Teachers~When do you go to WDW?

[timandlesley]

I am a teacher and last year we went the second week in June, this year we get out a little earlier and will be going June 4-10th. The only thing that really stinks is it rained SO much last time, we missed most of the parades and our fantasmic dinner package we had didn't allow us to see Fantasmic because it was also cancelled due to weather so we are HOPING and PRAYING for a lot less rain this time around.
Lesley

 

[tinkerb]

I'm a teacher too, and AP holder, so i go during fall break, winter break, sometimes spring break, and during the summer, i also try to bring my kids (who are in college) whenever possible.......

 

[sarahsmom73]

DH and I are both teachers in different districts... Last year we had 1 spring break week together so we went and had a wonderful time! This year we don't have any srping break together which is OK since we will be headed to the world for Christmas 2005 with my Dad who will be a retired teacher, my Mom, and my brother who is a teacher downstate.... When I win the lottery I will go to WDW whenever I want! Guess I better start buying tickets!

 

[jbwolffiv]

DW and I are both teachers. We have gone in early August and once in late July. August will be our usual time to go, yet my parents want to take the whole family next Dec. right after Thanks giving so we will both be taking off 3 days. It will be nice to go when iti is not so hot and crowded.

 

[swilphil]

If your spring break is any week other than Easter week, go then. I've been twice in July and it's too darn hot, so this year we are going mid-March. The only problem with that is it's a little more expensive to book a room.

 

[Danauk]

DH and I are teachers in England so our school year is different to yours. Our summer break runs from the last week in July and we return the first week of September. We have visited WDW in the last 2 weeks of August before. The crowds were light but it was humid and rained every day. Our next trip we are braving over Christmas and New Year this year. We know it will be very crowded but can not go any earlier as we can not take time off. Starting from next academic year I will get 2 weeks off in October (DH already gets this, at the moment I only get 1 week) I can see this will be the time to visit in the future.

 

[deerh]

I am a teacher for 26 years, and we go in early June (4-11) or so...
We also go to Hilton Head Island resort in July. This year we are going July 3-10.
We are DVC members, but alas, I too am at the mercy of the calender..
We will have a week at THanksgiving this year. (yeah), and maybe go then, but we get out Dec 24th this year for break. (ugh)... We COULD go Jan 1-7 2006, but why see the deco's AFTER Christmas????

But, to answer the question- we go in June usually...
July is not good due to the brazillan tour groups there... DO NOT go in July, if you like pushy teenagers all over the place... We have learned our lesson on that...
DeerH

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

We have gone twice during the week of July 4, and this year we are going Spring Break. We have always had a wonderful time, despite heat and crowds.

We, too, will NEVER take off during the school year.

 

[Disfreek]

When I was in my other school district we had a week midwinter break in February. That was nice...

Now that break is only 2 days + a weekend. WE will be at the Poly during this break.

We have gone during Thanksgiving (2 times) and usually as you can tell in my siggy, it is during the summertime or at Eastertime.

 

[pomcoach]

I teach Kindergarten. 10 years ago, I happened to have to take the 2nd semester off for physical illness. We actually felt it would be a good stress relief and the whole family went to WDW end of January. It did do me good.
Another year I took a week off after Halloween, using my 2 personal days, and getting docked for 3 days pay. My husband had arranged a special vacation for my birthday to WDW. But having to explain that to my Principal was horrible. I swore I would never do that ever again. The guilt was unbearable!
This year we left on Dec. 17th and stayed until Dec. 27th. The crowds at Disney weren't too bad, and we mostly used Fastpass anyway. For the last 3 days of our trip, we moved to the Hard Rock Hotel and got the Express Room key that allows you to go to the front of the line with hardly no wait. The funny thing was, the weather was so rainy and cold, we actually didn't really need the FOTL pass, because the parks were quite empty with it being freezing cold anyway.
We don't go in the summer because my legs don't like the heat. In about 11 yrs. I will retire and I'm sure we'll go around Nov. 1st.
But we have now found out that leaving immediately when you are off for Christmas Break works out well.

 

[kjs1976]

7th grade Eng. teacher here!

