NJ Week vs Mardi Gras- Crowd levels???

[Padme]

We just got back from our first Disney trip (Feb 5- 12) and it seemed crowded at times but we were able to get on most attractions without a major wait.
There were a lot of people from LA celebrating Mardi Gras. What I'm wondering is how do the crowds compare to NJ week? Was anyone there last week to judge how crowded it really was? Having never been there, I'm not sure what the crowd level would be considered. It didn't seem as slow as I had been expecting from reading these boards but maybe that *was* slow for Disney

We were only there a few days when I started planning out our next trip. Everything about this trip was wonderful and I would be happy to go back at this time again, but not sure if it will be as easy in the future as the kids get higher up in school.

I was considering the end of June but worry that it would be too hot and crowded. NJ Week may be an option, but what is the weather and crowds like?

Hoping to go back in 2006 Just need to find the perfect time so I can start planning!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

have never been in NJ week, but i was just there last week for mardi gras too---even with everyone i was talking to that was from LA, didnt seem too bad..hopefully someone else can help!

 

[sharonk]

I was there during Jersey week in Novemver 04 and the weather was lovely. It was a little cool in the pools, but it was perfect at the parks...never got much warmer than mid-70s. During the mornings and evenings, we needed a light jacket.

It was by no means EMPTY, but the crowds were manageable. Some of the major rides had 30 - 40 minute waits in the middle of the day, but by Disney standards, that's not so bad.

Sharon

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Hi, I'm from the New Orleans area. Mardi Gras has a different date every year. Always the day before Ash Wednesday. As long as Presidents Week does not fall the same week as Mardi Gras you should be fine. Lots of folks from Louisiana go to WDW because the kids get the week off from school. Sort of like our spring break.

 

[kfeuer]

I was just there last week, too. I can't compare it to NJ Week, but I can tell you that in comparison to our previous trips (which were mostly in late Sept) it was definitely crowded last week. It was definitely busier then is normal for an off-peak time. Before this trip, we've honestly never had to use fastpass because even the major rides didn't have more then a 15-20 minute wait (if the wait's that short, we just go ahead and ride vs. coming back to it).

 

[snappy]

We were there last week. It was more crowded than I thought (read: hoped) it would be, but not nearly as bad as the week after Easter or the first week or so of June or Thanksgiving week. It was definitely busier than September.

And the weather was beautiful except for Friday (cold and windy).

 

[Padme]

Thanks for the replies!

The weather was beautiful last week- that's why I'm hesitant to go in June, not much for heat and humidity

NJ week might be better, but I was hoping we could stay 10 days this time. June would be better for that.

I thought it seemed busy last week, but really had no idea what "Disney busy" is like. All in all, it wasn't bad.

Are there any big groups that go the end of June or during Jersey week (other than all us from Jersey ) that would have an impact on crowds? How about park hours- are they about the same in November as they were in February?

I can't wait to go back!!

 

[snappy]

Depends when you go in November. Thanksgiving week the parks were open late. Not sure about the other weeks but I am betting the hours are shorter. We never stay till closing, we go early, and ride standby and get as many fastpasses as we can get in the mean time. Once the crowds get heavy we use up all the fastpasses, eat, and then depart. We'll rest and swim in the afternoon, and hop to another park later. The Christmas decorations were up when we went Thanksgiving 2002 so we enjoyed seeing them at night too. We even checked out GF and WL decorations since we heard they were special. That was fun.