Planning BIG trip in 2015

[aprilfoolwed]

I am smack in the middle of a Master's program, and it's taking a toll on the whole family. To keep all of our spirits bright, we've been saying that once I graduate, we get to go back to Disney! As amazing as it may be to me, I am nearly at the halfway point with my classwork, and it's looking like I will graduate either Spring or Summer 2015!

We have gone several times as a family - our first trip in 2009 (stayed at Windsor Palms) with 8 days in the parks, a quick 1-day at Magic Kingdom in 2010, 7 days in the parks in 2011 (stayed in Emerald Island), and a 5-day trip to Universal Studios in 2013. Except for the trip to Universal last year, we have always driven from PA to FL.

Now - my questions that I need input on:

• When to go? We've only ever done WDW in the summer and it's HOT and DH dislikes it. But doing any other time means pulling the kids (who will be 14, 12, and 9 when we go) out of school. We did that in 2013, going to Universal in January. Loved it - but this winter in PA has been rough, and I don't want to risk missing our trip because of rotten PA weather. So fall? Spring?
• How long to go? Since so many things have changed, I think I want at least 2 days for each park. But we could go longer - would that be overkill for one trip?
• Where to stay? We have never stayed on Disney property, and I would really like to. But the kids really love the space that a pool home affords. Are Magic Bands worth giving up the extra space for our family to spread out?
• Fly or drive?
• If we stay onsite, Dining Plan or not? We've never done it, and it looks great. But do we really need it? Unless free dining is offered?
• What to focus on with teens/preteens? Now that the kids will be older, what's the best way to plan a trip to keep everyone happy?

This semester is shaping up to be a tough one - I need to start thinking about Disney to get me through it!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I wouldn't want to pull teens out of school. Try as early in Summer as possible for a chance of a little cooler weather, and better crowds. With your ages, definitely do the water parks. We're driving/offsite folks here and appreciate the savings that come with that. But, that choice is up to you

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I am not a fan of pulling kids out of school. I agree with other poster, try early Summer. I am a fan on staying at a Disney Resort. From Deluxe to Value Resorts, you may find a deal. Worth checking out. Magic Bands have been up and running. And after reading these threads, by the sound of it the "old" way will be gone soon. I live in California so I have no other choice but to drive to WDW but even when I lived in NJ, I would always fly. I want to get there, the drive is way too long for me. We never do the dining plan. My husband wants nothing to do with it. Wants to eat what he wants, when he wants to, and how much he wants to. Go to Disneyworld.com and that will help plan your trip.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Thanks for the input. I am going to have to see when I actually graduate - early summer may not work for us if I end up graduating at the end of June.

We have always done our trips as cheaply as possible, and while the budget is still a big concern, I also want this trip to be about the experience and time together more than saving the most money.

I guess what I am weighing is do I stay off-site in a pool home and go to Disney for a longer time, or stay in a Disney hotel and do the full experience (but for fewer days?). Even though my kids will be a bit older then, I don't expect to allow them the freedom to come and go in/out of parks on their own, so that is not a concern of mine at this point.

But the time of year is a big one. No way is my DH going to want to go for 2 weeks in July or August! I would love to go during Food & wine- but then the kids have to be taken out of school, which means we should not go for more than one week (if at all).

So much to consider!

 

[wendow]

Do your kids get any kind of fall break? Maybe that would be a time you could go and have that overlap with F&W.

 

[kP72]

Life is too short. Just pick a time of year that you want to go and to hell with everything else!
I have two kids.. one is almost 16 and the other is almost 11. Yesterday they were babies... tomorrow, they will be grown and living their own lives. But until that day comes, I shall relish the time spent with them... to spoil them. School work can be made up; family time... not so easy.

Don't over think it... just act.

And congrats on your masters. I'm sure you could use the incentive of a vacation!

 

[wendow]

Life is too short. Just pick a time of year that you want to go and to hell with everything else!
I have two kids.. one is almost 16 and the other is almost 11. Yesterday they were babies... tomorrow, they will be grown and living their own lives. But until that day comes, I shall relish the time spent with them... to spoil them. School work can be made up; family time... not so easy.

Don't over think it... just act.

And congrats on your masters. I'm sure you could use the incentive of a vacation!

I tend to agree with you but as a homeschooler, I feel I shouldn't tell others whether to pull their kids out or not. So I am glad you said it

 

[mitchwebb]

we love thanksgiving week. I know some think it is to busy but with the holiday decorations it is a great time if your kids get the week off.

 

[kkmcan]

Maybe Veterans Day week would work for taking the kids out less days and you get a weekend on each end. Or Thanksgiving.

