Planning with kids in School

[eporter66]

We bought into DVC back in 2003 at SSR. We did not have kids at the time, but wanted DVC for ourselves and eventually our children.

Our daughter is not school age (though rapidly approaching), and we wondered how people here plan around the school year. Our favorite time of the year is fall, and we have gone a number of times during October (will be again this year).

I realize that at a certain age it will not be possible to pull her out of school. So...

1. How bad is it during breaks (Easter, Thanksgiving etc...)
2. Is summer just too brutal in Florida to really enjoy the parks
3. How do you get around the school calendar (any tricks)??

Just trying to think ahead while enjoying our time as non "peak" time travellers.

Thanks
Eric

 

[gianna2006]

My son is now in second grade. We usually pull him out of school in the spring instead of the fall, as I feel like in the fall he is still getting acclimated to school, his teacher , and his friends. Last year he lost eight school days for a trip to Disney in May. He had work to do at home before, during, and after his trip, but it wasn't too bad. This year his workload has increased somewhat and I really wasn't comfortable with him missing so much school (although he is a really great student). We are getting around it somewhat by going the week before a school break - we're leaving on Saturday (he'll miss 5 days of school the following week) and are coming back on April 4, which is in the middle of his spring break. By doing it this way, he will have plenty of time to catch up on his work before school starts, taking a lot of the pressure off. We'll be there for a total of 12 days, so the crowd level doesn't bother me so much as we'll have plenty of time to do what we want. Next year ?????

Sooner or later, we'll wind up going for the last two weeks of August, as it tends to be much slower down there at that time. The heat is bearable if you take it easy and hit the air conditioning from time to time. For me, I can handle heat and I can handle crowds ...but I can't handle both at the same time and still be expected to have fun. Don't stress too much about it...I'm sure you'll find some way of doing things that will work well for your family !

 

[utahkennedys]

Does your school system have any non-traditional breaks? For us, Utah has a break in October for 2 days, when other states do not, so I plan to take our school-aged kids in Oct. for the week, but they'll only miss 3 days. We LOVE fall anyhow. We do not like WDW in the summer at all, and hate traveling at any peak times, so this little mini-break should work out great while avoiding crowds and lots of missed school...I know some teachers and school systems really frown on missing school for vacation, but I figure a kid could be out for 3 days just with a bad cold, so my kids will be out!

 

[Marshay]

We went in mid July (18th - 23rd) two years ago and were certainly dreading the heat and crowds. However, I must say it wasn't THAT bad. Make good use of getting up early and leaving before it gets too hot (before noon if possible or right after eating in the park). Must have plan (although be quick to change if it doesn't work) and utilize FPs.

Take time to enjoy the pools and/or nap in the afternoons. If you plan to do the water parks, remember these get just as busy and there are no FPs, so get there before the water park opens.

We always send one person to get FP for everyone, then ride something else, then as soon as your FP releases you to get another one, send someone else to get another FP, then go back and ride the original FP ride. (Of course this only works when the FP times are close to actual time, not hours apart). Then you ride the 2nd FP and repeat process. So you only wait for 1 ride and have 2 FPs. Depending on the return times, you can actually end up with 3 FPs at once and even get lucky with bonus FPs. The downside, is you may be traversing the park all over and you need someone who is responsible and calculating to determine which FPs will work with this system. We made mistake of getting Space Mountain FP around 11am for a 2pm return (maybe it was even later) and it messed up the rest of the day since we couldn't get another one for a while.

I prob confused you more but the gist of it is to use a bit of planning, get there early, use FP, go back into the parks later in the evening or around dinner time, go on rides during parades/fireworks, etc.

 

[tiggercrew]

When our kids were little we used to travel in early May, October & December. My DD(now 14) did miss school several times when she was in 1st - 3rd grade and the teacher was great about her assignments. But my DS (now 10) was never as good at making up work so we never took him out during school time. We started vacationing right after school let out for the summer (so we usually travel over Memorial Day week). The crowds were definitely heavier and the heat was definitely more of a factor, but it was worth it for us not to deal with the make up work (which now would be almost impossible with a high school student and a 5th grader). The kids love going during that week so we do as previous posters have mentioned and have a good plan, leave the park early if we want and spend some time at the pool.

Some school systems do have breaks during non-traditional times, but ours isn't one of them. For us, we just like being at WDW, so the extra people & heat are just factors we deal with.

 

[starbox]

When just the kids were in school, I had no qualms at all about pulling them out for a week in October (my favorie time to visit WDW) . Once I went back to teaching ,we stuck to school breaks.

IMHO, summer is much, much, much less crowded than Christmas or Easter break. I actually prefered the weather in summer over the weather Dec/Jan because at least it is consistently hot and you can enjoy water parks/rides -and getting rained on is not a big deal since you are not wet and cold at the same time. The last week of May/first of June has always been good to us in terms of weather and crowds - and points are lower.

Spring Break also has not been bad except when it falls over Easter week - but our break varies. This year it's Easter Week - next year it is the second week of April - three weeks after Easter. I'm expecting very quiet parks. This year, due to the Easter issue, we'll go to HHI - which won't be quite warm enough yet- but still a nice get-a-way that should not get us stuck in "Heading to Florida" traffic.

 

[YoMickey]

As long as your kids are doing well and don't miss a lot of school, I wouldn't have a problem taking them out for a week.
As a former high school teacher, I always felt it was more important for my students to have fun, quality, family time. There was nothing they were going to miss in one week that was more important than that.

 

[Starr W.]

This will be the 2nd yr we will go at Thanksgiving. Kids get pulled for 2 days(4th grader hardly had an make up work to do). We are going down on Saturday before. I hadn't been to WDW in years but the crowds were not bad until Wednesday pm. We did AK on Thanksgiving day, it was packed. We will be leaving on Friday.


As for Spring Break, our district has been either the week before or after Easter for break. Except for last year and we had it 2 weeks before Easter?? . It didn't bother me, but alot of folks were up in arms, when you change something for the first time in 15+ yrs. Reasoning was when they did the schedule the state hadn't given out the testing schedule and they didn't want break to be right before it(going off the previous yr).

 

[dismom58]

Hi! I'm just posting for the first time but thought this might help. Having a highschool dd and being a school board employee I found the school calendar a help. We have off the first week in January evey year so I book Vero Beach for some post holiday relaxation. We then go to WDW during spring break. Since we know the dates well in advance making an 11 month reservation is no problem. Having a smaller window of choice works better for us. I would probably procrastinate if I didn't know these were our only choices. As far as the parks in summer as a Floridian I would recomend you be prepared for lots of weather changes. Heat & afternoon rain showers will be a part of your trip but if you use early and late
park hours and are prepared for a late afternoon rain shower taking it slower than normal you should be fine.

 

[YoMickey]

It appears my wife has "HI-Jacked" my username. The real Yomickey is not a school teacher(not that there's anything wrong with that), but his wife is. I will have to register her so that she can enjoy "The Dis".
Hi honey! I'll be home by 4.

I keep getting subscribed to threads that I have not searched or made replies.

My disboards in-box was full of e-mails this morning.


cc:wife's e-mail

 

[dznymom1]

One thing I have learned since buying our first DVC contract back in 1992 is that our vacation habits change more than I foresaw. For several years we were able to travel when we wanted to because the kids were small. It was wonderful and we got pretty spoiled! Then we pushed our luck once when the oldest was in Junior High, and realized that it wasn't fair to him. So, for several years we stuck with school vacations and summer. Here in NH we have a February week and an April week that don't coincide with many other school breaks, so other than paying through the nose for airfare, we still get to travel at nice times.

Of course, once the kids got lives, their baseball, band, debate, swimming, _______ (you fill in the blank) schedules rule our lives anyway, so all bets are off and we squeeze in what we can when we can! Now I am sad to say that the youngest will be in college in 2 more years and we can go back to going whenever we want. That is bittersweet!

 

[LilGMom]

1. How bad is it during breaks (Easter, Thanksgiving etc...)

As far as breaks go - long weekends and holiday are busy. The week of Thanksgiving is usually pretty bad but the two weeks immediately after aren't.

2. Is summer just too brutal in Florida to really enjoy the parks

We live in NW Florida and you will not find us in Central FL during the summer because of the heat and the humidity. When it is in the 90's that humidity will make it feel like it is in the 100's or 110's. In my opinion the heat and extra crowds takes a lot of the enjoyment out of the trip.

3. How do you get around the school calendar (any tricks)??

Working around the school year... we don't. Granted our oldest started kindergarten this year and we went in October during their Fall Break. Next year the school district is doing away with that Fall Break so we will be pulling him out for a week in October. As long as his grades are good, he isn't behind and he is doing alright in school we'll pull him out.

 

[MEM]

Our problem here in the Boston area is this monster called "MCAS" (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). It is required for all students (grades 3-12?) and the test dates are only released a few months in advance. We were just told last week that DD10 will be examined the entire week of May 21-25. Why the heck don't they know the schedule sooner??? We had already planned a trip to the Flower and Garden Festival and were able to change it (and our DVC reservation) to earlier in the month. DH is trying very hard to plan our next trips exactly at the 11 month window for AKV, SSR and BCV but we are afraid to book anything from March through the first two weeks of June.

We historically go the last week of August through Labor Day but now that we own at 2 DVC resorts with a third in process, we want to travel more often. We have a trip planned in December to check out the Christmas decorations but before the Christmas crowds get there. DS12 is in Special Ed and his teachers are thrilled that he is able to visit WDW so often - they admit they cannot compete with the positive stimulation he receives on each visit.

 

[Starr W.]

Our problem here in the Boston area is this monster called "MCAS" (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). It is required for all students (grades 3-12?) and the test dates are only released a few months in advance. We were just told last week that DD10 will be examined the entire week of May 21-25. Why the heck don't they know the schedule sooner??? We had already planned a trip to the Flower and Garden Festival and were able to change it (and our DVC reservation) to earlier in the month. DH is trying very hard to plan our next trips exactly at the 11 month window for AKV, SSR and BCV but we are afraid to book anything from March through the first two weeks of June.

We historically go the last week of August through Labor Day but now that we own at 2 DVC resorts with a third in process, we want to travel more often. We have a trip planned in December to check out the Christmas decorations but before the Christmas crowds get there. DS12 is in Special Ed and his teachers are thrilled that he is able to visit WDW so often - they admit they cannot compete with the positive stimulation he receives on each visit.

I think Ohio has settled on late April/early May for our state tests. We did them last year in March. I think they moved them back to avoid Easter vacation(as most schools here go at that time, but some of the privates don't) We know at the beginning of the school year when they will be(I swear the dates our in every newsletter that comes home,school does not want you to schedule anything for those days).

 

[Deb & Bill]

Our son in currently in 8th grade. Last year we took him out for five days right after Jan 1 so my husband could do the marathon (plus we could go for NYE). He had a hard time catching up after that, so we decided then and there, that his education was more important than taking vacations outside the school breaks. He's going to be in HS next year, so no way will be jeopardize his education with vacations. Disney vacations are NOT that educational, no matter what anyone says.

We've usually gone at school break times, but they aren't that bad. We use more points, the parks are a little more crowded, but it works for us right now. My husband is already talking about five years from now when we can go during the cheap points times.

During the summer months, if we go (usually in early June), we'll hit the water parks at least daily.

 

[vandy]

When your kids are little, I don't think it is too much of a problem to take them out of school for a week. Maybe when they hit the 5th grade level it will become more difficult for them. A lot will depend on the student and the schools. When my 7th grader missed two days due to illness, he was swamped with make-up homework and I wouldn't even think of taking our high-schoolers out of school!

The reply stating how life changes as your kids get older is true. We have always traveld the first part of June and still plan to this year, but now our DS15 has high-school baseball, drivers-ed and basketball camps to work around and DS13 has little league.

As far as the heat is concerned, I always convince myself mentally that it will be stiffling hot and humid. That way when I arrive, it doesn't really seem too bad. Be prepared for the usual afternoon rain storm by taking some down time at your resort or by doing some other non-park activity. The parks are open later in the summer so you are able to take some time out of the heat.

 

[MinMouse]

We bought into DVC back in 2003 at SSR. We did not have kids at the time, but wanted DVC for ourselves and eventually our children.

Our daughter is not school age (though rapidly approaching), and we wondered how people here plan around the school year. Our favorite time of the year is fall, and we have gone a number of times during October (will be again this year).

I realize that at a certain age it will not be possible to pull her out of school. So...

1. How bad is it during breaks (Easter, Thanksgiving etc...)
2. Is summer just too brutal in Florida to really enjoy the parks
3. How do you get around the school calendar (any tricks)??

Just trying to think ahead while enjoying our time as non "peak" time travellers.

Thanks
Eric

I think you hit on a topic that everyone with kids deals with. In answer to your specific questions. 1. We have been during Spring break (and are going this year!) Our break always falls the week after Easter. The parks are mobbed but we take a relaxed view to this vacation. More afternoon breaks/pool breaks. And since we've been before we don't feel the pressure to do it all. 2. We've been in early June and late August. I would choose early June every time over late August. It was just too hot for us. 3. See if your school district plans the calendar in advance (ours normally puts out two years in advance! New superintendant this year though so we only have one year out . . . our calendar is pretty wacky and he wanted to get acclimated to it) We then choose weeks that they kids already have time off to lessen the time they miss.

Although we enjoyed going during the slower periods when the kids were younger we have enjoyed taking them during a time when we don't have to miss school. It's great not to have to worry about work to take with you or make up when you get back.

 

[lisareniff]

We are upstate NYer's too - Rochester. We have never been in the summer and never plan to. The numbers are too hot for us! ...and it's too beautiful here!

We pulled our oldest out of school for a week for the first couple of years. We have been doing a comprise plan for the last couple years. Pulling her out for 2-3 days before a break. This allows lower airfares and a day or two of lower crowds (head to MK). We usually go over Pres. Week to get away from the snow and grey days. Next year we are going to VB mid April.

 

[crys5]

We bought into DVC back in 2003 at SSR. We did not have kids at the time, but wanted DVC for ourselves and eventually our children.

Our daughter is not school age (though rapidly approaching), and we wondered how people here plan around the school year. Our favorite time of the year is fall, and we have gone a number of times during October (will be again this year).

I realize that at a certain age it will not be possible to pull her out of school. So...

1. How bad is it during breaks (Easter, Thanksgiving etc...)
2. Is summer just too brutal in Florida to really enjoy the parks
3. How do you get around the school calendar (any tricks)??

Just trying to think ahead while enjoying our time as non "peak" time travellers.

Thanks
Eric

We are from Louisiana, it is hot here , but we went to DISNEY the end of June last year......way to hot...we will never go in summer again. We usually end up going when the kids are off during Mardi Gras which is usually in Feb. they have 3 days off we take them out of school for 2 days., went in 2000 pulled the kids out the week before Thanksgiving....the weather was great, the crowds were low, but my niece's teacher was way to hard on her when she got back and gave her all F's on her test ....my kids teachers were great!and work she missed even though she made it all up....We are going for Thanksgiving this year....The parish next to where we live , Disney is an excused absence from school...they say its educational....i wish our school district would agree with that...it would be easier to plan Disney vacations!...lol

 

[disneymom8589]

I am a 2nd grade teacher and nearly every year a student goes on a trip to DLR. I just ask him/her to write some thoughts in a journal and then they share about their trip when they come back to school. The other kids love hearing about the trips, too.

On a side note, DH and I booked a vacation at SSR from Dec. 16-20 because our school district has always been out during that time frame, so I figured it was safe. Oh no - I just found out last week that this upcoming Christmas break they decide to START vacation on the 20th, so now I have to cancel. We are so bummed!!!