Hey teachers! When do you go to WDW?

[IvyandLace]

Thanks to homedad and tamman for saying what you did in defense of going to WDW during the school year. I was a bit taken back by what pplasky said, but I didn't want to get in a posting war concerning it. If my DH has the personal days, why should it matter if he gets to go relax and recharge somewhere?? DH is extremely giving of his time and NEVER calls; he stays after school every day for hours and freely offers to help out with extracurricular activities and other school-spirit raising opportunities. I don't think it's right to limit teachers to a narrow window of travel IF they have the personal days and are responsible for planning for their classes when away, and I don't think it's right for the administrators to deny teachers their personal days either!

There...DH takes enough crap as it is...he certainly should be able to escape to WDW once a year for a few days without having to deal with the crowds and/or heat. *steps gingerly off soapbox and backs aways slowly from the computer*

IVY

 

[pooksma]

I just had to reply to this thread. I am a MS teacher in Canada and in my province we do not get personal days of any kind. Any time I might take off that would coincide with DH's vacation would be taken as unpaid leave.
We have gone on our spring break (first week of March) and this year we are leaving a week after school ends (July 5)
As long as I get there, I am happy.

 

[Disney_Queen34]

Dh is a teacher and i'm just finishing up my teaching degree so I know for us our Disney vacations will be during the crowded busy times of the year. Wisconsin does have a big convention during late October for two days that we could try to squeeze in a mini-vacation then but the last couple years we've gone during spring break (crowds are reasonable) and late summer (late August). I like Disney regardless!

I just had to reply to this thread. I am a MS teacher in Canada and in my province we do not get personal days of any kind. Any time I might take off that would coincide with DH's vacation would be taken as unpaid leave.
We have gone on our spring break (first week of March) and this year we are leaving a week after school ends (July 5)
As long as I get there, I am happy.

 

[gofenmom]

When my children were younger we would go during Christmas or Easter in addition to the summer. Now since MY daughter is also a teacher we go every summer usually right after the 4th of JULY. The parents in my elementary school often come to me for Disney advice.

 

[Miller1412]

When my children were younger we would go during Christmas or Easter in addition to the summer. Now since MY daughter is also a teacher we go every summer usually right after the 4th of JULY. The parents in my elementary school often come to me for Disney advice.

What District are you in? Brandywine here. How do you find the crowds after the 4th? Is it unbelievably hot then?

 

[taximomfor4]

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!!!!

Your situation sounds JUST like ours. Blacked out dates adjacent to long weekends, vacations, etc. So we can only go during real breaks (summer, Easter break, Xmas break.)

Of course, if dh's district's levy fails AGAIN (failed 4x already), teachers'll probably be on strike in the fall. We might have to just hold onto money in preparation for the strike days (no pay). So anyone know which states are the best to teach in? (Job security, less constant funding issues, good retirement benefits, etc)? His district is doing ANOTHER round of layoffs this summer, DH might need a new job. I am in RN school, so his is the ONLY real income.

(Sorry OT, just felt the need to ask, since this is already addressed to teachers, lol).

Beth

 

[Daxx]

Daxx's Wife here. I am a kindergarten teacher in a Catholic school. We are allowed 3 personal days and one "floating holiday" to use in whatever manner we wish. I used two personal days in October for a long weekend get-away to WDW and I used my third personal day and floating day for our May WDW trip w/just DS8 and I for Mother's Day (my gift to me). We also have a pastor's day off (I teach Catholic school) and it's always part of the Memorial day weekend, which turns it into a 4 day weekend. Unfortunately, having just come back from WDW, I am having a tough time talking Daxx into going back again for the 4 day weekend!

Otherwise, I like to use the 3 day weekends, should I get good airfare!

Unfortunately, DS has the "split Spring Break" - one week in Feb. and another week close to Easter. My school doesn't offer that - we get the 2 weeks at Easter. Maybe one day, things will change at my school and then we could take advantage of the Feb. break time.

Anyway, any other Disney trips are in the summer. This year, we'll be going in July since our last day of school is June 23rd.

 

[ilovemcbride]

Last year we took my sixth grade class and went during spring break in April. This year we are taking our BETA Club and going the week after school is out, which will be in June. I was really tired last year because we only had one day off left when we returned from our trip. I think it's better to go after school has let out for the summer, whether you're going with your family or taking your class.

 

[Bunch24'swife]

Well, I would have to say during breaks would be the time for us to go. We are heading to Disney during Christmas break. Well at least I thought. The school district changed our break this year. So I'll be missing some school. I have a wonderful principal who said she just might have to meet up with us there. HOW COOL! So summer, spring, Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, or Christmas holidays would work for this family.

 

[Bunch24'swife]

Well, I would have to say during breaks would be the time for us to go. We are heading to Disney during Christmas break. Well at least I thought. The school district changed our break this year. So I'll be missing some school. I have a wonderful principal who said she just might have to meet up with us there. HOW COOL! So summer, spring, Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, or Christmas holidays would work for this family.

