Hey teachers! When do you go to WDW?

[dphie28]

This is my first year going to WDW since becoming a teacher and we are going July 4 week. I am thinking about seeing if it is in the budget to do a small trip during "Jersey Week" which is due to the NJ Teachers Convention.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

I am a teacher in England, we would not be allowed time off other than our regular school holidays - this is so unfair as the prices are more then, people moan about having to pay more for their kids during holidays, but everyone forgets we pay more too. You are all so lucky finishing in May, I finsh May 27th for one week (I'm going camping, not quite the same as seeing the mouse but it will come soon) and then we have 7 more weeks at school before a 6 week summer holiday yay!!!!!!!!!

 

[MinnieM3]

Check my siggie..... always during school breaks! I did take 2 extra days at Thanksgiving to make it a longer vacation

 

[patsal]

I go when we have break--February, March or April (depending on the holiday) and of course good old summer. If I wanted a shorter trip I suppose I could go over Thanksgiving or Christmas. I suppose I could also "legally" go if I took time off with no pay. I would not do that though since it really messes up seniority--if there are cutbacks and or layoffs one would technically have less time in than those who worked all year, not a risk I'm willing to take. One could hope not to get caught and go anytime using sick time, but I wouldn't chance it especially if it were a contract negotiation time--I have seen districts bring charges against people for this.
I know it is sometimes not convienient to go in the heat and crowds but it is the right thing to do. It is also difficult to go when we don't get paid--summer off=no pay for summer, but budget accordingly and it will work out. We don't get out until the last week of June in NYS and that really leaves us with heat and crowds!

 

[Miller1412]

Yeah, it's tough to go in the summer for us because my DH owns a pool and spa company so summer is his busy season. We never seem to mesh.

I think I'm gonna take 3 personal days in October 2006 and maybe call 1 in...it would leave me absent on a district inservice day and one inservice day is state wide, but the inservice can be taken any time.

???What to do...What to do...???

 

[zippehsmom]

We usuall go in the summer, but this year I get to go the week before Xmas break. Our school District gets out on the Wednesday before Xmas, so I'm taking 3 personal days (the most we can take). I'll take Mon, Tue & Wed and hopefully we'll get a little jump on the Xmas crowds.

Other than that it looks like I'm stuck with summer breaks until I retire(which is no time soon) .

zippehsmom

 

[Kteacher]

We've always gone April vacation week or July - my DH plows snow, so no winter trips for him I did sneak in a long weekend in early December last year-wehad no school on a Friday, and I took Monday as a personal day. I took my 15 year old with me ( he missed one day of school ). I'm thinking of doing a long weekend in 2 years with my daughter when she enters H.S.

 

[jpeka65844]

For only going during breaks! That's the bummer about being a teacher! We went during spring break this past March, but it seemed like ours was MUCH earlier than other places; crowds for the most part were pretty manageable!

You have to jump through tons of hoops to get "personal days" off (which our NEA chapter is trying to change) and our district blacks out any days adjacent to a break (a.k.a., the Tues. after Labor Day, Pres Day, etc....) So you'd have to call in dead to get those off.

So we're forced to go at all the peak times! Maybe after I make my first million $$ teaching..... I won't have to work and we can go anytime we want!



Denice T.
Olathe KS
3/12-3/17- 1st ever stay at POFQ; LOVED IT!!!
Not sure yet if "little souvenir" will prevent us from going back in 2007!!!!

 

[Eeyore18]

I've been going in July and August for the past few years..when it's HOT!!!
But I was out on childcare leave this year and took my 7 yr old and 9 month old the first week of May! When we planned it, had NO idea it was also the start of the celebration, so it wasn't as empty as I thought it would be!
(I guess it never really is anymore) But we had FUN!!!!
But back to teaching in Sept., so back to summer months I guess!

 

[JenLynn]

As so many others, usually during breaks. I hate it because of the heat, the crowds, and the prices .... but it causes the least "waves" for both myself and my children.

We are taking a trip next spring when i am planning on using my 3 personal days and 2 days without pay. I sure hope my administrator agrees (going to work on that one soon! ~smile~).

 

[IvyandLace]

Very touchy subject in my house! The first full year of teaching my DH (who teaches HS social studies) had a very understanding principal who let him use five personal days over Halloween-we had a very big family vacation planned and enjoyed MNSSHP with my nephews and niece! Next year we were planning on going at the same time except with HIS side of the family this time...NOPE. The new administrator totally dragged his feet on signing off on the deal until weeks before...grrr! Thankfully, he went, but he had to agree to a verbal agreement with this guy that DH would no longer take vacations to Disney during the school year. We did manage a long weekend over MLK (had Friday and Monday off) as well as another long weekend over Mother's Day (used two personal days), but last year we finally bit the bullet and just went during the summer for 10 long wonderful days. We had the time to drive down and spend some time in St. Petersburg before-we *loved* having our car and brought lots of food to save money. With our PAPs, we really enjoyed a true Disney vacation last August (even got to experience Hurricane Charley!) instead of just weekend snippets that we had been forced to take during the school year. We swam alot and took afternoon breaks-it turned out to be one of our very favorite trips!

