Recent observations - crowds/Jersey week (and bonus pixie dust!)

[TinkPirateMom]

I've never been at those peak times, but I don't think it was crowded as level 9/10 days. It was predicted 4/5 but I think towards the end of the week it was probably around a 7. If you hit rope drop and have a plan you'll be fine.

Thanks!

 

[Scrappygrrl]

I think another factor was free dining, which originally ended on 11/4 or 5? And then Disney changed it a few days later to end on 11/3. So before the switch, it was an attractive option that may have increased Jersey week crowds.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Thanks for sharing your video - you're boys are handsome and it looks like all 4 of you had a great time.

 

[Scrappygrrl]

Thanks again, everyone! I plan on doing a proper trip report so keep an eye out for that!

 

[dddisrunner]

I definitely think a LOT of factors contributed to the past weeks crowds. Most Florida schools are closed on Veterans Day and we met a TON of locals on that day. It was Jersey Week which only usually affects the crowd levels slightly and it was the last full week of food and wine festival, tons of locals come out for that too. All these things made for a crowded Fri & Sat but honestly, I was at WDW last during the same time and thought the crowds were WAY BIGGER last year and it wasn't even Jersey week last year!

 

[osugal]

What's Jersey Week?

 

[Scrappygrrl]

osugirl -
In New Jersey, the teacher's union schedules a conference for Thursday and Friday of election week. All NJ schools are closed those days, plus most are also closed for election day. Some are also closed the whole week, since that only leaves 2 days. Lots of NJ folks swarm to Disney and other warm locations that week Hence the name Jersey Week.

 

[Sweettears]

Oh, and MareSINY - we also had to walk all the way around the backside for OFL. Not sure if that was a "first night crowds" thing or how they always do it. Loved it though, crowds and all.

I believe that this is standard procedure for whenever crowds build. HS can get pretty congested during normal periods and the entry to OFL can be particularly crowded as people tend to congregate and not move towards the back.

 

[wahoostampingirl]

Great Video! We're planning on going during Jersey week next year. We did a summer trip this year and if we can survive 2 weeks of FL in August, then I'm guessing Jersey week will be a breeze.

 

[Scrappygrrl]

Great Video! We're planning on going during Jersey week next year. We did a summer trip this year and if we can survive 2 weeks of FL in August, then I'm guessing Jersey week will be a breeze.

It will!!!

 

[lakoda]

Just returned as well and felt that it was a bit busier than I was expecting. We were at MK on Nov. 7 even though it wasn't recommended b/c it was DD's 3rd bday and it is her favorite park. I knew it wouldn't be wise to deviate...ouch, it was really crazy to us! We were there early so the waits weren't too bad but there were so many people it was difficult to walk. DH really wanted to try EMH mornings so we did, good thing we had park hoppers! I don't think that I would do EMH mornings again except for AK - since we started at 8 am we were finished fairly early so that was nice.

Weather was perfect though, definitely no complaints there!

 

[juliebug1997]

Just returned as well and felt that it was a bit busier than I was expecting. We were at MK on Nov. 7 even though it wasn't recommended b/c it was DD's 3rd bday and it is her favorite park. I knew it wouldn't be wise to deviate...ouch, it was really crazy to us! We were there early so the waits weren't too bad but there were so many people it was difficult to walk. DH really wanted to try EMH mornings so we did, good thing we had park hoppers! I don't think that I would do EMH mornings again except for AK - since we started at 8 am we were finished fairly early so that was nice.

Weather was perfect though, definitely no complaints there!

We've done the AM EMH's at MK multiple times and they are wonderful! We got to ride PP multiple times in a row this past summer. At DHS, it can be good too, especially for TSMM. This past summer, we got our FP and rode the ride once before going for our breakfast reservation at H&V.

MVMCP on 11/11 was a madhouse--worse than 12/16 last year. Last night (11/13) was so much better. I stood in the middle of Main St. to watch the fireworks.

 

[fsupharm77]

We were there from 11/5-11/12, and didn't really notice it being crowded until Thursday at HS. I agree that day was crazy! Epcot we thought was pretty dead on Monday though. We were there at RD though, and rode Soarin, Mission Space (twice), and TT (3 times), before 10:30. Tooled around Innoventions and hit The WS at 1. Was amazed at how easy it was to roam around for F&W.

 

[KateMW]

What's Jersey Week?

a bad bad time to go to WDW as I found out this past week. We were at DHS on Friday by 10:15 and all TSM FPs gone and 100 min wait. We left without riding anything. Just not worth it to us.