Timberly

 

[maxsmom]

We go during the longer breaks also. Dh and I are both teachers but in different disctricts. I only have 1 personal day that can be used for vacation and there are those blackout days where you can't extend a holiday break. We can't use sick days either. Our only other option is to take days w/ out pay which can be rather costly.

 

[teacherforhi]

In NC, teachers earn up to five personal days. You can use those days for any purpose as long as you get your principal's permission at least 10 days in advance.

We went to WDW in March of 2004. I was out a week which was supposed to be 3 school days and 2 workdays. Unfortunately, due to snow, it ended up being 5 school days I missed. Not much I could do about it, I had already scheduled my trip. However, since I had to take all 5 personal days, my pay was docked $250 ($50 for each day).

As for the person who said it was unprofessional and that teachers complained about students leaving, I think you're looking at two different situations. Most teachers complain about parents who ask for work and then it doesn't get completed or it's obvious that the parent gave the child the answers. Then it becomes my problem because I have to catch the child up.
If I go on vacation, I have to make all the lesson plans in advance and prep a sub. Personally, I prepare extra lesson plans to make sure there is enough work for the time I'm out. I hardly run out the door and leave them to their own devices.

 

[disney junky]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[gofenmom]

What District are you in? Brandywine here. How do you find the crowds after the 4th? Is it unbelievably hot then?

We teach in Appo. It is crowded after the 4th. We use to go right after school was over and stay to the 4th. HOWEVER, we grew tired of the foreign teenage tour groups. Sometimes we found them very rude. Now we go right after the 4th. We know the attractions and rides we want to do and try to do them early in the morning or use fast passes. Then we go back to the pool or our resort (DVC members). We love the summer and holidays since the parks are opened later. Not sure what we would do if we went in Jan. or Feb. when the parks close earlier. Can't wait to try the extra 3 hours at night in the different parks.
E-night was a favorite of ours in the Magic Kingdom. Especially Buzz Lightyear - son can get 999,999 pts on both guns. At the end of E-nights we would sit near the ice shop or hotdog shop and wait for the crowds to leave. Last year I got pictures of Main Street - not a person in sight and so quiet.
When my DD and DS were younger I would take the cards out of games (ones that had questions or trivia) then we would spend time in line quizzing each other. Often other families would join in our game. Now DD and I tear pages out of crossword puzzle books and do them.
It is hot...but at times it has been cooler in FL then in DE in July. In FL they keep the air conditioning turned up.
A previous principal of my building once called me a frequent offender in a staff member - since I took my 3 personal days and a day without pay so I could extend my Christmas vacation. She had signed off on the three days and there isn't a rule against it. I was not happy when I learned this from my team members. Christmas is very crowded - but beautiful... use to take a small tree and decorate the window of our rooms. (We go down by Autotrain so we can pack a lot.) Have also gone at Easter and President Week but still love summer. A little more than a month before we leave....can't wait.

 

[Marni]

I'm a third grade teacher in Kansas and we usually go the third week in June. For our 2005 trip, I'm going to take two days off right before Christmas break so we can enjoy Christmas at the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[jimmiej]

6th grade teacher here. We usually go in the middle of June, as soon as I fulfill my contract. This year we went in early February. Our district tried a winter break. The weather was MUCH better, but it was still crowded (Mardi Gras & Super Bowl).

 

[beccasmom]

I'm not a teacher, but my brother is. He is going June 21-28 with the rest of my family. I'm sure it will be pretty crowded and I know for sure it will be hot because it is hot now! He usually goes in June or in August. Is a stickler for not taking any time off during school sessions. He has never gone at Spring Break that I am aware of.....crowded, hot and tough to get decent airfare.

 

[patsal]

July can get hot,but if you are prepared it isn't so very bad! I have become used to it; I've gone in July for the past four years! I only get three personal days, so that would not work I have black out dates for them as well as a non-consecutive rule. If I do not use them they do not accumulate as personal days but as sick days and those have different rules. Though, even if I had them I wouldn't be able to pull my kids out of school, theres just too much for them to miss.
I knew what I was getting into when I decided to become a teacher, but I love the job I do and really couldn't see myself enjoying another job this much. So, I'll suffer through the limitations on vacation time and the certainty that I will never be a millionaire financially.

 

[Lorelai]

I too am from New Jersey, and have heard the NJEA Convention week referred to as "Jersey Week" (At least I think that's the week they are referring to since it's our yearly convention).

But my question is, are crowd levels really that high during that particular week (2nd week of Nov.)? I can't imagine all of NJ going, and even if many families do, if it is typically a slow time of year does it really affect the levels that much?

Please, if there is anyone who has been during the 2nd week of November recently, I'd be interested in your opinion. Thank you!

 

[pongoperdigirl]

My BF is a teacher and we are driving down on the day that he gets done teaching, Friday the 24th and we are checking in on the 26th. It's too much to take a week out of his teaching to go on vacation. He has never been and isn't really excited so I hope he has a good time.