So I have to go to Florida for work (I live in the UP of Michigan) over the 4th of July weekend. I’ll be 2 hours from Orlando, with nothing to do on the 4th. It kills me to think of being so close and not going (though my wife, who will still be at home with DS8 isn’t too thrilled). I’m thinking of driving down, just for the day. I’ll have a car so it’ll cost a one day ticket (expensive to be sure), parking and whatever food I may purchase.
Am I crazy to go down for just that one day? Yeah, its about $200 I can save for a longer trip…but I’m so close! I’m on the fence, but leaning towards going to MK. I could just do DS and avoid buying a park ticket, but I really love MK. AK has the new nighttime stuff too…oh the choices!!!
Actually, I probably would NOT do it. 4th of July is one of the single busiest days at MK. You might be able to get some stuff done in the first few hours, but the rest of the day will be crazy. And if you’re just getting a one day ticket when you’re there, the FPPs will seriously picked over.
I think I agree with bswan here – the Parks will be so busy. But if you go and visit DS and maybe hop around the deluxe resorts for some cool beverages and what-not, that could be fun! I bet you’d be able to watch fireworks from somewhere too.
So, I went on a work trip to San Diego- I got up at 3:00am, flew from BOston to San Diego- rented a car (nothing scheduled on 1st day) drove the 90 minutes to DL, bought a PH and did a total of 10 attractions in the poring rain before I drove back to San Diego (at that point I was up 21 hours). If I did it again, I would have slept at a DL hotel before I drove back early morning- but I would definitely do it again!
MK will be wall-to-wall people by 10:00am. AK in the heat can be brutal. Whichever you pick- it will be magical! If you go to MK, you most likely will need to be there by 7:00 to get in with a one day ticket.
I would be cautious, too, about going as a day guest on a busy day as you may not even get to set foot in the park. I would be worried about phased closures preventing me from even getting to the TTC on 7/4 after driving all that way. I would probably plan to do other WDW things like DS or resort touring if you wanted to make the trip over.
Turns out by BIL and his family will be there that week! They will be at AK on the 4th, so I think I’ll join them. It’s EMH that morning, so they’ll have a jump on me, but I’ll meet up with them and enjoy my first late night at AK (right now it’s scheduled until 11pm!) Yes it’ll be crowded, but I’ll be with family and it’ll be totally worth it!!!
@DisneyBergh, I suggest that you go to the Magic Kingdom on the 3rd. They have the same fireworks as the 4th and it isn’t as crowded. The fireworks are wonderful. If you can’t justify the cost of the ticket then make and ADR at Kona Cafe and watch the fireworks from the beach.
PS: I don’t think you are crazy but then again last year I booked a hotel on July 2nd,drove 17 hours straight from Chicago to spend the July 3rd and 4th at WDW then drove 17 hours back home.
