so Jersey week, please post your experiences....

[Rozzie]

our trip is planned oct 29-nov 7. last year's nov trip missed jersey week. I hear it is Nov 4-13..(is that correct?) what should we expect that first weekend? We can deal with moderate crowds, (summer survivor...ugh..) but I am starting to get nervous. no offense to all my jersey friends of course!

so is it nuts that week or what???? we are staying 10 nights to alleviate my commando problem I have...

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

The 2005 NJEA Convention is Nov. 10 - 12.

 

[Disney Cakers]

We happened to be there during Jersey week one year - we didn't know it until we read about it at home! LOL From what I remember the lines were still short in the morning and the crowds weren't overbearing - but this was back in 99. The main thing we noticed were there were a lot of people from Jersey - our whole table except us at the Poly Luau was from there! We had a great trip. Hope this helps.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

The one year we were there during Jersey Week was VERY crowded. I have always made sure I never went during that time since then. Nothing against folks from NJ, I just don't like to go when it is crowded.

 

[MomofKatie]

As far as your trip this year, I think you should be fine. The convention is the latter part of the week, so you MIGHT see the first few NJ folks trickling in on your last weekend, but for the most part, the Jersey Week crowds will not get big until Wednesday or Thursday.

Now, for our Jersey Week experience... we were at WDW last year during the first week of November. I had never heard of the NJ crowds, but when I started planning and discovered the DIS, I started to get worried about the Jersey Week crowds. But...

We had a blast, and the crowds weren't a problem! We did do some advance planning, and made sure we hit the parks at opening, but we did everything we wanted. We did notice that the later in the week, the more crowds we saw. This was a commando trip- we only had three days to spend at the parks. But we did the following:

Arrival day- DTD and swimming at POFQ.
Day 1- All of MK from 9-7, then dinner at Epcot and Illuminations.
Day 2- Must-sees at MGM, must-sees at AK, and DH and DD hit TL for a couple of hours, 3-5 pm. Then, dinner at Boardwalk.
Day 3- All of Epcot, FW and WS- 9am-8pm.

Longest line was Killimanjaro Safari, 40 mins. But we could have used Fastpass to cut it way down. Other than that, we waited about 25 mins for Great Movie Ride at MGM. Most everything else we walked on or waited 5-15 mins. Really, it all boils down to getting there early and getting the slow loading or big crowd rides done first.

Honestly, you'll probably have more of a risk for crowds due to Halloween than Jersey Week- I think you'll be there at a wonderful time! Actually, we are going Oct 29- Nov 4, so we'll see you there!

 

[Luv4Disney]

We went during "Jersey Week" in 2002. It wasn't crowded at all. It was fabulous and we didn't have to wait in line for anything. Plus, it's kind of need seeing all those Jersey license plates.

 

[Leota]

I went Jersey week, 2000 and it was crowded for the hours (value season hours). I, personally, will avoid that week in the future if I can help it.
It wasn't hugely crowded compared to Peak season, just long lines for off-season hours, making it hard to accomplish as much as we were used to doing.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We experienced Jersey Week in both 2000 and 2003. The crowds were manageable both years. Our wait times were were very similar to those reported by MomofKatie.

The only time I thought the crowds were pretty heavy was at Epcot on a Saturday. It's also F&W Festival at that time!

 

[Disney Ella]

We went in 2004. We have only gone to WDW off-season - early December one year and March another (but not around Easter). Jersey Week was more crowded than any other time we've been there, but I'm sure nowhere as crowded as the summer. I was surprised how crowded AK was, as we had never seen it crowded it all before. Crowds got heavy at MK by about 11:30. Heavy for me is 45 minute or longer waits and having to sidestep my way through the people and strollers. The weather was very nice - mid 80s. I would prefer going back another week, but if I couldn't arrange something else, I would do Jersey Week again.

 

[Rozzie]

Halloween will be crowded, we are not going to do MNSSHP that night. Might go have a nice dinner in WS. Thanks for all your feedback! It seems that our off season touring times shrink every time....

 

[MomofKatie]

Halloween will be crowded, we are not going to do MNSSHP that night. Might go have a nice dinner in WS. Thanks for all your feedback! It seems that our off season touring times shrink every time....

As we say Down South, Hey, y'all! We are not doing MNSSHP either. We are going to head over to B'walk for their Halloween party, then do a later dinner at 'Ohana. We figured we'll let the crowds gather at MK, and we'll stay out of their way!

 

[Luv4Disney]

Although I know it will be crowded, I'd definitely like to try it.

 

[cdntourguide]

was at WDW during Jersey week of 2003 and 2004. The crowd during 2004 was a bit larger but not really noticable.
Longest lines averaged 20minutes. Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White's Adventure and Adventures of Winne the Pooh were all 40minutes, but then again when are the lines for these three attractions less than 40minutes

ºoº ºoº

 

[lUVTOGO]

We have been going in November for the last 3 years and we have also gone in the summer, and Jersey Week is no comparison in crowds IMHO. The most we waited in line was 20 minutes, and we always fastpass anyway. The weather is great at that time, and we also love the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. We will be there this year Nov 8th to 14th!!!!

 

[bbump]

We are taking our daughter, niece and nephew Nov 5th - Nov 9th 2005. I am asuming we will miss the NJ visitors. ... for those of you who have went in the past at this time, what is the weather like? Is it still warm, or should we bring jeans and sweats? Thanks for your input!!!

 

[becobscot]

We went in 2003 and only noticed crowds after noon at MK. The weather was nice. We were able to use the pool. We plan to go again this year during Jersey week as it coincides with teacher workdays in Northern Virginia.