Originally Posted By joeysmommy So I booked a room June 29th - July 5th at Hojo's. I have a Deluxe AP and think it would be wonderful to spend July 4th at DL. Just wondering if any of you have been to DL on 4th of July? And how was it? Unfortunately I would have to pay $40 per person (3) for the blackout pass. I have not been to DL in the Summer since I was a kid. I'm a little nervous about being there in the Summer crowds with my 4 and 6 yr old. But I'm sure we'll still have a great time. We usually go in September during the week, so it may be a shock to my kids to wait in long lines...but at least we'll be in Disneyland!
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP The fact that it's blocked out for deluxes should be a clue, vut I've never been, so I couldn't say for sure.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I do not want to tell you how bad it was the year my niece went...I am planning on being there for the Fourth. I think my sister went one year and they had a special parade for the military. I wonder if they will do that this year.?.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Joeysmommy I have been on Thanksgiving the day after and on NewYears Eve - I would suggest getting at least one of those hand holders or backpack leash things - Just to help with the crowds and the younger one - I see many people with them and I don't think it looks bad - I think it looks like a parent who wants to be sure to take their kids home with them! I would go in early - if it gets too bad take a break and go to a movie or back to the room for a rest - For the fireworks I would hit Plaza Inn for a late dinner around 8:30 sit in the My Disneyland Birthday patio area near the fence and just wait for the fireworks there - you can see them all and not be squished in the crowds - we like a table between some bushes so you can watch from between them.
Originally Posted By Stacers76 We went many years ago for a 4th of July. I would just plan on massive amounts of people especially later in the day as it gets closer to time for fireworks. We ending up standing (there was no room to sit anywhere) in front of the castle for quite awhile to have a spot for fireworks and afterwards it took 45 minutes to shuffle from the castle to the train station. It's just wall to wall people.
Originally Posted By Stacers76 Make that: we ended up standing, not ending up...sheesh I resolve to use the preview button I swear!
Originally Posted By joeysmommy MrsElderP- You are right, common sense and blockout dates tell me that it will be crowded and the fact that it's a Holiday. I booked my Hojo's room for 6/29-7/5 just in case but I think I'm talking myself out of it. Maybe we'll go 6/29-7/3. But I know once I'm there and see all the July 4th decorations I'll want to stay. MMClub- How bad was it the year your niece went? Were they able to ride more than 5 rides? gottaluv- Is the 4th worse than Thanksgiving? I was in the park last year the week of Thanksgiving and each day it got so crowded that I couldn't even use the stroller anymore becuz I couldn't maneuver thru the crowds. We swore never again, but the only week Hojo's had a room when we are able to go this Summer was the last week in June. The DLR is sold out except for GCH at full price : 0 Thanks for the Plaza Inn fireworks advice, will try it. Stacers- thanks for your input. Maybe we'll head home on the 3rd and go to Six Flags for fireworks on the 4th.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Joeysmommy - I would say go for it - Just get to the park early ride what you want collect fastpasses for later in the day - if you go with the attitude that it will be busy you will be fine - and then it will be less stressful! I would not try and leave the park right after the fireworks either - just sit tight and wait - or if you are in the Plaza Inn go out by the restrooms and head back over to buzz or spacemountain (just have a fastpass for them) if you hang out you won't have as much trouble getting out of the park! Just sleep in on the 5th before you drive home. Plan on seeing most of the shows and such midday on the 4th - If you are talking about sixflags up here for the 4th - I wouldn't - we went there once for the forth - it was horrible - way less organized than DL - Rides were breaking down and my kids were stuck on a roller coaster for an hour - the fireworks were okay but the crowds were crazy! No fastpasses so long lines for everything.
Originally Posted By joeysmommy gottaluv- Thanks for the heads up on Six Flags! We have Season Passes (Vallejo) so I was thinking of just heading over there at night, but maybe we'll just sit out in front of our house like we ususally do. We can see our local fireworks from here. If we were to leave DL and go back to the room for a nap and a swim is there a possibility that the park could be at capacity? If you were in earlier in the day are you guaranteed re-entry? Maybe on the 4th we'll just plan on doing all the other stuff and if we get on a few rides then that's a bonus.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I have never been refused reentry once I was already in the park - remember you need both the one day pass and the ap's - I have left during the day on Thanksgiving - the day after and on New years eve - each time we went to the movies or such and were only gone a few hours - I have heard others say that the parks were closed do to capacity but I don't know the levels that happens in.
Originally Posted By mickeynewe We've been on the 4th of July before many years ago. We went with the thought that we didn't care if we ever went on one ride, we were just happy to be at Disneyland. The crowds were horrible, wall-to-wall people, yet we had a terrific time! I don't think we ever did ride on anything that day (by choice, we didn't want to stand in line) but there is still lots to see and do! So you are a Vallejo girl too? We broke down and bought season passes this year to Six Flags also, but it is always so disappointing! We are definitely Disney spoiled!!
Originally Posted By LuLu >>once I'm there and see all the July 4th decorations<< Are there really decorations put up for the 4th? I thought the only recognition of the 4th is the fireworks. If it were me I'd save the money and tack the 2 extra days on to a less-crowded trip, when you don't have to pay an extra $120 to get in! But I abhor crowds ;-)
Originally Posted By joeysmommy mickeynewe-yes, we are in Pinole so Vallejo is a 10 minute drive. We burned out on Six Flags 2 yrs ago but now that my kids are into the thrill rides they can't wait. I try to keep my "At Disneyland they would never allow....." to a minimum. Lulu- good point on the saving $120. I'm not the most patient person so with that being our 5th day in the parks I might run out of patience by then. I assumed they have some type of decoration up on the 4th..not sure.
Originally Posted By TheParsec We went to disneyland on the 4th of july 2 years ago (We were there for 4 days), It wasn't bad at all! I thought it would be packed, but it really wasn't at all. It did get alot of people around the time of the fireworks, but during the day it was great! My Brother went last year on the 4th of july, he said it was the same, not that packed. Nemo was a 40 min wait, but he got on all the other rides right away.
Originally Posted By joeysmommy Wow-sounds like it could be very hit or miss on crowds. Maybe the locals just come out later in the day for fireworks, ride some rides and go home? That's what we were going to do tomorrow at Six Flags.
Originally Posted By luvindisCruiser My friend was there last year for the 4th of July, and she was surprised that it wasn't that bad. She was there for 5 days, and said 4th of July wasn't as busy as she expected !!!
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP This year though the 4th is on a Friday, making it a 3 day weekend for lots of people. I would think that that would make it a busier fourth, as things go.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip We were at Disneyland one year from July 2-July 6. We would go to Disneyland in the AM, go over to California Adventure for the afternoon and early evening, and then go back over to Disneyland about 9PM. I don't think we ever stood in a line longer than 30 minutes.
Originally Posted By TinksBestFriend I agree with Mrs ElderP about the 3 day weekend. Last year, the 4th of July was Wednesday so it makes it difficult to compare this year to last year. And the special 4th of July fireworks made it all so worth it.
Originally Posted By joeysmommy Ok, good point on the 3 day weekend. I just called Hojo's and changed my trip to June 16th. The majority of So Cal school districts get out of school on the 17 and 18th. I check out the 19th to go home. Hopefully it won't be as bad as the last week of June. Thanks for all of your help everybody!
