Disneyland 4th of July Fireworks, Patriotic Attractions, Food Guide
Disneyland 4th of July fireworks are a must see! Disneyland saves all their fireworks for an enormous fireworks show to celebrate the 4th of July.
Celebrating 4th of July at Disneyland can bring crowds so read our tips so you have the best experience possible as you celebrate Disneyland 4th of July weekend.
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Disneyland 4th of July Fireworks
Disneyland puts on a special 4th of July fireworks show to celebrate! This 4th of July Disneyland fireworks can only be seen on this one holiday so expect one of a kind display honoring America.
The show will focus on red, white and blue fireworks along with patriotic music as stars and stripes are projected on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. As you can expect, 4th of July fireworks will be especially popular at Disneyland with many locals turning out to see the show along with those there on vacation.
Where should I watch the Disneyland 4th of July fireworks?
You don’t want to miss the special Disneyland 4th of July fireworks show! This is one of the best fireworks shows of the year and shouldn’t be missed! Here’s our top spots in Disneyland to catch the fireworks:
In front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle
This is easily the most popular spot to watch the fireworks show and will easily be the most popular. If you want to watch the fireworks show from in front of the castle, you need to prepare yourself to arrive at least three hours prior to the show on the 4th of the July to get a good spot. It’s a long wait but it is worth it. You will get the full experience of the show with the projections on the castle and seeing the fireworks go off directly behind the castle. There’s a reason this is the most popular spot- it really is the best!
Near Partners Statue
This spot is also quite popular but since it’s a bit further back than directly in front of the castle you can sometimes get a good spot without waiting three hours in advance. You still want to dedicate at least two hours to lining up in this area. Pro tip: if you stand directly behind the Partners Statue, you won’t have to worry about anyone’s head obscuring your view and you can lean against the rail.
Main Street, U.S.A.
You can find a good spot to watch the fireworks from anywhere on Main Street and the projects will play on all the storefronts. This is also an easy place to grab a spot that doesn’t require nearly the same amount of advance lining up that the castle does. Cast members will rope off certain areas to keep the traffic moving so make sure you’re not saving a spot in one of these areas. I’d say you can grab a spot an hour before the show or less in this area.
Pro tip: for summer 2022, the Main Street Electrical Parade goes down Main Street at 8:45PM which means no one can really save a spot for the fireworks show during this time. If you linger around the Jolly Holiday Cafe during the parade, once the parade passes you can grab a spot right near the hub for a great view of the fireworks that start at 9:30PM with hardly any wait at all. Usually by the time parade passes this part it will be about 9:15PM.
In front of “it’s a small world”
If you want to avoid crowds, the best place to watch the fireworks is in front of it’s a small world. You won’t see the castle but the same projections are displayed on the it’s a small world facade with the same music. The fireworks will be going off just to the left of its a small world. You can usually walk right up a few minutes before the fireworks and get a good spot here.
Along the Rivers of America in Frontierland
Unfortunately, Fantasmic! is on hiatus until after Labor Day 2023.
If you happen to be catching the first showing of Fantasmic then stay right where you are to enjoy the fireworks which will happen right after it ends. The Rivers of America water screens will display the same projections that happen during the fireworks show.
Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Experience
If you’d rather opt for reserved viewing, then there’s always the Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge experience where you can enjoy desserts and both hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages. Lounge is open from 8-10pm and reservations are required. Cost is $50 per guest, tax included, no charge for guests under 3. This isn’t exactly the best view of the fireworks though and you won’t see the projections so reviews of this experience are a bit mixed.
Disneyland 4th of July Crowds
Sometimes guests can wrongly assume that the 4th of July will be slow at Disneyland with the thought that guests will be at home having their own parties. This is not the case for any holiday at Disneyland, any day off work can lead many folks to take the day and go to Disneyland with their families and Disneyland 4th of July is no exception!
Since Disneyland has a large population of Magic Key holders, it can be helpful to check the blockout date calendar on Disney’s website. In July, the two lowest tier passes (Imagine & Enchant Key) are completely blocked out for the entire month. This means that the month of July Magic Key holders will have a significantly small impact on the parks aside from the higher tier passes which typically have zero to minimal block out dates although the Believe Key does have Saturdays blocked out for July. You can expect more tourists traveling to the parks at this time though so this doesn’t mean that the parks will be empty but having two large groups of passholders blocked out from visiting will definitely help ease up the crowd levels in the parks.
