What is Jersey Week??

[winjos]

My DH & I are going to our home resort (BWV) for the first time the week of November 5th. We are going without the kids and with another couple. Our first adult only trip to WDW since having kids!

Now I read on another DIS board that this week is Jersey week. What should we expect?? Should we be scared ?? It does have a bit of an ominous tone!

Having just moved to the east coast from the west coast, I'm not sure what a Jersey week entails.

Thanks!

 

[byoung]

A lot from NJ goes this week but not all of us. Crowdes will be manageable. Have a great vacation.

 

[JVL1018]

In NJ the week of election day schools are closed that Thursday and Friday for teacher's convention. Many schools also close on Election Day, so people pull their kids out of school that week, since they'll only miss 2 days..and go off to WDW.

I have never been at that time, but from what I hear it's not terribly crowded, there will just be a large proportion of people from NJ there.

I have never known anyone who went to WDW that week, so it's not like the entire state goes.

 

[MinMouse]

In 2004 we went during Jersey week (didn't know that until a good friend who hails from NJ informed me!). We did see a lot of our Jersey neighbors there. But I must agree with the above post . . . just saw a lot of people from New Jersey but it wasn't overly crowded. There is no Jersey parade or gatherings . . . our DDs also have several days off that week so we're doing it again this November. See you there?

 

[greenban]

Yo! Forgettaboutit!

I'd have to disagree with everyone else (suprise, and just kidding).

NJ week is the worst, it is worse than Pop Warner and Cheer week combined,

You get a bunch of fast talking, accented, pushy people all crammed into the parks. Worse yet they're mostly teachers, English teachers to boot, correcting everyones Syntax and grammar, make you write 5 paragraph essays while standing in ride lines.

Disney changes the meals at most in park restaurants to appeal to us Jersians' appetites.

Hoagies, Cheese Steaks and Water Ices replace the traditional park offerrings.
Also, this is the one week Disney actually sells chewing gum on site.

Also look out for low water pressure, even Orlando water tastes better than Jersey water, so all us guys actually use the drinking fountains!

One good point is despite the crowds, no one, and I mean no one cuts attraction lines!

Why, because that husky man in the bulging dark suit wearing sunglasses infront of, or behind you may be 'connected' if you get my drift.

Good Luck!

Ciao

-Tony (a.k.a Anthony the Frog)

 

[RichieGraciemom]

went first time that week, not croweded untill thursday, it was also veterans day on Friday and the Magic kingdom was unbearable. Thursday at epcto was also terrible. do everything in the parks early in the week and then enjoy the pools and dtd later in the week. a week in croweded disney is better than a week at work.

 

[Copper3]

Yo! Forgettaboutit!

I'd have to disagree with everyone else (suprise, and just kidding).

NJ week is the worst, it is worse than Pop Warner and Cheer week combined,

You get a bunch of fast talking, accented, pushy people all crammed into the parks. Worse yet they're mostly teachers, English teachers to boot, correcting everyones Syntax and grammar, make you write 5 paragraph essays while standing in ride lines.

Disney changes the meals at most in park restaurants to appeal to us Jersians' appetites.

Hoagies, Cheese Steaks and Water Ices replace the traditional park offerrings.
Also, this is the one week Disney actually sells chewing gum on site.

Also look out for low water pressure, even Orlando water tastes better than Jersey water, so all us guys actually use the drinking fountains!

One good point is despite the crowds, no one, and I mean no one cuts attraction lines!

Why, because that husky man in the bulging dark suit wearing sunglasses infront of, or behind you may be 'connected' if you get my drift.

Good Luck!

Ciao

-Tony (a.k.a Anthony the Frog)

Tony,

This is hilarious, LOL. Thanks for making a former Jersian remember what Jersey is like.

Seriously, I was there in 2004 from Wednesday to Sunday this week and it wasn't terribly crowded. As the week went on the crowds got worse. This year may be different because not only is it Jersey week, it's also Food and Wine in Epcot and I think Super Soap Weekend in MGM. There weren't many rooms left last week. Also, I would have at least back-up ADRs just in case.

One great thing about this weekend is a few of the hotels get dressed up for the holidays overnight. Thursday night was Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach was Friday (I may have that backwards). The Contemporary was getting their Christmas tree that Saturday. MK may be dressed early this year with MVMCP having it's first night on November 13.

I would definitely do the big attractions early or use fast passes.

Jeff

 

[winjos]

Thanks for all the great information.

From Tony's post, I am definitely looking forward to experiencing all dem Jersians!

We will definitely try and do the parks earlier in the week and just visit the food and wine festival towards the end.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We were there Jersey week 2 years ago. It never dawned on us that it was Jersey week till we got there, and we're from Jersey. We sometimes get a little clueless, but anyhow, we had no problems with long waits for anything and it didn't seem overly crowded. Enjot your trip.

Michele

 

[The VWL Five]

This coming Jersey week will be our second. Crowds are ok and not totally crazy. Just a bunch more 'how yoo doin's' than usual.

CYA there.