Unfortunately, looks like the anti-Disney administrator will be around for awhile-he denied my DH the opportunity of going on another BIG family first-time DCL vacation after Thanksgiving so DH was the only family member on my side that didn't get to enjoy the cruise. DH is now in the process of searching for another position elsewhere, and he jokes about interviewing the administrator on his position on Disney before he signs for the job!

IVY

 

[LilMagic2000]

I was teaching pre-school the last time I went to Disney with the family, and I went and took the time off. There's nothing like Disney in the off season, especially when you've been both during the summer AND not so crowded times. We went Dec. 3rd-10th, and walked on to everything. The longest line we encountered was maybe 10 minutes. If even.
Also, it was amazing weather-we all had to wear jeans and long sleeved shirts, but it wasn't freezing, we even rode the wet rides like Splash Mountain and weren't bothered by the cold.
We have also been to The World during the summer, and although our trips have been great and alot of fun-once you've been and had a chance to walk onto the rides like we did, there's no comparing the two times of the year.
The problem we are running into now is that my younger sisters are getting too old to miss a week of school (easy to do in the elementary grades) so now, most of the trips are going to HAVE to be scheduled for summer time, so that they don't have to miss classwork. But if you can manage it to go during the off season, go for it, especially while you can!

 

[2timer]

Our last day is May 20....and we are heading out that day!!! We always leave for WDW the day school is out!

 

[Pocahontas1]

I have a wonderful administrator who would let me use all five of my personal days at one time so we went the first week in December. I know that sounds like a lot of time, but I'm never out other than that. It is during a down time of the school year - no testing, after Thanksgiving, but before Christmas.

Anyway, I've just gotten a new job at the DO and now I'm a 225 day employee (instead of 190), which means less summer vacation, but more sick/personal days. I sure hope it also means flexibility in my schedule. I already have the trip planned for this December and have used my DVC points. If the new boss says no, you can look for my points for "sale" on the DVC board.

 

[MrsG]

July, and/or over February break.

 

[ScarletFire]

School breaks only. I suppose I could sandwich my weekend with the two personal days I receive but I prefer a longer, less hectic trip. I have a fall break in October (Columbus Day) but the crowds seem to be increasing during that time and the park hours are short. We're trying July (last week) for the first time this summer. We leave in 9 weeks!

 

[pplasky]

Unfortunately, looks like the anti-Disney administrator will be around for awhile-he denied my DH the opportunity of going on another BIG family first-time DCL vacation after Thanksgiving so DH was the only family member on my side that didn't get to enjoy the cruise. DH is now in the process of searching for another position elsewhere, and he jokes about interviewing the administrator on his position on Disney before he signs for the job!

IVY

OMG, teachers, as well as students, have ample time for vacation, even if it is the most crowded times. I t is very unprofessional to take vacations while school is in session. Teachers constantly complain about students missing time, but paid professionals, that's absurd. Sorry if I sound really negative, but your DH should be very glad he was ever able to do that. Most administrators will be "anti-disney" for such an unprofessional request.

 

[homedad]

In response to pplasky

I'm not sure if your a teacher but my wife is and is taking a week off to go to Disney. Teachers do not get enough respect, money, or recognition for all that they do and I do not begrudge any teacher taking some time off that is outside thier regular breaks. People in the business world get to go to the bathroom when they need to, get time to eat lunch, are sometimes paid or get comp time when they work overtime. More and more teachers are supposed to do jobs that when I was a kid my parent's responsibilties. We seldom take time off during the regular schoolyear, but to say a teacher is unprofessional if they do so is not the right label!

 

[tamman]

homedad... I couldn't agree with you more. If we are going to attack teachers from using their personal days to take a vacations then why not attack those families that go to on vacations during the school year. I had one family go twice this year each for a week. It didn't bother me and I sure hope it doesn't bother them if I decided to take a vacation too!!!

 

[tubachick]

Presidents week.... (crowds are little heavier, but not Christmas crazy) we usually get Linclons and presidents day off leaving for a three day school week.... so I usually get a little sick (cough - cough- wink - wink) Principal is OK with it and we only go every two years so its not THAT bad -- I have perfect attendance at school otherwise.