Aug v Oct - school holiday pros needed

[dixonsontour]

DD starts school this year so for the first time will be tied to school hols.

Last 2 trips with our daughter have been early Dec so we've been spoilt with low crowds. Pre DD we have been Feb, May, September.

So best bet for us seems to be last 2 weeks Aug 2011 or last 2 weeks Oct 2011 (DD luckily gets 2 weeks hol in Oct).

Any advice which is better?

Leaning towards staying onsite with hopefully free DDP.

Thanks

 

[wilma-bride]

As far as the weather goes, late October will be less humid and slightly lower temperatures. I can't say we have noticed a vast difference in crowds between the two periods.

The benefit of October is the Halloween Party however not sure if free dining is being offered as late as end of October

 

[wideeyes]

Free dining seems to be till mid November this year & next year.

 

[iluvtot]

Hi,
If DD is just starting school, would definitely go when you want to, be it Dec or not! We went Dec when the kids were younger, and only deferred to Aug last year when DS was 17, and DD's were 15. It was ok. but I so missed the atmosphere in Dec, and we didn't get to do half as much as usual, due to the heat and the rainstorms.
Life is short, and your DD and you will benefit far more with unforgetable memories than she will learn in the last couple of days before they break up from school at Christmas.
Just my opinion, but with experience I stand by it!!

Jules x

 

[PJB71]

Hi

Please not one shoot me!! - We always go in December and take DD's out of school (Shock horror!!) for a week before schools finish and the prices shoot up.

My argument is what do they miss last week of xmas holidays in school? Xmas plays, carol concerts, discos, games etc, so I know were we'd rather be!

 

[luke]

Hi

Please not one shoot me!! - We always go in December and take DD's out of school (Shock horror!!) for a week before schools finish and the prices shoot up.

My argument is what do they miss last week of xmas holidays in school? Xmas plays, carol concerts, discos, games etc, so I know were we'd rather be!

Even as a teacher who generally dislikes pupils being taken out of school during term time, I've got to agree on this. They will miss very little during that last week before xmas, same for the last week before summer

 

[iluvtot]

Hi

Please not one shoot me!! - We always go in December and take DD's out of school (Shock horror!!) for a week before schools finish and the prices shoot up.

My argument is what do they miss last week of xmas holidays in school? Xmas plays, carol concerts, discos, games etc, so I know were we'd rather be!

So agree!
Jules x

 

[saraheeyore]

do you not have any problems with taking the kids out of school as the school my daughter is going to say you can't take them out. I really don't see why it does that much harm as some kids much more school being off sick all the time. some kids are always off playschool and i know my daughter has only missed one day and i thnk it will be the same at school were is the same kids that miss loads of time so at least mine only missing time for hols is less time than they miss. if that makes sense.

 

[dixonsontour]

Feel we've been there done that with Dec now. Yes it was a fabulous time to go but fancy trying a different time. Also want it warmer to try water parks for first time.

Halloween party is tempting as I enjoyed MVMCP.

Main lure of August is it's sooner than Oct!

 

[saraheeyore]

we are thinking october 2011 too as DD will be at school

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes it's tempting to take them out for the savings but will at least try school hols I think. Dd is disabled so will miss school for apts etc anyway.

It's going to be enough hassle trying to sort holiday care for the 14 weeks school hols as it is - at least if we go away in the hols that is 2 weeks sorted!

 

[iluvtot]

Feel we've been there done that with Dec now. Yes it was a fabulous time to go but fancy trying a different time. Also want it warmer to try water parks for first time.

Halloween party is tempting as I enjoyed MVMCP.

Main lure of August is it's sooner than Oct!

