When should we go? November 08 or January 09??

[lovemy4sweeties]

All along we've been planning to go either Jan 09, April 09 or Nov 08 as a last choice. It all depends on when Dh gets his vacation approved. November will be the easiest for him, but Jan 09 is our first choice. I thought I'd bring this question to the experts .

Either Jan 1-15 or October 30-Nov 14.

What are the pros and cons of each?

[auntie]

I've never been during either time, and I'm only guessing here..but I'd think Oct. 30 to Nov. 15 would be my choice because I think it would be warmer..and I personally would prefer it that way. I'm thinking the January weather is bit more "iffy" and since my family enjoys swiming, probably more of a chance of their being able to do that during the earlier time period.

[AuburnJen92]

I would go for the November one. January tends to have the lull of right after the holiday season, where the November time is where everyone is getting ready for the holidays. IMHO.

[des1954]

Keri-

Both are great times to go!!!

Pro's for Oct-Nov - As Jen said, you will see incredible decorations & there are many events in each park for Halloween.
Con's for Oct-Nov - The weather can be unpredictably hot & humid. The parks are more crowded.

Pro's for January... The weather is typically cooler & dryer. The rates at FtW are cheaper after 1/1/09 & the parks are less crowded.

Con's for January... I really can't think of any. Dec/Jan is our favorite time to be at FtW!!

[wrongagain]

As I am from new england, I ask myself, would I enjoy driving in a snow storm, or before the usual snow season starts.
I vote for not driving there in snow and go in november.

[LONE-STAR]

Jan has less crowds but more rides are closed for refurb.

[Skyw]

Hi. We went to FW in Nov 07 and Jan 07. I will give you my thoughts.
(ages 41, 42, and 4)

Nov.- had more crowds then Jan. A few days were down right crowded. But I knew it was going to be that way. I got on a web site that gives you estimated crowds on certain days. The weather was warmer. You could get in the pools during the day and if you are tough, the evenings. We went during the second week of Nov. I think it was the tail end of Jersey Days. The Christmas decorations were getting put up.

Jan.- We went during the marathon week. It was empty. The weather was still beautiful but not as warm. The mornings were chilly. DS wore those shorts that zip to pants. I don't know if I would try the pool. They are heated but .......ugh too cold for me. The lights at Disney Studios were still up and there were some lingering Christmas things going on. One of the water parks was closed and one or two rides. I think the Disney site post which ones are closed.

I have been to other Disney property's during other times of the year...I would take Jan or Nov over the hot months that is for sure. As a matter of fact, after this last trip in Nov, we decided to go in Jan again.

Anyhow, that is just my two cents.:goodvibes

[ftwildernessguy]

Considering you are coming from the great white north, I would say the November time frame. We go mid to the end of October every year mainly for the warm weather - it makes summer a little longer for us. January can get a bit nippy for Florida, and if I'm going to Florida I want it warm and inviting, not chilly and unswimmable.

[lovemy4sweeties]

Thanks for the info. November will probably be better for us. I would hate for my kids not to be able to swim. But, I'd also really like to avoid the crowds. I heard about Jersey Week, so I'm thinking of changing the Nov 1-14 dates to Nov 14-28. Does anyone know of anything busy during that time frame?

[AuburnJen92]

I don't know when Tgiving is this year, but it is normally booked way in advance for that weekend.

[lovemy4sweeties]

Considering you are coming from the great white north

lmbo

[ftwildernessguy]

Thanks for the info. November will probably be better for us. I would hate for my kids not to be able to swim. But, I'd also really like to avoid the crowds. I heard about Jersey Week, so I'm thinking of changing the Nov 1-14 dates to Nov 14-28. Does anyone know of anything busy during that time frame?

That would probably put you in our Thanksgiving time frame, which is one of the busiest times at FW and WDW. I have been down during "Jersey week" and I think it's overplayed. I think the people from New Jersey just don't want anyone else coming down during that time.

