Jersey Week 2011

[CaliKT]

So we have recently moved from California to New Jersey and I think, "Hey, now that we're closer, it's high time we take our first trip as a family to WDW." Looking at the kids' school vacation calendar for 2011-12, I notice two random days off in early November. "Why," I think, "what a great time for a trip to Disney World! Weather will be OK, prices and crowds will be low, low, low! I'll take the kids out of school that whole week!"

Then this morning I find out the entire state of New Jersey apparently has the same brilliant idea I do!

So what's the myth and the reality of Jersey Week? What are the crowds and wait times really like? I went to Disneyland the same week in 2009, and it was wonderful. Wait times generally under 10 minutes, with a few big attractions 25-30 minutes. I was hoping this would be similar.

If it makes any difference, I was planning on flying out on Saturday Nov. 5 and returning on Saturday Nov. 12. We'd be doing the parks Sunday Nov. 6 - Friday Nov. 11.

 

[Swank]

I been during Jersey Week twice. It doesn't affect crowds very much. It wasn't empty but they were low. Food and Wine can get crowded on the weekends due to locals and the crowds do build toward the Thursday and Friday since those are the actual Jersey Days, but otherwise The only difference you see is more people at the gas stations who don't know how to pump their own gas.

 

[CaliKT]

We've only lived here for a few months. Hope we haven't forgotten how to pump gas already!

 

[bartleby1]

Your biggest problem about going Jersey week is getting reasonably priced airfare if you are flying. Airfare goes crazy. A friend of mine was going last year and for the day she wanted to fly out, airfare was going for over $500 per person. I'm sure this was due to the day she wanted to leave, but just keep that in mind and search for airfare early. You may have to be flexible on the days you are leaving/returning. Of course, if you are planning on driving, then it makes no difference!

 

[mjkacmom]

Your biggest problem about going Jersey week is getting reasonably priced airfare if you are flying. Airfare goes crazy. A friend of mine was going last year and for the day she wanted to fly out, airfare was going for over $500 per person. I'm sure this was due to the day she wanted to leave, but just keep that in mind and search for airfare early. You may have to be flexible on the days you are leaving/returning. Of course, if you are planning on driving, then it makes no difference!

This is very true! We went a few years ago, arriving the Friday before, and the crowds did increase every day, but they were doable. Airfare will be expensive - I don't know where you are in NJ, but try Philly and NYC airports as well. MOC will be a nightmare on Sunday coming home - I'd book any early flight. Our flight was held up for over an hour, because it was overbooked.

 

[fi46re129]

Born and raised in NJ and never knew of this! When I was younger my mom took us in sept or oct and the crowds were amazing and that's what I have been doing with my son...

 

[maiyasmom]

We've been during Jersey Week and the crowds are great! The weather is gorgeous! We're booked for 11/5-11/12 and can't wait. We do drive so the expense of airfare isn't an issue for us! Go for it and enjoy.

 

[chiamarie]

As a Florida local for over 5 years now...

I honestly knew nothing of "Jersey Week". The first week of November is typically a very slow time (or like others have mentioned, just busy at Epcot with food and wine and us locals).

It will be a great time to visit from my perspective.

 

[ftomasze]

So we have recently moved from California to New Jersey and I think, "Hey, now that we're closer, it's high time we take our first trip as a family to WDW." Looking at the kids' school vacation calendar for 2011-12, I notice two random days off in early November. "Why," I think, "what a great time for a trip to Disney World! Weather will be OK, prices and crowds will be low, low, low! I'll take the kids out of school that whole week!"

Then this morning I find out the entire state of New Jersey apparently has the same brilliant idea I do!

So what's the myth and the reality of Jersey Week? What are the crowds and wait times really like? I went to Disneyland the same week in 2009, and it was wonderful. Wait times generally under 10 minutes, with a few big attractions 25-30 minutes. I was hoping this would be similar.

If it makes any difference, I was planning on flying out on Saturday Nov. 5 and returning on Saturday Nov. 12. We'd be doing the parks Sunday Nov. 6 - Friday Nov. 11.

Was there during Jersey Week 2010 and didnt notice any long lines, in fact, we pretty much walked onto everything except big name rides like soarin and TSM.

 

[Swank]

Your biggest problem about going Jersey week is getting reasonably priced airfare if you are flying. Airfare goes crazy. A friend of mine was going last year and for the day she wanted to fly out, airfare was going for over $500 per person. I'm sure this was due to the day she wanted to leave, but just keep that in mind and search for airfare early. You may have to be flexible on the days you are leaving/returning. Of course, if you are planning on driving, then it makes no difference!

Yes, They jack up the prices out of Newark, but in my experience you will notice JFK and LGA rates will not get increased.

 

[amcnj]

A previously attended school system here in NJ actually was off that entire week of the Teacher's Convention, so we made several trips during that week. I suppose the crowds were larger than they might have otherwise been without "Jersey Week", but nothing like holiday weeks. The weather can be a little iffy for swimming then though. Some years it was really nice and warm, and others a cold snap had crept all the way into FL making swimming a challenge.

