Has anyone here taken their kids out of school for a disney trip? - The DIS Discussion Forums

starlette · 04-10-2006, 02:02 PM

We'd like to go to Disneyland this year but would like to avoid the crowds and hot weather. The dates that I have tentatively come up with are Sept. 13-20.

13-14 drive from Tacoma-Anaheim
15-17 Disneyland
18 nothing planned as of yet
19-20 drive home

The only thing I'm struggling with is the fact school will be starting up appro. Sept. 7 and if we go they will be missing about a weeks worth of school right off the bat. My kids are 16, 13, and 8 and do very well in school.I've thought of flying instead of driving to save on days missed from school but it's so much more expensive than driving. I like the drive...it adds to the anticipation of the fun that is just around the corner...

Has anyone else here taken their kids out of school and not regret it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Alex2kMommy · 04-10-2006, 02:24 PM

I had the same concerns when we were trying to plan our trip. When would it be least crowded AND still decent weather AND not impact DS's schooling too much?

I talked with our school office staff as well as DS's teacher (he's only in kindergarten, but I don't take missing school lightly, so we asked for homework and maybe a special writing project like a journal.) Both were very enthusiastic for us, and DS's teacher will be giving us some math homework (which they will just begin learning) and put together a journal for DS to take to Disneyland. We'll write a bit each night, and ask questions for him to answer on paper, like who his favorite character is, what was the best ride today, what did he eat, and so on.

We haven't gone yet (13 days away!) but you could always talk to the school folks and see what their opinion is. I know we're talking about the next school year, but maybe this years' teachers could provide some advice, or relieve your worries.

w and r · 04-10-2006, 02:29 PM

ABSOLUTELY...we do every year. Our children are eleven and six. They do up journals with writing and pictures at the end of each day to present to the class. The teachers always tell us that the "learning" that goes on for kids on trips more than makes up for the week of missed school. They always catch up the week after the trip.

My parents took us out of school when we were kids and they were the best days and trips of our life. You can't beat the family time.

Enjoy!

wendy

momahubbard · 04-10-2006, 02:35 PM

Hi,
I'm new here.
We are going to Disney for the first time in about 2 weeks. My kids (ages 8 and 12) have their spring vacation next week. I asked their teachers to please have all homework they will need to complete ready to bring home this coming Friday. They will have all spring break to get it finished and the I will bring it to the school the day we leave (april 24th) so they won't be behind when we get back. My 8-year old's teacher also assigned her a journal to write about her trip. Both kids get good grades so I'm not worried.
Good Luck
Lisa

cinderella_bella · 04-10-2006, 02:41 PM

We are taking ours out in a week to go to Hawaii then on to Disneyland. We will be gone 3 weeks. I have learned recently that life is too short. I value education and I wouldn't take them out several time in a year but you can always work around it and all will be well. Unless you end up with jerk teachers that think school IS the world. Then again who cares.

Tania

starlette · 04-10-2006, 02:44 PM

Thank you all....

for your help. I'm feeling better about my dates and taking them out of school. I'm hoping that since it's the beginning of the year they won't miss too much...I think the first couple of weeks they're getting used to "routine" more than anything else. I will, though, touch base with their schools to get an idea of they think. Thanks again!

If anyone else has something else to add, please do!

Honeybehr1 · 04-10-2006, 02:53 PM

We took our oldest (8) out of school for a week when we went to DW in October. His teacher was great about it. She just wanted him to keep a simple journal of money spent, have him listen to each park (learning about different sounds that week) and have him guide us using only the map. I found some pages on the internet that made a journal and he did that each day plus kept a log of the weather each morning. Some of it he did before we even left for the park - kept him busy while I was getting ready for the day. He did two presentations when we got back.
I would definately do and not feel guilty. So far its the only 5 days he has missed from school.

