Fourth of July options at Walt Disney World for 2017

For the last half-dozen years or so, Walt Disney World has been atop many lists of where to spend the fourth of July weekend with your family or friends. It’s definitely at the top of ours. If you want to celebrate the red, white and blue this Fourth of July than Walt Disney World Resort is the place to be.

Here are the best ways to celebrate this year

Nighttime spectacles will light up each park:

Magic Kingdom Park — Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky commemorates the Fourth with brilliant fireworks choreographed to patriotic music. The red, white and blue extravaganza will bathe the sky on both July 3 and July 4 at 9 p.m.

Epcot — IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth adds a patriotic twist to the show, with a special laser light finale celebrating America. Fireworks will blast off at 9 p.m. on July 4.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular celebrate Star Wars, a great icon of American culture. This one-of-a-kind show takes to the sky at 9:30 p.m. nightly.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Rivers of Light is the park’s newest nighttime show celebrates a connection with nature through light, water and fire. Rivers of Light has two showings nightly, 9:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Other Independence Day fun and entertainment includes:

The talented Voices of Liberty a cappella group will perform traditional Americana tunes during a 4th of July Concert on the America Gardens Theatre stage at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. The vibrant American Music Machine will perform pop hits, at noon, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 3:50 p.m.

Meet favorite Disney Characters — all dressed up to celebrate America’s birthday – throughout the day at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot.

The Muppets Present…Great Moments in History: Miss Piggy, Kermit, Fozzie Bear and friends reenact famous moments in American history in a whimsical way. The live show is performed daily in Liberty Square.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa hosts an All-American July 4 cookout from 7-8:30 p.m. The star-spangled feast includes grilled steak and shrimp, hot dogs, baked beans, sides, plus specialty drinks, beer and wine. There’s a live DJ and crafts for kids. After dinner, head to the Grand Floridian Marina for sweets and a view of the Magic Kingdom Park’s July 4 fireworks. Cost is $120 plus tax, gratuity is included; $59 ages 3 to 11.

As usual, if you want to see both Disney holiday fireworks shows, you’ll have to do Magic Kingdom on the 3rd and EPCOT’s finale on the 4th. What are your plans for this 4th of July?

For dining reservations, 407-WDW-DINE.