Disneyland 4th of July doesn’t come close to competing with much more popular holidays like Halloween or Christmas but you shouldn’t expect a slow day. You can expect high or above average crowd levels but it should be manageable.
Disneyland Nighttime Spectaculars
There’s plenty of other nighttime spectaculars you can enjoy at Disneyland 4th of July while waiting for the fireworks! Some of these shows happen right before the fireworks happen so you can reserve your spot for one and stay in that same spot for the fireworks show.
Fantasmic!
Unfortunately, Fantasmic! is on hiatus until after Labor Day 2023.
Fantasmic! takes place at 9PM on the Rivers of America and if you opt for a dining package, you will have front row viewing for both the show and the fireworks that start at 9:30 immediately after Fantasmic! ends making for a nice line up for both shows. This can be a great strategy for managing the Disneyland 4th of July crowd levels. Fantasmic! is a wonderful nighttime show full of Disney magic from classic films featuring Mickey Mouse, daring stunts, fireworks, fire, projections and more.
Main Street Electrical Parade
The Main Street Electrical Parade is a nighttime parade full of colorful lights and Disney whimsy that takes place at 8:45PM that runs from it’s a small world to Main Street for the first show. It will run again at 10:15PM if you want to watch it after the fireworks show which will be much less crowded. But if you opt to watch it for the first showing, line up on Main Street as close to the hub as possible. Then when the parade ends you can quickly move into the street and secure your spot for the fireworks!
World of Color
World of Color is a nighttime spectacular that takes place in California Adventure which tells the stories of beloved Disney movie on larger than life water fountains in front of Pixar Pier. This is a dazzling show and is a must see. It doesn’t exactly line up neatly with the fireworks so if you can see it on a different night, then that’s your best bet. However, it’s possible to try and catch the second show that starts at 10:15PM if you hustle out of Disneyland (and you have a park hopper ticket!) and into California Adventure after the fireworks end.
Military Musicians
In a tradition Walt Disney started, the Disneyland Resort has long supported the military and even has a Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) called SALUTE, dedicated to advocating for cast members who are actively serving or have served. With recent events like “Go for Broke Spirit,” in partnership with COMPASS (the Asian American and Pacific Islander BERG), at which two Japanese WWII veterans from the 442nd Army Regiment shared their stories, SALUTE provides opportunities for cast members to become more involved with the community and learn about military history.
“Military bands have a long history of tradition, excellence and precision,” shares Marine veteran and SALUTE BERG leader, Ariel Elias. “During my time in the military, I was always in awe and felt proud that our military bands had a longstanding history since the inception of the military branches. Now, our cast members and guests will have the special opportunity to see and hear those bands that inspired us many times before.”
Overall, these bands bring entertainment and celebration to the guests, thanks to the cast members who welcome them to the Disneyland Resort in this time-honored tradition.
If you happen to be visiting Disneyland Resort during the Fourth of July weekend, be sure to check out these performances. And, be sure to visit throughout the year to see future performances from additional military bands!
Saturday, July 2
Disney California Adventure Park
Hollywood Backlot Stage – 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM
California Army National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division Army Rock Band
Sunday, July 3
Disneyland Park
Town Square Train Station – 2:10 PM
California Army National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division Band
Town Square to “it’s a Small World” Parade Route – 2:20 PM
California Army National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division Band March
Disney California Adventure Park
Paradise Gardens Bandstand – 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM
1st Marine Division Brass Band
Monday, July 4
Disneyland Park
Town Square Flag Retreat Ceremony – 4:30 PM
1st Marine Division Band – Parade march to follow
Fantasyland Theater – 7:15 PM
1st Marine Division Groups – Popular Music Group, Brass Band, & Ceremonial Band
Disney California Adventure Park
Avengers Campus- Avengers Headquarters – 12:40 PM
1st Marine Division Band
Disneyland 4th of July Patriotic Attractions
There’s also some great patriotic attractions and ceremonies you can find around the parks to celebrate America on your Disneyland 4th of July day.
