Help! Opinions needed

[Silverkjk]

My husband and I are trying to take our daughter (10) to universal and disney world this year. We can either go in July or the second week of December. I'd rather go in December when it's not so hot, but I'm worried with covid happening that her school won't allow vacations (they didn't allow any this year). I need some opinions about whether to book when it's hot in July and we know that we can go or book for December and risk being forced to cancel. Thank you!

 

[davper]

Schools have no say when my family travels. I go when I want and the kids can make up the work when they get back. It is how real life works.

 

[bchbetha]

My husband and I are trying to take our daughter (10) to universal and disney world this year. We can either go in July or the second week of December. I'd rather go in December when it's not so hot, but I'm worried with covid happening that her school won't allow vacations (they didn't allow any this year). I need some opinions about whether to book when it's hot in July and we know that we can go or book for December and risk being forced to cancel. Thank you!

If you are from the US, I have never heard of not being allowed to take vacations. I know in the UK you can be fined but I have never heard that here. I can imagine with Covid that the school very much did not want people traveling for safety reasons but so many schools have a virtual component now that you could successfully go to school and quarantine upon arrival home. Many schools went virtual after Thanksgiving because they didn't trust families not to travel. But, private schools can make up whatever rules they want. I would probably look through your school handbook for the vacation policy. Ours needed to be approved by the principal well ahead of time. They always replied, "of course! have fun!" so maybe you should double check that you have the right info for school.

 

[J'aime Paris]

My husband and I are trying to take our daughter (10) to universal and disney world this year. We can either go in July or the second week of December. I'd rather go in December when it's not so hot, but I'm worried with covid happening that her school won't allow vacations (they didn't allow any this year). I need some opinions about whether to book when it's hot in July and we know that we can go or book for December and risk being forced to cancel. Thank you!

I would pick December. The park decorations are beautiful!!
July is surface of the sun hot...I'm a northerner and cannot tolerate it well.

 

[AgentMama]

I would pick December too. We've definitely done summer Florida trips, but given the option for winter, I'd pick that every time.

 

[shawthorne44]

To be fair to the OP, many schools count vacations as unexcused absences and get really ugly when there are too many. Many states give money for having a butt in a seat in the morning.
Me, I'd do December and tell them your kids were sick. I'd hope that schools will fuss less in the future about kids staying home sick.

 

[hhoope01]

We haven't gone to Universal in July, well, ever. It is way too hot and crowded. I've been a few Decembers over the years though. I will say that if you choose December (though we prefer October when possible), note that the weather can be cold. You probably won't want to ride the water rides or hit Volcano Bay (at least we usually don't when going in December.) Also, the parks will tend to close earlier in the day in December (i.e. 5pm or 6pm).

But yes, the crowds will normally be much more manageable and the heat won't be oppressive then either. And as already mentioned, the parks will be dressed-up for the Holiday season which is very nice.

 

[maverik85]

I agree with the others I'd do December as well. The temp and crowds are so much nicer. As mentioned parks tend to close earlier but you can get through a lot more in that time usually. Plus the Christmas decor at the parks looks great. Plus hopefully at that point there will be fewer restrictions and things will ease up more. If you go in the summer agree with others about getting a room at one of the premier resorts to get the Express Pass to skip the lines.

If you don't want to spend that much on a hotel though (at that time worth it for the passes i think if its only one night) their value resort Cabana Bay is excellent. It's where we stayed for our family vacation last time for a few nights. It has a nice beachy area with fire pits and games, two pools, slide, and lazy river. Has a bowling alley in it as well. Plus if you want to hit the waterpark it's right next to it with its own private entrance. However if going in December might not care as much about the water or pools depending on temps.