Last week of September or the first week of November

[bchomes]

Planning a trip next year. Thought I would do the beginning of November initially but now I'm thinking possibly the end of September. Would like to go when crowds are low but would also like to enjoy the waterparks. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Sandy

 

[kda]

We've been there the last week of September 3 times and crowds were definitely low. I found it still hot and humid and a little uncomfortable for me. It's a rainy month and there are often daily showers that were usually less than an hour long., so don't let that scare you off.

The first week in November has turned into a more popular time. We were there last November and loved the Food and Wine Festival -- our first time there. That has come to be known as Jersey week because many New Jersey schools are off the last part of the week. The resorts started to really book up by Thursday. We don't spend every day in the parks anyway, and just planned to avoid MK at the end of the week. We didn't find the parks too crowded. It was 85 every day, with humidity and threats of rain (the warmest it had been in years, and we never really got much rain).

 

[eelderm1]

Our second fav time to go is early Nov. (around the 5th or 7th) crowds are usually very low ( always hit Fantasyland first on your Magic Kingdom Day). We walked around all day and night w/ shorts on and just needed a light jacket at night, we also swam every night at the pool. Our fav time to go is second week in Dec.

 

[kilarney]

Jersey week is the first week of November this year. That may elevate the crowds somewhat.
(Jersey week is when all schools in New Jersey have a Thursday and Friday off. A lot of parents pull their kids out of school that week since they will only miss 3 days)

 

[Dopey Sharon]

It will be hot enough, in September, for the water parks...November can be hot enough (high 80s), but it may only be in the 70s. We usually go the first week in November and the weather has always been very nice, but not necessarily water park weather. If you can handle the humidity and rain (we got rain almost every day in September...if only for an hour or so), then go in September. Have fun!

 

[Joyfulsnuff]

Go the last week in September! We have always gone the last week of September and it is warm but very low crowds so its easy to get your touring done in the early part of the day. This year (2003) we went the first week of November and never again, the crowds were much worse than September.

 

[wdwphanatic]

... but have been the last week in Sept. and absolutely loved it! There were no crowds -- every ride was walk on -- and because we'd endured an entire summer of heat, the 90-degree weather wasn't bad at all. It only rained a tiny bit several late afternoons we were there, so we were lucky in that respect, I guess. I've heard that the first week of Nov. crowds can be bad due to Jersey week. That being said, we considered going that week (we're from NJ!) this Nov... In the end, however, we'll probably opt to wait 'til Feb. '05 when the crowds are lower!

Have a great trip,
Sarah

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

I think the crowds were high this past Nov. due to the combo of Jersey week (which Im not totally conviced elevates the crowds in and of itself) super soap weekend AND the food & wine festival.

Next Nov. super soap falls on the second weekend of the month and the food and wine festie has been extended 2 weeks longer than previous years. I think both of these factors, in conjuction, will eleviate the crowds in the early parts of Nov.

Now, that being said I was there for 7 days this past Sept (last week) and I will NEVER do that again. It was entirely too hot/humid to breath let alone tour the parks. I am not one for extreme temperatures in either direction so this was not my cup if tea.

We also went the week after super soap 2 novs ago and it was perfection. No lines and warm enough to swim in the heated pool but not too hot that we melted at the parks.

 

[logan1_2000]

We did Jersey Week in '00 with my Monmouth County sister and her family, and are doing so again this year. She had done Jersey week in '98 as well. In '00 there were a couple lines that took some time, nothing outrageous, and some that you could get off, and go around and do again sometimes. But NJ sister told me she found the crowds somewhat larger that year than in '98. SuperSoap was getting underway as we were there, and the Food & Wine Festival was a fun afternoon. The weather was slightly too cold for swimming that week, but comfortable for getting around the parks and not getting overheated. And the low to mid 70's temps didn't stop my "norhtern" nieces and nephews from wanting to swim. There was also a warm enough day at Mickey's toon town that the kids decided to get splashed around there on whatever that water attraction for kids is at that area of Magic Kingdom.

Jersey week is not a myth, but it is verry do-able, but not peak water-park time to be counted on.

 

[dsanner106]

I have been both times and either is not overly crowded. Don't worry about Jersey week making a huge difference, we didn't notice. It all boils down to one question, do you prefer the waterparks or the food and wine festival. Personally, I love the festival and that would be my choice.

 

[mitros]

September, hands down!