Should I reschedule due to Jersey Week?

[ktmouse]

I need advice, because I am on the verge of postponing our vacation (or on the verge of a nervous breakdown ) Our vacation is scheduled for Nov 4-14. After reading many posts about how busy Jersey Week is, and knowing the UG has changed their crowd predictions from 4's and 5's to 7's for the time we are there, I am really concerned about the crowds and how enjoyable it really will be. Here's the scenario...I'm taking three kids out of school (to avoid the crowds), DD 14yrs old, DS 10yrs old, DS 8yrs old, DH , taking my mother, father, great aunt, sister, brother in-law, and nephew. We are using almost two years worth of points for a 2 bedroom and 2 studios. No matter what, Disney is a very expensive vacation. I've always said I'd never go during the summer or a busy holiday period. Now it looks like those are exactly the types of crowds and wait times we'll have. Should I reschedule? What would you do? We've looked forward to this for over two years, and I just hate that I didn't know about this until we booked. I don't mind paying the penalty for the airline if it makes for a nicer vacation.

Please I need lots of advice on this, so I'd like a lot of replies

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have never been there during "Jersey week", so I can't say for sure, but if they have upped the rating of crowds and it is important to you to have a light crowd and great weather, I would probably consider changing to a week later or earlier. We were there the 3rd week of October last year, and it was not bad. Have you considered early January?

 

[Rozzie]

I wouldn't let crowds scare you too much. I have found that if I go with a plan, and use FP, that the times of year I used to be so scared of were not that bad. Go early, be at park opening, and you will be rewarded!

good luck with your decision! It is really hard to find a time that the parks are empty, everyone is catching on to the "off seasons"....

I go with Early January as a really great option, also.

 

[lizziepooh]

I would go as planned. With that many people going, trying to reschedule could be even more stressful for you. We were there a couple years ago during Jersery week and it didn't seem much different than other weeks that we have gone in November. I don't think there are as many really "slow" times anymore as business has picked up.
I agree that getting to the parks early and also taking advantage of the extra late hours will be helpful. I know that I can drive myself (and DH) crazy sometimes with worrying too much about our trips. Relax and have a good trip.

 

[dis-happy]

Go as planned and try not to worry. The UG numbers are now all higher overall--there aren't any 1's and 2's anymore, even in the dead of January winter (they changed their numbering system somewhat). We went in late August with numbers like yours, and had no problems at all. Utilize the best days feature, do morning EMH (less crowded than evening EMH), park hop if necessary, grab a FP when needed.

Good luck. I know that group family planning is stressful---I'm on the hook for this December.

 

[snowbunny]

Well, I'd reschedule.
Jersey week doesn't appeal to me at all (don't flame me, I spent 20 years in Philly) nor does taking kids out for medium size crowds. I would go the week after Thanksgiving which is supposed to be as quiet as WDW ever gets.

 

[Kycha]

Okay, I have to ask. What is Jersey week?

Stupid question, I know.

 

[nono]

Well, I'd reschedule.
Jersey week doesn't appeal to me at all (don't flame me, I spent 20 years in Philly) nor does taking kids out for medium size crowds. I would go the week after Thanksgiving which is supposed to be as quiet as WDW ever gets.

Last time I checked, Philly was in PA. Personally, I love the rap "Jersey Week" is getting -- Ooohh, stay away! Too crowded!

This is good! Pretty soon the whole state will have WDW to itself for a week each year.

 

[CarolMN]

Okay, I have to ask. What is Jersey week?

Stupid question, I know.

It's not a stupid question. It's the week that contains the NJ Teachers' Association convention. Since the schools are closed for two days that week, many NJ parents take their children out of school for the other 3 days and visit WDW.

ktmouse - FWIW, I don't think "NJ week" makes WDW parks any more crowded than it would otherwise be during this period and I would not reschedule my trip because of it - especially at this late date. It will not be anywhere near as crowded as Christmas, Easter or summer time. Plus you probably will not have hot & humid weather. Plus if the parks are a little more crowded, Disney will keep them open later (and that's a good thing for experienced visitors / planners). Plus you are not going to be able to get 2 bedrooms and 2 studios for 10 consecutive days between now and the end of the year at a DVC resort. Don't let what others post about crowds make you go crazy worrying. I'm sure you will all have a good time!

