What to do?!

[BrinxFam]

First of all, don't pay any attention to the trip counter, plans changed but it didn't!

Now, the real reason for this post:

We just found out that DD14 will be graduating from Jr. High on May 27th. Problem is we are scheduled to be 14 hours from home spending our last day at WDW on May 27th! We were told before we scheduled that there would be no conflict as graduation would not be until after Memorial Day! Now what should we do? Our reservation is paid for so the question is can I change the dates with no penalties? The only thing that must stay the same is May 22nd my mom and DD14 are going to see Cirque as a graduation gift.
She says graduation doesn't matter but I don't want her to regret not being there with her friends.
Any thoughts would be great!
Thanks,
MIS

 

[geniegirl]

I would let her skip out on graduation. It is only the first of many and im sure she will be having more fun at disney than she would have for those few hours. Besides by moving your to a later date costs may go up and you will be hitting the peak season (more crouds) as as well as incur any other changing fees (plane, rental car).

If she doesnt mind dont worry just go!!

 

[Kimberle]

Did you make the reservation through Disney? If so, I'd try calling them and explaining. Maybe they'll let you come 2 days earlier and leave 2 days earlier.

That way you could do both.

Hope you find a solution.

Happy graduation day to your dd.

 

[lillygator]

I would also let her skip out of graduation.....this must be a new thing graduating from junior high........we only graduated from high school and college.....

 

[TooBoyz4us]

I agree, let her skip it.

I think graduation from Jr. High is pretty anti-climatic anyway.
If your dd is okay with it, then don't worry.

Have fun on your trip!!
Your daughter will cherish these family vacation memories more than anything else.

~Chris

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Why not let your daughter decide. If it's really important to her to attend the graduation, then call Diseny, explain the situation and see if they can move your dates up by 2 days. May isn't quite the "busy season" yet and I think Disney could work with you on this. Good luck to you and congrats to your DD.

 

[DizBelle]

I didn't have a formal graduation ceremony from Junior High and I turned out fine. If she's ok with it, let her skip it. I would have much rather spent an extra day at WDW then gone to ANY of my graduation ceremonies.

 

[keith-atl]

Originally posted by BrinxFam
First of all, don't pay any attention to the trip counter, plans changed but it didn't!

Now, the real reason for this post:

We just found out that DD14 will be graduating from Jr. High on May 27th. Problem is we are scheduled to be 14 hours from home spending our last day at WDW on May 27th! We were told before we scheduled that there would be no conflict as graduation would not be until after Memorial Day! Now what should we do? Our reservation is paid for so the question is can I change the dates with no penalties? The only thing that must stay the same is May 22nd my mom and DD14 are going to see Cirque as a graduation gift.
She says graduation doesn't matter but I don't want her to regret not being there with her friends.
Any thoughts would be great!
Thanks,
MIS

Cant hurt to try to switch reservations maybe move it up a day or just leave a day earlier than expected. I know we switched our reservations many times last year but we also planned a few months in advanced not sure what disneys policy is on changing the dates.

 

[sherry8253]

If she doesnt mind I would let her skip graduation. I missed my High School graduation because my mom got a summer job at the beach and she had to be there a few days before graduation. I just picked up my diploma and skipped the ceremony. I was never sorry. I wouldnt trade my summer at the beach for a graduation ceremony and I am sure your daughter probably feels the same about her disney trip.

 

[coachYO & my 3 girls]

TOO MUCH. I have 2 DD's and I am a 7th grade teacher. Family comes first!!! 8th grade or 9th grade graduation is just pushing it too much. I understand the moving on to HS is a big step in their education but not in life. HS or college are lifetime evets. Choices made beyond those times, may change lives for everyone in the family. But not leaving JR High. They all go on to HS form there. (sometimes unfortunate things can change that, I don't think so in this case) Grandma and DD together for a special time can't be beat. If the cost is not important to you, then change everything for this. But, I don't think you would have asked if it wasn't an issue. As parents we all want our children to have the best and provide for them. She won't miss out on what is really importan in life. Good luck with your choice and have a great trip. I hope I didn't ramble too much in giving my 2 cents. YO

 

[BrinxFam]

Just want to say "Thank You" so much to everyone. We have decided to stick with our original plan. Nik isn't concerned with missing graduation. She says she'll still be going to high school and a short ceremony isn't worth "messing up" her Disney trip.
As long as she is home for volleyball team tryouts she doesn't care about missing graduation. She just wants us to get her the Mickey ears with the graduation cap and hand her a "diploma" in front of the castle for a picture. Hopefully we can find the special hat.

Thanks again for all of the responses!
MIS

 

[pumpkinboy]

C'mon, it's Junior High School. It's not like she is stopping her education there. Now High School graduation is a bit more weighty. To tell the truth, I skipped my College graduation (undergrad, bcs I knew there would be at least one more degree) and only went to my MBA graduation bcs my in-laws were so excited about it and it was local; still skipped the CFA charter ceremony, even tho the CFA was harder than Busi School, and there were fewer classmates.

IMO, there are too many little ceremonies (c'mon, kindergarten graduation?). Junior High School is an interim step. Wait until her PhD or Med School graduation to throw the big party

The special Grad hat and pix in front of the castle sound like a good compromise. Well done kiddo!