for those thinking of November

[Joyfulsnuff]

Last summer when I was planning our Nov. 2- 8 trip I kept reading about Jersey Week and how crowded it was, I was nervous but kept telling myself how bad could it be? I would not go again during this time frame, I'm not blaming it on Jersey week alone, it was also Food and Wine festival and Super Soap weekend. For us it felt unbearable at times! We did arrive at park opening times and did use fast pass alot and were able to do everything we wanted, but we usually go the end of September and had rarely ever used fast pass and were always able to enjoy a much more laid back pace. We felt we had to rush to get to things just to avoid the crowd, Epcot World Showcase at night was so crowded we could barely make our way through the walkways all we could think of was escaping back to the resort. For us it was much more exhausting than the relaxing feel that September usually offers us. For those who are used to busy times it may not seem too bad, but for those who are used to very slow times it may seem awful. Just my own two cents, and since the September time frame will not continue to work for us does anyone have a time that is comparable to September that we could consider for our next vacation? Thanks!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Mid April to Mid May compares to your September time frame. Enjoy your next non-Jersey Week trip.

 

[LoriMistress]

We were there from Nov 9th-15th and it was great. It wasn't really crowded at all. In fact, until noon we were able to go on all the rides with pretty much not much of a crowd at all...and we were able to walk on the rides. The weather was perfect...over all, my dh and I will be planning our vacation around that week again!

 

[safetymom]

I have been at WDW the last two years with Jersey week and the Food and Wine festival. I just knew that it was going to be crowded but I didn't let it bother me.

I felt the same way I do when I come down for Christmas. If you don't like crowds then it isn't the time to come visit WDW.

I moved to FL about 10 miles away from WDW several weeks ago. Yesterday I went to MK and saw the largest crowds I had ever seen but I still managed to have a great time.

Still don't understand why when there is such a long line for the monorail others don't get in the resort monorail line??????

 

[Gomez Gang]

This year we are planning our trip for November 6-November 14. Isn't the food and wine festival over by then? I am anticipating no crowds.

Last year we did WDW September 20- September 28 and it was wonderful! No lines but definitely hotter and more humid than May.

All other previous trips that we have taken were in May, usually the second week including Mother's Day. May is my favorite time because it is warm with NO humidity and crowds are minimal.

One year we had the misfortune of going in late May, including Memorial Day weekend.....NEVER again! Talk about a place changing overnight! Friday everything was clean and somewhat crowded but come Saturday (MEM. Day wknd) the place was a madhouse and very dirty! I assume most of the crowds were locals since it seemed to happen overnight. In my past 9 trips I have never seen WDW that dirty.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Can you imagine trying to keep up with the waste products generated by 60,000 to 70,000 visitors to WDW?

Sometimes I wonder how Disney housekeeping staff can keep WDW as clean as they do.

 

[Gomez Gang]

I agree......it always is amazing how they keep every nook and cranny soooo clean! I guess I was just shocked because it happened so fast and I have never been at WDW during a busy season. I don't blame them because it would be impossible to keep up with the crowds, I just never experienced it. That is why I go during down times.....it is a magical place and I like to live in a magically clean environment!

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by Gomez Gang
This year we are planning our trip for November 6-November 14. Isn't the food and wine festival over by then? I am anticipating no crowds....

The F&W festival is still going on during this time. November 14th is the last day.

Ed

 

[charabby]

We were there Nov. 13-20 this year and in Epcot on the last day of the F & W. It didn't seem excessively crowded because of it. I don't think the F & W, on its own, impacts crowds much.

 

[nigel-bigel]

I agree with charabby. We have gone several times in November during F & W Festival and never noticed crowds. Could the problem have been the Soap Opera thingy?

Nicole

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

We went Nov. 2002 (the week before Thanxgiving) and it was perfect! Walked on everything, not too hot, didnt rain once! We went just this past Sept and it was, to me, unbearable. Hot, humid and much more crowded. Never again.

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by charabby
We were there Nov. 13-20 this year and in Epcot on the last day of the F & W. It didn't seem excessively crowded because of it. I don't think the F & W, on its own, impacts crowds much.

I was also at WDW Nov. 1-8 The weather was terrible which is unusual for Nov. It was mobbed! I think the Fall special that included passes filled up the place along with the NJ week, F & W, Super Soap weekend and the Art festival at DTD. There was also two huge conventions in town taking up most of the Swan & Dolphin and the YC & BC. Just a fluke this year, as I have gone the same week in past years and it was not nearly as bad.

 

[Joyfulsnuff]

Thanks everybody for your input. We are anxious to start planning again and I really take into consideration everybody's thoughts on when to go, it really helps me narrow down a time frame.

 

[floridagirrl2]

DH and I were at Disney World for a long weekend on Super Soap weekend. We didn't think the crowds at Epcot were bad at all, but the Magic Kingdom was unbelievable! We kept looking at each other and saying, "If this is low season, what's high season like??"

We went again for a long weekend at the beginning of December, and realized that you HAVE to go to the MK on a weekday if you don't want crowds and long lines, even during low season. We did mosy through the MK on the weekend, but did the rides on Friday, and mainly enjoyed the sights (didn't want to wait in long lines) on the weekends.

The nice thing about having annual passes and not living too far away is being able to pick and choose times to go--if it was just a once-a-year trip, we'd feel obligated to stand in the lines . We also sometimes leave before the fireworks at the MK and illuminations at Epcot, to avoid the crowds--oh we're so jaded! (NOT!)

 

[Xtine76]

What exactly is Jersey week?

 

[MinnieGi]

We experienced the first week in Nov. 2002 - Jersey Week, Soaps Weekend etc. and also felt it was way more crowded than we like. The beginning of the week was not to bad but towards the middle and end the parks especially MK were mobbed, at least for us who normally go during slower times. This year we went the last week in October and found it much less crowded and very enjoyable with the Halloween activities too. We also like going the beginning of Feb. to break away from the cold winter and it is a very low crowd time.