DD in Kindergarten, no more offseason vacations

[janni518]

How are things at WDW the first week of June? Ditto for VB? The last 3 years we've done early May and it was great. I'm assuming things get a lot hotter and a lot more crowded the first week schools are out the first week of June. Is that true? Any advice?

To get back to the OP:

It also gets rainier. June is the start of the rainy season so be prepared for that. Usually it's intense showers for a brief period and not constant rain though.

 

[Alexander]

The crowds in June have historically been pretty big. It is considered summer as the southern schools are already out (we are stuck in school until the end of June ) The weather is hot in early June, but not July or August hot. Well, it can be...but it probably won't be everyday. Rain is more likely to appear in July and August as well. Until this year, you could almost set your watch by the 3-5 PM rainstorm. This July however, was crazy rainy!

I know you didn't ask, and may have already decided that taking your child out of school is not an option for you, but I'm a teacher and have absolutely no problem when kids are out of school for family vacations. I also always ask if I can go with them!

I am taking 5 personal days the first week of December and taking DS (5th grader) out of school for the week so we can take an extended family trip to WDW. This is the first trip for the in-laws and will probably be their only one. I cannot see how the memories we will have can even compare to being in school for the week!

 

[jamstew]

wow thanks everyone! Her spring break is the second two weeks in March. Is it the same crowds as june but better weather then or are the crowds just too much? We've been going Sept/Oct and first two weeks of May the last three years.

Since your question wasn't about whether to take your child out of school, I'm not sure why the discussion immediately went there.

I'll just say that I'd much rather go in early June than Spring Break. The crowds are insane over spring break and not bad in early June. The last half of June, all of July and early August are more crowded than early June. Weather-wise, spring break would be better (usually), but I'll take heat over crowds any day.

 

[delmar411]

. The crowds are insane over spring break and not bad in early June.

I agree about the crowds during spring break period at WDW. I was just floored by the sheer number of bodies in one place and how difficult it was to move about or get on rides. We even had to go backstage to be able to leave the parks one evening as they were re-directing people through there to get to the main gates.

 

[Brian Noble]

Her spring break is the second two weeks in March.

Easter is late in 2009---4/12. That would make March a bit more bearable. An early Easter tends to "compress" spring break crowds into a shorter time span, a later easter tends to disperse them a bit more.

Crowds during the two periods ought to be about the same, give or take. The weather in March will be much more pleasant. I'd go with March.

And, while lots of people do take their kids out, lots of other people don't. Our jobs allow us significant flexibility for travel, so we prefer to take our vacations (Disney or not) during one of the many weeks that our kids are out of school.

If you have a sensible plan (Unofficial Guide, TourGuideMiKE, or something similar) it's fairly easy to do everything you want to do with very minimal waiting, etc. It costs a few extra dollars to go during school breaks (especially in airfare) but we view that just as part of the cost of having kids. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't break the bank.

We do also go down when school is in session---that's a perfect excuse to take a "just-the-two-of-us romance trip". The grandparents watch the kids while we are gone.

 

[OurDogCisco]

We travel mainly during school holidays and I find tourguidemike very helpful. We went a few years ago during Christmas and New Years' Day. The website help me much with my planning. I think, when you go during Peak times you have to do a lot more planning with ADRs, activities, parks, etc.. Our days are more structure and on schedule. Not a lot of room to devivate plans without running to crowds. So, I just make sure you have good sold plan prior to going.

Good Luck!!!

 

[dwelty]

. Any days beyond the maximum of five (5) days permitted will be considered
unexcused and unlawful for students under age seventeen (17) and appropriate
legal action will be taken.

I just have to ask, what state and school district this is. Pulling you kid out of school more than 5 days is "against the law" and "Legal action will be taken"? Pardon me but WTH?

This is why our daughters will be in private school during their grade school years.

 

[Mtnman44]

Dwelty, I couldn't agree more. If some nanny-state blankity blank ever pulled that line with me, I'd pull them out of public school and "home school" them during the vaction, then re-enroll when we go back. Luckily, we have our kids in a really good charter school, which is still public school, but a lot more bareable.

Considering the massive amount of wasted time that happens every year in public school (and even at our charter school) that has nothing to do with actual education, I'd love to see them justify such an extreme stand for a vacationing student such as mine which tests at double the state average.

I just have to ask, what state and school district this is. Pulling you kid out of school more than 5 days is "against the law" and "Legal action will be taken"? Pardon me but WTH?

This is why our daughters will be in private school during their grade school years.

 

[photobob]

The first week of June isn't too bad crowdwise. We went this year June 1-6 and encountered light crowds. The later in June you go the bigger the crowds will be.