I love Pre-Christmas at Disney, and so do DS and DD's. DH got his wish last year when we went at the end of Aug, which also included his birthday!! However, as I said before, the heat was intense, and the rainstorms were heavy!! We are going again in Aug this year, because DS has his A levels' and the girls their GCSE's. We could actually go in July, but we really enjoyed the free dining last year
So, would say that Aug is better than not being there at all; but would still choose Dec if it were up to me! (and we have been in May, June,Aug, Sept,Oct, Nov, and Dec! but haven't yet been there for Halloween, though in Aug last year (well actually the begining of Sept)we left on the day of the first MNSSHP, damn!)

Jules x

 

[saraheeyore]

I love Pre-Christmas at Disney, and so do DS and DD's. DH got his wish last year when we went at the end of Aug, which also included his birthday!! However, as I said before, the heat was intense, and the rainstorms were heavy!! We are going again in Aug this year, because DS has his A levels' and the girls their GCSE's. We could actually go in July, but we really enjoyed the free dining last year
So, would say that Aug is better than not being there at all; but would still choose Dec if it were up to me! (and we have been in May, June,Aug, Sept,Oct, Nov, and Dec! but haven't yet been there for Halloween, though in Aug last year (well actually the begining of Sept)we left on the day of the first MNSSHP, damn!)

Jules x

you need to go for halloween the MNSSHP was brill. we have done christmas and halloween just need the pirate and princess party to come back now

 

[iluvtot]

you need to go for halloween the MNSSHP was brill. we have done christmas and halloween just need the pirate and princess party to come back now

Oh tell me about it!! I think the next opportunity we will have will be when the girls finish their A level's and just before they go off to Uni!! So scary!!

Jules x

 

[2Tiggies]

Y
It's going to be enough hassle trying to sort holiday care for the 14 weeks school hols as it is - at least if we go away in the hols that is 2 weeks sorted!

Now I couldn't agree more! Especially the Summer ones which are sooooooo looooolong! DD is usually fed up after the first two weeks. I work full time. Holiday clubs in our area are pathetic to non existent - despite that there are four decent sized primary schools here. I am overlapping the holidays this year and taking her out the week before October hols and the second week will be during. I don't like to take her out of school, but as a single parent, I have other considerations - including the time/s that I can take off work. I am going to speak to the class teacher a couple of weeks before and ask her if, at her convenience, she would send some extra work for me to do with DD prior to the trip so that we can keep slightly on top of things. I understand that this is extra work for the teacher and my appreciation will be communicated with a card and some nice flowers. Although the local authority has its black and white rules, the teachers are human, with similar challenges in their own family life and the are not going to be unreasonable if you are willing to meet them halfway. Just my two cents worth.

 

[saraheeyore]

Oh tell me about it!! I think the next opportunity we will have will be when the girls finish their A level's and just before they go off to Uni!! So scary!!

Jules x

lol or go on your own. we did the trick or treating before we had kids. it was our honeymoon we got married over there as well

 

[iluvtot]

lol or go on your own. we did the trick or treating before we had kids. it was our honeymoon we got married over there as well

Funny isn't it? We never considered Florida/Disney untill we had the kids; and boy do we regret it now!!!!
Am now thinking about a vow renewal, (any excuse!!)

Jules x

 

[JohnnySharp2]

If you can fit in a 2 week holiday I would definitely choose October, purely based on the weather.
However, the only advantage I can see for August is that little extra flexibility with the dates, given the 6 weeks or so off school.

We have been Easter a few times but struggled to get 14 nights in, so this year we go in August.

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes that's my other issue.

Pre DD we used to go for 16 nights. Last 2 trips with DD have been 21 nights and 18 nights (4 offsite then 14 on).

However myself and DH now work at the same workplace. I was ok going 18 nights as I currently only work part time so in reality only missed 2 weeks. DH got permission of the boss for the time off.

On the first day of our hols the office manager sent an email around saying hols were a max of two weeks unless they were a once in a lifetime opportunity! When we've been so many times I don't think they will accept it's a one off.

So in a nutshell think it will have to be two weeks to avoid rocking the boat. i agree though with the price of flights it makes sense to go for longer.