We did the week after Memorial Day last year and we almost died! That kind of humidity is not for us dry Arizonans!

I get not taking the kids out, we have 2 teens as well and I am dead set against doing that but we booked a trip to Hawaii for spring break this year and they are going to miss one full day and 2 half days right before spring break. Flights were tons cheaper those days.

 

[Marionnette]

I am smack in the middle of a Master's program, and it's taking a toll on the whole family. To keep all of our spirits bright, we've been saying that once I graduate, we get to go back to Disney! As amazing as it may be to me, I am nearly at the halfway point with my classwork, and it's looking like I will graduate either Spring or Summer 2015!

We have gone several times as a family - our first trip in 2009 (stayed at Windsor Palms) with 8 days in the parks, a quick 1-day at Magic Kingdom in 2010, 7 days in the parks in 2011 (stayed in Emerald Island), and a 5-day trip to Universal Studios in 2013. Except for the trip to Universal last year, we have always driven from PA to FL.

Now - my questions that I need input on:

• When to go? We've only ever done WDW in the summer and it's HOT and DH dislikes it. But doing any other time means pulling the kids (who will be 14, 12, and 9 when we go) out of school. We did that in 2013, going to Universal in January. Loved it - but this winter in PA has been rough, and I don't want to risk missing our trip because of rotten PA weather. So fall? Spring?
• How long to go? Since so many things have changed, I think I want at least 2 days for each park. But we could go longer - would that be overkill for one trip?
• Where to stay? We have never stayed on Disney property, and I would really like to. But the kids really love the space that a pool home affords. Are Magic Bands worth giving up the extra space for our family to spread out?
• Fly or drive?
• If we stay onsite, Dining Plan or not? We've never done it, and it looks great. But do we really need it? Unless free dining is offered?
• What to focus on with teens/preteens? Now that the kids will be older, what's the best way to plan a trip to keep everyone happy?

This semester is shaping up to be a tough one - I need to start thinking about Disney to get me through it!

Thanks for the input. I am going to have to see when I actually graduate - early summer may not work for us if I end up graduating at the end of June.

We have always done our trips as cheaply as possible, and while the budget is still a big concern, I also want this trip to be about the experience and time together more than saving the most money.

I guess what I am weighing is do I stay off-site in a pool home and go to Disney for a longer time, or stay in a Disney hotel and do the full experience (but for fewer days?). Even though my kids will be a bit older then, I don't expect to allow them the freedom to come and go in/out of parks on their own, so that is not a concern of mine at this point.

But the time of year is a big one. No way is my DH going to want to go for 2 weeks in July or August! I would love to go during Food & wine- but then the kids have to be taken out of school, which means we should not go for more than one week (if at all).

So much to consider!

Since you're from PA, you probably already know about PSSA testing and how important it is to not remove the kids from school during those dates. The schedule for 2015 is already available online.

I don't like the idea of taking kids out of school for vacations. I feel that it sends the wrong message about the value of education. But there can be extenuating circumstances and every family has to weigh the benefit of a family vacation vs. the consequences of missing school. Keep in mind that PA public schools can get pretty strict about missing 10 or more days of school, even if they were due to illnesses.

Food & Wine is wonderful but really it's more fun for adults than kids. If this is to be a family vacation, then save F&W for a time when just Mom and Dad get away to Disney.

Check the school calendar and aim for a week when they have some in-services and scheduled days off. Our district usually did in-services on a Friday when there was a Monday holiday. Perhaps there might be some way of missing only a couple days of school around Veteran's Day and Election Day? Otherwise, I would shoot for Thanksgiving week. It's usually a half-week of school around here for the lower grades. Plus, some PA school districts also have the following Monday off for the beginning of deer season.

Once you settle on a week, then you can decide whether it is worth staying onsite. The Magic Bands alone are not a good reason to crowd into a small resort room when you're used to having space to spread out. FP+ is still in its infancy and it is too early to tell whether offsite guests will be able to schedule their FP+ days in advance, like onsite guest can.

IMO the dining plan is not any kind of bargain unless it is included in some sort of "free" dining promotion.

Let the kids decide what they want to focus on. By the time that kids reach the age that your kids will be, they are not shy about voicing their opinions to their parents. The kids have seen Disney enough times to know what they like and what they prefer to skip.

Congratulations on passing this milestone in your education. Good luck with the rest of your coursework.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I am smack in the middle of a Master's program, and it's taking a toll on the whole family. To keep all of our spirits bright, we've been saying that once I graduate, we get to go back to Disney! As amazing as it may be to me, I am nearly at the halfway point with my classwork, and it's looking like I will graduate either Spring or Summer 2015!

