For those who go during Jersey Week every year

[ktmouse]

I'm wondering if any of you "Jersey Week Vacationers" can tell me how the crowds are? I've read comments that last year was pretty crowded. Do any of you know if last year was different than previous years? On another website, it is predicting this year to be very busy based on the conditions last year, but if I go back to their advice for November 2004, it doesn't even mention Jersey Week. I'm wondering if last year was busier than most because so many people had to reschedule vacations due to the hurricanes? What are your thoughts and experiences?

 

[DeeDeeDis]

when is "Jersey Week"??

 

[3xthecharm]

Jersey Week is a week in Nov when schools are closed for the state teachers' convention.

We have gone twice and the crowds were low. I have heard that this time is picking up though. The crowds are still no where near busy season.

 

[ktmouse]

This year, Jersey Week is November 7-13.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I was wondering how Jersey Week evolved! I grew up at the Jersey shore and have fond memories of school in November with all of the days off. We only had the Thursday and Friday of convention week off, but it was always great. In high school I had a teacher who always scheduled our class trip to NYC and the Met. Museum of Art the Wednesday before convention. It was like starting the long weekend even earlier.

Thanks for the happy trip down memory lane...

 

[Nickymouse]

I also wonder how Jersey Week evolved. I don't think every state does this teachers convention thing, do they? I mean, you never hear of Iowa week, Georgia week, etc. Just wondering if any other states do this. We have been going during Jersey week for 7 years now and we love it. It's not unbearably hot like summer and the bonus is that our kids don't miss much school. The tricky part can be getting decent airfare out of here with the mass exodus of people, but I've always managed to get a good fare by booking early.

 

[disneyscuba]

I have been to WDW 2 times at Jersey week. The first time in 2002 I didn't know anything about Jersey week tell we got there and was talking to a lot of people from New Jersey. So I asked one of them why there was somemany people from New Jersey. That is when they told us about the Teacher convention. I also talked to a couple of the bus drives and they told me Disney was trying to get more convetions at that time of year too. But I don't think that panned out for them.

When we were planning to go back in Nov 2004 I looked around to find when Jersey week was and that is when we went.

The 2 times I have been there. The only park that was crowed was MK. But not like if you go in the summer time. In 2004 I know EPCOT was not busy at all. EPCOT was like a goast town. Animal kingdom was not busy. MGM wasn't that busy. Waited 10 mins for ToT. walked right on to RnR.

My only regret is that I didn't plan my disney trip this year durning Jersey week.

Later,

DisneyScuba

 

[Cookie Princess]

We have gone during several Jersey weeks and didn't even realize there was such a thing until last year. There wasn't much in the way of crowds the first couple of years. However, last year we did notice an increase in the crowds and I think it was a combination of: people changing reservation dates due to the hurricanes, F&W Festival, Jersey Week, Super Soap weekend, and festival of the masters. It wasn't horrible, and we are going again at the same time this year. It was just busier than in the past, and buy the crowd estimates from the newest UG Book it will be somewhat busy again this year. Nothing like Easter...UUGH...never again!

 

[ktmouse]

Nickymouse, thanks for responding. Since you've gone during Jersey Week 7 times, could you please tell me what you've experienced crowd wise during that time? Has it gotten steadily busier every year, or just last year? I know the UG has increased their crowd levels from 4's to 7's, but it also uses the past year as sort of a barometer ( at least that is what I understand.) What do you think?

 

[don8life]

Last year it fell on Holloween, which I understand is pretty busy by itself. I didn't think last year was too busy, even on Holloween. I do remeber early entry days being crowded during Jersey week, this is to be expected.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

I think this will be our 5th "Jersey Week" this year and it is our favorite time to go. Last year there were a lot of posts about how busy it was and people were saying "never again", but we just didn't see it that way. We were even at the MK on Halloween and had no problems. It was a little busier than previous years but maybe with all those "never againers" not there it'll be a breeze!

 

[chloesmommi]

Jersey week is always the first "full" week in November. All schools are closed the Thursday and Friday in this week for Teachers Convention. Depending on where the first full week falls, either Election Day or Veterans Day will also fall within this week. Some schools will close for the entire week or just 3 of the 5 days, making it a good week for New Jerseyans to make a trip to WDW.

We have gone during Jersey week at least 4 of the past 6 years (And we are going again this year.) This is a super week to go to WDW. The weather is great, not too hot or too cold, usually high 60's to low 80's. With the exception of a brand new attraction, we have rarely waited more than 10 minutes to get on anything. Even the year Mission Space had just opened, we only waited 15 minutes to get in.

Super Soaps Weekend at MGM falls in this week, making it crowded during the daytime, so we just plan to go there on a weekday. I have been told by others that even though MGM may be crowded, people are there to see the Soap stars, so the lines for attractions are not long.

Yes, the park hours are shorter and one or two attractions might be closed for maintenance, but the lack of heat and summer crowds more than make up for it.