I need some expert help......

[disneydaydreamer72]

HelloI have 'lurked' for some time and have finally got the courage to post my first thread as I would appreciate some advice.

DH has agreed (after years of arm-twisting)to a holiday in Orlando next year.The agreement is that we will visit his uncle and aunt who live in Connecticut for about a week and spend the other two weeks in Orlando.

The sticking point at the moment is when to go. I should add that I am a teaching assistant at my sons' primary school(I can just see the headteachers face if I asked for three weeks off in the middle of term- ) and eldest DS starts secondary school this September so we are limited to when we can go.

So,this is where I could use some expert help.We have two options:
1. take a week off work(I think I can get away with it)and take DS1 out of school for 4 days and go on 15th March returning on 5th April-drawback Easter crowds and won't be able to use DHs' uncles pool-too cold in NY then!
2. Go during the 6 weeks summer hols and not have beg for time off or take DS1 out of school-drawbacks crowds and heat!

Opinions please on which of the two you would go for-I know lots of you are in the same situation being limited on when to go, so I would be really grateful for your thoughts.

Thanks

 

[Dimplenose]

I work in a school too. We've only visited Orlando in August because I like to have some time to get over the trip before going back to work and that's the only holiday long enough to allow me to do that. it is very hot and humid but the crowds weren't too bad (though that may have changed recently).

Libby

 

[natalielongstaff]

i would vote for august...but then i don't mind the heat

welcome to the boards

 

[jeanwdw]

Hi ! We , like you, also have to fit in our holidays around the school term - our first trip to WDW was in October 2001 ( just after 9/11) and was working part time - we were so excited but wound up at the same time with all the additional security , but it was our best family holiday ever ! We took DS ( 11 at the time) out of primary school for just over a week , tacked onto the normal October mid term break ( a week) and had a ball!

We had to go back, but it was two years later and we couldn't take DS out of Secondary School and I was now full time so we had to go in the summer holidays which meant July and we thought its probably going to be too hot and busy , but lets try it! It worked out fine, thanks to sites like this and TGM you can cope with the crowds and the temp wasn't that bad.

and here we are going back for our third time in the middle of the summer and can't wait! Our advice - go for it!

 

[ely3857]

How about as late as possible during the 6 week holidays. Yes it will still be hot but fairly un-crowded as the US schools all go back early Aug.



Jodie

 

[nbodyhome]

August is less expensive, and much less crowded than March/April.

 

[disneydaydreamer72]

Thanks so much for your replies.

All very good cases for the summer hols-must admit I hadn't thought about having time to recover after you come back-thanks Dimplenose.

Where can I find out when the US schools finish their summer break?

 

[robinb]

How about as late as possible during the 6 week holidays. Yes it will still be hot but fairly un-crowded as the US schools all go back early Aug.



Jodie

Umm .... no we don't. Very few schools go back in early August, many (including the FL schools) go back in mid to late August and entire states (including mine: Wisconsin) have laws on the books which state that schools can not start until after our Labor Day holiday which is the first Monday in September. Orange County (Orlando) schools go back on August 20th.

To the OP: You should be fine for your March dates. Many schools have Easter Break before Easter and not after. Your second week should be better than your first. Another thing to consider is if you are looking at August 2007 you may want to consider the Free Dining at WDW resorts: http://www.mousesavers.com/packages.html#freedining

 

[nbodyhome]

Thanks so much for your replies.

All very good cases for the summer hols-must admit I hadn't thought about having time to recover after you come back-thanks Dimplenose.

Where can I find out when the US schools finish their summer break?

Various school districts start back at different times. Last year, the schools in our area (near WDW) went back VERY early, and I know a lot of parents were upset and it isn't happening this year.

Schools start back anytime from mid-August to after Labor Day. But remember, much of July is considered value season at the deluxe resorts. Summer isn't as busy as it once was, now that Disney seems more event-oriented (Food and Wine, Flower and Garden, Christmas, etc.) Those 3 events take up about half the year! Crowds seem to spread out more during the year now. Late August into September is one of the slower time periods still. That isn't to say that summer isn't busy - but I don't find it as busy as spring break (and again,much less expensive!)

When is the latest you can go?

 

[disneydaydreamer72]

I think our school finishes on Tuesday 22nd July and start back on 2nd September.(2008)
We are going for three weeks and I would like at least a few days to recover so I'm thinking first or second week of August.
Would you suggest going to Connecticut first then onto Orlando-therefore hopefully some schools may have gone back to school?

 

[nbodyhome]

I think our school finishes on Tuesday 22nd July and start back on 2nd September.(2008)
We are going for three weeks and I would like at least a few days to recover so I'm thinking first or second week of August.
Would you suggest going to Connecticut first then onto Orlando-therefore hopefully some schools may have gone back to school?

Yes, I'd say that going to Connecticut first would be a good (brilliant ) idea.

I just wouldn't go during that other time period. I just looked online, and Easter is smack in the middle of it. I am local to Disney, and the couple of weeks around Easter is one of the only times I really don't like to be in the parks. Even if you go in early August, it isn't going to be like Easter.

 

[disneydaydreamer72]

August it is then-thanks nbodyhome and everyone who gave their opinions.You have been really helpful.

Let the planning begin.

 

[UKDEB]

I'm a bit late to this thread, but I'd like to wish you a very warm welcome to the DIS.

My advice would be to get your flights booked as soon as possible. We've paid more than we needed to for this August because we weren't in a position to book early. The airlines have a captive audience during school holidays and prices just seem to start high and get higher.

 

[derbyboy]

I don't know about Cambridgeshire but up here in newly promoted Derby the Easter school holidays are a little different next year. Good Friday is 21st March and Easter Monday is obviously the 24th of March. However our schools close on Friday April 4th and reopen on Monday 21st of April. I don't think that some of the holiday companies have realised this and so the prices at this time are a bit cheaper. My friend has asked my DD (she works in a travel agency) to sort him out a Florida holiday for the school holidays.

 

[disneydaydreamer72]

Thanks for the welcome UKDEB I was hoping to use airmiles but it seems that we cannot fly into one city and out of another(unless anyone knows any different)so will probably use the miles to add a WDW stay to the holiday and for carhire,and look at buying Virgin flights when they become available-CC at the ready

derbyboy-just had our term dates for next year and Cambridgeshire seems to have chosen to have the holidays early thus incorporating Easter.Well done to Derby FC BTW

Everyone has been so helpful-thank you

 

[robinb]

Thanks for the welcome UKDEB I was hoping to use airmiles but it seems that we cannot fly into one city and out of another(unless anyone knows any different)

What airline do you have miles on? Most American airlines will allow what called an "open jaw" where you fly into one city and out of another. For instance, we're doing an "open jaw" in Asia with Northwest airlines. We're flying into Hong Kong and out of Tokyo.

 

[disneydaydreamer72]

In the UK you can collect airmiles to use on various airlines-not just one.On the website airmiles.co.uk it only allows you to book a return journey so no "open jaw" i'm afraid.

 

[robinb]

In the UK you can collect airmiles to use on various airlines-not just one.On the website airmiles.co.uk it only allows you to book a return journey so no "open jaw" i'm afraid.

I understand now. You don't have miles from a specific airline, but you have generic "airmiles" instead complete with silly restrictions. We have similar websites/credit card companies here in the US, but I never signed up for one of them. My husband earns plenty of miles the old fashioned way!

What a bummer to earn all those "miles" and not be able to use them .