For those DVC'ers that travel with school age children.....

[ParrotBill]

When do you go?
Bought our points when we traveled before school age... so now the points don't go as far when school's out. So we have a new strategy...
Late summer - end of August - and sometimes for a long weekend with a long weekend (2 days off of school plus 2 days taken out)

How often do you go?
We bank our points then try to go twice in 12 months to use an Annual Pass. This year we are going over Memorial Day weekend, 7 days (4 day weekend for school) and then again 15 days in August. We borrowed a few points from 2010 and had a bunch banked from 2008. Next year we will probably bank all our points to do the same in 2011.

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why?
We stay at BWV and OKW where we own points, and sometimes try to get into WLV for atmosphere and closeness to MK or in to BCV for the pool. Otherwise can may end up at SSR if there was no availability where we wanted it.

For how long? Minimum of 5 Days. Sometimes 5 days Su-Th and somewhere else cash or through one weekend.

Do you always go into the parks? How often? Yes, almost every day but once in a while drive to the beach or take a day a Seaworld or Universal. Some days all day and some days for a few hours then to the pool or shopping.

How old are your children? Our daughter is 9 now.

 

[ldo]

what great flexible! Different times/sizes, trips every year!

We have 3 kids, 8,8, 12 and live outside of DC and have VERY strict schools re. absences--so only holidays/summer for us.

Aug 2007--week long trip SSR 1 BR
June 2008-- 5 nights--studio OKW--kids and Mom trip, then met DH at HHI
Christmas 2009--2 studios 3 days at VWL (grandparents joining us), then visit Fla family, then back to SSR for 4 nights over NYE
EAster 2010 (we hope)---2 studios 5 nights AKV (grandparents joining us), then 3 days at the beach?

I love DVC for the different resorts and different size accommodations and the ability to book more than 1 unit at a time.
have fun! Elaine

 

[tink'smom2B]

When do you go? Always spring break at Easter.

How often do you go? Ex. every year, every other year, 2 or more times a year? Once a year, sometimes every year or every other year depending on our other expenses for that year (ie college, new car, ??)

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why? Originally stayed at the campground and worked our way over to the Wilderness Lodge. Now we are branching out to the Beach Club Villas. It is very peaceful at VWL and I love Stormalong Bay at BCV.

For how long? One Week

Do you always go into the parks? How often? We always buy the longest park hopper w/options we can at the time. They usually last several years worth of trips.

How old are your children? Originally had 8, but 5 are grown and don't come along. We will probably lose another one next year. The youngest 2 are 9 & 6.

I'll have to bring grandchildren pretty soon

 

[ILIKEWDW]

When do you go?

We try to go on low seasons (September, October) as we have 6 children, we make the most posible to avoid crowds.

How often do you go? Ex. every year, every other year, 2 or more times a year?

We go almost every other year.

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why?

We have tried the Poly and GF, we wanted to stay at a deluxe and we choosed those because its location (near to MK) and monorail, theme, both are great"!!

That is why we bought at BLT, we definitely are not able to left MK views (seeing the castle changing colors every night, from our beds!!!), and monorail.

For how long?

We have stayed from 7 to 11 days

Do you always go into the parks? How often?

Yes, our kids love the parks, so we go daily, a day at the pool it is so relaxing but they think it could happen any day in our home our during any other vacation, so if we are in WDW we really NEED to be at the parks the most possible..........

How old are your children?

The oldest is 12 and the youngest 5, the others ages are in the middle (almost one or two years between each)


THANKS!!! [/QUOTE]


Your welcome!!!! enjoy your vacation!!!!

 

[MinnieGi]

For the past few years we have been doing two DVC trips per year. WE have been going to WDW for 10 days over the Thanksgiving holidays and spending 7 days at HHI every summer (June or August).

When in WDW we do the parks but take a few days off over our stay to do other things too. (on & off property)

We love our home resort of BWV and have stayed there the majority of times but have also tried VWL, SSR, OKW, several times each. We're also looking forward to checking out AKV, BLT and the Treehouses.

Our kids are 8 & 4.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

SO I am assuming you buy magic your ways with water parks/more then??

Yes. That's exactly what we do. As I sent you in a PM, tried to get DH to go for the APs this year, since we'll be at Dis for 21 days in the next 365. He and the kids have no desire to go to the parks more than 2 - 3 days each trip, so we'll stick with the MYW passes with the water parks!