[auntie]

What is Jersey week?:confused3

[ftwildernessguy]

What is Jersey week?:confused3

I guess a lot of the schools shut down during election week for a break and many take the opportunity to take a trip to WDW. If you listen to the NJ folks, they make it sound like it is an officially sanctioned holiday at WDW and the entire state moves to Orlando for the week. While I have noticed some larger crowds, I really think it's not as bad as a lot of people make it out to be.

[lovemy4sweeties]

When is your Thanksgiving? I know it's late Nov, but I don't know the date. Is it only busy for that weekend or for the whole week?

[AuburnJen92]

I think Thanksgiving is the 27th of Nov. this year.

[LONE-STAR]

Whole week

[lovemy4sweeties]

What is Jersey week?:confused3

Honestly, I don't know exactly, but from what I read, the New Jersey schools have the week off so everyone comes to Disney during that time.

[lovemy4sweeties]

Is it less busy the first 2 weeks of December? Or maybe I should go Nov 7-21st?? Boy, this is stressful!! I wish I started researching this a month ago, I would book for October, but now I'm too late for the 180 day ADR's.

[ftwildernessguy]

Honestly, I don't know exactly, but from what I read, the New Jersey schools have the week off so everyone comes to Disney during that time.

Read my previous explanation.

[lovemy4sweeties]

I have been down during "Jersey week" and I think it's overplayed. I think the people from New Jersey just don't want anyone else coming down during that time.

I must have missed that the first time. Sorry :sad2: . So, you don't think the crowd levels are too bad?

[the5coops]

We go the week before Thanksgiving to avoid Jersey week. The last two years the weather started warm and the kids could swim. The week ended in the 30's which was nice to make it feel like Christmas. I love November the best of all the times I have been to Disney.

Shelley

[Skyw]

I was there the last 2 day of Jersey week. MK was crowded on Saturday night. For instance, 45 minute wait for the peter pan ride. So we left. It was hard to even walk around. Now, the day before, we went in the AM and it was empty. By Sunday it was pretty quiet.

[lovemy4sweeties]

So, if Jersey week is 6, 7 & 8, does it slow down by the following week? I know Veterans's day is Tuesday the 11th. I supposed either way we'll end up with a busier week.

[auntie]

We've visited Disney in the months of April, May and August, and a 45 minute wait for Peter Pan isn't unusual at those times either. It's been my experience that the wait times depend more on the time of day as to how long of a wait you might find for that particular attraction. It's my opinion this may apply to any time of year..whether it's Jersey week,(which I haven't expereienced) or summer time crowds..which we've endured many times. If you have particular attractions that you you'd like to see, and you know they are popular you can plan accordingly, by either visiting the parks early in the day/late in the day, or making use of the fast pass option. You will also be a resort guest which means you can visit the parks during Extra Magic Hours, which is a time reserved just for guests staying on Disney Property. ;) This may be particulary helpful to you if you choose to visit during a more crowded time. A little extra planning(as far as which parks may offer the EMH and when) and I think you can manage your way around the crowds and still have a perfectly delightful vacation. Since you will be a FW guest, you are sure to see that the FW experience is much more liesurely and relaxing than that of the resorts. It is not as frantic, and things are just taken down a notch or two. Certainly, you'll be able to enjoy your resort experience despite any "Jersey" crowds, and if you find the parks to crowded there are ways to plan around that so as to assure your family experiences the attractions they most want to see. In regards to either of your dates, I would advise that you check the refurbishment schedule and see what if any attractions may be closed during your dates.

[Skyw]

lovemy4sweeties- If you don't mind paying a little $$ or if you own the unofficial guide to Disney, there is a web site www.touringplans.com. They have a great crowd calendar. I use it every trip. But even they tell you, the best way to see everything is to PLAN ahead of time. I highly recommend it the site and the crowd calendar. I know ahead of time what to expect.

Have fun!!

[Katie Dawn]

That would probably put you in our Thanksgiving time frame, which is one of the busiest times at FW and WDW. I have been down during "Jersey week" and I think it's overplayed. I think the people from New Jersey just don't want anyone else coming down during that time.

