Schools Chirstmas break is MUCH different (dates) then I thought!!!

[riu girl]

I am booked in Siesta Key Dec 17-31/05 assuming school would let out next year at Christmas the same time as 12/2004 (Dec 17). Well, teacher informed me today that Christmas break next year will be from Dec 23-Jan 9. I have booked a private condo through vrbo.com and have already put a deposit for these two weeks so don't want to try and change those dates. Teacher said no problem to take DD8 out of school one week early since she feels she will have no problems making up the work. DD4 woudl only miss 2 or 3 days since he will still be in kindergarten and goes every second day.

My dilemma: since kids don't go back to school until January 9, why would I want to be in the yucky Ontario weather when I could add an extra week onto Florida holiday. Problem: DH probably can't get that week off and I don't drive in Florida. So where should we stay for that extra week (Dec31 - Jan 7) with just me and two kids? WDW of course.

My questions: Does anyone know if there is an AAA/CAA discount available for a value resort for holiday season (Dec 31/05)?If so, how much is the discount at a value hotel?? I am possibly looking to book dec 31/05-Jan 7/06 then take DME back to airport . I thought I would book this in two reservations (1 at holiday rate Dec 31, the second ressie at value rate Jan 1 - Jan 7/06). Does this make sense??
Also: is it true that AAA/CAA discounts are not available for january/06 until August/05???

Sorry so many quesitons. Brand new to CAA and not sure how it works. I am so excited about this possible holiday extension I could cry. Me in WDW with my two kids for a week without DH. Am I crazy or what????? Please don't answer that!!!

Any info. would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Suzy

 

[tone.def]

My questions: Does anyone know if there is an AAA/CAA discount available for a value resort for holiday season (Dec 31/05)?If so, how much is the discount at a value hotel??

EK! I don't think you can get CAA discount at all over holiday season - according to Mousesavers.com, that is the only time of year you can't get one.

I am possibly looking to book dec 31/05-Jan 7/06 then take DME back to airport . I thought I would book this in two reservations (1 at holiday rate Dec 31, the second ressie at value rate Jan 1 - Jan 7/06). Does this make sense??

Yes - I think that is your best option.

is it true that AAA/CAA discounts are not available for january/06 until August/05???

Yes true. Because you are new to CAA, I must share this tidbit with you:

In order to get a CAA discounted PACKAGE, you have to book through a CAA agency.

For ROOM ONLY discounts, any TA or yourself calling CRO can do that.

Am I crazy or what????? Please don't answer that!!!

We all are

 

[SuAnne]

The dates for next year took me by surprise as well. I had booked our trip for weeks of Dec 5/11 assuming that would take us right into the Christmas break and that it would be no big deal to take her out of school for the week of Dec. 11 since they won't be doing too much anyway. Now DD will still have a week of school when we return before the holidays ...oh well

 

[maryliz]

Suzy, so now your 2 week vacation has turned into a 3-week vacation ???



Hooray for you and the kids ... you've had a stressful year -- you deserve the extra time ... sorry about DH's luck that he has to come back and go to work.


MaryLiz

 

[CdnMom2]

I'm sorry, I don't have any helpful info for you. Except to give you support on taking your DD out of school for the week. Give teacher plenty of notice, don't expect the moon from your teacher in a pre-made learning booklet (a lot that last week will probably be Xmas Parties, concerts etc.). And fully accept the responsibility for getting your child up to scratch for her return in January. Emphasize to DD this responsibility that is coming with the freedom of checking out of school. Also check out the Ontario curriculum yourself on-line.

Our elementary kids (Gr7, Gr6, Gr3) just came back with their solid B+, A's, & A+ yesterday. They missed 3 weeks of school for our Fall trip to the Maritimes and a couple more days here & there for some Family long-weekend trips.

But, I must say your post has me dancing. I booked our Dec05 Cruise over a year ago on the assumption that we would be OFF school the dates you mentioned -- 23rd on. Back then, I could have picked ANY week & worked around it for some days at WDW. I was careful to be sure the kids would be back for a week before school let out to catch up before the December break. They like all that Social stuff too! And, I did not want the HighSchool student being out that long. To my dismay this Winter the dates given as a School Break for Xmas 2005 were the ones you were assuming -- the 17th on...BOO HOO! I did look into changing things, but really couldn't practically now. We also have non-refundable Condo booked. Everyone assured me it would be OK, but it sure took a lot of the happiness out of my plans for me. I had just been starting to add an extra day to our plans at the end as we didn't have to be back for school now.

I just checked on-line after seeing your post & yes, our school board is now showing the dates you posted. 23rd on.

So thanks again for your post even though it wasn't the news you wanted you helped someone --6 someones!

Good luck to you. Your DD will be fine & you will have a GREAT family Trip.

 

[riu girl]

Maryliz: yes, 2 weeks have turned into 3!!!!!

I finally talked to DH this morning about the details and we are all going to Siesta Key Dec 17-31. On the 31st he will drop us (me, DD8, DS4) at POP Century and then drive to MCO and fly home.

me, DD8 and DS4 will stay at POP Dec 31-Jan 7 (and get 6 day MYW base tickets, 2 half days each at MK, Epcot and studios) and then take DME back to MCO and fly home (to BUF). Jan 7 DH will pick us up at BUF and drive us home.

Does this plan make any sense to anyone? This is a brand new plan so not sure if it is a good plan or not.

Suzy V.

 

[CdnMom2]

We did something somewhat similar on our last trip. We arrived during PEAK Holiday time at WDW, but stayed through the first week of many schools going back -- early January. You will love how the crowds will start dropping off at end of your trip. Definitely look into the Crowd Levels & touring plans for begin of your week vs. end. The beautiful Xmas Decorations were all still up right through to that first weekend in January.