 

[MareSINY]

Jersey Week was a lot of fun! My family had a blast that year, but be warned that the crowds pick up as the week goes on. Since most schools are only off the end of the week a lot of families go for a long weekend. We didn't see the park crowds pick up until Thursday. We were there from Sunday - Saturday of Jersey Week.

You'll meet tons of Jersey people while you're there! LOL

 

[delgrec]

The airfare seems to be true! We are going for Jersey week, flying out of Newark. We booked early (in January) for 250 a tix. I just looked yesterday and the flights we are on would cost us over 900 dollars a tix f we booked now! I have to assume that will go down but as of yesterday, that was the price. So gald we booked early! I also noticed that the desirable flight times were almost filled. We are going 11/8 - 11/13. I am so excited!!!

 

[Ed J]

Great time of the year to go, but be warned this year the end of Jersey week falls during veterans weekend and the last time that happened we found the parks packed, like holiday weekend packed, as in Fri Sat & Sunday shoulder to shoulder packed.

You should get to see the Osborn, something that happens only when "jersey week" falls the 2and week in Nov as compared to the first.

We'll be there with you .

 

[mattmommy]

We had a great rate of Newark airfare last year, but this year we can't get anything direct for under $500.

We can get it under that if we go to Laguardia, JFK or Philly, but then we'd be paying for car service both ways or parking.

I'm hoping when JetBlue opens up their fares for that time, it'll be lower.

The crowds weren't bad at all. Not as good as end of August/beginning of September, but still doable. Soaring and Toy Story is still crazy crowded, but everything else is great.

You'll probably meet somebody from your childs school there tool.

 

[Satchmo128]

We don't live in NJ, but we will be in WDW November 9th - 17th. I had never heard of "Jersey Week" until I started reading the Dis Boards. It sounds like the biggest issue for you guys will be the airfare prices, otherwise, maybe we will see you there!

 

[sharig5576]

We had a great rate of Newark airfare last year, but this year we can't get anything direct for under $500.

We can get it under that if we go to Laguardia, JFK or Philly, but then we'd be paying for car service both ways or parking.

I'm hoping when JetBlue opens up their fares for that time, it'll be lower.

The crowds weren't bad at all. Not as good as end of August/beginning of September, but still doable. Soaring and Toy Story is still crazy crowded, but everything else is great.

You'll probably meet somebody from your childs school there tool.

Be careful waiting for JetBlue. My brother did that last year and Jet Blue flights came out to $600 the day they were released and never went down. Keep trying to find a cheaper alternate.

We went Jersey week last year and flew out of MacArthur in Long Island. It was worth the drive. All NYC/Jersey airports had flights for over $500 and we got tix for $189.

I used touringplans.com and planned my days around what they recommended and avoided Food and Wine on the weekend. Crowds were low and we got to do everything we wanted.

 

[specialks]

Glad to see this thread. I am already looking ahead to our WDW trip in 2013. We are from Seattle and have been to DL 3 times in the past 3 years but wanted the girls to be older before we headed from tip to tip of the US. My youngest has a Nov 1 birthday and I wanted to go celebrate MNSSHP with her. I have been reading about "Jersey Week" and it has me a bit worried. In 2013 Jersey Week is going to be Nov 7 & 8 so they say that means Jersey WEEK is Nov 2-9. I was trying to decide if the crowds are worse leading up to Halloween or leading up to Jersey Days to help me know how to "straddle" my daughter's birthday for our 7 day trip. Any advice? Sounds like perahps the early Jersey Week days won't be too bad so perhaps we should consider Oct 30-Nov 6??

 

[Spencerfamilynj]

Living in NJ, yes there are plenty of people from NJ there (as well as NY). It is the week when the teacher convention is held on Thursday and Friday and Tuesday of that week is Election day. Some districts (like were we live) are closed Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Some are closed all week long. It is not super crowded in my opinion. In 2009 it fell early in NOvember and we got to do MNSSHP on November 1 and by the end of the week, enjoyed seeing early views of Christmas decorations. Even braved a water park - no crowds there at all!

One benefit to us is we see people we know walking around the parks and that can be fun especially for your kids to see someone from their class there. Dining reservations are a must, but we've gotten ressies for up to 15 people (all neighbors) - it was our one, everyone meet up, during the week.

Depending upon where you live in NJ, you can try Atlantic City or even Philly. Northern NJ you may want to look at Allentown (go on I-78 west into PA).

 

[Kelblum]

We go every year during Jersey Week and it is not bad at all. Just went a few weeks ago and said that we were SOOO glad that our "normal" time is nothing like this! Crowds not too bad at all.

As far as airfare goes, we live in Cape May County so we fly out of AC with Spirit and I have never paid anywhere near $500pp. I usually fly out on the Thurs before and come home the Friday or Saturday after and I usually get around $250 round trip, two Novembers ago they had a great sale and I actually got round trip for about $125!

Keep in mind Spirit is totally no frills and charges for EVERYTHING! You also have no leg room, but for a short flight and cheap rates it's worth it to me!