That being said, some highlights were two rides on Soarin in the front row, getting my aunt who is not a heights or ride person to ride Soarin and she loved it. Saw TONS of animals on the safari and got to take my DD on Everest for the first time. She is such a ride girl...had no interest in the characters really, but she's counting the days until she's tall enough for RnRC. Whenever that is, we will not be going back the same week.

 

[huey duey & luey]

just returned yesterday as well, and I do feel like the combination of events made it busier Jersey week than usual. I was kind of expecting it though. Weather was beautiful and we took full advantage of many afternoons at stormalong bay. We would then head to a park later in the day, or sometimes in morning and head back.
We were at AK all day on weds and have to say the crowds were fanatastic did everything we wanted and multiple times. With planning and fastpasses we were able to do everything, and it wasn't too bad. We went to MK on the 7th, about 2, it was packed. After Wishes at 8, we accomplished more in 2 hours than I think I ever did before in MK. We did ALL of fantasyland (except Philharmagic which we did earlier), Aladdin, POC, BTMRR 4X, and space MT.

I also agree that it is still a great choice for New Jerseyians, and would go back in a second, although I think we may be visiting Harry next year

 

[khertz]

This was our first time traveling to WDW in November, and we happened to pick Jersey Week without knowing. I found it SO much more crowded than I had expected! We went to MK on a party day even though we were not attending the party because we figured crowds might be light with people not wanting to go to MK for the shorter hours. Wrong! It was soooo crowded! We found the amount of people in the parks comparable to our early December trip 2 years ago, but the difference in the wait times was crazy! In Dec, even though the parks seemed crowded, there was never long waits for the attractions. Not so this year. We actually saw HM with a posted 40 minute wait and several switchbacks being used all the way out of the gates! Haven't seen that kind of a wait for HM in a long time. Plus up to 90 minute waits for Space & Thunder Mountain, 30 for Small World...I'll just say, we ended up riding the TTA quite a bit this trip.

 

[nemofans]

We will be hitting the tail end of Jersey Week next year & then staying the week after. I figure the weekend will be busy, but hoping it will clear out by the following Monday.
What were the temps last week?

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

OP, your video is great! I have to ask though, was that during the MVMCP that your boys were sweeping with the brooms? I also want to make a video of our trip but I am not good with that kind of stuff, guess I will just have to find a software program that is good for beginners like me. We have our photos and videos uploaded to Photobucket and did a little slide show with that and a photo book through Snapfish though, but I would love to do a video. We were considering this same week for our next trip since our kids usually have Veteran's Day off, but now I am not so sure; but I guess for families from NJ this week would still be more ideal compared to other times of the year when there are school breaks (summer, Christmas, etc.). Thanks again for sharing your video

 

[marshallj]

We were also at HS on Thurs the 10th and it was mobbed! the fast passes for TSM were gone as we were waiting in line for them, by 10:30, maybe slightly earlier. My son and I were so disappointed, we checked on the line all day, 60 minutes was the least I ever saw it, and as high as 100 mins. We tried to wait, about 6:45-7:15 but the fastpass line was also so long due to the ride breaking down earlier in the day that we gave up.

We had done Fantasmic on 2 prior trips, so we skipped it. The OFL were pretty fabulous. All in all, disappointed that it was a recommended park on easyWDW, and so crowded.

We came 2 years ago for Jersey week, and it wasn't nearly so bad (but it was a week earlier - and it usually is the week before it was this year).

From easywdw,"While Hollywood Studios won’t be far and away less crowded than other days this week, it’s the best day of the week because Magic Kingdom will be so popular and pull so many people away. Even with the recommendation, you’ll still have the most success if you arrive prior to Park opening and head straight for Toy Story Mania, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Star Tours first thing in the morning."

Sorry to hear about your experience.
What time did you arrive at the park?
Did you go to HS any other day of your trip? Was there any difference?

 

[Scrappygrrl]

We will be hitting the tail end of Jersey Week next year & then staying the week after. I figure the weekend will be busy, but hoping it will clear out by the following Monday.
What were the temps last week?

The first weekend was cool the 5th and 6th- 50's at night and maybe low 70's during the day. Sunday saw some rain off and on, mostly a drizzle. Also breezy.
Monday through Thursday were about 80 during the day, 60's at night - absolutely perfect!! Friday was cooler - 50's that night and upper 60's during the day.