Independence Day Celebration
at Disney's Magic Kingdom

Call us nutty, but yesterday we got off the plane from a 10 day visit to Michigan, ran home to change, grabbed our AP's, then drove over to Walt Disney World to experience Independence Day at the Magic Kingdom!

It was worth it.

Walt Disney World held special fireworks for the Independence Day celebration. The regular "Wishes" show was not shown.

The fireworks display was called "Fantasy in the Sky" Fireworks Spetacular and was presented simultaneously above Cinderella Castle AND over the Seven Seas Lagoon at 9:00pm. We watched from the center of Main Street and had excellent viewing. The fireworks display was literally all around you. It was filled with patriotic songs and a moving display in honor of the military. The highlight was the castle. It was lit red, white, and blue- the base was blue with white stars projected on it, the mid-section white, and the top spires red. Beautiful.

I was especially proud to be an American when the crowds sang "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "The Star Spangled Banner" along with the music. It gave me chills.

Here are a few things we noted that may help in your vacation planning next year if you plan to visit over the holiday:

* Be prepared. The WDW CM's are ready, so you should be.....have your tickets, bags open, etc. READY. They try hard to get everyone in as fast and efficiently as possible. Don't be part of the problem.

* Think about your transportation options. Travel smart to the park. Everyone has the same idea.

* Plan to be in the park at least 1 hour before the fireworks start. Everyone has the same idea. Once you find your spot, stay there.

* Stake your spot, then let everyone in your group alternate and go to the bathroom ASAP. The CM's block off the walkways...crowd control.

* Consider watching the fireworks from Seven Seas Lagoon to avoid the horrindeous crowding inside the MK. If you are only returning to watch the fireworks, I wouldn't enter the park. It's is literally the most slam, jammed packed I have ever seen the park. You'll see all the fireworks from the lagoon and won't miss a thing!

* Spectromagic Parade: The parks remain busy for the next hour after the 9:00 fireworks- if you are committed to riding rides, do some of the less popular ones at this time. Once it gets closer to parade time (10:30), the park begins to thin out. After the parade, it was easy to get on most anything. The parade is shown again at 12:30am, just before closing.

With the right frame of mind (IT WILL BE CROWDED) you can have a lot of fun during the Independence Day celcbration at WDW! We came for the fireworks and a few attractions. We got home after midnight and all agreed it was worth experiencing. I'd recommend it for you, too!

Just remember: EVERYONE HAS THE SAME IDEA so plan ahead, have the right mindset, and be prepared.

If I can answer any more specific questions, don't hestitate to ask. You can email me at boilerjlj@yahoo.com . Please put MFL in the SUBJECT line.