Crowds (and deals) early Nov.?

[MrsMud]

Hi! I haven't been on this board since last Oct. when we took our last Universal trip (planning for WDW in Sept now). I've missed it!
Anyway, my BIL and SIL are planning a trip in Nov (12 - 15th) I believe, and are split on whether or not it's worth it to stay onsite. It will cost them about $400 more. I have only stayed onsite and don't think I would do it any other way, but I always scout out the best deals months and months in advance. They don't really have that kind of time. This is their first trip without the kids, so I really want them to get the most out of it.
So, a couple of questions:

How are the crowds at that time? I think they will miss Jersey week, right? How important will FOTL be then?

Right now the onsite hotels are running about $229 a night, is it likely that rates will drop before then (maybe AAA rate)?

Are there any deals right now on PAPs, and is that something they should consider?

Any insight/advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MrsMud]

Anyone have any input? Thanks!

 

[KRWong]

MrsMud,

When's Jersey week? We're going down 11/4-10...is this a school holiday in NJ? Just curious! We've been to US and IOA in November and have not had any trouble with crowds, that was 3 years ago. I don't think we used express passes at all and we don't stay onsite. Good luck!

 

[Nank]

Jersey week is 11/6-11/10. I'll be there!!! LOL

(What is it? Do people dislike people from Jersey)?

 

[phamton]

Jersey week is 11/6-11/10. I'll be there!!! LOL

(What is it? Do people dislike people from Jersey)?

I think people worry abut the crowds that Jersey week brings. I do notice an increase in the crowd level during Jersey week at Disney but last year at Universal it wasn't busy during Jersey week.

Maybe Jersey dislikes Universal.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Never! Jersey LOVES Universal!


Actually, I do have one set of friends from work who now go down to Universal during Jersey week because we like to rub it in while we're down there, sending pics from our cell phones laying at the pool or getting on the Hulk or Spiderman! Admittedly though, many more people go to Disney than Universal. Heck, there are some that still think Universal and Disney are the same company, so phamton's assessment is right on!

For those that don't know, Jersey week is a highlight for school children throughout the state. NJ holds a teacher's conference every year in November (usually the 1st or 2nd week) on a Thursday and Friday. The teachers have in-service days those days, and the kids are off and get an extra school holiday. Between that and Thanksgiving, November was a great month when I was in school (in the long, long ago!).

 

[Nank]

This is our "first" Jersey week as DS just started K. We are all very excited for our first trip to Universal!

 

[KRWong]

Hi!

Not at all Nank! I love people from Jersey! I was worried about my decision to not stay on site. You know the whole FOTL thing. We have off Tuesday of that week for election day and they decided to close Monday too, so that's why we picked that week. We have 5 whole days at the US/IOA so I think we'll be able to get everything done we want, plus spend some time at the Nick Hotel pool!

See ya down there!