Celebrating Independence Day 2024 in Walt Disney World

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World for the Fourth of July this year? If so, you are in luck! As usual, there are lots of exciting and entertaining options available to make your holiday a magical one. Hereโ€™s the current lineup courtesy of Disney:


Patriotic hues of red, white and blue will sparkle as Walt Disney World Resort in Florida celebrates Fourth of July with a spectacular lineup of fireworks, food and festive entertainment.  

Here are several ways guests can celebrate the stars and stripes this Independence Day at Walt Disney World.  

โ€œDisneyโ€™s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Skyโ€ will light up the nighttime sky over Magic Kingdom Park with a booming nighttime spectacular. A simultaneous fireworks display over nearby Seven Seas Lagoon creates an unforgettable experience for guests in the park and nearby Magic Kingdom Resort Area hotels. This special fireworks show will take place July 3 and July 4 at 9:20 p.m. 

Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chiefโ€™s Tribute to Americaโ€™s Warriors is a special exhibit from the George W. Bush Institute that debuted June 9, 2024, at EPCOT. Reflecting President Bushโ€™s personal commitment to military veterans and ongoing work of the Bush Instituteโ€™s Veteran and Military Families Program, this extraordinary art exhibit brings together more than 60 vibrant oil paintings by President Bush of service members and veterans who have served in military uniform with honor since 9/11 and whom the President has come to know personally since leaving office. 

Magic Kingdom guests can dance the night away with DJs mixing tunes at a dance party in front of Cinderella Castle and throughout the park. 

Patriotic fireworks display, โ€œThe Heartbeat of Freedom,โ€ will follow the new nighttime EPCOT fireworks show โ€œLuminous The Symphony of Usโ€ on July 4 at 9 p.m. 

While visiting EPCOT, guests will be treated to the sounds of Americana as the legendary a cappella vocal group Voices of Liberty performs patriotic numbers in the rotunda of The American Adventure. Performances will take place throughout the day. 

Favorite Disney pals will be dressed for the occasion in their โ€œSpirit of โ€™76โ€ attire and meet with guests throughout the day at The American Adventure at EPCOT.  

In celebration of the holiday, the iconic Spaceship Earth at EPCOT will be illuminated in bright red, white and blue colors at night. Guests can bask in a patriotic glow that will reflect across World Celebration, which is part of the parkโ€™s recently completed multi-year transformation.  

For a limited time, Walt Disney World guests can dazzle their taste buds with all-new indulgences debuting this year across the resort and the return fan-favorites such as the Barbeque Pulled Chicken Sandwich available at Regal Eagle Smokehouse at EPCOT. More details to be announced in the July 4th Foodie Guide on the Disney Parks Blog being released June 25.  

Resort guests can celebrate in style with a special collection of merchandise featuring red, white and blue colors and patriotic Mickey Mouse. The Disney Americana Collection includes a Loungefly Mini Backpack and Ear Headband along with a variety of tees. Guests can discover these treasures for a limited time at World of Disney at Disney Springs, Emporium at Magic Kingdom, Creations Shop at EPCOT, Discovery Trading Company at Disneyโ€™s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and online at DisneyStore.com.  

Select Disney Resort hotels get into the spirit with classic summertime fun, from surprise character appearances, campfires, sing-alongs and marshmallow roasts to Movies Under the Stars and childrenโ€™s activities. Or just enjoy an afternoon poolside or a leisurely boating excursion on sparkling lakes and waterways.  

Guests staying in Disney Resort hotels on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake can cap off their day viewing the nightly Electrical Water Pageant. This cavalcade of sea creatures in lights includes a patriotic grand finale featuring the American flag and stars all in sparkling lights. More information about special activities is available in each resortโ€™s daily schedule. 

Inspired by Walt Disneyโ€™s childhood hometown of Marceline, Missouri, Main Street U.S.A. is a step back in time to a quintessential American town at the turn of the 20th century. The colorful Victorian setting is where guests can enjoy the famous Dapper Dans barbershop quartet, horse-drawn carriages and the high-flying revelry of the Main Street Philharmonic.  

Since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, the daily Flag Retreat ceremony has retired the American flag for the night in a celebratory tribute to U.S. Veterans. Veterans often participate in the ceremony, receiving warm recognition for their service and sacrifice. 

Liberty Square Tree

Set in the Revolutionary War era, Liberty Square pays tribute to daily life in the original thirteen colonies. Guests can get up close to a replica of the Liberty Bell and meet all 45 different Presidents of the United States in the Hall of Presidents, a stirring show tracing the nationโ€™s history. A walk along the Rivers of America from Liberty Square through neighboring Frontierland reflects a journey through the countryโ€™s era of westward expansion.  

The American Adventure in World Showcase at EPCOT features a dramatic production including 35 Audio-Animatronic figures that retell pivotal moments and events throughout the countryโ€™s history. From the landing of the Mayflower to Valley Forge, the Civil War to the Great Depression all the way up to today, Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain guide guests on this trip through time.  