We've done a Spring break trip once and I only had to take off the following Monday, due to the Inline Marathon being on Sunday. Last year the inline marathon was in May and luckily we had that Fri. off, so I took Mon. and Tues. as personal days. I had an awesome class last year and I had no worries and everything went fine. Plus, I have a very supportive principal who told me I deserved a break and to have fun! I wouldn't do it this year because my kiddos are pretty immature and I just don't trust most of them with a sub more than a day.

We've also gone once in June and once in Aug. Had a better experience in Aug. We have to go in summer if we want to do the longer trips. We are going a week after school gets out this year on 6/7...and oh boy, you teachers know....I WILL NEED IT!!

Kassi

 

[Debbie]

We are in school the Tuesday following Labour Day until the end of June. We typically go during August (loved the rates that we got at the Courtyard by Marriott ) Yes, it is hot, yes it is busy, but at least the parks are open relatively late....anyone remember when MK was open until midnight?? I used to think that that was the norm

We went in early May in '94 when I had maternity leave. I loved that time of year.

And, yup, check my counter! I'm taking two personal days at the end of this week so that I can do the ½ Marathon. My 3 sisters are going, too, so this will be a family affair. Once in a lifetime. And I am really glad that I'm taking the time to get acclimatized. Going from the great white north to sunny Florida where the projected weather is 60ºF at night going up to the high 70's and low 80's. I have to remember what I wear when I walk in those temps!

And, like the rest of you, I have my first year of retirement planned. Disney in October for Wine festival and MNSSHP, December for Christmas and the Candlelight processional, February for the break from the Canadian winter, May for the Flower Show. But, DARN, I've got that lovely, bright, gift from '94 to get into university first!

 

[k_hase]

We work the school schedule to our advantage as much as possible. When Christmas is on a Wednesday or Thursday, we usually get two weeks off. I take a personal day for the friday before break starts and we go for a few days before Christmas, in addition to lower crowds that weekend, usually the thursday is the last day of value season so we get a good rate as well.

We do the same when Labor day is later in September (like the 6th or 7th). We went for the week before Labor and it was hot but not crowded (and frankly, there is so much AC cranked out of the open doors that I don't think its unbearable). This time period also allowed us to get value season pricing.

I've run the marathon and am doing the half marathon this weekend. I'll use a personal day for friday, and either a personal day or sick day for monday. I often use sick days the day after an out of town marathon or long race, under the sort of iffy idea that I don't usually feel great that day so maybe it counts as being "sick".

I've also taken unpaid days, but not for Disney. A few years ago my best friend was getting married in Istanbul. I could have gone just for the weekend and my two personal days, but I talked with my principal and superintendant and we agreed that I could take 3 unpaid days and go to Turkey for 9 days (two weekends and the 5 days in the middle). They agreed that $1000 plane ticket and a trip to many historic areas (I'm a social studies teacher) was worth it.

I also have to add that I miss more days of teaching due to school business than I ever have because I wanted to go on vacation or got sick. I'm the curriculum leader for our department and have monthly meetings during the school day with three different groups of admin. So three days a month I have a sub. I use the same sub everytime, my kids know her, she knows the drill and it all goes smoothly.

Look at is this way, the district gives you personal days. They are PERSONAL, and they don't get to know how you use them. If you don't have that written into your teachers' contract then you have to get your union to negotiate that into the next contract.

 

[momshark]

timandlesley I'm thrilled to see someone else who spells their name as I do - Lesley

deerh I totally hear you about the groups of Brazilian girls. We went in July of 1996. Will never do that again.

OP The few times I have gone have been in the summer. It was hot, but we had a blast!
This year we are going during our spring break. Since reading these DIS boards I have come to realize that Massachusetts is one of only a few states that have vacation late in April. That makes for a less crowded trip with great weather and during regular season (as opposed to peak). This should be a great trip!!!
In my district we are not allowed to use our personal days the day before or after a long weekend or vacation week.

 

[Jon99]

Our problem is worse.. My wife is a teacher and I own a lawncare business, so just about the only time we can go is Christmas or Spring Break...

 

[sk!mom]

We normally go just as soon as school is out. Last two trips were May 25th to June 2nd, 2001 and then June 2nd to June 9th, 2004. However, my DH has a business conference in Orlando this May so I am planning to combine two personal days with a three day week-end to surprise my DD with a quick trip.