Flag Retreat Ceremony
Each day at Disneyland you have the chance to view The Flag Retreat Ceremony at Disneyland at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. which is one of the ways that Disney honors our past and current military members. This is just one of the many way’s that Walt Disney’s patriotism is kept alive in the parks,
“Actually, if you could see close in my eyes, the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is growing this red, white, and blue stripe.” -Walt Disney
The Flag Retreat happens daily at 4:30PM but check the daily Disneyland calendar for the most current times as these can change. Guests are asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance before the Flag Retreat begins, followed by a chorus of “God Bless America” with the crowd removing their hats and putting their hands over their hearts. Current service members and veterans are invited to come stand by the flag during the ceremony. The Color Guard lowers the flag while the National Anthem is performed. After the ceremony, the Color Guard and cast members have a short procession down Main Street, U.S.A.
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
This show begins with a film about President’s Lincoln’s life followed by a realistic audio-animatronic Lincoln taking the stage to deliver highlights from his greatest speeches. Every detail is presented to be as realistic as possible. This is also a great way to take a midday break in the air conditioning while also enjoying some American history plus a nice little nod to Disney history.
Tom Sawyer’s Island
Designed by Walt Disney himself, the island was designed to be a place to step into Mark Twain’s novels with bridges, pirate caves, and plenty of areas to explore.
Mark Twain’s Riverboat
Take a ride around the Rivers of America in this 19th century themed paddleboat.
Sailing Ship Columbia
You can also enjoy a ride on the Sailing Ship Columbia which was modeled after the original Columbia ship from the 19th century.
Disneyland Railroad
Enjoy a grand circle tour around Disneyland and celebrate the Western frontier.
Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes
Take a paddle around the Rivers of America and celebrate the American legend Davy Crockett!
Disneyland 4th of July Food Guide
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (Available July 1 through 4; Mobile Order available)
- Fourth of July Cupcake: Spiced cake with apple filling and red, white, and blue buttercream
Red Rose Taverne (Available July 1 through 4; Mobile Order available)
- Star-Spangled Stuff: Blue shortbread cookie, red velvet cake, raspberry, and star sprinkles
Disney California Adventure Park
Hollywood Lounge (Available July 1 through 4; Mobile Order available)
- Red, White, and Blue Cocktail: Blend of Spiced & Silver Rum, tequila, blue curaҫao, tropical fruit juices, and Italian bitters
Pym Test Kitchen (Available July 1 through 4; Mobile Order available)
- Test 0615: Fowl Play: BBQ turkey leg and red particle sides (marble potato salad and pickled vegetables) (New)
- Experiment 0341: Red, White and Blue Slush: Lemon-lime and blue raspberry slush topped with grenadine and cherry flavor-filled boba (New)
Downtown Disney District
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes (Available July 1 through 4)
- Red, White and Blue Shake: Vanilla rim with red, white, and blue sprinkles topped with a Fourth of July cupcake, firecracker popsicle, whipped cream, red, white, and blue sprinkles, and a cherry
Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs (Available July 4 through 10)
- Firecracker Hot Link: A hot link dipped in batter, rolled in Panko crumbs, and drizzled with a spicy sriracha mayo and hot cheese puff dust (New)
California Churro (Available July 4 through 10)
- Firecracker Churro rolled in strawberry sugar, drizzled with marshmallow fluff, and sprinkled with red and blue candy pieces (New)
Sprinkles (Available July 1 through 4)
- Stars and Sprinkles Red Velvet: Southern-style light chocolate cake topped with cream cheese frosting and celebratory red, white, and blue sprinkles
- Fourth of July Decorate At-Home Kit
- Fourth of July Bake-At-Home Kit
Wetzel’s Pretzels (Available through July 10)
- Frozen Striped Lemonade: This drink celebrates Independence Day with a mixture of fresh lemonade, blue raspberry, and kiwi strawberry (New)
Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Holiday Cart (Available June 30 through July 4)
- Layered Cake Pop: Vanilla sponge cake with vanilla buttercream and red, white, and blue sprinkles (New)
- Mickey Fourth of July Cookie: Vanilla sugar cookie dipped in white chocolate topped with fondant stars (New)
- Fourth of July Cookie Shot with Milk: Choice of milk, low-fat milk, strawberry, or chocolate milk (New)
- Fourth of July Cookie Shot with Alcohol: Choice of Bailey’s Irish Cream, Grand Marnier, Captain Morgan Rum, Jameson Irish Whisky, or Rumchata (New)
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