Ultimate Walt Disney World Hacks for Families with Kids

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time, money, and your sanity:

Creations Shop Opening In EPCOT This Summer

For most of us a Walt Disney World vacation isn’t complete without the purchase of at least one souvenir, and for my family our go to spot was always Mouse Gear at EPCOT. If the temporary location hasn’t quite been doing it for you during all of the EPCOT construction, good news, Disney recently announced that EPCOT’s new flagship merchandise location, Creations Shop, will be opening this summer. Although an official opening date has not been announced yet, here’s what we know so far about the store according to Disney:

Creations Shop in EPCOT 2Creations Shop features a bold, sleek design that creates a perfect showcase for the rich variety of items youโ€™ll find as part of your EPCOT experience. It will be an open, bright, welcoming environment with huge glass walls that allow sunlight to pour in and make you feel like youโ€™re in touch with nature even while indoors. We are using color, materials and light in new ways with some unique EPCOT touches that connect back to this parkโ€™s storied past while looking to the future.

We were inspired by Mickey as our subject for creativity โ€“ but this is Mickey like youโ€™ve never seen him before. Youโ€™ll discover original homages to him throughout the space, including large, dynamic murals and new artist expressions that showcase the global, contemporary icon that Mickey has become for generations around the world. We are excited to feature this art program โ€“ completely original works that will live on in this space โ€“ as a testament to the parkโ€™s ability to inspire the dreamer in all of us.

Our goal is for Creations Shop to be more than a place to pick up a memento of your time at EPCOT โ€“ย we want your every moment with us to be an experience worthy of the parkโ€™s vision and tradition. The products youโ€™ll find here will extend Disney storytelling and allow you to bring that experience home with you, all while encouraging you to explore your own expressiveness and creativity.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Creations Shop measures up to my long time favorite, Mouse Gear. With only one artist concept released so far, it seems very minimalist to me, but I’m hoping once I see it in person, it is much more energetic and warm. And of course, as a huge Mickey Mouse fan, I’m looking forward to checking out the new murals, hopefully they will distract me from buying too many souvenirs!

Good-Bye, Mouse Gear, EPCOT 2019

Will you be shopping at Creations Shop in EPCOT?
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Enchanting 2021 Taste Of Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival Merchandise

For anyone that is going to be attending the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival this year, remember to bring money! Disney is offering lots of unique merchandise during this event that is being sold throughout EPCOT. Take a look of some of the fabulous selections…

Any fellow Orange Bird fans out there? I’ve loved this little guy since I was tiny, stopping at souvenir stands along the Florida highway with my parents on the long drive from Indiana to Magic Kingdom in the early 70s. He’s still as cute as ever!

For Minnie Mouse fans, there’s a lot of adorable Minnie Wildflowers items to bring home.

Need another Dooney & Bourke? Check out these Minnie spring floral designs.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival without a little Figment merchandise!

Look for these items and more throughout EPCOT with select items available also on shopDisney.com. The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs through July 5 and is available with valid admission and a park reservation for the same date. Merchandise is available while supplies last. Hope to see ya’ there real soon!

What about you? See any souvenirs you must have?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Inside The LEGO Store At Disney Springs

One of my all time favorite shops in Disney Springs has to be the LEGO store. Filled with so many colorful play sets, it makes a creative person like myself go wild! While Walt Disney World is closed, I have been getting my LEGO fix from watching the new FOX series, LEGO Masters. If you haven’t seen it yet, definitely check it out. Their builds are absolutely incredible, and the first episode begins with something near and dear to all of our hearts, an amusement park! I currently have my eye on a few LEGO sets including the Disney Steamboat Willie Building Kit and the Disney Train and Station to keep me going. Once the LEGO store at Disney Springs reopens, I can’t wait to check out the newly added LEGO Minifigure Factory. Here’s what guests can expect according to Disney:

Recently the LEGO Store expanded on their minifigure selection and brought the LEGO Minifigure Factory to Disney Springs where you can completely customize your figure from head to toe! The design is completely up to youโ€”start with over 150 templates to choose from for your figureโ€™s torso then finger paint with different brushes, add exciting icons and emojis or even text in different color and fonts. The LEGO Store at Disney Springs is the only place in North America where you can enjoy this experience so itโ€™s definitely on my must-do list when you visit.

Next time you visit Disney Springs for some shopping and dining, be sure to you check out the LEGO Store, and I hope to see ya’ there real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World ?

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Do you love the LEGO Store at Disney Springs?
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M&M’s Orlando Store Coming To Disney Springs

Where are all of my chocolate lovers? So here’s some exciting news for fans of everyone’s favorite chocolate candy, a brand new M&M’s store will be opening in Disney Springs. Currently scheduled to debut later this year in Disney Springs West Side near the NBA Experience, guests will be able to shop and enjoy the colorful fun of M&M’s. Here’s what you can expect once M&M’s at Disney Springs opens according to Disney:

M&Mโ€™S Orlando store will be making a sweet addition to our unparalleled mix of shopping at Disney Springs. The new state-of-the-art store will offer an immersive experience that combines the colorful fun that fans of the M&Mโ€™S brand enjoy with lasting memories. โ€œGuests will be fully immersed into an interactive chocolate experience that will create more moments and more smiles through the colorful fun of M&Mโ€™S,โ€ said Patrick McIntyre, director of global retail at Mars Retail Group.

Next time you visit Disney Springs for some shopping and dining, be sure to you check out the new M&M’s at Disney Springs, and I hope to see ya’ there real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World ?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to shop at the new M&M’s at Disney Springs?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!