Disney vs Jersey Shore!

[mitchsfan]

First off, as the holiday season begins, I hope everyone has a magical holiday season.

My wife and I are Disney pros. We have been there 6 times. We have stayed moderates and we have stayed in values. My son is also a Disney pro. He has been there 3 times and my daughter has been there once.

In late August 2013, we will be embarking on our 4th family trip to the World. Nothing is booked yet but we will be staying at the Pop and we are waiting until they offer free dining to book. The day they do we book our vacation.

The situation (see the tie in- Jersey Shore and Situation!!!) Our closest friends will be joining us. They have two children a tad bit older than ours. One will be going into high school while the other will be going into middle school. They have never vacationed anywhere but the Jersey Shore (OC and WW). They are use to going to the beach and then going to the boardwalk. They heard horror stories about the weather in Florida in August, wait times and lines in August.....

So I am asking to help me sell them on August. I am a teacher. This is the only time that free dining is offered that actually works for me. Help explain why a vacation to Disney is better than a week down the shore!

Thanks!

 

[AliceIn]

We went at the end of August and it wasn't bad. We took advantage of early morning breakfasts in the park to start the day at rope drop. We did all our must do activities early in the day, then took a break for lunch/swimming at midday. It rains a bit every afternoon, but not enough to ruin the vacation. We did dinner around 5ish and then did the parks again for the evening. The crowds were very manageable the 3rd week of August. We had a great time, and we're going back next year at the same time.

If you are used to hot, humid summers, you will likely be fine. It's hot, but not as hot as some folks make it out to be. I can see if you are from a cool, dry climate that Orlando heat would get to you. If you are already dealing with heat and humidity, just imagine it up a notch. Spend the hottest part of the day either indoors or at the pool and you'll be fine. Just don't forget the sunscreen!

 

[NJRRK]

Especially with free dining let them price it out. Even with the transportation costs being much higher to get to WDW, a trip to the shore is going to be more expensive than a trip to WDW! An evening at one of the piers for rides and stuff is going to be more than a day at DW. Hotel rates are higher at the shore, etc.

 

[Hopefully]

I love Disney. We own DVC.
But if I had friends who are used to a week at the beach at the shore, and who are skeptical about the August heat and humidity and crowds, I don't think they will enjoy Disney as much as their week at the shore.
I would offer the opportunity to join you, but if they are not enthusiastic, I would not push it with them. That is just a set up for a bad vacation.
Disney in August is not for everyone. Coming from the Northeast, the August heat, but especially the humidity, is really uncomfortable, and unpleasant. Let them make their own decision.

 

[letsgoreds]

I love Disney. We own DVC.
But if I had friends who are used to a week at the beach at the shore, and who are skeptical about the August heat and humidity and crowds, I don't think they will enjoy Disney as much as their week at the shore.
I would offer the opportunity to join you, but if they are not enthusiastic, I would not push it with them. That is just a set up for a bad vacation.
Disney in August is not for everyone. Coming from the Northeast, the August heat, but especially the humidity, is really uncomfortable, and unpleasant. Let them make their own decision.

I agree...I love Disney, but would never venture there in July/August. Just be honest, maybe request a Disney vacation guide DVD for them, or look into a split Disney/beach trip with them?

 

[jupers]

I am also a teacher and understand why you go then...Definitely plan on suggesting the water parks to them and taking it easy during the day...plan on pool breaks everyday.

 

[Kbendig]

It's cheaper!

Well, it can be. We went to WW in August for 3 nights, some rides and games with a lot of beach and pool thrown in. We spent $1200, for 3 nights. We already had Disney booked for Oct and I looked at my husband and said we could have stayed another week at POP for that much. Well...except for the pesky flight part, I will admit driving 2.5 hours is more cost effective than flying anywhere!

Honestly, I think it just depends on what you think a good vacation is. My DH would much rather pay more to spend a week at the beach, while I find for the money Disney is the much better option. Definitely suggest the water parks and the EMH perks for avoiding the heat. Also, point out that unlike the shore if they want to do rides it is most certainly cheaper to go there than the shore.