We are thinking of going to DL next April. Its only in the planning stages though. I feel like a fish out of water when it comes to DL

dondiego · 04-10-2006, 03:05 PM

We took our children out when they were younger and like other parents, we requested assignments from their teachers. One of the assignments they enjoyed the most was recording "mystery" sounds for their classmates to identify. I remember the long discussions they would have about which sounds to choose, and I can still picture them closing their eyes and listening to the sounds in the park. Also, the journals they keep are a wonderful memory of the trip.

jakoky · 04-10-2006, 03:28 PM

hi there, we leave in 32 days and i struggled with date...i knew i was going to take them out of school, but had to decide when would be the best time...my kids are 10, 12, and almost 15...i wasnt worried about the younger two, but my oldest daughter is on a semester system...we are going to be gone 12 days, but it is timed that they only miss 6 school days(no US holidays while we are there either, but 1 canadian one)....in 6 days, she misses 510 minutes per class....i am still a little nervous, but her teachers are ok, and 2 of her classes are art and digital media....i am hoping to get most of her work a week early and she can finish the rest when we get home...i dont think we have to take any work while we are away for any of them...i think if you discuss it with the teachers and make sure they get all their work done, this is an amazing chance to spend family time and to me that is beyond important....school and grades are also very important, my kids are A/B students, and they know they have to put in extra work to get the fun...hope u have an awesome trip

sharon

hlbtimes2 · 04-10-2006, 03:41 PM

We have taken our daughter out 3 times (once in K and twice this year in 2nd) for Disney trips. But, its usually only for 2 days combined with a long weekend. I dont know that I would be willing to take her out the first month. I think its good to let them get in to the swing of school, find out how their teacher is, what is expected,etc.

MrsMork · 04-10-2006, 03:54 PM

We did until they hit high school when it became too difficult to make up the work and grades do count at that point.

A Litle Pixie Dust · 04-10-2006, 03:59 PM

Hello,

I have taken my daughter out of school for various trips from 2 weeks to drive to WDW (from CA) to extra days for a cruise. The teachers overall were great - sent home her school work and we brought things for my DD9 to share with the class when she returned.

I always make sure that some part of our trip is educational. On our drive to WDW 2 years ago..we stopped at the Alamo, New Orleans, and the Gulf of Mississippi...she learned things that she wouldn't have from a book or pictures and has the memory of her trip.

By the way...next year.. we are taking her out of school again..she will miss 5 days when we take a 14 day cruise to HI... it leaves the 23rd of Dec and returns the 6th of January. I have already informed her school and hope they will provide her school work early. We have scheduled educational tours for Pearl Harbor and the Hawaiian Culteral Center so she will have educational activities there too.

Enjoy your time and your trip. your children will appreciate the time with you and will be just fine as far as school goes. A journal is a great educational tool as well as a great memory for them.

have a MAGICAL trip!

Desiree

yipee · 04-10-2006, 05:31 PM

Yup! We have for several trips. Our kids are in elementary, though, so it may be tougher on your 13 and 16 year old. I am a teacher (middle school), and I never had a problem with students missing school, provided they could handle the catching up! (Even if they couldn't, who am I to tell a family not to go on vacation!

)You mentioned that your kids do well in school, though, so I'm thinking they will be able to catch up easily! We really enjoyed the off season holidays while I wasn't working. The one downside of teaching is that although we get great holidays, they all occur during prime time!

Have fun and enjoy the "off season!"

samkj · 04-10-2006, 05:45 PM

We must be in the minority. We will not pull our kids from school for vacation. My husband is a teacher, and can not miss work for vacation, but we also feel its not necessary. We can deal with the extra crowds with going during school holidays. We have just as wonderful family time at peak season as during the off season. Yes family time is important, but I think its possible to do that during holidays as well. The school year is 180 days, which leaves 185 family days....

RADOPT · 04-10-2006, 06:15 PM

I do. We can't do crowds or heat so we have to go off season if we are ever going to take vacation. I don't have a problem with it as a parent and did not as a teacher - it's up to the parent whether or not it is correct.

04-10-2006, 02:02 PM	#1
starlette Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Graham WA Posts: 77	Has anyone here taken their kids out of school for a disney trip? We'd like to go to Disneyland this year but would like to avoid the crowds and hot weather. The dates that I have tentatively come up with are Sept. 13-20. 13-14 drive from Tacoma-Anaheim 15-17 Disneyland 18 nothing planned as of yet 19-20 drive home The only thing I'm struggling with is the fact school will be starting up appro. Sept. 7 and if we go they will be missing about a weeks worth of school right off the bat. My kids are 16, 13, and 8 and do very well in school.I've thought of flying instead of driving to save on days missed from school but it's so much more expensive than driving. I like the drive...it adds to the anticipation of the fun that is just around the corner... Has anyone else here taken their kids out of school and not regret it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! __________________ Lisa Disneyland, here we come....all nine of us! July 17 - 22, 2006 DISNEYLAND '88 '89 '03 '04 '05 *WE WERE THERE FOR THE OFFICIAL ANNIVERSARY ~JULY17, 2005~* "BLUE WRISTBAND SECTION"**

