m.
Evening If possible, make a Fantasmic Dinner Package arrangement. Find a spot on Hollywood Boulevard for the 5:30 p.m. Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade. After the parade, enjoy your Fantasmic Dinner. Return to Hollywood Boulevard and find a good place to watch Sorcery In the Sky. After the show, head over to Fantasmic.
Commando Style
Now let's have a little fun by looking at a commando approach to the Fourth of July. Are you ready to take the plunge? Are you in shape? Join me as we piece together a scenario that's a bit more exciting than those three we have just discussed.
Here's a table of the theme-park entertainment for the Fourth of July.
|
|
|
|
|
3:00p
|
Share a Dream Come True Parade | |||
4:00p
|
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade | |||
5:30p
|
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade | |||
9:00p
|
360 Fantasy in the Sky | Sorcery in the Sky | ||
10:00p
|
Illuminations | |||
10:30p
|
SpectroMagic Parade | Fantasmic | ||
Midnight
|
SpectroMagic Parade | |||
???
|
Kiss |
When attempting commando-style touring, the challenge is to see as much as possible. The drawback is that when you stretch yourself too thin, you may see a lot but your viewing locations may not be the best.
Let's give it a try.
Scenario #4: Commando
9:30 a.m. Go to the Storybook Princess Breakfast at Akershus in Norway, at World Showcase in Epcot.
11 a.m. Grab a Fastpass at Test Track.
1 p.m. After Test Track, go see the Voices of Liberty and the American Adventure.
2 p.m. Take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, and find a spot to watch the 3:00 Share a Dream Come True Parade.
4 p.m. Go to Disney-MGM Studio to see the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade.
6:30 p.m. Have dinner at Hollywood and Vine.
9 p.m. Watch Sorcery in the Sky.
9:30 p.m. Go to Epcot to watch Illuminations.
10:30 p.m. See Fantasmic.
11:30 p.m. Go to the Magic Kingdom to watch the midnight SpectroMagic parade.
1 a.m. Kiss good-night.
2 a.m. Enjoy pleasant dreams.
Is this possible? There are some obvious tight spots, like going from Sorcery in the Sky in MGM to Illuminations in Epcot.
The key could very well be in from exactly where you watch these events.
For instance, you should view the Share a Dream Come True Parade near the Magic Kingdom train station, Sorcery in the Sky from halfway down on Hollywood Boulevard, and Illuminations from Showcase Plaza.
Traffic is another potential concern. The monorail and bus system is a consideration but remember that taking the monorail means switching at the Ticket & Transportation Center, and buses do not go from theme park to theme park so driving is a factor.
It's too bad that Sorcery in the Sky isn't being shown at 10 p.m. you could almost see both Fantasy in the Sky and Sorcery in the Sky if MGM had moved Sorcery in the Sky to 10 p.m.
If you make any attempt at a commando scenario for the Fourth, please drop me a note so we can share in your experience.
I will be at WDW on the Fourth of July so I will have to decide which scenario to take. If you're wondering, I'm leaning towards a combination of Scenarios #1 and #3, and our commando scenario.
Happy Fourth of July.
Next time
We walk in the shoes of a Disneyland cast member on his initial visit to Orlando and Walt Disney World.
Class dismissed.
 
Comments