And IMO, August is hot and humid during the day in Jersey as well as Florida. I've been to FL in August and I remember coming home and feeling like it was hotter here than there.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

I love Disney. We own DVC.
But if I had friends who are used to a week at the beach at the shore, and who are skeptical about the August heat and humidity and crowds, I don't think they will enjoy Disney as much as their week at the shore.
I would offer the opportunity to join you, but if they are not enthusiastic, I would not push it with them. That is just a set up for a bad vacation.
Disney in August is not for everyone. Coming from the Northeast, the August heat, but especially the humidity, is really uncomfortable, and unpleasant. Let them make their own decision.

I agree also. Our last trip we took very dear friends (we are godparents to each others' children), who we have vacationed with successfully elsewhere. It was January, not as crowded and hot as August, but our friends still didn't love WDW the way we do, and it did put a temporary strain on the friendship.

 

[loveshak22]

Definitely tricky! As others said you don't want to push for them to come to WDW with you and then they hate it and are mad they came with you as opposed to their traditional family trip to Jersey Shore. And plus if they are unhappy and complaining during the vacation it'll ruin the vacation for you and your family.

I've never been to Jersey Shore but I can't imagine it has nearly as much to do - water parks, great resorts with great pools, 4 theme parks, DTD, and lots of interesting food choices at a great price with FD!

Plus, depending on how long you are going, you have beaches within an hour drive, Universal, more water parks, Discovery Cove...etc...

As far as heat...well, it's hot. You're just going to have to agree with them on that one and try to convince them it's worth it. We went in late September last year and it was miserable. I'm a sweater so I felt gross the whole time. We were only there three days so we spent all our time at the parks and we didn't do the pools or water parks so that might have been a good break from the heat.

Good luck!! And Happy Holidays to you and your family as well!

 

[Marionnette]

Definitely tricky! As others said you don't want to push for them to come to WDW with you and then they hate it and are mad they came with you as opposed to their traditional family trip to Jersey Shore. And plus if they are unhappy and complaining during the vacation it'll ruin the vacation for you and your family.

I've never been to Jersey Shore but I can't imagine it has nearly as much to do - water parks, great resorts with great pools, 4 theme parks, DTD, and lots of interesting food choices at a great price with FD!

Plus, depending on how long you are going, you have beaches within an hour drive, Universal, more water parks, Discovery Cove...etc...

As far as heat...well, it's hot. You're just going to have to agree with them on that one and try to convince them it's worth it. We went in late September last year and it was miserable. I'm a sweater so I felt gross the whole time. We were only there three days so we spent all our time at the parks and we didn't do the pools or water parks so that might have been a good break from the heat.

Good luck!! And Happy Holidays to you and your family as well!

LOL! The Jersey Shore points that the OP mentioned have all of those things! Well, maybe not the theme parks, but definitely the amusement piers! That being said, I still prefer Disney to Wildwood, probably because I am not a beach person.

OP, you will definitely not win any points if you're critical of what many people view as a "family tradition". The annual trip "to the shore" is something that generations of families in my area live for. And it is a very different vacation from a theme park vacation. The shore means sleeping late. Grabbing a late breakfast and hitting the beach. Reading a book. Playing cards. Eating out at decent restaurants or grabbing pizza on the boards. It's a nice respite from the hectic life that many of us lead.

My view of a Disney vacation is that it is anything but relaxed! Between the crowds and the heat, it can be very exhausting. But if you play up the positives, you might be able to persuade them to go. I'm just not sure that you will be able to convince them that to go with you in late August instead of taking their annual Jersey Shore trip. I know that when our kids were tweens and older, the shore was more important to them than seeing Mickey. Being with their friends is important to kids at that age. You'd have a tough time convincing the kids that Mickey is more fun than hanging on the boards with their friends.

 

[beccasmom]

We have a teacher in our family too, so summer trips are unavoidable. We normally do August because our DVC points are lower after the 15th. I tell myself it is just as warm at home - which it might be! - but at home I am usually scooting from air-conditioned car to office to home (or pool), not walking around in it all day!

But it is really a matter of pacing. I crave the shows like Hall of Presidents and The American Adventure for obvious reasons - I love history (really!), but they offer a wonderful place to cool off too. And there are lots of other diversions at Disney; it is really tough to be bored unless you choose to be!