 

[vandy]

Prior to this year we have always gone the first two weeks in June. The first week is usually light with wait times at the popular fastpass rides running about 30-45 minutes (Exp. Everest, RRCoaster, Splash Mtn, etc). The second week gets quite a bit busier with wait times for the popular fastpass rides now around 45-60 minutes. This is probably much like what you would find around Spring Break and it is much lighter than what we experienced in July.

The weather is hotter in June, but manageable. Plan on the late afternoon rain storm then go back to the parks in the evening. I would choose the first two weeks in June over March. One other note, the parks are probably open later in June than they are in March.

 

[capecoddisneyfamily]

How are things at WDW the first week of June? Ditto for VB? The last 3 years we've done early May and it was great. I'm assuming things get a lot hotter and a lot more crowded the first week schools are out the first week of June. Is that true? Any advice?

I say take them out of school! This is our plan, I am a teacher so I can keep them up with any work missed.

 

[dallasdisneymommy]

Early May has always been our favorite time to go -- but this year we went in early June so that we wouldn't have to pull the kids out of school, and all I have to say is -- NEVER AGAIN!!! I found it to be much, much hotter than early May. We were sweating waiting to get into the parks, we were very uncomfortable. The crowds were heavier as well (although admittedly not as bad as I thought they would be).

After our June trip, we decided that we would go back to pulling the kids out of school. We do private school so there isn't any excused/unexcused absence sort of situation, and the teachers have always been understanding and supportive. We just felt that the weather and the crowds really cut down on our enjoyment.

To each his own, of course. This is just our opinion!

 

[lllovell]

I think June is incredibly hot as well. If you have other options, I might take them even if the parks are busier. You can always plan around busy parks, but the heat can be a trip breaker.

We didn't go to SWW this year because of the heat in June. We used to go to the earlier weekends in May. The Studios and their asphalt will about kill you in 95 degree June weather.

Good luck with your plans.

LLL

 

[flexsmom]

We are zoned to Fairfax County but have elected an independent school. We end the school year the last week of May/first week of June, always a few weeks before the public schools. The county always has spring break aligned with Easter - but we are always fixed on the last week of March, irrespective of when Easter is. For this reason, we will plan on taking a family vacation any time Easter and our spring break are NOT aligned.

We also recogniz that we could get out of dodge and try to hit WDW the first week of June, before a lot of other schools around the country are out - but FL is out in mid-May, so there will be a big local crowd.

Good luck!

 

[MarriedAtDisney]

thanks everyone

flexsmom, we too are in fairfax county and are sending DD to private KG. We will explore taking a week out or biting the crowd/points bullet and going during spring break (last two weeks of March). sounds like either is much better than a June Trip. We have been so spoiled with the May two week trips (1 at the world and 1 at VB) that it's going to be quite a change of pace.....

thanks again to everyone for their thoughts!!!

 

[kckmom]

I am happy to hear about the weather and crowds the end of May, we are trying to get down there the week leading up to Memorial Day in 09, as my DDs already have a 5 day Memorial Day weekend!

 

[minnierealtor]

Went to WDW this past June (first week) and the crowds were minimal. We could walk 4 across in Epcot one afternoon without encountering anyone. Walked on many of the bigger rides and no problems getting into table service resturants (except California Grill). It was very hot but I'm from NH so anything over 75 feels hot. My DD is in high school and we are going to attempt taking her out of school for a WDW trip for 2 days in October. I'm feeling like I need to ask permission to make a parental decision. My husband and I joke about "Prison Camp Musical" because it is so strict.

 

[chorlick]

We tried playing by the rules one year and "asked" for permission. Ummmmm, needless to say, it did not go over well! It was not excused. So, from now on, we just say they were sick. Too bad we have to do it that way now.

 

[MEK]

Kindergarten -

IMO you should take her out of school to meet your schedule. Just wait until she gets in high school and there are about 4 weeks the whole calendar year that work for her schedule. Then you'll be counting the days till she goes to college. Seriously - I have taken my kids out of school straight through 8th grade. I stopped in 9th grade because it got too difficult to miss school.

BTW - we went to Vero in early June and it was great. the world was fairly crowded compared to late August.

 

[MEK]

thanks everyone

flexsmom, we too are in fairfax county and are sending DD to private KG. We will explore taking a week out or biting the crowd/points bullet and going during spring break (last two weeks of March). sounds like either is much better than a June Trip. We have been so spoiled with the May two week trips (1 at the world and 1 at VB) that it's going to be quite a change of pace.....

thanks again to everyone for their thoughts!!!

OK - here's my take on private school. You pay them, you are their customers, you can take your kids out of school when you want to. Don't think other parents don't. My kids are in private school and I have never had a problem. Not one peep. I think the public schools may have tougher policies on this. Don't go spring break - that is the worst time to go - the most points and the most crowds, unless your spring break does not match up with Easter.

I seriously would stick with May.