Nov 1-8 crowds???

[pitmindi]

HI, I am going to Disney Nov 1-9, 2003. Does anyone know what size crowds to expect? Which park(s) have the least crowds? It is my daughter's (8 year old) 1st time, and we don't like lines over 20 minutes! I booked for Nov thinking the crowds would be minimal, but am worried since the Disney hotels are all full that week. How have the crowds been for those that are just getting back? Thank you to anyone who replies. PS, Any strategies to avoid long lines? Mindy

 

[dvcgirl]

Well, I don't think crowds will be minimal unfortunately. Nov 1-9 is what has become known as "Jersey Week". Apparently lots of schools in NJ get that week off and there are lots of folks who head down to WDW. It is also the Food and Wine Fest at Epcot which seems to get increasingly popular each year. And this year the Super Soap Weekend is Nov 8-9 at MGM Studios.

Utilize FastPass and Early Entry as much as you can and you should be okay. I would definitely avoid MGM on the 8th and 9th though...it will be packed. And if you want to tour the WS and sample the food booths of the Food and Wine Fest, a weekday/night would be much better than a weekend. F&W fest draws many locals. Hope this helps!!

 

[jwfla422]

We were there the first week of Nov in 2000 and the crowds were very manageable. Didn't find it bad at all. EPCOT was never really busy even with the Food & Wine event (I enjoyed those wine tastings tho

"Jersey week" actually starts Nov. 5th- the teacher convention is the 6th & 7th so it looks like people will arrive that Wed. The weekend may also be busy because of the SOAP weekend, but that will be at MGM.

There is still a good amount of availability at the resorts until around Wednesday of that week.

We'll also be there on Nov 1st but only until the 5th-looks like we timed it right. I'm not concerned. We don't like to go when it's crowded either but just take the previous poster's advice by getting FPs and avoiding MGM on the weekend of the SOAP thingy

 

[noel]

We were in WDW during the first week of Nov in 2001 - obviously we couldn't have had that bad of an experience because we're going back during the same timeframe this year - just 15 days away!!!!

We found the crowds to be strange. I guess by strange I mean at times during the week there was little or no wait time for the bigger rides at MK and MGM and other weekdays we waited between 15-20 minutes for the same rides which to me still isn't bad at all. We used Fastpass as much as we could to even avoid short waits at times and plan on doing the same this time around.

The weekend will be much busier at all the parks so we're planning on getting in as much as we can 11/2 - 11/7 and seeing what the crowds are like on the weekends. If it's too nuts for our liking we'll try Downtown Disney or another park.

Either way, I'm just thrilled to be going back!

Have fun and good luck!

 

[CarnotaurDad]

We went last year during that time and had a blast.....

It was my DW and DD (2) first time at the park and the crowds didn't bother us at all....

That being said, we didn't have other times with which to compare it. I imagine if you're looking for a deserted park, it certainly wasn't that.

However, we had a wonderful time and I personally love the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot......

 

[kilee]

We will be there 10/30-11/7 (so almost the same time frame). I am getting the general impression that the crowds have been very heavy the last week or so. I'm also getting the impression they are going to stay that way. Plan for the worst. This way it can only be what you imagine or better.

 

[CPM]

I have been there the first week of Nov. the last three years and it's been managable. BUT this year all resorts are sold out and many off sites are sold out. With Halloween being on the Friday it's like Nov. sort of *lost* a week. There is the Super Soap weekend, F&W at Epcot and the Festival of the Masters going on. Remember that the Magic package or whatever it was called was sold for this time period. I still can't find anything onsite for Nov. 6th, I have OKW Mon-Wed and Fri.& Sat.!

 

[Leota]

Jersey Week is brutal!
I wound up there for the Infamous 2000 election (But, good news, I got 2 Mickey For President Pins)
I had no idea when I planned the trip, about Jersey Week.... I wish I had known! It gets pretty darn crowded & you still only have value season hours. I was shocked at how busy that week was.....
The days on either side of Jersey Week were just fine, very light crowds & the weather was sublime - In the future, I would still go in early Nov., just not Election week.......

 

[Poohbear123]

This is my 3rd year going, and I have only found MK to be REALLY crowded on Fri. Sat. and Sunday!

 

[KathyFP]

We have found the crowds to be minimal for the past two years. I am concerned this year because of FTP.