Good times of the year for Canadians to go to Disney World

[trivial]

Are there any times of the year that are better for Canadians specifically to go than others? I was looking at our spring break compared to the U.S., and it looks like most U.S. schools have their break after ours. Nonetheless, the parks seem to be pretty busy during both breaks, so it doesn't seem to be an advantage.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Matt

I think that over the past 2-4 years attendance at WDW is growing. There are some sites that show past years attendance that can give you a better idea of when to go if you're concerned about it being too busy. Here's what allearsnet.com says in general.

The Lowest Attendance:
January (except New Year's Day) until just prior to Presidents' Week in February
The week following Labor Day until the week prior to Thanksgiving
The week following Thanksgiving until mid-December

More Moderate Attendance:
After Presidents' week in February through early March
Late April through early June (except Memorial Day weekend)
Columbus Day Weekend (October)
The first part of Thanksgiving week

Highest Attendance:
Presidents' week in February
Mid March through Late April ("Spring Break")
Memorial Day weekend
Mid June through Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and weekend
Christmas week through New Year's Day

Good luck in your planning!

Andy

 

[trivial]

Andy, thanks for your post. We were planning on going just after U.S. Thanksgiving; it seems like the ideal time of the year to go (especially for a combined WDW/cruise trip). However, there's a concern about some kids in our group having to be pulled out of school for a week or more, so I'm looking to see if there are any other reasonable dates that would allow us to go without the kids being out of school for too long. If there was an exclusively-Canadian holiday period that isn't shared with the U.S., that would be ideal, but other than the spring break scenario I mentioned, I've only found single-day holidays.

 

[granolacruncher11]

We have always pulled our children out of school for our disney trips, even the high school kids. There are plenty of learning opportunities at Disney and they really don't miss much in just a week. Our kids have never had any problems getting caught up.

 

[SandraC]

Report cards are pretty much done by the time you plan of going. Have a great time! S

 

[trivial]

Yeah it's tough to stay... for the WDW + cruise, we're talking 9 days out of school. We'll be homeschooling our rugrats, so I'd have no concerns about our own, but the kids in question attend school. I don't think I'll have too much success convincing them to take them out of school for 9 days. A bit off-topic, but thought I'd give a little history.

 

[yosh12]

We are pulling our kid out of school the beginning of September. He will miss about 12 school days all totalled. We figure it will be easier for him to miss the begiinning and catch up then pull him out mid term.

We also plan on asking his new teacher if she can give us any work that he can do on the way there so he can still do some of his work.

 

[twinz]

We went the first week of SEptember in 2006 and let me tell you it was crowded!!! We are use to bascially walking onto rides at that time and not to mention most of the decorations for Christmas were not up yet. It was packed with Cheerleaders...UGGG. WE had a great time though, just busier then we thought it would be.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Cheerleaders the first week of September? Really?

 

[wannago2disney]

I am not sure how old the kids you would be taking out of school are, and because mine are not in school yet I have no personal experience however, my DMIL is a Teacher (over 30 years elementry--Thamesvalley Board of Education) and I asked her about this very subject. Her opinion is that it can be very bennificial to the child....and can create incentive to do well in class. But she also thinks that it is important to have your kids do some "homework" or project during their trip to keep them active for what they are learning in school at the time. She suggested that it is a really good idea to talk to the child's teacher about any cariculum (sp?) they will miss and try to practice some of that to keep it fresh in their minds.
Kids come back energized and full of stories and info about their experience!

Just one teacher's opinion...I am sure that there are as many differing opinions as there are teachers but perhaps you can use her perspective to help persuade the rest of your group!!

 

[digskat]

we go the exact time you are talking about, and have never had any issues with teachers. We are usually provided with homework assignments, and get them to do a special project. As for crowds, last year we won dream fast passes at MGM, and never had to use them. We found that week to be the lowest crowds, even lower than early October. The only issue late November-early December, is weather. You can get any kind of temps at that time, one day it is mid-80's and tees, the next mid-50's and sweats.

 

[Hodder]

We are pulling our kid out of school the beginning of September. He will miss about 12 school days all totalled. We figure it will be easier for him to miss the begiinning and catch up then pull him out mid term.

We also plan on asking his new teacher if she can give us any work that he can do on the way there so he can still do some of his work.

That is what we are planning to do in Sept. The kids will only miss the first 2 weeks of school.

 

[dhluvsDisney]

Always pulled our kids out of school (even high school). Because of our work schedules and year ends, it's the only time we can go. I much prefer when the parks are not as crowded, however, even in the "low" times, it seems a lot more crowded than it used to be.

 

[Drivercan]

We were at the World May 13-22. The first week, all of the rides (including Magic Kingdom) were walk ons until about 2 pm. Even the water parks were quiet. Starting the weekend, it became busier - guess because we were getting closer to Memorial Day weekend.

Weather was cooler than average (low 80's).

 

[digskat]

Always pulled our kids out of school (even high school). Because of our work schedules and year ends, it's the only time we can go. I much prefer when the parks are not as crowded, however, even in the "low" times, it seems a lot more crowded than it used to be.

This is the same reason why we go when we do. Summer and Christmas is considered Prime time at both of our work place. DH is a Correctional Officer and I am an RN so it is harder to get time off then. I hope we can continue to do so when the kids are in high school. Right now they are in grade 2&4 french immersion and neither is having any difficulty, both having a's and b+'s.

 

[BraMax]

We are going to WDW next Feb for 10 days and thankfully with all the days the kids get off for Teachers Convention and a couple of other days off due to things going on in our area my boys are only going to miss 3 days of school. But I am not worried about pulling them as I would much rather go when the park isn't as busy and I know they can enjoy themselves. And I just seen from one of the above post that we will get lucky because we get back the weekend of Presidents Day. We are doing the Land and Sea and will be at the park the beginning of the week then the cruise the Thurs-Sun.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

We pulled our 2 boys out for 2 weeks in October with no issues - they are in gr 7 and gr 1 - they missed 9 days of school and with the work the teachers gave them they were actually ahead of the rest of the class when we returned.

Family time and the travelling experience is more important then any schooling in my eyes!

As for crowd levels - we went over Can. Thanksgiving last year for 2 weeks and it was great (our 2nd time doing this time of the year) - still crowded but do-able with fast passes. Having gone the Canadian May long weekend this year for 4 nights I think I've found one of my new fav times to go - weather was hot and perfect (nice change from the dreary cold spring we've had!) and crowds were low - getting to the parks early in the morning we never waited more then 20 mins for any ride and alot of them were walk on's! Not looking forward to the heat at the end of August but I'm sure we'll still have fun!

 

[pta-mom]

Our guys will be grades 5 & 6 next year & our plan is for them to do the first three weeks of school in September to get to know their teachers & class routines & than we are taking them out of school for a total of 12 school days. Thirteen days at DW & a few extra days with their grand-parents in St Pete's before coming home!!

We also took them out around Easter 2006 for the same reason & they were just fine. They may need to put in a couple of weeks of extra homework when they get back (as well as do a little while away) but than they are caught up. And the experience of being away with their family, having fun at DW & visiting their grand parents, is well worth the extra work that might follow!