Best wishes -

P.S. The UG is not all that useful in predicting crowds, IMHO. It is estimating the peak wait times at the most popular rides in the MK. As an experienced visitor, you can go to those in the morning or at a time when theire isn't a line. My advice to you is to STOP READING ANY POSTS ABOUT POSSIBLE CROWDS! You will be fine - if you encounter a crowd somewhere (it happens occasionally even in the slowest seasons), you can just do something else and come back later - you have 10 days to enjoy!

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Okay, I have to ask. What is Jersey week?

Stupid question, I know.

All the public schools are closed for two days for a Teacher's Conference (in Atlantic City, no less), so lots of people head to WDW.

 

[NMW]

Not all NJ residents who vacation that week go to Disney anyway. LOL, we have friends in NJ who always go with their kids to Aruba that week and are doing so again this year. I would go and not stress about it too much. Of course, DH and I are former NJ residents, so maybe we wouldn't mind a lot of "Jersey people" at WDW with us!

 

[awatt]

You might consider going the week after Jersey week if possible. I have done that and it was really delightful,no crowds and no lines. Best trip we ever had.

In making your decision, if you are used to going during the quieter times, then consider if more crowded parks would have a significant impact on your vacation. If yes,then cancel. Have read numerous threads on this subject,as we are going Jersey week this year, and it seems the people most bothereed by the increased volume this week are those who are used to going duing slower times. Those that go during busier times think Jersey week is very manageable.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I'd reschedule.
Jersey week doesn't appeal to me at all (don't flame me, I spent 20 years in Philly) nor does taking kids out for medium size crowds. I would go the week after Thanksgiving which is supposed to be as quiet as WDW ever gets.

However, getting a DVC unit for that week this late may be impossible. There have been a few posts saying there were no rooms.

Personally, I would go. There will always be something thats not perfect!

 

[owtrbnks]

Being from one state higher than NJ, IMHO REBOOK!!!

 

[byoung]

GO the crowds are still lower than the summer. Enjoy your trip. Buy the way I'm from NJ and not going Jersey Week.

 

[JodyTG]

I would go ahead and just go. My DD and I used to go during the first week of June (during "Gay Days") and never found those HUGE crowds that people talked about. We actually didn't even know about "Gay Days" until after we'd been going on those dates for a few years.

I seriously believe that it shouldn't make that much of a difference. I doubt that even half or even just a quarter of New Jersey will be going to WDW during Jersey Week.

1) Not everyone can afford it.
2) Not everyone would be able to get off work at the same time or else the state would shut down.
3) Not everyone loves Disney as much as we do, and go other places.

Just go on your long awaited trip and have a great time. You've got 10 days to see and do as much as you want...

 

[snowbunny]

Last time I checked, Philly was in PA.

Yes, but at least half of the working population lives in south Jersey. If I want to hang out with all of New Jersey, I'll take a third trip to Bermuda

 

[RLevy29]

I would go as planned. With that many people going, trying to reschedule could be even more stressful for you. We were there a couple years ago during Jersery week and it didn't seem much different than other weeks that we have gone in November. I don't think there are as many really "slow" times anymore as business has picked up.
I agree that getting to the parks early and also taking advantage of the extra late hours will be helpful. I know that I can drive myself (and DH) crazy sometimes with worrying too much about our trips. Relax and have a good trip.

I totally agree with this strategy. We have gone 2 years during this time and the crowds were less than they are in the summer. I don't think you will have much of a crowd from 4/11 - 4/ 10 since the Teacher's convention doesn't start until 4/10.Have a great trip!

 

[dcfromva]

Should I reschedule? What would you do? We've looked forward to this for over two years, and I just hate that I didn't know about this until we booked. I don't mind paying the penalty for the airline if it makes for a nicer vacation.

Please I need lots of advice on this, so I'd like a lot of replies

ktmouse,
We often go during this time frame because it also coincides with a school break here in VA and DS doesn't miss school over a long weekend. We would be going during the same time frame this year, except we have a big family trip coming up in Jan and we had to save points for that.
This is a lovely time to go. The weather is great--not too hot (maybe a little chilly at night, even). The food and wine festival is also going on and we really enjoy it. It adds another dimension on to the experience.
It won't be just Mickey and you, that is for sure. But, it isn't like the really crowded times like Christmas/Easter and even summertime, either.

Good luck with your decision!
-DC

 

[ralph Nelson]

We were at disney last year during teachers week and it wasn't that bad had a great time saw everything we wanted to see and more and stayed at Pop Century. Made plans for same teachers week this yr but they changed dates to following week so i think we should be ok, go and have fun Disney is special even with crowds ;-)