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

When do you go? Spring Break, Summer (June & July), and Fall Break

How often do you go? Ex. every year, every other year, 2 or more times a year? 3 times a year

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why? BWV, BCV, and SSR

For how long? Seven days/one week

Do you always go into the parks? Yes How often?Daily

How old are your children?6

 

[ldo]

I forgot to add--we only do parks 1-2X in a week long stay. We buy 10 day non-expire with WP&M and they last for 5 trips. We do this to save $ and also to mix it up a bit.
We purposely skip at least 1 parks every year and do that park the next year,so it's not getting boring for the kids--we also do a WP each trip and other activities--one character meal, archery, horseback riding, Chip and Dale Sing along, etc. sometimes we go to Universal or Seaworld. Elaine

 

[kapeman]

We have 3 kids, 8,8, 12 and live outside of DC and have VERY strict schools re. absences--so only holidays/summer for us.

I feel your pain! Our school district is ridiculously tough!

They made a clerical error this year and we got a letter from juvenile court informing us we had to appear before the judge due to excessive unexcused absences. I think the number they turned in was 5!

We got it straitened out, but it just shows how over-the-top they are.

And this was for kindergarten!!!

So now we are forced to follow their schedule and I am trying to figure out the best times to travel where we can balance crowd levels, weather and school attendance!

And I never thought I would miss private school!

 

[HayGan]

When do you go?
When our boys were younger we loved going in early Dec. Since then we have done trips in May, Aug, Sept
This year since I planned on 2 weeks we are going as soon as the kids are done with school (they will actually miss 2 days but it is no big deal since they won't be doing anything on those days anyway.)
Next year we will likely take them out of school for a week for another Dec trip. As they get older, I will be more and more reluctant to take them out for extended periods (DS#1 has special needs so it is harder to have out of school for exteneded periods of time.)

How often do you go? Ex. every year, every other year, 2 or more times a year?
We usually try to get down for 1 big trip and 1 little trip every year. Last Aug we bought APs so we will get 3 trips out of that. We a have a few days left on a few non-expire passes to use over short trips. For our longer trips, we drive. For shorter trips, we fly.

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why?
We try to try out different places although we really think that AKV will truly be our home!

For how long?
Short trips are usually 3 - 5 nights.
Longer trips vary from 6 - 12 nights


Do you always go into the parks? How often?
We usually go to the parks for at least a few hours everyday. We have our first trip to US/IOA coming up in June. I have a feeling that will be an addition to each trip from here on out.


How old are your children?
We have two boys - almost 9 and 7

 

[drag n' fly]

When do you go?

During spring break or Christmas. We are using our points to go back to Disneyland next summer however as we much prefer vacationing in California.

How often do you go? Ex. every year, every other year, 2 or more times a year?

Every other year


Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why?

Our home resort is AKV we usually stay there. I wouldn't mind doing a split stay to explore other resorts however.

For how long?

Flights are very costly for us. We always go for at least 10 days.


Do you always go into the parks? How often?

Every day however we like to take an afternoon break


How old are your children?

DS15, DD12, DS6

 

[edk35]

Yes. That's exactly what we do. As I sent you in a PM, tried to get DH to go for the APs this year, since we'll be at Dis for 21 days in the next 365. He and the kids have no desire to go to the parks more than 2 - 3 days each trip, so we'll stick with the MYW passes with the water parks!

BUT....wouldn't the annual passes be close to the MYW passes cost wise?? If I thought I would be at WDW for that many days...I would get the AP's. Who knows....your family might change their minds on that.

 

[kim_d]

When do you go?
We are lucky b/c DS attends year round school, and is "tracked out" for a few weeks in September, December, March and June.

How often do you go?
At least once a year and as much as 3 times a year.

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why?
We own at BCV and AKL, but stayed almost anywhere. We like to try new places. We even stayed at CBR and the Poly last trip (on cash not points).

For how long?
7-14 nights

Do you always go into the parks? How often?
PRetty much everyday usually 2 parks per day.

How old are your children?
6 and 4.

 

[edk35]

I have always traveled when we want to travel, regardless of school. If we are traveling with other people then we travel at Spring Break Summer Break. 2 years ago, Washington DC at spring breaks, last year at first week of Summer Break to South Dakota- Black Hills. 3 years ago, no other families so Disney in first week of Dec. This year WDW in April (end).

I have always believed that if my kids are doing well in school, then reward them. In Iowa, you have 180 day school years. So they will go to school over 2000 days in there life (HS only). If I want to pull them out for a family trip, I will.

Now, if and when the day comes that they are not doing well in school, now that's a different story!

Our kids go to school 184 days in our county. However...mine NOW complain if they miss a day of school even when they are not feeling well. My two high school kids HATE missing school. They will part with 1 day for a Disney trip and sometimes 2 depending on when we go during the school year. However.....I have to now respect their feelings on this and appreciate their work ethic and their wanting to be in school. They hate making up work, missing classroom instruction. I think the older they are...the harder it is. Mine are both great students but once you get into AP classes the rules change.