 

[NJOGRE]

So what is the offical dates of Jersey Week. I am going Nov 1 to Nov 8. Also when is the food and wine festival offical dates and whatever else is going to be going on in November

 

[RichieGraciemom]

i belive that you are right there for it all, and also f and wine and also super soap weekend at the end of your stay. stay away from mgm on that weeekend, you should have seen the traffice around mgm that saturday night.

 

[KathyRN137]

To "Anthony the Frog" --

We are New Jerseans who will be at WDW at that time. (You want I should do something about deez guys who don't give New Joisey respect??)

To OP:

I'm not concerned about crowds until the weekend of 11/10,11,and12. It will be Veteran's Day Weekend, Festival of the Masters at DD, Super Soap Weekend (MGM), and the last weekend of the EPCOT F&WF all rolled into one!!

 

[DebbieB]

So what is the offical dates of Jersey Week. I am going Nov 1 to Nov 8. Also when is the food and wine festival offical dates and whatever else is going to be going on in November

Jersey week is not an official event, it's not even an "event". It just happens to be the week that Jersey schools have off and some people use that time to go to WDW. It looks like the week of Nov 5. Schools in other states also have scheduled breaks, I know I was there one time in late April and many New England schools had off that week.

 

[funcinderella]

In NJ the week of election day schools are closed that Thursday and Friday for teacher's convention. Many schools also close on Election Day, so people pull their kids out of school that week, since they'll only miss 2 days..and go off to WDW.

I have never been at that time, but from what I hear it's not terribly crowded, there will just be a large proportion of people from NJ there.

I have never known anyone who went to WDW that week, so it's not like the entire state goes.

I'm a "Vicki from NJ" too!

We went Nov 5-13 last year, and it wasn't too bad, but not totally dead. You should still plan on getting to the parks early.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Jersey "week" is only a problem if you are from NJ. Obviously there would be more people booking flights from there to Orlando with a major concentration of returns on the weekend.

As someone said it isn't even actually a week...just Thursday and Friday...some people choose to take the other three days off. Personally I think they should just switch it to thanksgiving week or labor day week to avoid the absentee problem in schools.

 

[Copper3]

Jersey "week" is only a problem if you are from NJ. Obviously there would be more people booking flights from there to Orlando with a major concentration of returns on the weekend.

As someone said it isn't even actually a week...just Thursday and Friday...some people choose to take the other three days off. Personally I think they should just switch it to thanksgiving week or labor day week to avoid the absentee problem in schools.

The reason for the two days off that week (Thursday and Friday) is for NJEA (New Jersey Education Association) convention in Atlantic City, NJ. Teachers are supposed to go to the convention for whatever their agenda is. Some for the convention, others for the "social" activities Atlantic City offers. Not all teachers go to AC, a lot go to WDW.

Labor Day would not work for this convention for 2 reasons: 1) School starts the day after Labor Day for teachers and the Wednesday after Labor day for students so it's too early for the convention. 2) Atlantic City hosts the Miss America pageant around that time and Labor Day is a huge draw for the casinos.

Thanksgiving would not work because it is a national holiday.

 

[greenban]

Jersey week is not an official event, it's not even an "event". It just happens to be the week that Jersey schools have off and some people use that time to go to WDW. It looks like the week of Nov 5. Schools in other states also have scheduled breaks, I know I was there one time in late April and many New England schools had off that week.

It is too an event (yes not an official event)!!

Your just jealous 'cause you don't even live in a real State!!!

You know you don't, you're from that COMMONWEALTH Pennsyl-tuckey.

Just Kidding,

-Tony

P.S. How do you know that the toothbrush was invented in Pennsylvania?

'Cause in any other state, it would be called the teethbrush!!!!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

2) Atlantic City hosts the Miss America pageant around that time and Labor Day is a huge draw for the casinos.

The Miss America Pageant isn't held in Atlantic City anymore. It moved to Las Vegas.

To the OP...we've been there a few times during the infamous "Jersey Week" (and will be there this year again). The crowds aren't that bad and the weather is PERFECT!

Have fun!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

The reason for the two days off that week (Thursday and Friday) is for NJEA (New Jersey Education Association) convention in Atlantic City, NJ. Teachers are supposed to go to the convention for whatever their agenda is. Some for the convention, others for the "social" activities Atlantic City offers. Not all teachers go to AC, a lot go to WDW.

Labor Day would not work for this convention for 2 reasons: 1) School starts the day after Labor Day for teachers and the Wednesday after Labor day for students so it's too early for the convention. 2) Atlantic City hosts the Miss America pageant around that time and Labor Day is a huge draw for the casinos.

Thanksgiving would not work because it is a national holiday.

Having been a 20 year resident of the state I'm well aware of the reason for the days off.

The problem with the current set up is that parents remove their children from schools for the REST of the week thus reducing the attendance level of the schools. I believe attendance levels affect school funding (but hey I could be wrong). If the convention moved to the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week schools could just close the entire week by moving one day in the school calendar. The teachers would still get the benefit of reduced hotel rates because the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving is a very slow time and parents would have the option of scheduling Thanksgiving week out of work instead of Christmas week.