Celebrating a holiday at Walt Disney World can be so much fun, but the parks offer so many things to do and see that you don’t want to miss out on anything. The Fourth of July is no exception and this year the parks have a great lineup of entertainment to celebrate Independence Day. Here’s everything you need to know about the Fourth festivities so you don’t miss a thing.
MAGIC KINGDOM
The Magic Kingdom is the center of the Fourth of July celebration with themed treats, extra long park hours, and one of the year’s best fireworks displays. Last year’s week-long celebration isn’t returning this year, but on July 3 and 4 you can join the crowds in front of Cinderella Castle at 9:00 p.m. for “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky”. The 14-minute show is timed to patriotic music and has a stunning 360-degree finale. It’s truly spectacular.
[singlepic id=50 w= h= float=none]Here are a few planning tips if you’re headed to the Kingdom on the 3rd or the 4th. First, it’s hot down here. When we say hot in Central Florida, we mean soupy. It’s a kind of heat that can be dangerous if you don’t prepare, so apply sunscreen often, stay hydrated (any of the counter service locations will give you water for free), and remember to take small children out of dark-colored strollers every once in a while to cool them off.
Second, if you’re planning to watch the fireworks from in front of the castle, get to the park early (it sometimes hits phase closures on this holiday week) and find a spot a couple of hours before the show. Main Street, U.S.A., will be more crowded than you’ve probably ever seen it, but it’s worth the wait.
Last, know your transportation options. The monorails will run on extended schedules on the 3rd and 4th as follows:
- Express Beam (Ticket and Transportation to Magic Kingdom only) 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
- Resort Beam (stops at all monorail resorts and TTC) 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Epcot Beam 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
The Magic Kingdom will be open until 1 a.m. both nights and will have Extra Magic Hours until 3:00 a.m. on the 3rd. *Special note: Festival of Fantasy will run TWICE on both July 3 and July 4 at noon and 3 p.m.!
EPCOT
Over at Epcot on the 4th, you can meet some of your favorite Disney characters (Mickey, Donald, Chip and Dale and more!) dressed in patriotic attire at the American Adventure Pavilion throughout the afternoon. Outside that same pavilion, Voices of Liberty, the eight-part a capella group, will have special performances at American Gardens Theatre at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. They will perform inside the American Adventure Rotunda at 4:15 and 5 p.m.
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Don’t forget to catch the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps outside at 1, 2:15, 3:30, 4 and 4:45 p.m. before you head to your favorite spot for Illuminations at 10:00 p.m. The show has an added salute to America in its grand finale that only plays on the 4th and shouldn’t be missed.
Park hours for July 4 are 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with Extra Magic hours from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is celebrating the Fourth of July as well with the “Rockin’ 4th of July Celebration” featuring live music from “The Hollywood Rockers” at 6 p.m. and a special fireworks show at 10:15. Park hours for the 4th are 9:00 a.m. to midnight.
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