If you’re wondering how to celebrate this July 4th with a bang, there’s no better place to go than Disneyland®. Browse our Independence Day guide below to find out what to do, where to stay, and how to watch the fireworks.

What to Do In Disneyland® for the 4th of July

Nobody does holidays quite like Disneyland®. Fourth of July this year looks better than ever, with exciting summer activities for kids of all ages. Here are the main things you’ll want to include on your itinerary:

Seasonal Summer Foods

There’s only one thing that people love more about Disneyland® than exciting rides and iconic characters. Visitors come from far and wide to try some of the most unique dishes in California, many of them with adorable themes to match the area of the park you’re in. Check out a few of these awesome desserts and drinks:

Disneyland® Park

  • Fourth of July Cupcake at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe – A spiced cupcake with American apple pie filling and red, blue, and white buttercream
  • Star-Spangled Stuff at the Red Rose Taverne – The Grey Stuff gets a makeover with red velvet cake crumbs atop a blue shortbread cookie with star spangled sprinkles.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY® DISTRICT

  • Frozen Striped Lemonade at Wetzel’s Pretzels – A cool, fresh lemonade with layered flavors of blue raspberry, lemon ice, and strawberry kiwi.
  • Red, White and Blue Shake at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes – Vanilla shake featuring a cupcake topped with a firecracker popsicle, whipped cream, and red, white, and blue sprinkles. And of course, a cherry.

Disney California Adventure® Park

  • Red, White, and Blue Cocktail at the Hollywood Lounge – An adults-only libation with silver and spiced rum, blue curacao, Italian bitters, tequila, and fresh tropical fruit juices.
  • Experiment 0341: Red, White and Blue Slush at Pym’s Test Kitchen – A blue raspberry and lemon-lime slush with cherry popping boba and grenadine.

Military Bands

One of Disneyland’s® annual Fourth of July traditions is hosting military bands from across the United States to join the park’s celebration. Frequently featured bands include the 1st Division Marine Band from Camp Pendleton and the California Army National Guard 40th Infantry Division Band, but many others are featured throughout the park at different times during the July 4th weekend.

Be sure to pick up a schedule at Guest Services to find out which bands are playing and where they’ll be located.

Flag Retreat Ceremony

Every evening, Main Street U.S.A. lowers their American flag in a beautifully patriotic ceremony that has a little extra fanfare around Independence Day. Guests will hear the trumpet call to sound the Retreat and can join the Pledge of Allegiance before the flag is lowered to a rousing rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.

Where to Watch the Disneyland® 4th of July Fireworks

The fireworks at Disneyland are nothing short of incredible and you certainly don’t want to miss them around July 4th. The best vantage points include right in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and along Main Street. Both offer great visuals, but the castle in the background makes for perfect pictures.

You can also watch them in front of It’s a Small World or Rivers of America if you’re looking for fewer crowds.

How to Navigate the Independence Day Crowds

No holiday at Disneyland® is slow. While the crowds may not be as thick on July 4th weekend as say on Halloween or New Year’s, you can still expect the park to have plenty of patrons from open to close. Here are a few tips that can help make things more manageable:

  • Plan your trip early in the week. July 1st and 2nd will likely be less crowded than July 3rd and 4th.
  • Go early during the day or later in the evening. Crowds are thinnest in the morning, but you don’t want to skip the fireworks at night.
  • Choose single-person rides. Lines for attractions for single riders tend to be shorter and go faster than rides that need to accommodate different group sizes.

Where to Stay for July 4th at Disneyland®

With all the summer fun, you’ll need somewhere cool and comfortable to spend the night – or the afternoon! Tropicana Inn and Suites is a Disneyland® Resort Good Neighbor Hotel and is conveniently located right across the street from the park. This makes it easy to get to the park early in the morning and take an afternoon break for a nap or a dip in the pool.

Contact us today to book your stay by calling (714) 635-4082 or reserve through our website.