What should I do?

[Mouskemom]

Here's my situation:

We were in WDW in May with DS4 & DS2 and stayed at the BC. Loved it so much that I thought it would be great to return to WDW some day during Christmas time - early December, not the actual holiday. Just the other day I realized that this would be the last Christmas season before DS4 would start Kindergarten. So I called just to see if there just so happened to be any good deals for the Wilderness Lodge. Turns out we got a courtyard view room from Dec 9 - 15 with the Dining Plan and park hoppers for $2680. I was so happy that I booked it on the spot.

I now have till Oct 25 to change my mind without paying penalties. Here's my dilemma. Should I take advantage of this deal and go now even though we were just there and my youngest DS is only 2 OR should we wait until Dec 08 or 09 and take our oldest out of school for a week (he would be in Kindergarten or 1st grade)and have the youngest be 3 or 4 years old?

So basically - go now when the kids are 4 and 2 or wait a year or two until they're older but we have to take one out of school?


Any insight is greatly appreciated. I've read about the Christmas activities but have never experienced them so I would love to hear how appropriate they would be for a 2 and 4 year old.

Thanks!

 

[LilGMom]

I'm probably not a good person to respond to this but I say Go! If you haven't stayed at the WL during the Christmas season it is absolutely gorgeous. By the time you go in December seven months will have passed and that is plenty of time. We were there for a short trip in May and are going back at the end of October and some of our trips have been only 3-4 months apart. The WL really is a site when the Christmas tree and all of the decorations are up, it really is beautiful and magical.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'm not one to pull my son out of school for WDW, so I say go now.

 

[jakenjess]

We pull our kids out of school every year for Disney, and they're going into 5th and 6th grades. I'd say it depends on how often you plan on going. Will this be your last trip for a long time? If so, I'd probably wait until your little one is a little older and can do more. If you're in a position to go again in two or three years, then go for it. The WL is so gorgeous at that time of year. We didn't visit Disney with the kids until they were five and seven, but that was more due to finances than age.

I wouldn't hesitate at all pulling a kindergartener or 1st grader out for a few days. Family time is important too, and we've never had a teacher give us a hard time about it. They've always been wonderful and supportive.

 

[Pixiebrooke]

I say go now! (And go next year too! )

 

[jazz0007]

Agreed! Go and go next year too!

We're pulling our Kindergartner out for a week in December (same week as you) and we were just there in May.

 

[mericletwins]

I say do both! I would go at Christmas now and do Halloween time in a year or two! After all, you need to experience all the seasons!

 

[Mouskemom]

Thanks to you all for your help. I think I'm just going to live in the moment and go this year. Who knows what will be going on next year.

And I agree - we have to go back there during halloween too. I'm addicted!

 

[Schmeck]

Go now while the youngest is under age 3 and free!

 

[jenseib]

I say go now too. We just went in March and are thinking of going in Dec as well. My DD will be turning 3 then and I think it will just be an awesome birthday to do. You can go in a few years again if you want to as well.

 

[Sinderelli]

Go now while the youngest is under age 3 and free!

My thoughts exactly! BTW, I am a teacher and am all for parents taking kids out of school to go to Disney- I'm jealous that I can't do it, though!

 

[mickeymouse1017]

I say why decide - do both. As a teacher (first grade), I encourage parents to take their kids to DW. I couldn't very easily discourage them when I take a few days here and there to go to DW myself.

 

[wilderness01]

Glad you are going now. Have a blast. Go again later as well and enjoy.

 

[DISNEYJAZZ]

GO GO GO WHILE THE GOING IS GOOD! I WOULD GO WHILE THE OLDER ONE STILL 'BELIEVE'S' ONCE THEY GET IN SCHOOL SOMEONE WILL BURST THEIR BUBBLE AND THE WONDER WILL BE LOST! I AGREE WITH GOING FOR CHRISTMAS TIME AND ALSO WHEN YOUNGER ON EIS OLDER FORTHE HALLOWEEN FUN...I SAY THIS ALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NOT BEEN IN 34 YEARS! BUT I WILL GO BACK IN APRIL '08.ENJOY THE TIME YOU HAVE BECAUSE THEY GROW UP SO SO FAST AND I HTINK TAKING A KID OUT OF SCHOOL FOR FAMILY TRIPS IS GREAT!

 

[BlueJeansGirl]

I see the dilemma, and have it myself. I know some teachers hate the idea of kids leaving school for WDW, but in todays age when so many families don't even have time to eat dinner together, we should be celebrating the fact that there are families that want to spend time together. If you won't be able to go again for several years, you may just want to wait another year. IMHO, just don't let school be your only decision-making aspect.

 

[habral]

I have 3 girls and I would hate to take them out of school. I say go now.