Crowds on and around the 4th of July?

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

What are the crowds like at MK (and WDW in general) on the 4th of July and around that timeframe?

 

[Robo]

Very, very heavy.

 

[TVmom]

Are they as bad as Christmas/New years and Easter? Or more manageable? Those New Year’s Eve crowds were scary looking.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

MK does their special fireworks on 7/3 and 7/4 - those days are pretty stout (but also have nice long hours, typically).

We did 7/4 week in 2017 and 2018 (skipped this year). I personally think crowds during the week are great - I’m a fan of summer crowds as a general observation. 7/3 and more so 7/4 require a “holiday at WDW” mindset, but even then it’s not all ‘that bad’ relative to, say, a day like 12/31. In my opinion.

 

[Mome Rath]

The last few July trips we showed up July 5th and had really light crowds (EPCOT that morning was a ghost town). If you are there the 3rd and 4th, then yes, you're gonna have much higher crowds.

 

[CalSea12]

The last few July trips we showed up July 5th and had really light crowds (EPCOT that morning was a ghost town). If you are there the 3rd and 4th, then yes, you're gonna have much higher crowds.

I love to hear this we check in July 5th to July 14th... really hoping for the lighter side of medium crowds.

 

[SaintsManiac]

July 4th, 2019 at MK was fine except for the Hub and Main St a couple of hours before the fireworks. We were honestly quite shocked when we walked in at 2:30. No lines at security or the entrance. Pirates stand by was 30 minutes. Modified and rolled FP with ease.

The crowds were massive just after the parade, but that wasn't surprising. We did the dessert party and thought it was ok. Obviously the spot is what we paid for that night. It was a bit scary crossing over from the party to the garden. MASSIVE crowds.

It was very manageable July 5th-9th. The problem we encountered was rain. Not the quick showers that roll through, but all day rain. We got washed out a couple of times. When there's lightning and rides close down it creates a problem every where else.

 

[Wreckem]

Crowds are much better than Xmas or New Years Eve. We did June 30-July 5 2019 and Xmas/New Years 2019. July 3rd at MK was much better than December 30 and July 4th at Epcot was much better than Dec 31 at Epcot.

 

[Robo]

One thing many are not noting...

July 4, 2020 is on a Saturday.

That means many (most) will have July 3rd as the official holiday, and others may be given Mon. July 6 as their holiday. (Many may take extra days off, too.)
That's has an even greater than usual potential for an extra-busy "holiday weekend."

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

We've seen MK have a phased closing on July 4 before. We do July 3 at MK now to avoid those crowds since they have the July 4th fireworks on both the 3rd and 4th. It's packed, but not nearly as packed as the 4th. Parks are not nearly as busy on July 2 or 5, more like "regular" summer days. July 3 and 4 were definitely the busiest days.
We did epcot on the 4th last year and really enjoyed it.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I went the weekend before last year (6/28-30) and the crowds were very, very light. So if you are going for a week, or even several days, the days before the weekend may not be so bad!

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

One thing many are not noting...

July 4, 2020 is on a Saturday.

That means many (most) will have July 3rd as the official holiday, and others may be given Mon. July 6 as their holiday. (Many may take extra days off, too.)
That's has an even greater than usual potential for an extra-busy "holiday weekend."

This is the biggest point. So true, that will bring it to a whole other level !

 

[Jadyreen1282]

July is a huge month for large groups vacationing at WDW all getting in line together and such. Friendly folks but huge for the most part. We were used to September but decided FD in July might be fun...uh nope. Too many large groups. Again very friendly people.

 

[Mome Rath]

The groups of 15's don't usually arrive until around the weekend after the 4th. If you are going before, during, and immediately after the 4th, the 15's aren't usually there then (obviously can't predict the future, but that is the way it has played out in the past). They start impacting the hotels first, like Pop.

 

[Klayfish]

July 4th itself in MK at night is very busy. Beyond that, no big deal anywhere any day in any park.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

July is a huge month for large groups vacationing at WDW all getting in line together and such. Friendly folks but huge for the most part. We were used to September but decided FD in July might be fun...uh nope. Too many large groups. Again very friendly people.

What is FD?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

What is FD?

Free Dining

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

The groups of 15's don't usually arrive until around the weekend after the 4th. If you are going before, during, and immediately after the 4th, the 15's aren't usually there then (obviously can't predict the future, but that is the way it has played out in the past). They start impacting the hotels first, like Pop.

When do the 15s usually get there?

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Does anyone think July 4th being a Saturday will reach maximum capacity?

 

[Klayfish]

Does anyone think July 4th being a Saturday will reach maximum capacity?

No.

The 15s start in late June/early July with peak being mid-late July.