Concerned we have booked the wrong time to go in November.

[OP95]

Hi everyone,

as the title says. We have booked a two week trip from the 4th of November- 18th. Initially I thought this was good planning as it is just after the October holiday and before thanksgiving. However I have just learnt about “jersey week“ we are from the uk so not too sure what this is as well as Veterans Day on the 11th. I was just wondering will the crowd levels will be too much for the time I’m here or will they be a bit less than summer / spring break crowds?

TYIA

 

[Scott R. Scherr]

This time period will be busier than summer, but not as busy as spring break. Veterans Day weekend will be very busy and Jersey week will bring in some crowds. The weather will be great though and you will have two weeks. There are no slow periods at Disney any more.

 

[imbelle]

Jersey week was the only time I ever saw a fist fight at WDW. I used to time my fall trips to hit the last MNSSHP and the first MVMCP but since Jersey week falls in that time frame, I've modified my dates. Just too crazy.

 

[RuntheMouse]

You also have Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend those first couple of days. It will be very busy during your trip for sure. Jersey week is something we steer clear of.

 

[OP95]

Thanks all. Well these replies have not given me much hope. Unfortunately unable to change our dates hopefully we can still enjoy the holiday..

 

[Nabas]

The good news is that by going in November, you'll avoid the heat and humidity!

 

[leebee]

We've been during Jersey Week a couple of times and didn't think it was too bad. It certainly wasn't as busy as any of the holiday times, spring break, or early July. Although the crowds are lower in the second half of August, I'll trade a higher crowd for less heat and humidity in November. Be willing to go with the flow, plan carefully, and you should be fine.

 

[OP95]

The good news is that by going in November, you'll avoid the heat and humidity!

Definitely. We went early October last year and were caught out by the heat!

 

[OP95]

We've been during Jersey Week a couple of times and didn't think it was too bad. It certainly wasn't as busy as any of the holiday times, spring break, or early July. Although the crowds are lower in the second half of August, I'll trade a higher crowd for less heat and humidity in November. Be willing to go with the flow, plan carefully, and you should be fine.

Thanks for the info, will definitely have to re plan and have back ups just in case.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Are you staying on property for the early entry ?
An early 1/2 hour does not sound like much but getting early transportation to the theme parks and getting in front of lines for rope drop …and sometimes they open up far enough to go to the Starbucks at MK and HS … wish the Disney Starbuckslocation was closer to the front at AK .
The new Connections Cafe (Starbucks) at Epcot is fantastic next to the new Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind attraction plus best bathrooms ever !
Tell us more about your plans .

 

[Ursula J]

Rope drop as much as you can and stay away from Epcot in the evenings (or maybe even after noon) You'll be good! Enjoy.

 

[OP95]

Are you staying on property for the early entry ?
An early 1/2 hour does not sound like much but getting early transportation to the theme parks and getting in front of lines for rope drop …and sometimes they open up far enough to go to the Starbucks at MK and HS … wish the Disney Starbuckslocation was closer to the front at AK .
The new Connections Cafe (Starbucks) at Epcot is fantastic next to the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction plus best bathrooms ever !
Tell us more about your plans .

We will be staying at Animal kingdom lodge so will have access to early hours

 

[Ursula J]

We will be staying at Animal kingdom lodge so will have access to early hours

Love it! Maybe Uber in the am to make sure you get there super early. But AK is always a tranquil oasis even if the parks get crazy.

 

[glocon]

Since you have two weeks and you are on site, I think you’ll have a good time.

Some days you can rope drop then leave when it gets busy, some days you can sleep in and relax at the pool and enjoy the beautiful resort, then hit up a park in the afternoon/evening.

You have such a long time there that you won’t feel rushed to get “everything” done in one day.
You can take it easy and zig when others zag.

You’ll have cooler weather and less rain, and a long stretch to get those hard-to-get dining reservations.

It may be a busier time, but with two weeks you can definitely make it work imo.

Have fun!

 

[aronny]

Don’t worry about it. We’ve only gone over holidays/spring break because I don’t get a lot of time off so really can’t do the quieter time. Every time I’ve been intimidated by comments about crowds and it has always been fine with a little planning on Genie+/park strategies. Maybe it would be a better experience with fewer crowds but I’ve never felt limited or overwhelmed by it at all. And the weather not being oppressively hot is a big deal.

 

[nw6675]

Thanks all. Well these replies have not given me much hope. Unfortunately unable to change our dates hopefully we can still enjoy the holiday..

Expect the worst. Hope for the best. It will all be fine!

Since there are essentially no good times to go these days, you have to pretty much pick what works for you.

Strategically plan for early entry, extended evening hours, etc. Use G+ and LL as needed. You have plenty of opportunities to relax, too.

Enjoy AKL and don't think too hard about the crowds, etc. You'll have fun and a bad day at Disney is still a fabulous day at Disney!

 

[OP95]

Since you have two weeks and you are on site, I think you’ll have a good time.

Some days you can rope drop then leave when it gets busy, some days you can sleep in and relax at the pool and enjoy the beautiful resort, then hit up a park in the afternoon/evening.

You have such a long time there that you won’t feel rushed to get “everything” done in one day.
You can take it easy and zig when others zag.

You’ll have cooler weather and less rain, and a long stretch to get those hard-to-get dining reservations.

It may be a busier time, but with two weeks you can definitely make it work imo.

Have fun!

Thank you for the advice. Was one of the reasons AKL was booked so we could enjoy a few resort days as most of our trips are always go go go . Will definitely try and get the reservations done early.

 

[OP95]

Appreciate all the advice!

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I’ve gone too many times to count during this time - it can be crowded on the weekends and depending on when Food & Wine shuts down very crowded at EPCOT - Jersey Week will bring crowds - but I’ve down Spring Breaks less crowded and Spring Breaks more crowded - I’ve done F&W during closing and you would have thought it was Christmas and I’ve done it same time other years and it wasn’t so bad ! Most of the time the weather is amazing but not always - rarely it’s cold . Jersey week in Magic Kingdom - GO Early hit as much as you can ! By the time the crowds hit - go swimming or lunch ! Tour the decorations at the hotels !
Embrace it as it is what it is ! Hit it early as a lot of people don’t - and hit it as late as you can because again a lot of people don’t - but most of all - enjoy yourself and do what you can !! Just know the weekends are the worst - week days not so bad !
I hope you have a fabulous vacation !!!

 

[disneyseniors]

We used to always go to WDW at this time, usually during Jersey week.
We have never had a problem at that time. The crowds were the same as always at that time of year.
We went then, like you said, before Thanksgiving crowds.
The only way I knew it was a "Jersey week" was when I heard a lot of accents from Jersey, LOL.
We met a lot of people from there and had good conversations with them.
It will be crowded on Presidents Day, however.
I wouldn't hesitate to go that time of year. The weather is usually perfect. It does get crazy right before Thanksgiving though. Have fun!