If you have high school & middle school age children, when do you go to Disney?

[happymommy]

We only go on vacations now when my kids are out of school (when they were little of course it didn't matter, but their school is very rigorous and they can't afford to miss any now).

We don't go back to school until after Labor Day, so we've gone a few times the end of August. It's a slower time, so the crowds were light. I always got good airfare and hotel deals too. It tends to storm (HARD) daily but only for a very short time, so we bring umbrellas and just plan accordingly. Yes, it's hot and humid, but way better than June & July (I'd never go in July).

 

[bigbabyblues]

Wow! You get out early! Do your kids start in August? This year we are going to school until June 20th.

Yes, we start August 18 next year.

 

[texasroni75]

When we lived up north (NJ) we would go during winter break - which was the end of February. If we used any school days, it was typically just a Friday or a Monday at the beginning or end of the break. Now that we live in TX, we do not really vacation during summer unless we are going north. Like previous posters mentioned, we don't really want to leave the TX heat just to go somewhere that's hot too. Our kids go back to school in August here, so late summer doesn't really help us avoid school issues anyway.

Also, for our kids, there's no February break. Just Christmas break in Dec and Spring break in March. March is just TOOO crazy at Disney for us.
So, our last trip we pulled the kids out for a full 5 day school week in September. It was rough - the kids had a lot of catching up to do, plus the strict truancy rules here make it hard to do that.

Would I do it again? Only if the package was a sweet enough deal and we would plan to get their school work done MUCH further in advance. Otherwise, we'll be doing another December trip that coincides with some of the already planned school holidays.

 

[happymommy]

Also, for our kids, there's no February break. Just Christmas break in Dec and Spring break in March. March is just TOOO crazy at Disney for us.

We have gone lots of times for spring break, and don't find it too bad at all really (just got back on the 22nd). This year we had the most beautiful weather too!!

I know a lot of schools go back mid-August (my sister's kids do), so that's why late August works well for us too! Matter of fact, in 2012, I took the kids for 15 nights (DH stayed home). We had a nice time, and took it easy! Had 10 day park hoppers w/water fun & more so really did lots of fun little things (a few trips to Disneyquest, mini golf at both places, a couple of hours at each water park). We stayed offsite at a couple of Marriott condos we got as getaways with Interval International (total paid for lodging was less than $700 then used Marriott gift cards gotten from Amex membership rewards to charge tickets to the room so they were free - the trip was super cheap!).

 

[curlyhair]

We homeschool, so we go when everyone else is in school.

 

[ceemys]

Always during the summer. Not enough time during school breaks. I wouldn't care to remove my elementary from school, but never my High schooler. Way too much information given in even in just one day. We just deal with the crowds. And go with the flow.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

We have done:

3rd week of July (hot & crowded, but we used a touring plan and had a blast).

1st week of Dec (DD was in 7th grade and we went for a long mother/daughter weekend. We left Wed afternoon and flew home Sunday night. She missed PE and 2 full school days).

1st week of June (Both kids (DD14, DS16) finished school by May 30th, a week earlier than usual so we went the minute they got out. Beat some of the crowds).

Next year DD14 will go over Spring Break with her high school softball team. Our Spring Breaks are always the week before or after Easter...it will be crowded!

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Spring Break is always when we go. However that is because we don't want to deal with summer heat, and I would not be willing to miss Volleyball during the summer or the fall. Thanksgiving doesn't work for us, and while we wouldn't be opposed to Christmas, it's hard with my dad's work schedule. So, Spring Break it is!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We don't get a Spring or Fall break, and Christmas is too nuts. All our vacationing is in Summer.

 

[minmate]

Our biggest hurdle is also working around four kids' dance, sports and other extra curriculars. Our school district did away with a spring break this year and next year (Seriously, in our cold Minnesota climate, we all need a break to head to warmer climate so it seems really odd.)

I have three middle schoolers and one high schooler this year. The middles are on quarters and the HS'er is on semesters. We just went last week, which was the start of a new quarter for the middles. They were scheduled to miss 5 days but there was a snow day on Friday so I'm letting them skip tomorrow (just got back tonight) and they will catch up on their homework that they received ahead of time.

I am pretty focused on them getting good grades but honestly, the high school grades are the most important, imho, so I'm most focused on my hs'er getting caught up.

In the future, if it works with extra curricular schedules, I'd go the start of the second semester for high school if they continue with this ridiculous no spring break plan.

 

[flutterby3744]

Our biggest hurdle is also working around four kids' dance, sports and other extra curriculars. Our school district did away with a spring break this year and next year (Seriously, in our cold Minnesota climate, we all need a break to head to warmer climate so it seems really odd.) I have three middle schoolers and one high schooler this year. The middles are on quarters and the HS'er is on semesters. We just went last week, which was the start of a new quarter for the middles. They were scheduled to miss 5 days but there was a snow day on Friday so I'm letting them skip tomorrow (just got back tonight) and they will catch up on their homework that they received ahead of time. I am pretty focused on them getting good grades but honestly, the high school grades are the most important, imho, so I'm most focused on my hs'er getting caught up. In the future, if it works with extra curricular schedules, I'd go the start of the second semester for high school if they continue with this ridiculous no spring break plan.

No spring break?! That's crazy talk. Living in the north, you need that week to get out your winter stir crazies. Kids need that downtime. As a parent, I would be seriously complaining.