I have a friend who visited WDW once and has never returned. He enjoyed it, but he LOVES the NJ shore. It is what it is. Different strokes..... and that is fine.

 

[buzznina]

MHO; this has disaster written all over it I only say this because your friends already have a negative opinion about it and it would probably take a perfect time for them to be happy. If it's to hot, it's your fault. If the lines are to long, it's your fault. If it rains... you get my point

 

[eliza61]

So first let me say, I live 35 miles outside of the Jersey shore, so it's not what we consider a vacation destination.

I personally love both and the both have their pros and cons.

Disney in August.

1) Yes, it will be Africa hot and humid. there is no way around it. If they are folks who don't like that type of weather DONOT go to Florida. We love going the last week in August but the first two days are tough getting acclimated to that strong sun.

2) Shore vacations are a different animal. IMO the emphasis is more on "family" time as opposed to "entertainment" time. For us, the shore is a much slower pace and the emphasis isn't on "doing" every thing the way it is at wdw. No tour plans, no have to do X number of rides or it's not "worth" while.

3) Now I love wdw and I know I'm going to get flamed for this but we eat way better at the jersey shore. restaurants are family owned and food quality is much better. Now in disney's defense, the jersey shore is not trying to feed 50,000 people each night but I'm not a fan of disney restaurants because I find them so lacking (just my opinion folks).

So for us, they are two different animals. one is never a substitution for the other for us. when we want to do the shore, disney is not a good alternative and vice versa

 

[ErinsMommy]

Unless I'm missing something, the Jersey Shore is not going to be the place to go or be (at least IMO) anytime soon. Most if not all of the houses there were affected by Sandy

 

[NJRRK]

Unless I'm missing something, the Jersey Shore is not going to be the place to go or be (at least IMO) anytime soon. Most if not all of the houses there were affected by Sandy

Actually from Atlantic City and south there wasn't the widespread catastrophic destruction that was seen on the news farther north. Wildwood, Ocean City and Cape May should be fine by next summer.

 

[Marionnette]

Unless I'm missing something, the Jersey Shore is not going to be the place to go or be (at least IMO) anytime soon. Most if not all of the houses there were affected by Sandy

Boy, I hope a lot of people don't think like you! The southern beaches are okay and they certainly can use the tourist dollars next summer.

OTOH, the selfish side of me that hates crowds wants everyone to think that the entire Jersey coast was wiped out so that I don't have to sit in 3 hour traffic jams next summer.

 

[Swissdog2010]

considering how hot and humid it can be in Jersey in August, I don't know that it will be all that different. Yes, I've lived here all my life. and Yes, the south jersey beaches are in much better shape since the tidal surge hit north of AC. And yes, bringing non believers already looking for reasons to not like being there is usually a bad time waiting to happen. Go without 'em.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Actually from Atlantic City and south there wasn't the widespread catastrophic destruction that was seen on the news farther north. Wildwood, Ocean City and Cape May should be fine by next summer.

I saw "Jersey Shore" and at least for me and my family and friends, we're most likely going to avoid going this upcoming summer as we're not sure what will be open and what will be ongoing construction to rebuild what was lost. On another note, I live 2 towns away from Hackensack and work in Hackensack. Small world.

 

[NJDisneymom]

since I live at the Jersey Shore and am a Disney fanatic I can't even compare the two. They are completely different creatures to me!! But I've been both places in August and the weather isn't all that different - temps are sometimes hotter here in NJ than in Orlando and the humidity in NJ just seems worse.

I'd be leary of vacationing with anyone who seems to have a negative attitude about Disney before the trip, just seems like they are going to be impossible to please. I'd tell them to go have their fun at the jersey shore and I'd be packing my bags for Disney!!!

 

[ErinsMommy]

Boy, I hope a lot of people don't think like you."

We have hope things will improve/get rebuilt, but in the same breath we're also faced with alot of reality checks that normal isn't going to come as quickly as we would like -- esp. for the portions of the Jersey Shore that we personally frequent. Wildwood/AC is at least an hour further than our destination and if you know Jersey Shore traffic, an hour is only if you leave at the crack of dawn and even then its questionable.