Help me with vacation dates - I really value your opinions!

[2fortheShow]

Ok, so I already have booked FD at AOA LM room from Sept.15-22. Having booked this vacation means that I will have to take my 5th grader out of school for 5 days (this is the beginning of the school year so I don't think it will be a problem as far as catching up on missed work.) It would also mean that I, as a teacher, will have to take 5 personal days from my job. This is not really a problem. I was really excited about staying in a brand new hotel and having "free dining", but lately, I have been feeling a bit guilty for taking time out of my job and taking my son out of school.

I could also book in late August 15-22 and stay in AS Movies or Sports. The cost would be $250 more (airfare would remain the same), saving the $250 by going in Sept. would be helpful, and I wouldn't get to stay in the brand new AOA LM room, but I wouldn't be taking time out of my job or my son out of school.

Opinions, please! (No moral issues need be discussed.)

 

[gwynne]

Ok, so I already have booked FD at AOA LM room from Sept.15-22. Having booked this vacation means that I will have to take my 5th grader out of school for 5 days (this is the beginning of the school year so I don't think it will be a problem as far as catching up on missed work.) It would also mean that I, as a teacher, will have to take 5 personal days from my job. This is not really a problem. I was really excited about staying in a brand new hotel and having "free dining", but lately, I have been feeling a bit guilty for taking time out of my job and taking my son out of school.

I could also book in late August 15-22 and stay in AS Movies or Sports. The cost would be $250 more (airfare would remain the same), saving the $250 by going in Sept. would be helpful, and I wouldn't get to stay in the brand new AOA LM room, but I wouldn't be taking time out of my job or my son out of school.

Opinions, please! (No moral issues need be discussed.)

My opinion-late August would be far more fun.
That way there would be no concerns about work, or make-up schoolwork.

 

[Phatoomch]

Personally I would do it - you have said that taking time from job is not a problem and neither is taking your son out of school. You are just feeling guilty because you have a conscience

I say have that extra $250 to splurge and be there with lower crowds. Have a great time!

 

[mariamouse]

The weather and crowds will definitely be better in September (in addition to the $ savings), but only you can assess how big of a deal it is for you to miss work. If you are convinced that your boss/students will not be largely affected by your absence and your son will not feel overwhelmed by coursework upon returning home, then it is worth it.

But, if you expect that you will feel guilty throughout your trip and will worry about the consequences once you return home so much that it will affect your enjoyment of your vacation, I would move to August. $250 and a different resort is definitely worth that peace of mind.

Good luck with your decision and have a great trip whatever you decide!

 

[ccgirl]

Ok, so I already have booked FD at AOA LM room from Sept.15-22. Having booked this vacation means that I will have to take my 5th grader out of school for 5 days (this is the beginning of the school year so I don't think it will be a problem as far as catching up on missed work.) It would also mean that I, as a teacher, will have to take 5 personal days from my job. This is not really a problem. I was really excited about staying in a brand new hotel and having "free dining", but lately, I have been feeling a bit guilty for taking time out of my job and taking my son out of school.

I could also book in late August 15-22 and stay in AS Movies or Sports. The cost would be $250 more (airfare would remain the same), saving the $250 by going in Sept. would be helpful, and I wouldn't get to stay in the brand new AOA LM room, but I wouldn't be taking time out of my job or my son out of school.

Opinions, please! (No moral issues need be discussed.)

My vote is for August so neither you nor your son need to miss work/school. What happens if something happens later in the year and you are out of personal days? For $250 there is just not enough savings in it, IMHO.

 

[ElizabethBowman]

I've done EXACTLY the same thing. I'm booked at Little Mermaid from Sept 15-22 and took my grade 4 daughter out for that week. I spoke with her teacher already because I was worried and she said as long as my daughter [continues to be] is a good student and does some reading and writing on our trip... there is really no concern until the kids hit high school. Then missing a week might become an issue. I'm thrilled about staying that the new wing of the resort - it opens on Sept 15!!! Plus the free meal plan!!! PLUS low crowds. I also thought about the weather and am glad to not be going in August for that very reason. Just my point of view - but I'd stay with the September dates (obviously I'm biased) but there are so many pros to going in September, and only one for August. I would be concerned about my job too... but if your boss has already given approval - don't feel guilty. Your son is only this age once and in 10 years ... you are only going to remember the great trip you took, not missing work. He'll be fine.

... oh and BTW... my daughter's reading and writing task is going to include creating a little family scrapbook or journal. She'll never even know it's work!

Either way ... you'll have a great time. Have fun

 

[dreamscometrue101]

I took my son out of school for the second week of school on our first trip in 2007, when he was in grade 5. He didn't miss much school work, and the crowds were non-existent.

Ideally I would love to do that time period again, but because he's starting grade 11 in September this is not an option, so we are going down the last 2 weeks of August instead.

