Disney World's biggest holiday weekend is in full swing – and guests are feeling the impact.
Guests packed Walt Disney World Resort on Saturday as Independence Day celebrations returned to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, bringing exclusive fireworks, patriotic entertainment, and some of the busiest crowds of the summer.
This year's festivities carry extra significance as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday. Disney has responded with expanded Fourth of July entertainment across both parks, drawing visitors from early morning.
One offering has proven especially popular.
Rare Character Meet-and-Greet Draws Biggest Crowds
While thrill rides are drawing long waits, the biggest queue of the day formed at an unlikely location inside EPCOT.
Guests hoping to meet Mickey Mouse and friends in their limited-time Spirit of '76 costumes at The American Adventure reportedly faced a wait of four and a half hours by around 9:30 a.m.
The holiday-exclusive character greeting returns for just a short time each year, making it one of EPCOT's most sought-after Fourth of July experiences.
4.5 hours for a photo with Mickey and the gang in their colonial costumes is a hard pass for me. Footage from friend @survivingspontaneous over on IG.
4.5 hours for a photo with Mickey and the gang in their colonial costumes is a hard pass for me. Footage from friend @survivingspontaneous over on IG. pic.twitter.com/1i0jaBi64n
— Magic Next Door (@magicnextdoor_) July 4, 2026
Videos and images shared online showed lengthy lines stretching through The American Adventure pavilion as guests queued for the rare photo opportunity.
Elsewhere, crowd levels remained high across the resort, particularly at Magic Kingdom, where Main Street, U.S.A., filled with guests ahead of the evening fireworks.
Despite the packed parks, attraction waits have stayed relatively manageable.
At EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was posted at 85 minutes as of writing. Test Track reached 80 minutes, while the recently reopened Soarin' Over America stood at 45 minutes.
Magic Kingdom's longest posted standby wait was Tiana's Bayou Adventure at 60 minutes. TRON Lightcycle / Run was temporarily unavailable.
Fourth of July Entertainment Returns Across Disney World
The crowds come as Disney rolls out entertainment available only during the Independence Day holiday.
Magic Kingdom is once again presenting Disney's Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky at 9 p.m. on July 3 and July 4, replacing the park's regular Happily Ever After fireworks.
Throughout the day, Main Street, U.S.A., is decorated with patriotic bunting while the Dapper Dans, the Main Street Philharmonic, and the daily Flag Retreat ceremony add to the holiday atmosphere.
Guests outside the park can also watch the patriotic finale of the nightly Electrical Water Pageant on Seven Seas Lagoon.
At EPCOT, Luminous: The Symphony of Us is followed by the annual Heartbeat of Freedom fireworks finale. Spaceship Earth also receives patriotic lighting, while Voices of Liberty performs special holiday sets.
Disney has spent weeks preparing for the expected demand.
Annual Passholder reservations for both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT were fully booked ahead of July 4. Passholders can still enter EPCOT without a reservation after 2 p.m., subject to capacity.
Disney has also limited access at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.
Only registered resort guests wearing wristbands can access the Polynesian's beach and pool areas during the evening.
The area offer popular views of Disney's Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky, making them a favorite destination on Independence Day.
Fort Wilderness has also restricted access to the annual Fourth of July golf cart parade to resort guests only.
Are you at Disney for the Fourth of July? Share your experience in the comments!