04-10-2006, 02:29 PM	#3
w and r Earning My Ears Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 9	missing school ABSOLUTELY...we do every year. Our children are eleven and six. They do up journals with writing and pictures at the end of each day to present to the class. The teachers always tell us that the "learning" that goes on for kids on trips more than makes up for the week of missed school. They always catch up the week after the trip. My parents took us out of school when we were kids and they were the best days and trips of our life. You can't beat the family time. Enjoy! wendy

04-10-2006, 02:44 PM	#6
starlette Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Graham WA Posts: 77	Thank you all.... for your help. I'm feeling better about my dates and taking them out of school. I'm hoping that since it's the beginning of the year they won't miss too much...I think the first couple of weeks they're getting used to "routine" more than anything else. I will, though, touch base with their schools to get an idea of they think. Thanks again! If anyone else has something else to add, please do! __________________ Lisa Disneyland, here we come....all nine of us! July 17 - 22, 2006 DISNEYLAND '88 '89 '03 '04 '05 *WE WERE THERE FOR THE OFFICIAL ANNIVERSARY ~JULY17, 2005~* "BLUE WRISTBAND SECTION"**

04-10-2006, 02:53 PM	#7
Honeybehr1 Mouseketeer Hey I was a newlywed and didnt know I forgot where I said my red tag :-) Join Date: May 2005 Location: RI Posts: 904	We took our oldest (8) out of school for a week when we went to DW in October. His teacher was great about it. She just wanted him to keep a simple journal of money spent, have him listen to each park (learning about different sounds that week) and have him guide us using only the map. I found some pages on the internet that made a journal and he did that each day plus kept a log of the weather each morning. Some of it he did before we even left for the park - kept him busy while I was getting ready for the day. He did two presentations when we got back. I would definately do and not feel guilty. So far its the only 5 days he has missed from school. We are thinking of going to DL next April. Its only in the planning stages though. I feel like a fish out of water when it comes to DL __________________ Kathy °o°

04-10-2006, 03:54 PM	#11
MrsMork Proud Old Geezer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: In Retirement! Where ever the motorhome is parked Posts: 14,751	We did until they hit high school when it became too difficult to make up the work and grades do count at that point. __________________ Disneyland too many times to count DW 1998,1999, 2000, 2002, twice in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,2008, 2009 Disney Cruise 1999, 2000, 2002, twice in 2003, 10 Day 2004, Dec 2005, Dec 2006, Dec 2007, WB PC May 2008,WBTA 2010

04-10-2006, 02:24 PM	#2
Alex2kMommy I'm going a little nutso myself (and Disney says I'm Goofy)and I dumped gracelessly butt-first into the pool Who puts a hickey on an eyelid, for cryin' out loud? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 21,166	I had the same concerns when we were trying to plan our trip. When would it be least crowded AND still decent weather AND not impact DS's schooling too much? I talked with our school office staff as well as DS's teacher (he's only in kindergarten, but I don't take missing school lightly, so we asked for homework and maybe a special writing project like a journal.) Both were very enthusiastic for us, and DS's teacher will be giving us some math homework (which they will just begin learning) and put together a journal for DS to take to Disneyland. We'll write a bit each night, and ask questions for him to answer on paper, like who his favorite character is, what was the best ride today, what did he eat, and so on. We haven't gone yet (13 days away!) but you could always talk to the school folks and see what their opinion is. I know we're talking about the next school year, but maybe this years' teachers could provide some advice, or relieve your worries.

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04-10-2006, 02:35 PM	#4
momahubbard Earning My Ears Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1	Hi, I'm new here. We are going to Disney for the first time in about 2 weeks. My kids (ages 8 and 12) have their spring vacation next week. I asked their teachers to please have all homework they will need to complete ready to bring home this coming Friday. They will have all spring break to get it finished and the I will bring it to the school the day we leave (april 24th) so they won't be behind when we get back. My 8-year old's teacher also assigned her a journal to write about her trip. Both kids get good grades so I'm not worried. Good Luck Lisa

04-10-2006, 02:41 PM	#5
cinderella_bella Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: BC Canada Posts: 76	We are taking ours out in a week to go to Hawaii then on to Disneyland. We will be gone 3 weeks. I have learned recently that life is too short. I value education and I wouldn't take them out several time in a year but you can always work around it and all will be well. Unless you end up with jerk teachers that think school IS the world. Then again who cares. Tania

04-10-2006, 03:05 PM	#8
dondiego Earning My Ears Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: hawaii Posts: 62	We took our children out when they were younger and like other parents, we requested assignments from their teachers. One of the assignments they enjoyed the most was recording "mystery" sounds for their classmates to identify. I remember the long discussions they would have about which sounds to choose, and I can still picture them closing their eyes and listening to the sounds in the park. Also, the journals they keep are a wonderful memory of the trip.