 

[edk35]

When do you go?
We are lucky b/c DS attends year round school, and is "tracked out" for a few weeks in September, December, March and June.

How often do you go?
At least once a year and as much as 3 times a year.

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why?
We own at BCV and AKL, but stayed almost anywhere. We like to try new places. We even stayed at CBR and the Poly last trip (on cash not points).

For how long?
7-14 nights

Do you always go into the parks? How often?
PRetty much everyday usually 2 parks per day.

How old are your children?
6 and 4.

When my dd was in 2nd grade. We lived in AL for a year and they had the modified year round school. IT was great. They got this 1 week off in Oct. and I would love to have that week off every year here in MD. I would be at WDW every OCT.

 

[Desnik]

When do you go?

Usually one week in Nov. and another short trip in the spring/summer.

How often do you go? Ex. every year, every other year, 2 or more times a year?

Every year sometimes 2-3 times a year.

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why?

We try all the resorts. We like variety and do split stays a lot too. When we know we will be in the parks a lot we try to get a room at the BWV.

For how long?

Usually 5 week nights, then a weekend, then another 5 week nights. We like to stretch our points!LOL

Do you always go into the parks? How often?

We don't always go into the parks. Every vacation is different. Sometimes we go to the parks 3 times sometimes not at all, sometimes once a day for a few hours.

How old are your children?

DD is 11 and DS is 6.


THANKS!!!

We have AP's and we have no problem taking the kids out of school. We are lucky that our school district does not give families a hard time about vacations.

 

[allshookup]

When do you go?

Typically we go mid to late August. It's hot, but kids are out of school so no rushing to get homework done before we leave, heading back to school exausted, etc. Plus it's nice to swim late at night!

How often do you go? Ex. every year, every other year, 2 or more times a year?

We have been going twice a year in the summer & fall because we loved going for MNSSHP & the F&W, but now that DD is in high school, I got a warning letter for taking her out 2 days & I started back to work full-time so it looks like it's back to once a year for us.

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why?

We stay at SSR every other trip (because it's home) & we usually switch it up & try any other DVC resort just for variety.

For how long?

We've stayed up to 2 weeks & as little as 4 days, but usually a week.

Do you always go into the parks? How often?

We used to when the kids were small, but now we get APs & usually just hit the parks for a few hours in the evening, but we go almost every night.

How old are your children?

DD-14 & DS-11. We've been going to WDW since DD was 2!

THANKS!!!

.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

BUT....wouldn't the annual passes be close to the MYW passes cost wise?? If I thought I would be at WDW for that many days...I would get the AP's. Who knows....your family might change their minds on that.

Kind of depends on what you like to do.

A 10 day MYW/non-exp/park hoppers/+water parks will give us 10 park credits and 10 water park credits. I know it's not apples to apples (cost to get in main parks is not the same as water parks), but an adult ticket costs us $525, or $26.25 per "entry." We can use those entries any time, and they don't expire. We do visit a water park or two each time we're down.

On the flip side, if we buy the AP at $390 per adult (not sure if this is the price, but saw that posted), it would cost us $18.57 per entry (assuming we went to the parks all 21 days). We definitely won't, so that price goes up for each day we don't go to a park. Lastly, that price doesn't include water parks. So, if we pay separately for those, the price increases even more.

Personally, I would have given the APs a try this year, just because we'll be there 3 full weeks. However, realistically, we wouldn't go to the parks more than 3 - 4 days each trip, so the MYW passes are probably the better deal.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

They made a clerical error this year and we got a letter from juvenile court informing us we had to appear before the judge due to excessive unexcused absences. I think the number they turned in was 5!

We got it straitened out, but it just shows how over-the-top they are.

And this was for kindergarten!!!

As for me, I'll be stuck with the school schedule till DH retires. He's a 4th grade teacher, and they can't take time off from school for vacation. So, just like many of you with school aged children, we're limited.

That's okay, though. I wouldn't trade it for the world. He loves his job, and with me working (insurance company), he couldn't have a better schedule!

 

[quentina]

When do you go?

How often do you go? Ex. every year, every other year, 2 or more times a year?

Which resort/resorts do you try and stay at and why?

For how long?

Do you always go into the parks? How often?

How old are your children?


THANKS!!!

11, 6 and 4...we vacation every year during school. We are allowed 10 days per year for vacation. We use all 10 days. Our principle has stated that family vacations are the best education we can offer our children.

It is a personal choice that we make as a family.

We do not always do Disney...we may do a cruise etc however, the only summer vacation we take it HHI (which we love).