Teachers -- When do you go to WDW?

[bushdianee]

I have gone over Christmas Break, Spring Break which is the first week of April, and early June as we get out around the 1st. I am thinking of going over Labor Day weekend to attend the Precious Moments Event Sept.1-3. I am trying to find a flight out after school ends for the day(4:00) and am having some trouble.

 

[RivaLJ]

We go the end of August. Using personal days is frowned upon by the powers that be!

 

[fiveforall]

I've been during fall break and during early December. Unfortunately, I've switched districts after twelve years. I'll be too afraid to ask for Disney personal days!

 

[dznygurl]

We have been
...Thanksgiving week
...July
...Mardi Gras (this one was my FAVORITE...low crowds...nice weather)

 

[rabyoga]

I'm a new 2nd grade teacher here. We've gone the last 3 years in mid May- taking my daughter out of school a few days early. Now, that I'll be teaching. We're looking at going WDW early June next year... (Provided I "survive" my first year of teaching.. )

 

[GVCATeacher]

Our school usually gets out Mid May, and we have been going immediately after school gets out. The crowds and weather have been pretty good the last weeks of May. This year, school doesn't get out until the end of May, so we may be planning a trip for the first part of December. I may take off the first week of December so the Christmas decorations are up, but the crowds aren't.

 

[Cor44432]

Being AP holders, we try and squeeze 2 trips per 12 month period. 2 summers
ago we went the first 2 weeks in August. This past summer we went the first
weekend and first full week of June.

 

[familydisney]

Colorado Teacher here! The last 3 years, we've had really different schedules due to school construction. Here's what we have done

2004- Disneyland - week before Memorial day
2004-WDW-- offsite -week before Christmas
2006-WDW--POR First week in January
2006 WDW--ASMO-- scheduled for first week in October. I've banked 8 days from last year, so I have already arranged to take them as personal days for free dining. I'm very concerned about the heat and humidity in October. We live at 8,500 feet and don't do heat well! Unfortunately the first week in October is usually peak Aspen season here in the Rockies, but I'll still catch some color when I get back & before I leave...

 

[D L and K's Mom]

N.Y. State First Grade Teacher here. We are not allowed to take off time the day before or the day after a holiday break or any vacation break. DH is a high school teacher and he has the same vacation/personal day rules. We have gone once in Aug...way to hot. Once the week we got out of school. It was a pain to get ready for but a nice trip. I have to say my favorite was Christmas when we had a nice long vacation. I think the holiday was on a Wed so we had almost 2 weeks so we were able to go for one whole week of vacation.

 

[PrincessA]

My family and I are lucky enough to go to WDW often. Because we take mini-vacations. Always 4days, three nights. That way we can split my husband's vacation time into about 3 different trips. Doing that we always schedule part of the trip to fall on weekends and only have to take two days off from work. I will either call in sick on those days, or take personal time. I usually will let someone know (secretary or coworker) just in case someone gets worried or something happens. Luckily, I rarely take time off for sick leave or use it much any other time of the school year. I have traveled to WDW Labor Day weekend, Early May, Early Feb., Early March, and this year, I am taking two work days in late Sept.
My goal is to get a full week in WDW one trip, but I will save that for when my son is older. Even when I can finally take the week long, it cannot happen during peak season, because I hate it, so I will most likely have to make a deal with my principal and see what I can work out!

 

[jfelcie]

Another CT teacher . . . just retired!! I can't believe that some of you can use personal and sick days for trips or pleasure. We can can only use them for death, weddings or sickness!!! We always went as soon as school let out in June because we needed 10 days. We spent 3 days at Universal and 7 at BWV. It was better than February or April. This year I'll be on the Boadrwalk in September! Another question . . . what is "Fall Break" in October? I never heard of it.

 

[disney junky]

Not to hijack the thread, but isn't a personal day just that-personal. We have times we can't take them, ie, first five or last five instructional days, but they can't refuse them. What are you supposed to use personal days for? We also get bereavement days, but those are specific to the death in the family. Five days for a spouse, child, parent: one day for inlaw, neice, nephew. But, you will be disciplined for sick leave abuse. You certainly can use them for MD, DD appointments, but I'd never take a sick day to go shopping. Maybe this deserves another thread....

 

[Disney5Mom]

Canadian teacher here .We go the first week in January (school doesn't start til Jan 8) or on our Spring break in March. This year we are getting Annual Passes and going for both! We would not be allowed to use sick or personal days for any trip...too bad! January is nice and the weather is great in March. When I retire we will try going off season.

 

[Kathkazoo]

Kdg. Teacher from Michigan here. I have gone Spring Break and mid-June when school gets out. I like June. Spring break was way to crowd.

 

[Jacksmom99]

6th grade teacher from MA here. I started at a new district this year and we can't use personal days next to vacations or long weekends. We go the 3rd week of August or the 3rd weeks of Feb or April. But April only if it's not Easter week. Crowds are better in August, but the weather is great in Feb. In Sept of 2007, the Jewish holiday falls on my B-day weekend, so I'm hoping to be able to sqeeze in a 3 day trip with my mom.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Dh is a teacher. Our only travel window is from late June to mid-August. This year, I am taking the kids myself for free dining in Sept., but we are all going next August.

I'd love to travel off-season--not only to WDW but also to other destinations.

 

[Mousecrazy22]

DH and I are both high school teachers and we always go in July (45 hours from now to be exact . DH, however, gets to go in March every year since he is his school's Robotics Advisor and they compete in the Florida Regionals every year in Orlando!! We (DD16 and DD17) went with him one year and stayed four days - probably won't do that again since it was too difficult leaving him and Disney!!!

We did try go during April vacation once but found that leaving Disney and going right back to school was too sad! We love the summer since we're still on vacation when we return home - it makes it a little easier leaving Mickey and friends!!

 

[AStamm]

As often as possible!!!!

I bank my personal days every other year in order to get one week of time. During this week we've done an early December and mid-November trip. I've gone in June, July, and will be there this August before school starts. We've also done Christmas week and will be doing it again this year.

 

[MidgeD79]

I am not a teacher but a bus-aide for special needs pre-schoolers. We go in the summer about 10 days after school gets out and stay for 10 days. It is hot but we know to expect it and prepare for it.

 

[psar]

Kdg from NY here. We usually head down during the summer. Now that my boys are older, I also have to be aware of when they need to be back to start Fall sports. We have also done Easter(years ago) only ONCE. Too crowded. One year we were lucky to go at the end of May. We had alloted so many snow days, due to the blizzards the year before, and ended up not using them. It left us with 6 days!