Tough decision (regarding when to go)

[JodiR]

We aren't planning a trip for 2.5 yrs. But I do want to get a decision made on when to go. The school just decided to add a full week for spring break. This year was only Good Friday and day after Easter. If this stays the same each year (having spring break near Easter) then I don't want to go then. I really want to go in February or October. I have no problem with taking the kids out of school, but the school might say...everyone has a week off in March...go then. Has anyone gone on vacation at a different time than the scheduled spring break week?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Grumpy92]

Many guest do this. So there is nothing wrong with your idea. Plus the crowds are minimal during that timeframe compared to Spring break which is very busy.

I say go for it.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

When I was a kid my parents always pulled us out of school for a week in Nov/Oct. and that is when we went. Lot's of people do that. Esp. if your kids are young it should not be a problem. Just talk to the schools and the teachers. Sometimes, they'll have the child keep a journal of their trip as a project for when they go away.

Spring break can be crowded. I'd go in the fall.

 

[Bill From PA]

Two or three years in a row we took our jr. highschool son out for a WDW trip the first week in March as this was our two daughter's Spring Break from college. We just informed the school ahead of time and got some work assigned to him. We also took him and the whole crew down last month and this is his senior year.

Bill From PA

 

[jcemom]

Opinions vary but I feel that's a personal decision for you to make with your family. We took our kids out at the beginning of February but they don't get a spring break so that wasn't even an option for us. I did talk to the school about it a year in advance and they had no problems with it, everyone was great and we had a terrific family vacation. Just be sure to check with your school concerning their policies, I know some schools do not allow absences for vacation! Oh...and Have Fun!

 

[karylrocks]

I took DS in October of 2002, he had off Columbus Day and one other day that week for something, so only missed 3 days. We have also gone in November, December, and April. October seemed to be the best of these for crowds and weather. I have never been in February but understand that he busy season starts around Presidents Day, then keeps busy with spring breaks, field trips, senior trips, etc. I would go in the fall.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

We have taken the kids (elementary age) out for WDW and DCL the week before Christmas break starts. That usually (depending on your school's schedule) puts you at Disney in the low crowd early to mid December season. Also, we found that this week is usually not very intense academically, a lot of parties, etc. Of course this may not be the case for middle or high schoolers who often have tests before Christmas break.

 

[Skatermom23]

We are going with DS 13 and DD 11 this December for a week. I will call the school a month prior and let them know. Both kids are excellent students and can make the work up either prior or after we return. I think while the kids are in elementary school and even Junior High it is okay to take a reasonable vacation.

 

[trracers]

We like the first and second week in September. DD is in Kindergarten, so I don't fret much about taking her out, but when DS was in school, it seemed like that time was very much a review of the stuff from the year before, so it wasn't too hard on him academically.

The crowds are NON EXISTENT! We went this past labor day week and didn't wait in line for anything! I am not exagerating, we walked into the POTC and we were the only ones in the que...no one getting on or off the boats...the CM said "finally, some business, come on down and pick a boat"...haha...

The whole park was like that. We were walking through the castle and one of the CM's that work the Cinderella breakfast stopped us and said "we have immediate seating for breakfast with Cinderella". Needless to say, as DISers we already had our reservations booked, but, still...IMMEDIATE SEATING!?!?

SEPTEMBER FOR ME!!!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Go in October!! If the kids have a week w/ a day off or something, pick that week. My DD's school has a teacher workday in the last part of October, so we usually go that week. One less day she is missing. I'm not sure where you are from, but lots of time w/ us in VA, the spring break gets eaten up w/ make-up snow days and the kids end up not getting that time off after all.

IMHO, I think the kids will learn more in a week at Disney than a week at school.