October 30-November 6 looks busy!!!

[TexasErin]

I stupidly researched and all of the guide books said that November is one of the best times of the year to go (excluding Thanksgiving week).
Then last week I realize its Jersey week. And I tried to make a ressie at the Dolphin. They are totally booked up November 1 and 2nd. (I finally got tired of waiting for AP rates).
Yesterday I decided to look at renting DVC points and all those are already taken. I wanted a studio at VWL and the fellow DISer who was nice enough to check for me said the only thing available was a 2-BR at OKW!
Now I am worried not only about no AP rates, but also that EVERYTHING may be booked and that the crowds will be HUGE!!! Please quick someone reassure me before I have a stroke.

 

[turnlisa]

Calm! It really isn't as bad as it looks. We went last year at Jersey Week and everyone was screaming "big crowds" and "long lines". NOT! The longest line we saw was 30 minutes. Most of the lines were 10 minutes or less. If you are used to spring or summer crowds, it seems like no one is there. It will be o.k. Now take a deep breath with me...AHHHHH!

 

[sue1013]

I was there last year Jersey week also. I'm used to going beginning of Dec or Feb. If I had listened to all the cries of huge crowds I would have missed a great week! There's alot of over reacting on these boards, take it with a grain of salt. Besides the predicted huge crowds there were quite a few comments about the rude Jersey people. I've met rude people from ALL over the country its not restricted to NJ.

 

[TexasErin]

Thank you! I feel better!
It's not that I'm worried about rude people due to being from a different state. With the job that I have dealing with my fellow Texans , I know that rude people are in every state, LOL.
Its more the fact that the Dolphin and DVC are booked, that makes me afraid that all of the hotels will be booked and there will be no place to stay (holding off booking waiting for AP rates, still) and that the lines will be super long.
Thanks for the reassurance!

 

[DisKim]

I don't see how Jersey week could be so crowded. It's not like the entire state is descending on WDW that week. I'm sure many families take the whole week off since they have Thursday and Friday off, but it is certainly not the majority. I don't think it will be that bad.

 

[jwfla422]

We were also there the first week of November last year and I can also say it wasn't bad at all. Weather nice, crowds very bearable. We were just there in June, weather HOT..YUCK and crowds...BUSY..YUCK!!! Would go back early November in a hearbeat, never will go back in early June.

We are frequent guests of the S/D where we almost stay exclusively these days. It may have nothing to do with WDW parks, etc as to why these resorts fill up. They are very popular convention resorts and will sell out more because of conventions than just because its during the "peak" WDW times so keep that in mind as to why it's not availabe (did you try the Swan??)

Also keep in mind, the WDW resorts have conventions too. I was told some years back by a CM as to why October went from a "value" season month to a "regular" season month, it was due to the increase in conventions this time of year.

You might need to fluctuate your dates a day or 2 to get availability at the S/D . GOOD LUCK and don't lose hope

 

[mikesmom]

That week has the Food & Wine Fest. People like to be able to walk into and out of the park (may not be capable of driving after the Fest). It's also fairly low points for DVC members. Soooo, first the BWV and BCV fills up, then the VWL fills up with people who are waitlisted at the Boardwalk and Beach Club, then the Dolphin/Swan with people who have cash and others who are waitlisted, then OKW fills up with DVC people who couldn't get in at Boardwalk and may be waitlisted or not, but determined to go to the Fest. You get the picture.

That Festival gets more popular every year. This year it starts at the beginning of October and runs 6 weeks (formerly ran 4 weeks). We always book for ourselves and friends at 11 months so we don't take a chance on missing.

Anyway, the parks are not crowded compared to summer. MK is a bit more crowded than the others during Jersey Week. Epcot gets crowded starting Friday and thru the weekend, as the Fest attracts a lot of locals. Compared to Holidays and summer, though, not crowded at all. Not to worry.

 

[The Duchess]

It's also election week.

Not that that matters to a lot or people, but we almost moved our vacation. Except we're from Massachusetts, so our Republican vote won't matter much anyway. We'll just get absentee ballots.

Fortunately, we're not spending a lot of times in the parks this trip...trying a lot of recreational stuff, shows and other stuff.

 

[deanna2426]

While I agree that Disney World won't be that busy on the whole, I understand your dilema(sp?) with trying to get an Epcot area resort.