 

[minmate]

No spring break?! That's crazy talk. Living in the north, you need that week to get out your winter stir crazies. Kids need that downtime. As a parent, I would be seriously complaining.

I know!!! If I knew all the things that would irritate me about this district, we would have gone elsewhere. But I also know, the grass always seems greener...

 

[justhat]

My oldest is in 4th grade, but we won't pull them just for WDW so we go over the summer. I would do one of their breaks, but hard for my husband to get off then. Yeah it's hot, but so is Arizona so not a huge deal. Crowds are manageable because we get up early and leave after lunch. Last trip was July 2012, next is June 2014.

Now, Disneyland we have pulled them a day or 1.5 days, but the trips were with my daughter's Girl Scout troop so not dates we set (and the troop isn't based in her school so they tried to pick a time that worked for most kids). But I don't mind a day here or there.

We also have fall break in October with 2 days off and 3 half days when they don't teach new material so that week we usually go somewhere, this year will be a Disney cruise. Then we have rodeo break in February, so 2 days off. Spring break was this past week.

They start school 8/7 and end 5/20 so we could go late may, but this year my sil's family is coming too and June worked for everyone.

 

[mm1971]

Now that my kids are older I really have to pick & choose when/if to take them out of school. Just can't seem to find a good time that works for everyone. I may just bite the bullet & go during a school vacation. Higher prices & larger crowds dont make me that excited about going though.

Curious as to what others do. Thank you!

We go at the end of August before the new school year starts. That allows them to get a fun vacation before they start and no missed school time.

Late August has lower crowds (not the lowest by any means) that the busier June/July summer times and we have found it to be very reasonable. Hot, but crowds have never been a big problem. I think the most we waited in line was 20 minutes. With the new FP+, things may change. We won't know until we get there this August. They usually have pretty good discounts then as well.

 

[luvmy2babies]

My daughter starts Middle school next year, but I haven’t pulled her previously. She’s Dyslexic and I know all that makeup work would be a nightmare. Taking work on the trip also wouldn’t work well. We went over Thanksgiving in 2010 because her school closed for the full week. Other than that we have gone at the end of June (2012) and the first week of June (2013). We also visited Orlando during her fall break in 2011, but that was for Sea World mainly but we did end up doing one unplanned day at MK. I can definitely see why people prefer months like October. Orlando was just beautiful and MSEP/Wishes was an hour earlier, but dd’s fall break is short (a 4 day weekend) plus it is not consistent which makes it hard to schedule travel. This year they didn’t even get one. Her school finishes the Thursday before Memorial Day though. This year I had scheduled for her school’s Spring break, but something came up with my job, so I moved the dates and we are leaving the Sunday after school ends and doing the last full week of May at Disney.

 

[bjscheel]

Early June, when we are done with school but while many are still in session.

When DD15 was in middle school, she didn't want to miss school. Now that she's in high school, she says she could miss school. She has so much free time during the day it's ridiculous. DD12 has no qualms about missing school for Disney! But, I've not pulled them since 5th & 3rd. It might be harder to miss a week than they are envisioning. And next year could be different for DD15.

January-April doesn't work- tax season for me. April and May are track. July could work but we go to camp in August, so I like to have time in between vacations. August is family camp and cross country if DD15 goes out. September-November is DH's busy time at harvest. In December I worry about bad weather and flight issues, and we don't want to miss family holidays.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I'm a HS teacher, so I'm tied to the schedule even more than the students are. We either go the first week in June, which is right after school gets out, or we go over Thanksgiving (which is what we're doing this year). The crowds are comparable, but the weather in November is much better.

No Spring Break? Did they make your summers longer to compensate?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

When he was in the 7th grade, we took our DS out of school for a week in mid January. While it was an excellent time to travel, once he got to high school it was no longer possible (missing the academics was bad enough, but then we also had the baskeball season to contend with).

Since then, we have done the first week of the Christmas break, the 2nd week of the Christmas break, and the last week of August (twice). While its hotter than blazes, our nod goes to the last week of August vs. the peak holiday time. Orlando is amazing during the festive season, but its sooo busy.

DS heads to college this September, and we are so ready to enjoy some increase flexibility. He will have a reading week in October, a reading week in February, and his academic year will end in late April, so we will finally have some options! I am excited to try a May trip in 2015.

 

[kkmcan]

We went last year the day after Memorial Day in May. The kids get out the 3rd week of May here in Az. We start the first week of August so completely different schedules than the rest of the country. With that said though we almost melted! That was the last time we'll do Orlando in the summer. Our focus was on Discovery Cove and water parks though so we only spent 2 days at Disney Parks.

We just can't do humidity after living in Az for our whole lives! We've also done the 3rd week in Dec right as school is letting out for winter break. It wasn't too too bad. I expected worse. But we made sure we there for rope drop, picked the park that is supposed to be least crowded for that day and hit all of our must do's first thing in the morning. And we didn't spend more than 1/2 a day at MK.

I'd say try to brave the crowds during a holiday break or do a long weekend when you have teachers inservice or grading days.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'm a HS teacher, so I'm tied to the schedule even more than the students are. We either go the first week in June, which is right after school gets out, or we go over Thanksgiving (which is what we're doing this year). The crowds are comparable, but the weather in November is much better.

No Spring Break? Did they make your summers longer to compensate?

We get a 3-day "Spring break" and 2 extra days off at Easter. Nobody likes it, but the admin does it so they can yank those days for snow makeup and not get hammered with poor attendance.