04-10-2006, 03:28 PM	#9
jakoky DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: bc, canada Posts: 607	hi there, we leave in 32 days and i struggled with date...i knew i was going to take them out of school, but had to decide when would be the best time...my kids are 10, 12, and almost 15...i wasnt worried about the younger two, but my oldest daughter is on a semester system...we are going to be gone 12 days, but it is timed that they only miss 6 school days(no US holidays while we are there either, but 1 canadian one)....in 6 days, she misses 510 minutes per class....i am still a little nervous, but her teachers are ok, and 2 of her classes are art and digital media....i am hoping to get most of her work a week early and she can finish the rest when we get home...i dont think we have to take any work while we are away for any of them...i think if you discuss it with the teachers and make sure they get all their work done, this is an amazing chance to spend family time and to me that is beyond important....school and grades are also very important, my kids are A/B students, and they know they have to put in extra work to get the fun...hope u have an awesome trip sharon

04-10-2006, 03:41 PM	#10
hlbtimes2 Stretch that spine out big and tall! Oh, you arent paying? Dang! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 4,036	We have taken our daughter out 3 times (once in K and twice this year in 2nd) for Disney trips. But, its usually only for 2 days combined with a long weekend. I dont know that I would be willing to take her out the first month. I think its good to let them get in to the swing of school, find out how their teacher is, what is expected,etc.

04-10-2006, 03:59 PM	#12
A Litle Pixie Dust "Mom..when I grow up..I don't want to be a Princess..I want to be Queen..because the Queen has "all" the power!" Join Date: May 2005 Location: Just North of the original Mouse House! Posts: 2,909	Time away from school Hello, I have taken my daughter out of school for various trips from 2 weeks to drive to WDW (from CA) to extra days for a cruise. The teachers overall were great - sent home her school work and we brought things for my DD9 to share with the class when she returned. I always make sure that some part of our trip is educational. On our drive to WDW 2 years ago..we stopped at the Alamo, New Orleans, and the Gulf of Mississippi...she learned things that she wouldn't have from a book or pictures and has the memory of her trip. By the way...next year.. we are taking her out of school again..she will miss 5 days when we take a 14 day cruise to HI... it leaves the 23rd of Dec and returns the 6th of January. I have already informed her school and hope they will provide her school work early. We have scheduled educational tours for Pearl Harbor and the Hawaiian Culteral Center so she will have educational activities there too. Enjoy your time and your trip. your children will appreciate the time with you and will be just fine as far as school goes. A journal is a great educational tool as well as a great memory for them. have a MAGICAL trip! Desiree __________________ Des

04-10-2006, 05:31 PM	#13
yipee Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Western Canada Posts: 209	Yup! We have for several trips. Our kids are in elementary, though, so it may be tougher on your 13 and 16 year old. I am a teacher (middle school), and I never had a problem with students missing school, provided they could handle the catching up! (Even if they couldn't, who am I to tell a family not to go on vacation! )You mentioned that your kids do well in school, though, so I'm thinking they will be able to catch up easily! We really enjoyed the off season holidays while I wasn't working. The one downside of teaching is that although we get great holidays, they all occur during prime time! Have fun and enjoy the "off season!"

04-10-2006, 05:45 PM	#14
samkj I LOVE changing them for the holidays I love living in CA!! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern CA Posts: 1,454	We must be in the minority. We will not pull our kids from school for vacation. My husband is a teacher, and can not miss work for vacation, but we also feel its not necessary. We can deal with the extra crowds with going during school holidays. We have just as wonderful family time at peak season as during the off season. Yes family time is important, but I think its possible to do that during holidays as well. The school year is 180 days, which leaves 185 family days.... __________________ Amy

04-10-2006, 06:15 PM	#15
RADOPT Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 410	I do. We can't do crowds or heat so we have to go off season if we are ever going to take vacation. I don't have a problem with it as a parent and did not as a teacher - it's up to the parent whether or not it is correct.

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