Impact of "Jersey Week?"

[angel2931]

How much does the so called "Jersey Week" add to the crowds? Is the week blacked out from deals and specials? We want to take the kids but don't want them to miss a whole week of school, so this week is our only option. Also, looking at past dates, it looks like we will be able to get into one of the 1st MVMCP if we go that week. TIA for your responses!! :mickey:

[Ms. Mode]

I don't know the answer to your question; but could you tell me when Jersey Week is in 2013, please?

[angel2931]

I guess around 11/2 to 11/9

[faline]

It does drive up the crowds. I'd expect moderate to heavy crowds during this period.

I don't believe the school calendars for next school year have yet been released. Typcially, New Jersey schools close down for a few days around Veterans' Day which is when "Jersey Week" typically falls.

[missymouseworld]

"Jersey Week" typically is the week of the NJ Teacher's Convention; which is scheduled for Nov 8 & 9th in 2013. Veteran's Day is on Monday, Nov. 11th in 2013. Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 5th in 2013. When you look at all these days, many schools in NJ decide to close for the whole week from Monday-Friday or on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Monday.

It is a great time to go to Disney, the weather is great and you can usually get some Fall Decor and maybe some Christmas Decor, depending on when you are there. That week has historically been blacked out for discounts. We have been there a few times and the crowds are not too bad....then again, I am comparing it to Spring Break/Easter timeframes when it has been horrible. Just keep in mind if the Food & Wine Festival is still going on, then the crowds around the weekend are much higher around the Epcot resorts. Also, in 2012 that same week had a marathon going on and Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney

[angel2931]

I looked at the NJEA (NJ Teachers Union) website for the dates of their convention in 2013. Those are the dates the schools are usually closed in NJ, and it happens to fall the same week as election day as well. My DSK (Stepkids) live in NJ and they are older so I am more worried about them missing school. We live in NY, so those dates won't apply to us, but DS will be in kindergarten so I am less worried about him missing school. He still shouldn't miss a whole week b/c our schools are normally closed for Election Day that week.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

For our very first trip to Disney we went during Jersey Week, knowing nothing about it!

The crowds were a bit higher than we expecting, from what we'd been researching, but it wasn't totally crazy or anything. Still very manageable and the weather was great ... and you can start the Christmas season at Disney!

[VWL Mom]

Teachers Convention is Nov 7 and 8 for 2013 making "Jersey Week" Nov 2-9. We normally go that time (missed this year because of Sandy) and find the crowds very manageable. It normally coincides with the the end of F&W so evenings at Epcot tend to be a bit crowded. As Angel2931 said, many schools are closed for election day and our district has half days Mon & Wed for teachers conferences so basically my kids miss nothing.

Typically free dining has been blacked-out for that period but room discounts have not.

[missymouseworld]

VWL Mom.....
We normally go that time (missed this year because of Sandy) .
Ditto for us.....

[JerseyDad]

....Jersey Week was our main time to go to WDW until my youngest daughter hit high school and ended up in all Advanced Placement or Honors classes (so she can afford to miss even one day).

I can tell you that the crowds are not 'higher' because of the Jersey contingent..in fact the crowds are on par to our August trips to WDW (when we go now) ...because the kids in the south are in school and they don't have teachers conventions that coincide with NJ's convention. The only higher level of crowds are experienced at EPCOT on the weekends due to the Food & Wine Festival.

...sometime wish my daughter wasn't this bright....because we miss the F&W Festival (only kidding)

[mrte62]

Jersey Dad is right on the money.

1) Last two weeks in August work well with many schools already back in session.

2) The only issue with Jersey Week is the airfare out of Newark, Philly and LGA. The lower fares (if there are any) tend to sell out fast.

[angel2931]

Thanks everyone! We ended up booking the end of August instead of Jersey Week b/c of the fact JW is usually blacked out for deals/discounts where the week we booked in August is not! Now just keeping my fingers crossed for some good discounts for then! :mickey: Thanks for all your responses!!

[missymouseworld]

The only major difference you will feel is the weather.....I have not been to Florida in the summer in a long time, but the boards here say that you need a plan to deal with the heat/humidity...pool time, etc.

Have a great time!