Help me decide between end of August or mid Sept w/ Free dining

[TheLittleRoo]

Help!! I can't make up my mind and don't want to run out of time when this opens to the general public on Thursday and I'm not ready!!!

I have two kids in school, which is why the dilemma... By far, it would be better to have less heat and less crowds if we went 9/15-22 but my 7th grader would be missing the same third week of school he missed LAST YEAR (and I got a ration of dog doo-doo from the principal then...) and this year DD5 starts Kindergarten and would also miss her third week of school. I pick the third week though b/c it allows them to get in the groove, and the subjects are still just in review at that time (no tests, certainly).

The other option is to go the first week of free dining, 8/26-9/3 which will be more crowded with Labor Day, and slightly hotter, but the upside is the kids won't miss any school.

What would you do? In both cases, we're doing POR w/ FD the first 4 nights and then Poly 3 nights with a smokin' room only discount and food OOP.

Thanks!

 

[disneyfan822]

I've also got this dilemma. I have an 8-year-old and we plan on going in August a week or so before school starts, but now with hearing about the free dining, I'm tempted to change plans. I know August is hot, hot, hot, but we usually take a break the hottest part of the day and either nap in the air conditioning or hit the pool or water parks. We take advantage of the extra magic hours when it's not as crowded or hot to hit the parks after a great meal for dinner in the air. Getting the dining plan free would be a great plus! So, I dunno if I'll do August or September!

 

[TheLittleRoo]

Bump - - anyone have any experiences comparing the two timeframes crowd wise?

Thanks!

 

[mygr8kdz]

we went the last week of august last year before school started and the parks were dead. school here starts after labor day, but that's not the case elsewhere, so i think between school starting and hurricane season you should be fine either way.

i have a 7th grader too and although i've taken her out for trips before, it gets harder and harder. she does fine academically, but stresses a bit about making up the work, so at this point i try and limit it to a day or two if that.

good luck with your decision!

 

[ngjmom]

We have gone the first week of September for the past two years. Last year, as my toddler was running around the Animal Kingdom, a cast member told me that we picked a good time because the previous week had been packed. We are going again this September and pulling my son out of school for the week. The way I look at it is, "How many 'magical' family vacations will you get with your kids?" To me missing one week of school is not that big of a deal (and I'm a teacher ). Park attendance will be low and food will be free. How much better could it get.

 

[minniemomof3]

I have to make the same decision, my daughters are getting older and its harder to miss school so we are going the last week of August. Although its very hot, the parks are not that crowded. I was there a few years at the same time (although this was before free dining) and the parks were practically empty.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

I would go earlier when you kids would not miss school. One of the secretarys at work went that same week during FD two years ago and said it was not crowded at all. She she shocked since she thought that so close to Labor Day would be crowded. As kids gets older, I personally don't think they want to miss school, especially in the beginning of the year. My DD is in 6th grade, and I know she would not want to miss a week after just getting the groove of things again. Plus, the last thing you want is your kids stressing about missing school: its vacation and meant to be stress-free..... for everyone.

 

[sorul82?]

We went last Aug 17-23 and Sept 14-18. The middle of Sept was no cooler than Aug. If anything, it was muggier, so felt hotter and just plain sticky. Yuk! The crowds were slower in Sept, but the park hours were shorter as well so it really wasn't that much of a difference. This year we are going 8/24-9/4. Some of the trip reports I read last year said that Labor Day wasn't all that crowded. My vote is to not miss school.

 

[sorul82?]

Bump - - anyone have any experiences comparing the two timeframes crowd wise?

Thanks!

Yes, I responded above, but wanted to elaborate. The crowds were larger in Aug, but they flowed faster. Does that make sense? Like for rides that may have two lines, in Aug both were open, but in Sept, just one open. In Aug, the buses came more often, more cashiers at the stores and food places, etc. I know someone will be able to word it better.

 

[Rustysmom]

We're going the week of 8/26 so that the kids don't miss school. My DS will be starting middle school and DD will be starting Pre-K and I don't want them to miss anything.

 

[canwegosoon]

I chose Aug 31-Sept3 (Our school starts on Sept 5th) But I figured it will not be Hot Hot like July/Beginning of August-and I believe all of the southern schools are back in session...on LDweekend will it get a little busier...yes-but not as busy as Easter or Christmas, and I even doubt spring break. WDW will still be on their "Summer Schedule" and I think we will be fine..do the end of August!!!