I think you know your situation best and grade 5 would likely be the last year you could pull him out for a week without much of an impact. Whatever you decide.... enjoy your trip!

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

Go with your instinct. You will be able to help your 5th grader catch up on any missed work. My only concern would be if you used up all of your personal days and found you needed them later in the year.

 

[*Fantasia*]

My opinion-late August would be far more fun.
That way there would be no concerns about work, or make-up schoolwork.

My vote is for August so neither you nor your son need to miss work/school. What happens if something happens later in the year and you are out of personal days? For $250 there is just not enough savings in it, IMHO.

My vote is also for August.

 

[artemis908]

I've been to Disney during both of those times and the crowds aren't too bad in August, do you think you could push it even further to late August?

My parents use to take me out of school on occasion. In fact in 6th grade I was out half the month of December because I won a cruise. My mom and I went on the cruise in late December but my dad and I had already had plans for Disney in early December. They had to have a big meeting with my teachers and the final verdict was that I had to keep journals while on the trips and I would get credit. Pretty sweet deal!

 

[thelionqueen]

I had taken my kids out of school when they were little and it really didn't matter to their learning or make-up work at all.

Only you can decide what you feel more comfortable with. Here is one thing to consider..if you take time off, that is time off you won't have to take later in the year, so the $250 additional cost might be minimal compared to that.

Also, if you stay @ POP instead of AoA, they are very close to eachother and you could visit AoA while you're there. POP is amazing, and I would stay there in a heartbeat. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll do what'll make you feel the best.

 

[ElizabethBowman]

Ok, so I already have booked FD at AOA LM room from Sept.15-22. Having booked this vacation means that I will have to take my 5th grader out of school for 5 days (this is the beginning of the school year so I don't think it will be a problem as far as catching up on missed work.) It would also mean that I, as a teacher, will have to take 5 personal days from my job. This is not really a problem. I was really excited about staying in a brand new hotel and having "free dining", but lately, I have been feeling a bit guilty for taking time out of my job and taking my son out of school.

I could also book in late August 15-22 and stay in AS Movies or Sports. The cost would be $250 more (airfare would remain the same), saving the $250 by going in Sept. would be helpful, and I wouldn't get to stay in the brand new AOA LM room, but I wouldn't be taking time out of my job or my son out of school.

Opinions, please! (No moral issues need be discussed.)

So what did you decide?

 

[mouselovenfamily]

I'm the odd ball who votes September. 5th grade can make up school work in no time, mom as a teacher, no problem!!!

September is one of the least crowded time of the year so go enjoy yourself! As a teacher, YOU DESERVE IT!!!! Enjoy Disney in a less busy time!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I believe my son was in the 5th grade and my daughter was in the 3rd when I pulled them away from school only for 3 days. After that trip to Disney, my son begged me to never take him out of school. He doesn't like missing the lectures because when it was time to make up the homework, it wasn't fun to try and understand what was missed. Ever since then, I never took them out of school.

I would ask your son how he feels, if he is okay with taking him out of school, especially at the beginning of the school year. The beginning of the school year is always about "bonding again".. and they tend to "clique" at the beginning. So if he is not there in the beginning, he may feel left out because other children have already bonded and have already cliqued. Just my opinion.

 

[ElizabethBowman]

I'm the odd ball who votes September. 5th grade can make up school work in no time, mom as a teacher, no problem!!!

September is one of the least crowded time of the year so go enjoy yourself! As a teacher, YOU DESERVE IT!!!! Enjoy Disney in a less busy time!

No... I'm the same as you. I'm going Sept 15-22. I heard it's a low crowd... that's attractive.
Still... I totally understand what others are saying ... every family is different with different needs, and kids are all different too. I'm just lucky that my daughter didn't struggle last year when we did this ... but who's to say after Sept she'll do just as good? I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best!
so.... to everyone out there ... we wish you a magical visit !!! (lol)... and hope ours is magical too.

 

[AliceIn]

I'd go in August. I know that I'd worry about both missing work and my child missing school and it would bother me enough that it would affect my vacation. That's just me, though. The guilt would get to me.

 

[nkereina]

Never been in August but I was there 9/24-10/1 last year and even though the 40th anniversary was going on, the lines were still great. IMO, it's worth missing school and work to go with lines and crowds that small. It will still be hot but I would think August would be worse, and more humid. Plus you can attend MNSSHP in September.

 

[ElizabethBowman]

check this out: http://www.amazon.com/Walt-Disney-World-Adventure-Explorers/dp/0982910916

read the reviews at the bottom!!! I'm getting this - sounds like fun!

 

[Tallent]

I'm a teacher as well and if I could avoid having to write 5 days worth of sub plans I'd go for it-and save money as well