Better make some plans for your exciting NYE. The parks will be a zoo that night. But perhaps you could see the amazing fireworks from Ft. Wilderness/Poly Beach with your kids that eve.

FWIW we were at Universal Studios January 1 & the place was EMPTY for the morning. Your EMH may be great touring for you & the kids on January 1 & then plan to break for some great start-the-New-Year swimming at your Resort & some non-Park fun.

Very excited for you. We found starting a New Year in Florida was wonderful for for we poor Northerners. Although do be warned that you better pack some stretchy gloves, toque, & light jacket. 1 day the temperature was only 2 degrees lower back home than there in Orlando! Especially if you go to the Osborne Lights (a MUST SEE) -- they blow in cold air on the street! Other days we did swim. We are from Canada after all!

Oh, and we came home to several feet of snow. My final page of our photo album has a pic of happy kids playing in the snow back home the next day.

Now that you're at POP you have to start looking into the MYW Dining Pkg too. Oh that WDW budget creep... Have fun!

 

[riu girl]

Thanks for all the tips. I am so exicted I can hardly think straight. Thanks for the tip about the parks Jan 1. The kids are young so will be in bed at a decent time Dec 31 so I think we could hit a park earlythe next morning.
I think watching fireworks from a beach would be heaven for that evening. Any other non-park suggestions for that evening. i was thinking about maybe the boardwalk. I have never beenthere so I don't know anything about it. Maybe someone could enlighten me about activities held there new years eve (evening, not at midnight).

We are planning on buying 6 day MYW base tickets and spending two half days each (park opening time until about 2 or 3 pm) at Studios, Epcot and MK. Any suggestions on a touring plan for Jan 1-6 (Jan 7 we travel home)?

regarding the MYW dining plan. I don't know about this. It would only be $55 US/day( 1 adult, 2 kids ages 5 and 8) but that would definately be more then we would spend without it. Also, I like the freedom of booking room only vs. a package so I can cancel a week before if I need to without losing any $ (there is terminal illness in my family so cancelling at last minute is something I have to consider).

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Suzy V

 

[Tiger926]

Just as an FYI as I am a high school teacher in Ontario - most (if not all) school boards applied for a revised Christmas break many months ago due to Christmas falling on Saturday. Most school boards posted on their board websites about the new dates within the past month as we had to get government permission to revise our school calendars. You are going to have no choice but to go on vacation as I'm sure that most vacation plans can't be changed. This is not the fault of school boards as most boards by changing the dates, were trying to allow for a better vacation schedule with the revision.

My advice for the future, even though I own DVC and know that we need to book quite far in advance is to never make non-refundable plans as school calendars for the following year are subject to change until that new school year begins. I know of some teachers who did the same thing, which is taking a risk as they did so in January (practically a year in advance) when the 2005-2006 school calendars weren't even available yet - they absolutely should have known better! There is a process of having school calendars approved by board trustees, and then with huge revisions such as this one, the process is delayed as they had to await government approval for the Christmas change.

Good luck, Tiger

 

[CdnMom2]

Tiger926: are you warning us that the schedule for school boards in Ontario could still change in September for the Sept05-June06 school year? Or can I continue dancing around the house giggling about this latest revision. Sure would be nice to have some (major) things settled!

 

[Agent J]

I'm very glad I found this thread - as you can see, I don't post often but do read occasionally for tips since I'm new to DVC...have checked with our catholic board in Durham Region and they are also on break Dec. 28-Jan.6...

We have SSR 2 bdrm booked Dec. 15-23 for 8 people, airfare Westjet $385 return and two kids going with us (nephew will be 8, niece 14). It is our niece's first year of High School and wondering your opinion on taking her out for the 7 days - she is on semester and exams are end of January....I've called DVC and they have availability for Jan. 1-8 so I can switch, but airfare goes up over $100+ per ticket...their parents don't seem fussed over taking them out of school (I asked them to call and see what arrangements can be made) but my hubbie and I have always been very strict about working this trip around school attendance (thought I was doing such great planning when I checked the Ministry of Eductation's website and saw the vacation schedules and booked around these (only missing 2 days of school)...have learned a good/expensive lesson today....)

What is your advice/suggestion about taking a 14 year old grade 9 student out of school for 7 days at this time of year (the 8 year old is less troubling/probably easier to catch up)??? I'm not a parent (just a concerned Auntie) and would love to hear your opinions...

Thanks!!!

 

[Tiger926]

For our school board anyway (and I believe most others are the same), once the trustees passed the motion - after government approval - our 05/06 schedule is set.

So, check with your local board to see whether they are following the rest of the province, and if the trustees have accepted this revision, than dance away!!

In regards to taking kids out of school - I myself know that sometimes schedules deem that vacations can only be taken during school time. That being said, I don't think it should be a regular occurence, as some kids do find it hard to adjust when they return. As for this winter, we will not be returning to school until Jan. 9th, and final exams will be a few short weeks away. This time of year will be very busy for most teachers as we prepare for exams. As for students, those who are behind will also be very busy at this time, so it would depend on if your niece/nephew is caught up or not. Your niece or nephew would technically not be back at school for almost a month as well, so you guys have to remind them to study and keep up with their work as exams are close at hand.

Good luck to all, Tiger

Tiger

 

[Agent J]

Thanks for the helpful advice - BIL checked with the school and decided to keep plans as is for Dec. 15-23 (with understanding that niece will need to be on top of her work before, during and after holidays). I looked into switching and it would be fine (even with the hit on the airfares) but they want to stay with the original plan...I'm going to try a monetary incentive (extra disney dollars) to keep her honest on the school work (whatever helps)...

Thanks again!!!