Mardi Gras or Jersey Week at Disney World

Hi Dad!

We have been to Walt Disney World during Mardi Gras when many southern states are out of school. The crowds were fine. We are planning on going during "Jersey Week" this year, and I was wondering how the crowds during this week compare to Mardi Gras crowds? We won't be going to Epcot at all, so I'm not concerned about the Food and Wine Festival.

Thanks!

Becky

Mardi Gras or Jersey Week at Disney World

The Port Orleans Resort at Walt Disney World reminds you of Mardi Gras which is way busier than Jersey Week
Photo by WDWDorks

Dad's the Jersey Week hoax Answer

Becky,

This one is no contest (it might be depending when Mardi Gras was). In 2012 Mardi Gras coincides with one of the busiest weeks of the year at Disney World. (Presidents Day.) In 2011, Mardi Gras was in early March when the Disney World Crowds are fairly low.

February Disney World Crowds page
March Disney World Crowds page

Jersey Week is one of the most overblown, over hyped, over reported weeks in Disney World history. If you read anything that talks about the huge crowds during Jersey Week don't believe it. It's just not true. Dad talks about this every year. Last year, Dad got a note back from a reader who had asked about Jersey Week. Here is what that nice reader wrote.

Early November is a great time to visit Walt Disney World. Yes, you'll miss the end of the International Food and Wine Festival but you will get to see most of the wonderful Christmas decorations.

Dad's Christmas at Disney World page

The crowds in early November are pretty light. Even though the whole state of New Jersey comes down (if you read the "Disney" press), crowds are still not only very manageable but just downright light.

Dad's November Disney World Crowds page

Dad's Bottom Line

Becky, the bottom line is the crowds should about the same (if you went in early March) or smaller and very easy to deal with. The parks will be beautiful. It's a great time to visit and you'll have a ball.


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Mardi Gras or Jersey Week at Disney World

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Oct 04, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Jersey week is great
by: Anonymous

This year will be our second time going to Disney during Jersey week. I loved it the first time several years ago -- hardly any crowds -- and I got to see Halloween turn to Christmas. This year is a little later, so I doubt there will be much Halloween decorations when we get there, but Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party begins that week.

The drawbacks: Disney has caught on to this week and the free dining plan is not being offered. That's probably one of the reasons that the Jersey myth persists because people reason that if Disney isn't offering the free plan, they must be expecting a crowd. I think it is more that the plan doesn't entice any additional people to come, since for most of the Jersey crowd, a low-volume, nice weather vacation w/o having to pull kids out of school is incentive enough.

But in terms of crowds, it's a great week to go.
Sep 30, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Fuhgeddaboutit.
by: Christina

Just because there are 8.7 million people in NJ (don't underestimate our state size!) doesn't mean we all go crazy when we get some time off from school. I'm from NJ, and I've never even heard of this among friends or family all my life until I stepped into the Disney fan world. All I remember is that I'd have more sleepovers, which is cool enough for an 8 year old.

I've been there coincidentally during Jersey week as part of my honeymoon, and while there was a couple sitting in front of us at the Indy show that lived a couple towns over, it was quiet. Very quiet.

Thanks for setting the message straight, Dad.

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