How to Celebrate the Fourth of July at Disney World
Spending the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World is a fun way to add a little extra magic to your holiday plans. While the fireworks are usually the main event, there are plenty of other attractions and seasonal offerings across the parks to enjoy throughout the day as well.
As a parent with two young kids, I know staying out late for fireworks isn’t always easy, especially after spending the day walking around in the Florida heat. Even if your family doesn’t make it until the end of the night, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day at Walt Disney World.
In this post, I’ll highlight some of the offerings you can typically find at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, which are often the most popular parks to visit during Fourth of July celebrations. I’ll also share a few other ways Disney brings the holiday to life across Walt Disney World, including seasonal treats that can often be found at the other parks and resorts.
Magic Kingdom
If you’re planning to celebrate the Fourth of July at Disney World, Magic Kingdom is probably where most people picture spending the evening. Seeing fireworks over Cinderella Castle is hard to beat, and Disney usually adds patriotic music, projections, decorations, treats, and merchandise throughout the park to help celebrate the holiday.
One thing I would keep in mind is that this can make for a pretty long day, especially with young kids. If staying for the fireworks is important to your family, it may be worth adjusting your schedule a little. Sleeping in, spending part of the afternoon at the pool, or taking a midday break back at your resort can make a big difference when you’re trying to make it until the end of the night.
If you’re staying at one of the monorail resorts, this is one of those days where the convenience really shines. Being able to quickly return to your room for a break before heading back to Magic Kingdom can make the evening feel much more manageable. If you’re still deciding where to stay, you can read more about our experiences at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
A stroller can also be a lifesaver on a day like this. Even kids who normally prefer to walk may appreciate having a place to sit and relax after spending hours in the park. I share more about how the process of renting a stroller from Walt Disney World works here.
Throughout the day, keep an eye out for patriotic touches around the park. Main Street, U.S.A. is usually decorated with red, white, and blue bunting, and Disney often releases a few specialty treats and limited-time snacks for the holiday. If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to stop by the Main Street Confectionary to see what seasonal treats are available during your visit.
If you need a break from the heat, Storybook Circus is worth a stop. The indoor playground connected to Dumbo the Flying Elephant gives kids a chance to run around while parents enjoy a few minutes in the air conditioning. It’s one of my favorite places in Magic Kingdom to slow down for a bit before continuing the day.
Since you’re already celebrating Independence Day, it’s also worth spending some time exploring Liberty Square. Stop by the Liberty Bell replica and the Liberty tree before heading into Hall of Presidents. I’ll be honest, Hall of Presidents probably isn’t going to be the highlight of the day for most toddlers and preschoolers, but it’s a nice place to cool off for a little while and take a break from the crowds.
If your family can make it until fireworks time, you’re in for a fun end to the day. Just keep in mind that Fourth of July celebrations typically bring larger crowds to Magic Kingdom, and it may take a little longer to leave the park once the fireworks end. Planning ahead and giving yourself a little extra time can help make the end of the evening much less stressful.
EPCOT
EPCOT is another popular place to celebrate the Fourth of July. Disney often schedules their patriotic fireworks shows over multiple nights, making it possible to enjoy the nighttime entertainment at both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT if you’re visiting for several days around the holiday.
As you enter the park, take a few minutes to admire Spaceship Earth. The attraction inside the sphere is one of my kids’ favorite rides in the entire park. You can read more about our experience riding Spaceship Earth here. As for the sphere itself, Disney typically lights it up in red, white, and blue once it starts to get dark outside, making it a great spot for photos.
Don’t forget about Soarin’ if you’re visiting EPCOT during the Fourth of July. Disney recently introduced Soarin’ Across America, which swaps the usual version of the ride for a journey across the United States. It’s a fun addition that fits right in with the patriotic theme of the day.
If you’re spending the day at EPCOT, make sure to stop by the American Adventure Pavilion in World Showcase. Between the patriotic atmosphere, exhibits and shows, it feels especially fitting to visit on the Fourth of July.
The American Adventure show itself is a nice way to take a break from the heat and enjoy some air conditioning during the middle of the day. After the show, you can grab some lunch or dinner from Regal Eagle Smokehouse. The menu offers plenty of familiar barbeque options, making it an easy choice for families before continuing around World Showcase.
As the day gets later, you’ll start to notice more people finding spots around World Showcase Lagoon for the fireworks. If having a specific viewing location is important to you, plan on finding a spot a little early. On the other hand, if your kids don’t love sitting and waiting, this can actually be a great time to enjoy a few attractions while many guests are focused on securing their fireworks viewing spot.
Just like Magic Kingdom, expect larger crowds as the fireworks show time approaches. Giving yourself a little extra time to find a viewing spot and make your way out of the park afterward can help the evening go much more smoothly.
Sweet Fourth of July Treats Around Walt Disney World
One thing I always enjoy looking for during holiday visits is the limited-time snacks. In addition to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, many of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Disney Springs locations, and even the other theme parks often offer special Fourth of July treats and drinks.
If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, it’s worth checking to see if your hotel is offering anything special. Sometimes you can enjoy a festive treat without even having to leave the resort.
During our visit, Main Street Confectionary had several Fourth of July-themed options, including Rice Krispy Treats, cake pops, and specialty popcorn decorated in red, white, and blue. If you’re visiting with toddlers or preschoolers, I actually think treats like cake pops and Rice Krispy Treats on a stick can be some of the easier options to manage since they’re portable and usually a little less messy than some of the larger desserts.
Final Thoughts
Spending the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World can be a lot of fun. Whether you’re planning back-to-back fireworks nights at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, or simply enjoying some of the limited-time offerings during the day, it’s a unique way to celebrate the holiday with your family.
Just keep in mind that you’ll likely encounter larger crowds and longer waits at some of the more popular attractions. Planning ahead and building a little downtime into your day can go a long way toward making the experience more enjoyable with toddlers and preschoolers.
However your family chooses to celebrate, I hope you have a magical Fourth of July!