Every day is a nice day for some fantastic fireworks display at Disney World. However, it’s undeniably more magical and spectacular during the 4th of July. After all, this is when the US celebrates Independence Day, and there’s more to it than just the fireworks!
The 4th of July can be considered peak summer vacation time at Disney World. Students are on their summer breaks, and adults get their holiday days off during the event. This means you’ll expect massive crowds, long queues, and long wait times if you decide to visit on this day.
However, if you’re set on visiting Disney World on the 4th of July, you’ll be glad to know that there are TONS of activities in the park. If you don’t know which events you should attend and how to participate, don’t worry – we have you covered.
In this guide, we’ll show you 5 different ways to celebrate the 4th of July while at Disney World.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Disney World. However, of the four theme parks, only EPCOT and Magic Kingdom showcase their special fireworks display during nighttime. The other two will stick to their usual nighttime shows.
In a nutshell, the five different ways that you can celebrate the 4th of July at Disney World are as follows:
- Watch fireworks displays
- Attend the Flag Retreat
- Visit the One Man’s Dream attraction
- Dine in the Liberty Tree Tavern
- Visit The Dapper Dans for some fantastic performances
You can do way more activities in Disney World during the 4th of July to show your patriotism. However, the ones we will cover are mainly themed after the celebration.
5 Ways To Celebrate the 4th of July at Disney World
Before you visit Disney World for the Fourth of July celebration, remember that it will be jam-packed. This means you’ll have to deal with massive crowds and long waiting times. However, we’d say the experience is worth it, as an event like this only happens once yearly. Most of the visitors during this time will be the locals, and since the 4th of July will fall on a Tuesday this year, TONS of people will likely flock to Disney World for a week-long holiday.
If you make a reservation in advance, you’d be glad to know that Disney World will limit attendance to the parks via the Park Pass system. As such, the parks won’t be as crowded since people who make last-minute trips won’t be able to gain access.
Without further ado, here are the five different ways to make the most out of your Fourth of July celebration at Disney World.
1. Watch Fireworks Displays
A trip to Disney World on the 4th of July won’t be complete without watching their fireworks displays.
However, fireworks displays during the 4th of July are only available in EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Therefore, if you choose between the two, we highly recommend going for the one at Magic Kingdom.
That’s not to say EPCOT’s fireworks display is terrible, though. Aptly named Heartbeat of Freedom, EPCOT’s version is an intense five-minute display coupled with a bunch of patriotic festivities. It’s a spectacular show with many patriotic songs and symbolism over at the World Showcase Lagoon.
That said, the Celebrate America fireworks show at Magic Kingdom is arguably better. Their fireworks feature a 360-degree effect that synchronizes with patriotic and classic Disney soundtracks. Of course, due to how amazing and popular this show is, the downside is that there will be tons of spectators.
The show has just made a comeback last year after being postponed since 2019 due to the pandemic. So you can expect it to be even more spectacular and crowded this year.
2. Attend the Flag Retreat
One good way of showing your patriotism during the Fourth of July is to attend the Flag Retreat, a daily activity held at Magic Kingdom every 5:00 PM. Specifically, the activity is located at the Town Square in Main Street, USA.
As the name implies, the activity includes retiring the American flag for the night in honor of the military and veterans who served the country. During the flag retreat, you will say the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a trumpet fanfare and the Star-Spangled Banner.
What makes it even more exciting is that every day, Disney World chooses a random veteran to partake in the ceremony. The chosen veteran will receive a certificate, a pin, and his photo taken. This is a worthwhile activity, especially since it’s made even more symbolic during the Fourth of July.
The event will last for around 15 minutes, but in some cases, Walt Disney World will adjust the duration to 30 minutes, depending on particular situations.
3. Visit the One Man’s Dream Attraction
The One Man’s Dream attraction is a tribute to the one and only Walt Disney, who pursued his dream to create the magical experience we can all enjoy today. However, most Disney visitors don’t know that Walt Disney was patriotic. You can tell it by some of his quotes depicting his love for the country. As such, it’s only fitting to visit this attraction on the Fourth of July.
That said, the attraction is a way of commemorating Walt Disney’s life. It features lots of rare artifacts, costumes, artworks, and even a 15-minute documentary of Walt Disney showcasing his epic tale of how he was able to turn his dreams into reality.
4. Dine in the Liberty Tree Tavern
If you’re looking for a perfect dining option in Disney World during the Fourth of July, then that would be none other than Liberty Tree Tavern. The name itself screams freedom, independence, and patriotism, making it perfect as you celebrate Independence Day.
While you can’t get to view the fireworks while dining, the place is close to the rivers of America to offer you an unobstructed view of the fireworks display hours later. In case you’re wondering, the Liberty Tree Tavern has a classic look that will take you back to the pre-colonial era. Most of its menu consists of hearty American comfort foods, which go perfectly with the Fourth of July celebration.
However, as you’d expect, this place will be filled with visitors. So, we highly recommend that you make dining reservations way ahead of time, preferably at least 180 days before your intended visit. The restaurant can reach full capacity pretty quickly, so make sure not to take too long to make your reservations.
5. Visit the Dapper Dans for Some Fantastic Performances
Disney typically pulls out all the patriotic songs during the Fourth of July celebration. And if you’re a fan of patriotic songs and performances, the best place you’d want to visit is Disney’s barbershop quartet, The Dapper Dans, on Main Street, USA. While The Dapper Dans typically plays a handful of joyful songs, it gets even more fun during the 4th of July as the performances include some of the good ‘ole American music. One good example is Yankee Doodle Dandy.
During the Fourth of July, you can see Disney’s crew dressed up in their festive outfits with blue trousers, a red striped vest, and a huge hat! They will then give outstanding performances featuring traditional American songs.
Conclusion
Overall, the Fourth of July is one of the best times to visit Disney World if you’re looking for a fun, patriotic place to spend the holidays – and as long as you don’t mind the vast crowds. The crowds and long wait times can be frustrating, but as long as you plan ahead of time, your vacation should go as smoothly as possible.
The fantastic fireworks displays and other entertainment are the main reasons why visiting Disney World on the 4th of July is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do the Fireworks Displays Usually Last on the 4th of July?
On average, the Celebrate America fireworks display will last roughly 15 minutes, long enough for you to enjoy. Meanwhile, EPCOT’s Heartbeat of Freedom lasts only 5 minutes, but you can expect various patriotic activities afterward.
How Busy Is Disney World on the 4th of July?
The 4th of July is one of the busiest times of the year at Disney World. Most locals will visit the park to participate in the festivities, and you can also expect an influx of families and their kids.
At this time, you should expect massive crowds and longer wait times than usual.
