Tell me about November's Jersey week

[dbm20th]

I am planning November 2006 for our first DVC trip. I know that every November, New Jersey has off for teachers conventions, but I have never been there during that week. It is the week ending 11/12. Should I go the next week instead? Does it get significantly more crowded than? I have no kids to deal with, so that is not an issue

 

[awatt]

I ahve been both jersey week and teh week after. the week after is less crowded, we walked onto almost everything. However the park hours are shorter.

Jereey week was more crowded but very manageable. We usually are at the parks at opening and had no waits in the mornings. Lines built in teh afternoons, which is when we woud take a break. We'd go back late afternoon or early evening, and use FP's if it was still busy. I think compared to summer and holiday periods, Jersey week is relatively slow.

I would go again during Jersey week. But if I had my choice I would go teh week after.

 

[auntsue]

I am a Jersey teacher and before DVC, pretty much went only Jersey week. It's really not that bad, but I think the following week would be a lot less crowded. I did notice crowds got a little bigger with the food & wine festival going on simultaneously with Jersey week. I remember smaller crowds "in the old days."

 

[CNMooner]

We were there Nov 1-8 this year-- Jersey week started November 5. Let me tell you that it was like night and day-- that Friday was totally slow and then WHAM! There's the crowds! Sunday was ok and then Monday was crowded, and Tuesday was worse. 120 minute waits for Soarin' by noon. And because of the F&W festival, the world showcase was a zoo.

I would recommend going the week after Jersey week if you have the option. Yes, it is better than summer, but it was much more crowded than I ever thought it would be.

 

[aviva5675]

We are going Nov 1-6 next year and Im hoping to be gone before it gets really crowded. With Monday as a last / leaving day maybe our last day in parks (Sun) will still be ok. Any Jersyites out there planning to come then? What day most people come down??

 

[JandD Mom]

I am planning November 2006 for our first DVC trip. I know that every November, New Jersey has off for teachers conventions, but I have never been there during that week. It is the week ending 11/12. Should I go the next week instead? Does it get significantly more crowded than? I have no kids to deal with, so that is not an issue

I agree with CNMooner. If you go the week before, it will be peaceful then suddenly huge crowds will be upon you. We did that when the kids were younger and it was true.

We are from NJ and are going Jersey week in 06. However, if your points allow, why not think of going a split week (like wed to wed). We are going to go Tues of Jersey week to the Tues after (so the kids will miss 4 days of school). This way, you get the tail end of the food and wine festival. Then Monday, the Osborn Festival of Lights starts so you would have a day or 2 to see the Christmas decorations without the state of NJ breathing down your neck.

If I didn't have kids, I would avoid NJ week - the weeks around it are just more peaceful.

 

[aviva5675]

Thats what Im wondering--if more people come before , like Nov 5 and stay all week, or come during the week and stay, or come the following week. I'm hoping there will be no post-Halloween crowds, and our final Sunday (11/5) will still be bearable...

 

[ACDSNY]

Is Jersey Week a full week or just a long weekend with the Veteran's Day holiday?

 

[rutgersdeb]

Hi,
Jersey week is actually a long weekend. The kids usually have off on a Thursday and Friday. Many people turn it into a week long vacation though, either staying the days before or after. When our kids were younger, we would go down for the full week. Now that they are in high school, they cannot afford to miss too many days. When we went last month, we came in after school on Tuesday, so they only missed one day.
Having done this several times over the past 10 years, I agree with other posters. This past year (2005) was very crowded, the worst I have seen it yet. Soarin fast passes were gone most days by noon, and waits on all the main rides were at least an hour. I don't think I'll ever go that week again.
Debbie

 

[JandD Mom]

Is Jersey Week a full week or just a long weekend with the Veteran's Day holiday?

I agree with what Deb said -- it is always the Thursday and Friday after election day. Under NJ Law, public school districts can't force teachers to come to work that day because that's when they are "supposed" to be attending the NJEA convention. In actuality, many don't go. Nevertheless, schools close. Some school districts are also off on election day. And some school districts will close for 4 days or even 5 days that week rather than bringing the kids in for a day or 2.

Note, private and parochial schools are not necessarily closed that week.

For myself, after seeing the zoo of people in my kids' elementary school on election day, I will never send them that day again. Just too many people wandering around unfettered. So for us, it will be a good week to get away, at least until they hit high school.

 

[JCW]

I have lived in NJ my entire life. I go to Disney to get away from us Jersians, I say go the week after

 

[aviva5675]

Yeah !!! Everyone go the week after!! lol

 

[Pluto 2]

I am planning November 2006 for our first DVC trip. I know that every November, New Jersey has off for teachers conventions, but I have never been there during that week. It is the week ending 11/12. Should I go the next week instead? Does it get significantly more crowded than? I have no kids to deal with, so that is not an issue

you say you have no kids to deal with, in that case i wouldnt even be thinking about going on new jersey week. go the week after

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

We were there this year...have been there other years as well for Jersey week. This year was by far the most crowded. It coincided with the last week of F&W and Super Soap weekend at MGM and was definitely too crowded for our liking. If you can avoid it... I would recommend it. Especially if you are wanting to avoid lines. EPCOT in particular was very crowded. Soaring fast passes were all distributed before 11 am the one morning ! The next week we could just walk right on the ride !