I am a TA and in addition to myself (who learned last year that monorail resorts are the way to go during f&w), I have three clients who are traveling during Jersey Week. I have been unable to get exactly what they want during that week using any means. One family insists on a villa at either BW or BC. I was able to get BW for four of the seven nights, but am having no luck with the other nights (even tried renting pts.), another family wanted BWI and could only get YC (and that was with many phone calls).

So, the moral is, just try to be as flexible as you can with where you stay, and you will have a great week.

I am looking forward to a great trip with all my fellow NJ residents and my new DIS friends!

 

[Desnik]

First 2 weeks of Nov. have become more popular. Not only is it "Jersey week", it's Super Soaps weeked(5th&6th?)Food and wine festival, election day, and Veteran's day. Alot of people have off election day, I think most kids are off for Vet's day, so alot of people take advantage of those first 2 weeks.

Yes it is more crowded than the week just before Thanksgiving, or just after. But, in no way will it be like summer crowds!! If crowds really bother you, and I am one person who hates crowds, can you change your dates? We always go the week before Thanksgiving and it has been just perfect, for us.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I will be there the week after, from Nov 6 - 13. So see not all Jerseyites will be there that first week, some of us will be there the second week!! Don't worry, it still has to be better than Christmas which is HORRIBLE. I still have nightmares of NYE at Epcot this past year, and that was with leaving within 2 hours of getting there!!! Enjoy your trip.

 

[TexasErin]

I already have tickets for MNSSHP for October 31 so we are pretty much stuck. Its more being concerned about how DS (who will have just turned 2 on October 21) will handle being still in line. He is a little booger!
I will be flexible with my hotel. I'd rather be at WDW than here at work so it will still be awesome! I was hoping for WL, VWL, Dolphin, or AKL. I'm sure something will be left.

 

[MomofKatie]

The last trip we made to WDW was in July, so it will seem empty compared to then. I have never been during November, but we have a wedding to attend the weekend of the 6th, and decided to work in a visit while in FL. Hopefully, we will get to meet some nice NJ folks, and enjoy shorter lines and nicer weather!

 

[JohnnyTarHeel]

What is Jersey Week? And anybody know how Veteran's Day affects crowds? We're going Nov. 13 - 21 so that first weekend I would expect larger crowds due to the holiday, but I wouldn't know.

 

[The Duchess]

We also have tix for MNSSHP 10/31 but we're willing to sacrifice and go a week earlier (or later) if it's going to be that bad.
But, as someone said, is the whole state of New Jersey descending on WDW? Also, we're doing a lot of non-park stuff that week, so I'm not too worried.
Also, I'm a little suprised (but maybe that's just me!) that people are trying to book vacations that week now. We booked that week last November!

 

[gjerseygirl]

Originally posted by JohnnyTarHeel
What is Jersey Week? And anybody know how Veteran's Day affects crowds? We're going Nov. 13 - 21 so that first weekend I would expect larger crowds due to the holiday, but I wouldn't know.

The schools in New Jersey have off for Election day and teacher's conferences the week of November 1st. Because its 3 days off, alot of families in NJ opt to take their kids out of school the other two days and go down to WDW (good prices, good weather, small lines). Some school districts (like my childrens') close for the whole week so we will be there from 10/30 to 11/8. I've only ever been there Easter week so whatever the crowds are, they'll be much smaller in comparison. You should have no problem 11/13-21 as far as Jersey Week goes, as far as anything else going on there...sorry don't know.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

Being from NJ, I can tell you that "YES, The Entire State of New Jersey will be there".

Just kidding of course!! WE will be there Oct 29-Nov 7.

We were at WDW for Jersey Week in 2000 and it was great. Our last trip, 2003 was earlier in the month of Oct and it was hotter than the first week of Nov. so we opted to go for "Jersey" week again this year.

Dont worry, you will have a blast and meet some really nice folks from NJ!!!

Wishing everyone a "magical" day!!

 

[The Duchess]

I'm assuming everyone from NJ is going to do their partriotic duty and get absentee ballots!

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

Originally posted by The Duchess
I'm assuming everyone from NJ is going to do their partriotic duty and get absentee ballots!

OF COURSE!!!!! We wouldnt want to leave the election results to FL!!! Dont flame me, just kidding.

 

[TexasErin]

Duchess,
I usually do book at least 9 months out, but I am waiting (and hoping) for AP rates. I am doing a split stay and have 2 days booked at rack rate for Pop. But I am wanting to upgrade to 2 days at CSR and then book 5 days at either AKL or WL if AP rates come out. Otherwise I'll stay at Pop for 2 days and may pay rack rate for 5 days at WL.