Ah ha! ftwildernessguy has figured it out. The New Jersey-ians have cooked up a scheme to get the park to themselves. They decided to make a really big deal about how many people show up that week, and the rumors got started, and then everyone (including myself...I plead guilty to drinking the panic flavored Kool-Aid last year...but then Colson reassured me and I was able to think clearly) will freak out and then no one will schedule their vacation for that week. It's a brilliant plan I tell ya.

And just FYI, my understanding is that the schools will shut down each year for that election day (on a Tuesday) and then the teachers will have a 2 day teacher conference on Thursday and Friday of that week...so since the schools are already shut down 3 days that week many of the school systems just close the whole week. And then in other places the parents decide to pull them out for those other 2 days. Those who notice an increase in crowds mostly notice during that Thursday-Sunday weekend of the teacher conference. Either way it's not the entire state (well, the teacher conference may be, I'm not sure about that), and of the school systems/families that take that week off not all of them are going to come to Disney. And for every family that comes there's probably another DISer that will change their vacation date -- maybe it all evens out.
:)

[CCIntrigue]

I've been to FW in both November and January, and I definitely vote for November! Better weather, Christmas decorations up (after Thanksgiving). First full week after Thanksgiving is great -- low crowds. Enjoy!

[lovemy4sweeties]

Thanks so much for all of the advice. I've decided on November 9-24. I would love to go the week after your Thanksgiving, but I'm not sure if dh would be able to get the time of work that close to Christmas. We're still waiting to hear on the dates I gave above. As soon as his boss gives the okay, I'm going to book it.

We've visited Disney in the months of April, May and August, and a 45 minute wait for Peter Pan isn't unusual at those times either. It's been my experience that the wait times depend more on the time of day as to how long of a wait you might find for that particular attraction. It's my opinion this may apply to any time of year..whether it's Jersey week,(which I haven't expereienced) or summer time crowds..which we've endured many times. If you have particular attractions that you you'd like to see, and you know they are popular you can plan accordingly, by either visiting the parks early in the day/late in the day, or making use of the fast pass option. You will also be a resort guest which means you can visit the parks during Extra Magic Hours, which is a time reserved just for guests staying on Disney Property. This may be particulary helpful to you if you choose to visit during a more crowded time. A little extra planning(as far as which parks may offer the EMH and when) and I think you can manage your way around the crowds and still have a perfectly delightful vacation. Since you will be a FW guest, you are sure to see that the FW experience is much more liesurely and relaxing than that of the resorts. It is not as frantic, and things are just taken down a notch or two. Certainly, you'll be able to enjoy your resort experience despite any "Jersey" crowds, and if you find the parks to crowded there are ways to plan around that so as to assure your family experiences the attractions they most want to see. In regards to either of your dates, I would advise that you check the refurbishment schedule and see what if any attractions may be closed during your dates.
Auntie, thanks for your well thought out post. It helps put me at ease.



lovemy4sweeties- If you don't mind paying a little $$ or if you own the unofficial guide to Disney, there is a web site www.touringplans.com. They have a great crowd calendar. I use it every trip. But even they tell you, the best way to see everything is to PLAN ahead of time. I highly recommend it the site and the crowd calendar. I know ahead of time what to expect. SkyW, thanks for the links.

[VLee]

I have been many many times to DVC resorts, but now that we have the RV, I was wondering if all of the pet campsites are already booked up from after Thanksgiving to Dec 19.

My husband is much more likely to go if we can take the dog. It it hard to plan in advance because of his travel work schedule, but figured everything would be booked at that time. Also once I book with DVC points, it requires an additional $95 fee.

Just in case, I do have Thanksgiving week reserved in a Boardwalk view studio, and also studios during the weeks Dec 7-12 and Dec 14-19.

But thought we might like to try the campsite if he is free to travel.

[AuburnJen92]

I heard most is booked, but hey, you might get lucky. Keep calling, trying the internet, etc. There are always cancellations.