Grab your flags and sing Yankee Doodle Dandy, as lots of exciting events unfold at the parks of Walt Disney World next month to commemorate the Independence Day holiday on July 4th. Fireworks and special music take center stage, as three of the four parks mark the holiday with a little something extra special.
- Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney World’s original park will present Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky. The fireworks spectacular will be dotted with red, white, and blue, and will highlight the plans and dreams that inspired our forefathers to create this great country. Shows will light up the skies at 9 p.m. on both July 3 and July 4.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Guests at the park will be treated to an all-new musical spectacular celebrating the festive holiday. The ever popular Mulch, Sweat, and Shears will perform Rockin’ 4th of July Celebration! The musical landscape crew will take their audience on a rockin’ road trip across the country that will highlight regional contributions to that all American invention – rock ‘n roll! The show will combine music, fireworks, custom lighting, and special effects to enhance the experience. Showtime will be July 4 at 9:45 p.m. between the evening’s two Fantasmic! performances at 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- Epcot: Everyone knows that you can enjoy the totally unique nighttime spectacular, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, nightly at Epcot. However, on July 4th, the show will be enhanced to include The Heartbeat of Freedom, described as “an overture of traditional Americana themes displayed in a pyrotechnic and laser light event.” The special show will be an hour later than Illumination is normally held, and will be held at 10 p.m. on July 4. In addition, Epcot’s famed Voices of Liberty will perform their Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert, to mark the special occasion. Guests can also hobknob with historic characters, such as Benjamin Franklin, and Betsy Ross, as well as favorite Disney characters who will be donning their patriotic finest.
Historically a very busy day for the parks of Walt Disney World, you will want to arrive early to ensure your entrance into the parks; parks often fill up to capacity early in the day on Independence Day. Theme park hours for July 4 (which are subject to change without notice) are: Magic Kingdom: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Epcot: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
