Credit: Disney Parks BlogHistorically, July 4 is one of the busiest days at Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT present special fireworks shows–pyrotechnics light up the sky 360 degrees around Cinderella Castle only twice a year, on Independence Day and New Year’s Eve!
School summer vacation combined with the sheer number of Americans with days off around July 4, the Disney parks frequently hit capacity on the patriotic holiday. Last year, though, things changed.
@disneyfoodiern Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸 from the Hall of Presidents in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. My fav is Abraham Lincoln!!! #july4th #disneyworld #magickingdom #joebiden #donaldtrump #disneyparks #happyindependenceday #hallofpresidents #disneytiktok #disneyfyp #usa @Disney Parks
Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios saw low crowds on summer holidays, including Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Some Disney Parks fans blamed high heat, while others blamed ongoing conflict with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
A judge dismissed the legal battle between DeSantis and Disney in January, but the public spats continue. On July 1, 185 new Florida laws took effect that, while not targeted at Walt Disney World Resort, impacted theme park guests. They include bans on intentional balloon releases, lab-grown meat, and forced breaks for hourly employees.
Progressive non-profits have issued travel warnings for minorities headed to Florida amid ongoing legal attacks on marginalized communities, including the same anti-LGBTQIA+ Parental Rights in Education Act (“Don’t Say Gay”) that started the battle between Governor DeSantis and Disney.
It’s impossible to pinpoint precisely what scared guests away from Walt Disney World Resort in 2023, but the trend continued this July 4.
One of my favorite Epcot spots 🥰 one one of the least crowded days I’ve ever seen this park!
One of my favorite Epcot spots 🥰 on one of the least crowded days I’ve ever seen this park!
byu/americanpeony inWaltDisneyWorld
Wait times for popular attractions at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom were lower than on “normal” days. In the screenshot below, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance had just a 30-minute standby wait!
Wait times were slightly higher at EPCOT, where the World Showcase will come to life with an exclusive July 4 fireworks show. However,
Magic Kingdom Park saw lower wait times all day, according to guests on social media. Typically, guests spend hours just waiting for Disney’s Celebrate America! fireworks.
“There right now and managed to get on Tiana’s twice and about to get on Tron. . . Both with VQ not LL,” said Redditor u/hurtfulproduct. “Honestly might run out of stuff to do before the fireworks.”
Between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. EST, thunderstorms shut down Magic Kingdom Park’s outdoor attractions, including Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and more. This increased wait times throughout the Disney park, though nothing topped 60 minutes.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park closed at 6:00 p.m., making the lower evening wait times at the other Disney parks even more shocking. Typically, guests Park Hop to the open theme parks, increasing wait times at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Annual Passholders are blocked out of Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT on July 4, meaning that tourists are the only ones avoiding the Central Florida Disney parks.
Would you visit Walt Disney World Resort on July 4? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments.