School Year Schedule: When would you go?

[Miss Frankie J]

If you had to follow a School Year Schedule because that is the only time you had off what time would you go?

Christmas Break
Mid winter break (Mid to Late Feb)
Spring break (Week before or week of Easter)
Late June
Late August


I was wondering which one would you choose and why. You can base this off of previous experience or hopeful planning or what you have heard. I would love feedback because I'm helping my sister plan for a vacation and these are the only times she could go. I think hearing from all of you can help her greatly!

 

[biondagirl]

We stopped taking my son out of school after 2nd grade for trips. (We never took my daughter out.) And started to go in August. Which, we have loved. It gave us extra time and saved us a little bit of money. We are actually contemplating taking them out this October since we get a few days off. They will be in 5th & 8th grades. I figure once he is in high school and she is in middle school it'll be much harder.

I'm crossing my fingers to be able to go since I so want to go to MNSSHP and F&W sooo bad.

 

[summerw]

If you want the lowest crowds, August. If you don't want to melt (or deal with park closings), February.

 

[Dug720]

I picked late August.

That is when I am going this year.

Though truly slow times are rate now, more school systems will be in session than other times.

I live in NYC, and after the Christmas blizzard of 2010 where I was stranded in Orlando through New Year's Day, I really struggle with traveling anywhere over Christmas.

The other two break options will have more people as more people are out at those times.

Late June will be busier than late August I would think as pretty much everyone except NYC schools are out that last week or two of June.

 

[Miss Frankie J]

We stopped taking my son out of school after 2nd grade for trips. (We never took my daughter out.) And started to go in August. Which, we have loved. It gave us extra time and saved us a little bit of money. We are actually contemplating taking them out this October since we get a few days off. They will be in 5th & 8th grades. I figure once he is in high school and she is in middle school it'll be much harder.

I'm crossing my fingers to be able to go since I so want to go to MNSSHP and F&W sooo bad.

My parents took us out of school once in order to do a vacation but I think its more difficult now. My sister works in a school as a teaching assistant so she cannot request days off outside the school schedule. Did you find August to be very hot or crowded?

You must go for F&W Its my favorite experience ever. unfortunately she cant go

 

[Miss Frankie J]

If you want the lowest crowds, August. If you don't want to melt (or deal with park closings), February.

Do park closings happen often in August?

I picked late August.

That is when I am going this year.

Though truly slow times are rate now, more school systems will be in session than other times.

I live in NYC, and after the Christmas blizzard of 2010 where I was stranded in Orlando through New Year's Day, I really struggle with traveling anywhere over Christmas.

The other two break options will have more people as more people are out at those times.

Late June will be busier than late August I would think as pretty much everyone except NYC schools are out that last week or two of June.

I would love to go spring break for flower and garden but the crowd calendar is too much! I cannot imagine how crazy it is that week!

 

[100acreHiker]

I can't do Florida in the summer--too hot and humid, so I would do February, though I don't love any of the options. Christmas is an amazing time to go if you can handle the crowds--just get up early and rope drop the parks each day, then head back to your resort at lunch time. My understanding is that February break is less crowded (though not by much) than Spring break.

 

[summerw]

Do park closings happen often in August?

I've never heard of any. I meant that the other 2 choices: Christmas and Easter have had them. And even more I just mean while President's Day weekend can be very crowded, most people still say Christmas and Easter is much more crowded.

 

[flutterby3744]

Are they all the same length of trip? If they aren't then I would always pick the time I could stay the longest. If they are all the same here's my take, I've been at all times except Christmas.

Mid winter: Low crowds, beautiful weather. I love love love Florida in February. Warm (70s/80s) during the day, and cool at night. Love it!

Spring Break: We went Easter week once. I will avoid it at all costs. The weather is nice, not as hot as summer. But the CROWDS. Oh my, I've never seen crowds at Disney like I did on Easter. It was outrageous.
Late June: I like this time of year. Yes, it's summer and yes, there are crowds. But if you plan and tour correctly, you can manage them well. This would be my pick.

Late August: Hot. Hot. Hot. Did I mention it was Hot?

 

[biondagirl]

Did you find August to be very hot or crowded?

August is very hot. It rains. Sometimes a bit. Sometimes for hours. We love it though. The later in August, the fewer crowds. We went one year from 8/19 to 8/18 and it was still crowded. But, they had longer hours. We went last year from 8/21 until 8/29 and it was a lot less crowded, but shorter hours. I am good with the heat. My dh and kids aren't. But, in WDW, it's not too bad. Most of the lines you're in are sheltered or in air conditioning. The only time it got to me was waiting for the parade in the afternoon in the direct sun.

I love going in August.

 

[ArielSRL]

I would go late August because several school systems (like ours in GA) will be back in session. For us, we get out in late May, so we planned our trip for early June because of the same reason - so many school systems are still in session (I'm a teacher).

 

[Robertfam08]

We always go in the first couple of weeks of September and LOVE it! It's no hotter to us than our humid midwest weather and most of the stuff you do is inside anyway. So I vote for the end of August. Low crowds and low prices beat all for us.

 

[Miss Frankie J]

Are they all the same length of trip? If they aren't then I would always pick the time I could stay the longest. If they are all the same here's my take, I've been at all times except Christmas.

Mid winter: Low crowds, beautiful weather. I love love love Florida in February. Warm (70s/80s) during the day, and cool at night. Love it!

Spring Break: We went Easter week once. I will avoid it at all costs. The weather is nice, not as hot as summer. But the CROWDS. Oh my, I've never seen crowds at Disney like I did on Easter. It was outrageous.
Late June: I like this time of year. Yes, it's summer and yes, there are crowds. But if you plan and tour correctly, you can manage them well. This would be my pick.

Late August: Hot. Hot. Hot. Did I mention it was Hot?

I went in June this past year and it was 100 on the day we went to MK, We left by 3 but went early and was able to deal with the heat and crowds. I'm glad you mentioned the Easter crowds because I remember going to MK during a non MNSSHP night and it was PACKED. I can't imagine it even more crowded!

August is very hot. It rains. Sometimes a bit. Sometimes for hours. We love it though. The later in August, the fewer crowds. We went one year from 8/19 to 8/18 and it was still crowded. But, they had longer hours. We went last year from 8/21 until 8/29 and it was a lot less crowded, but shorter hours. I am good with the heat. My dh and kids aren't. But, in WDW, it's not too bad. Most of the lines you're in are sheltered or in air conditioning. The only time it got to me was waiting for the parade in the afternoon in the direct sun.

I love going in August.

I'm good with the heat, I love it actually. My sister is worried about it. I think it could be manageable since it would be the two of us with no children we can take it easy and slow.

I would go late August because several school systems (like ours in GA) will be back in session. For us, we get out in late May, so we planned our trip for early June because of the same reason - so many school systems are still in session (I'm a teacher).

Thank you for the advice! it might not be the coolest time to go, but I think she might hate the crowds more than the heat.

 

[Miss Frankie J]

Are they all the same length of trip? If they aren't then I would always pick the time I could stay the longest. If they are all the same here's my take, I've been at all times except Christmas.

Mid winter: Low crowds, beautiful weather. I love love love Florida in February. Warm (70s/80s) during the day, and cool at night. Love it!

Spring Break: We went Easter week once. I will avoid it at all costs. The weather is nice, not as hot as summer. But the CROWDS. Oh my, I've never seen crowds at Disney like I did on Easter. It was outrageous.
Late June: I like this time of year. Yes, it's summer and yes, there are crowds. But if you plan and tour correctly, you can manage them well. This would be my pick.

Late August: Hot. Hot. Hot. Did I mention it was Hot?

Oh! and I forgot to answer your question. For the most part they would all be a week Excluding in February. She doesn't get a full week off then so it would be a shorter trip.

 

[lovin'fl]

I would choose late Aug for the lower crowds, but it has to be truly late Aug because early Aug is still super busy. Next would be the mid winter break...we have done that and it's a great time with low crowds and it's cooler...BUT it can be too cold down at WDW for my taste and/or there could be snow delays or cancellations of flight to/from WDW.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

Oh! and I forgot to answer your question. For the most part they would all be a week Excluding in February. She doesn't get a full week off then so it would be a shorter trip.

I assume February would be President's Day weekend. It's 10/10 crowds just like Spring Break and Christmas.

The problem you and I are dealing with is that no matter when we choose to go, we have to choose time periods that millions of other families are also restricted to becuse of school calendars.

I think the luckiest Disney families are the ones with kids in year round school.

 

[flutterby3744]

I assume February would be President's Day weekend. It's 10/10 crowds just like Spring Break and Christmas.

The problem you and I are dealing with is that no matter when we choose to go, we have to choose time periods that millions of other families are also restricted to becuse of school calendars.

I think the luckiest Disney families are the ones with kids in year round school.

Or home schoolers! Man wouldn't that be great. Would it be wrong to homeschool just so we could go to Disney when we want??

 

[ArielSRL]

I assume February would be President's Day weekend. It's 10/10 crowds just like Spring Break and Christmas.

The problem you and I are dealing with is that no matter when we choose to go, we have to choose time periods that millions of other families are also restricted to becuse of school calendars.

I think the luckiest Disney families are the ones with kids in year round school.

I wish we would go to year round school...then we would get several breaks throughout the year....

 

[tarak]

I voted late August. We've gone twice the third week in August and it was great in terms of crowds. Yes, it was hot. It's hot here in August, too (Pennsylvania). We hit the parks early, drank loads of water, took midday breaks at the pool, and went back to the parks in the evening. I'd take heat over crowds any day.

 

[Miss Frankie J]

I assume February would be President's Day weekend. It's 10/10 crowds just like Spring Break and Christmas.

The problem you and I are dealing with is that no matter when we choose to go, we have to choose time periods that millions of other families are also restricted to becuse of school calendars.

I think the luckiest Disney families are the ones with kids in year round school.

Yes when I look at the crowd calendar, it shows high crowds for the few days shes off in Feb.

YES Ugh its the worst! I mean When I got to Disney with my boyfriend we aren't restricted to a school calendar and go whenever we want. Going with my sister is like you said, frustrating because thats when everyone else can go.

I voted late August. We've gone twice the third week in August and it was great in terms of crowds. Yes, it was hot. It's hot here in August, too (Pennsylvania). We hit the parks early, drank loads of water, took midday breaks at the pool, and went back to the parks in the evening. I'd take heat over crowds any day.

Same, I think my sister will see that reason too. I'm gonna show her the thread with the feedback and it will help make up her mind.