Is Jersey week really that crowded?

[disneyfreak7]

I don't get all the concern about Jersey week? My oldest is now in 7th grade and we have always had those days off. They wind up having only 1and 1/2 days of school the week of election day and veterans day. I have always wanted to go this week because they wouldn't miss much of school but my daughter was always on a team with her irish dancing and the Midwest Championship is always Thanksgiving weekend and we couldn't miss any practices! Well she is not on a team this year, YEAH!! so we can go this week! I looked on the unofficial guide website at the crowds for that week. It looks like only Monday 11/6 (day before election day) and Thurs 11/9-Sat 11/11 are 7 or 8 on crowd levels.
Is it really that crowded during this week or is it just a bunch of hype? i hope this isn't too long, but I was really hoping to get some honest opions from people who have been there during "Jersey" week. Thanks

 

[sfgarb]

We have gone for the last 2 years. It is busy, but not crowded like at the holidays. We get to the parks at opening and never experience crowds until noon. I don't think Jersey week makes a big difference in a theme park that attracts people from around the globe! And I am from NJ. So just go and enjoy!!!

 

[kristief]

We were there during Jersey Week last year. The crowds weren't bad at all in the beginning of the week, but by Thursday they were noticably bigger. I think the problem lies with the fact that Veterans Day, the Super Soap Festival at MGM, and the closing of the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot all happen during that last weekend (or at least they did last year). We avoided MGM on Saturday-Sunday, but made the mistake of going to Epcot on Veterans Day Friday. I think a lot of locals were off of work that day and decided to go to the F&W Festival, because it was really crowded.

 

[rcraw45425]

We were there last year, arrived on Friday, stayed through Tuesday. Yes, it was busy, as someone mentioned it is last weekend of Food & Wine (boy was that chaos!) and Super Soap (MGM was a zoo but I did get to see some of the soap stars ). Crowds were managable though, not like I expect our upcoming trip to be. Spring Break at the world, what could be better???

 

[PrincessKitty1]

We've been twice during Jersey Week, and didn't think WDW was unusually crowded. It was more crowded 2005 than 2004, but we think it's because the Food and Wine Fest has become so popular.

We've also been during Super Soap weekend, cheerleader competitions, Grad Night, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, etc., etc. And we just got back today from a weekend at WDW during peak season, that coincided with Spring Break for many colleges. We walked onto rides at MGM on Christmas weekend! This weekend really was super busy, but with judicious use of Fast Pass and a willingness to be flexible (and a complete avoidance of MK on Saturdays! ), it wasn't bad.

 

[kate11razorback]

We have been several times in the fall and it has always been wonderful. We went in October 2004 and walked on rides. Never waited more than 10 minutes for anything. We went during Jersey Week this past November. It was a disaster. I have never been so disappointed. The third day, I was ready to take my two year old and fly home early and let the rest of the family beat the crowds!! It took us over an hour to get to the Magic Kingdom by boat from WL one day. I know that the Food and Wine Festival didn't help crowds but there was an obvious presence of New Jerseyites there. If you can go another time in the fall, I would. We will never go back that week. Just an overall bad experience. And that is really too bad because two of my daughters' birthdays fall in that week! Oh well.

Have a good time.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Yes, the weeks surrounding "Jersey Week" are far less busy. If anyone wants to avoid crowds and are flexible with their dates, then pick one of the other weeks. But like the Jerseyans, many kids have days off that week so families from all over come to WDW. The Friday-Saturday are the busiest days, which is expected with a long weekend. But it is not Spring break crowds, and the earlier part of the week is not nearly as busy. I went during 2004 and we did everything we wanted with little problems. I originally believed the hype here, and I had little hope for my 1st "Jersey Week" trip, but it was absolutely fine! Me and friends are planning another trip this year. Plan dining ahead of time, and hit the big rides early!

I think part of the hype is that many expect early/mid November to be quiet with rides all walk-ons, and then aren't too happy to find out that it isn't.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We went during Jersey Week in '99, '01 and '04. I'd say 2004 was the most crowded and I'd put it on par with summer crowds (particularily Thurs and Fri of that week where lines were 90+ min long for most popular rides). Thurs (2/4/04) was so crowded in the MK, that we left by noon. I've seen less crowds in August.