We have gone several times as a family - our first trip in 2009 (stayed at Windsor Palms) with 8 days in the parks, a quick 1-day at Magic Kingdom in 2010, 7 days in the parks in 2011 (stayed in Emerald Island), and a 5-day trip to Universal Studios in 2013. Except for the trip to Universal last year, we have always driven from PA to FL.

Now - my questions that I need input on:

• When to go? We've only ever done WDW in the summer and it's HOT and DH dislikes it. But doing any other time means pulling the kids (who will be 14, 12, and 9 when we go) out of school. We did that in 2013, going to Universal in January. Loved it - but this winter in PA has been rough, and I don't want to risk missing our trip because of rotten PA weather. So fall? Spring?
• How long to go? Since so many things have changed, I think I want at least 2 days for each park. But we could go longer - would that be overkill for one trip?
• Where to stay? We have never stayed on Disney property, and I would really like to. But the kids really love the space that a pool home affords. Are Magic Bands worth giving up the extra space for our family to spread out?
• Fly or drive?
• If we stay onsite, Dining Plan or not? We've never done it, and it looks great. But do we really need it? Unless free dining is offered?
• What to focus on with teens/preteens? Now that the kids will be older, what's the best way to plan a trip to keep everyone happy?

This semester is shaping up to be a tough one - I need to start thinking about Disney to get me through it!

Personally at that age I wouldn't pull my kids out of school. I did when they were younger and stopped around 5th grade for my DS.

We go in the summer. Yes it's hot at the end of August but we go for almost two weeks and take midday breaks or just do half days. We get to beat the hours that it's the hottest and still get to do everything we want because we stay for so long. We can't stay for that long if they are in school.

I wouldn't go during a holiday week. I can't deal with those crowds.

I would stay onsite. Maybe rent points for BCV for the great pool they offer.

I don't do the DDP anymore. I would rather take a room discount. We don't eat according to the DDP anymore. It doesn't save us money anymore.

If you are taking them out of school I would fly. Less time traveling. Less time out of school. If it's the summer I would be more open to drive but I prefer flying. We have done both from NJ. The drive to WDW isn't so bad....the drive home sucks!

I would ask your kids what they prefer doing. They are older. My kids love the parks and two days per park would be great for them and what we do for a 11 night trip.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Thanks for all the input! We have so much to think about, but planning is almost as much fun as going (not quite, but I love planning a trip!).

I will know more about my graduation date after this summer is done, and then we can really start planning and looking at dates and options. I have to relook at the YES program too - we did that in 2011 with the kids and it was great. I think it may have changed quite a bit though...

This Disney trip is what keeps our whole gang going through the rough days - can't wait to celebrate this huge milestone with my family!

 

[wendow]

I have to relook at the YES program too - we did that in 2011 with the kids and it was great. I think it may have changed quite a bit though...

The biggest change is the discount is no longer very good. You do the classes b/c you just really enjoy the classes and not for a great discount. We did it in 2012 and saved over $500 on tickets. I priced it for our 2013 trip and the savings was right at $100...not near enough for me to give up precious park time

It could be a YMMV deal though depending on how many kids are taking classes and how many parents are chaperoning.

 

[blessedby3]

It is a personal decision on pulling kids out. Different kids can handle things differently.
Our oldest two kids were pulled out up until their senior years with no issues. Our 3rd child would not do well at all pulling her out for more than a couple of days now that she has started high school.
That means that we end up going in one of my not so favorite times of year, but it also means that we can stay longer
We are taking the younger two out for the last few days of school (they will only be missing class parties, movie day, field day, etc) and going down June 7-21. The trade off is a much longer trip since we don't have to worry about schoolwork…but it will be HOT!
We have done it before so I know we can do it again.

We prefer a longer trip and with the size of our family, we can stay much longer if we stay off property. We are staying at Bonnet Creek for the 2 weeks. (we could have gotten an even cheaper rate at Windsor Hills, but I love BC). We will take it a bit slower since we have 2 weeks.

 

[powellrj]

With you kids the ages they are, I would go with a pool house. Its much easier for everyone to have their own space and spread out. You will have more bathrooms and tvs too! I also like having a kitchen for snacks. My kids ate all the time at that age and it was nice to be able to let them fix something to eat when they wanted to.

While flying is nice, I would never stay off-site without a car, plus there are lots of great off-site places to eat that are cheaper too!

I know its a personal preference, but I would skip the dining plan if you do decide to stay on-site unless you want to to with the quick service one. I don't like to make plans for next week and there is no way I know where I am going to eat on vacation everyday to make the table service plan work for us.