When do teachers go to WDW?

[Disneycrazymom]

I am seriously considering a trip in Feb. If we leave on Wed and return on Mon I will not miss too much work. It will be without pay but low crowds will be worth it!

 

[Maverick Mike]

My fiancee' and I are both teachers (same district, building, and even grade level!) and we have gone the past two years during the summer. Two years ago we went in early August and loved it. Last year, our O-Week started earlier, so we went in late July. It seemed more crowded this past year, but the previous year, we had Hurricane Charley do deal with.

Disneycrazymom and the other previous poster from MO, what districts are you all in? We are in Ferg-Flor here..

MM

 

[MOmousefan]

We have gone in May, June, And August. NEVER in August again! The May trip has been the best for us, we just have to wait and see how many snow days we must make up and end of school year. Last year we didn't miss any, so were in the parks on the 23rd of May. Love the weather and crowds in May.

 

[pongo&perdita]

In Sept 2002 I took 3 personal days & we flew down for 5 park days (Wed-Sun). Then did the same thing in Dec 2004. Both trips were pretty commando but we had fun. This time we are driving down (9 hour trip) in June of 2006 and staying 7 days. I want this to be a laid back trip and it should be since we've pretty much done it all already. Heat doesn't bother us (we are Southern) but we are ready for the crowds. Honestly, Sept was fun, but the day we did MGM, I walked down NY street and there wasn't another soul around. A theme park should be full of people!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Our first two years we went in June. Our schools get out between the 3rd and 8th usually, but I was afraid to book as soon as school gets out because of "snow days"--if we go over 5, they automatically tack them on to the end of the year. We also have been in July of 02 and 03, including July 4 in 03--pretty crowded!
In 01 and 02 we also went for 4 day weekends in EARLY December. We left early Thursday and returned late Sunday. I took 2 personal days to do this (I get 3). The airfare in 01 was the best ever due to 9/11--only $135.
At the end of 03 we spend 2 days in NC and then drove down for 4 nights, including NYE, over Christmas break (but have to have Christmas itself in Ohio). NYE was the worst crowding ever but we just left Epcot at 7 and went back to the contemp. to watch the fireworks. Downside was driving back, leaving Jan. 2 with a few thousand others!
December is great, but planes are so iffy if you have to deal with cold, ice, snow, etc. This next year we will be back finally, probably July 10-17. It's value season, but not too close to my next year starting around Aug. 23.
Robin M.

 

[Danauk]

DH and I are teachers in England. We have been the last 2 weeks of August as our schools go back the first week of September. I quite liked this time as it was really quiet but it was hot, humid and we had thunder storms nearly every day. This time we are going for 2 weeks over Christmas and new year.

 

[Disney5Mom]

We have a break in mid March in Canada so that is when we go.This year we are off until Jan 9 so we are going to try Jan 1-7. We like March.It is not too hot and although it is busy we go early take a long break in the afternoon and close the parks at night.

 

[ScottNBecky]

My wife and i are both teachers (same district, same school, different grades though). If you look below it shows all our past trips. We have done Spring Break(Easter), Summer, and Christmas.

All are very packed, but I will just say that if you can bear to get up early and leave by early afternoon, use fastpass, and have a decent plan, you can survive and have a great time without much problem with crowds.

Its funny because our first Spring break Trip we arrived and checked in around 4 pm. Thought we would stop by MK for a few hours, and when we showed up it was wall to wall people. Kinda funny we were very niave.

But really being teachers does stink b/c of all the people on these boards talk about vacationing during low crowd level times and I get jealous.

We have 8 and 6 yr old girls, but if you do the things I stated above your trip will be magical and everyone will be rested and happy.

 

[disneyjunkie]

But really being teachers does stink b/c of all the people on these boards talk about vacationing during low crowd level times and I get jealous.

We've taken three trips during spring break, and one during the last week in August.

I used to get jealous also, but not anymore.

Low crowds = shorter park hours, Wishes only a few times each week, and rehabs.

When we visit the parks are opened late, everything is up and running. Parades and fireworks are done twice each day.

 

[d4est]

We have always gone to Orlando during Pres. week in Feb. Summer months are out because of DH's job. This year we are going Feb 1-7, but because I am currently unemployed. I am taking advantage of being jobless & going during slower, value season. I hope it pays off. I hope the weather is good too!

 

[TAKitty]

I am using my two personal days to go this December. Otherwise, we will probably go in late Aug this summer. We have tried Early June and it was just as crowded as July.

 

[byoung]

Jersey week for NJ teachers.

 

[JenniferW]

I'm going over Tday since we are off the whoel week.

Jenn

 

[Marni]

The first two times we have visited in June around Father's Day. This year we are going from Dec. 17-23. I am taking two personal days before Christmas break. It's also frowned upon in my district to take personal days before a school vacation. Not only am I losing my two personal days, but I'm also getting docked two days pay at the sub's rate. I booked this trip last October before the school calendar was released for this year. We are usually off the entire week before Christmas--until of course this year! I think it will be worth it though!

 

[Robindianne]

Thanks for all the good ideas! MMMmm I will have to think on this. But then, half the fun of a WDW vacation is the thinking on it.

 

[dgaston]

DH teaches HS in New England so we have been at all the most crowded times . Our first trip was on an April vacation -- third week in April or Patriots Day for those of you from other parts of the world. We have been at Christmas, and Easter (poor DD was in a cast and we got to push her around in a wheelchair. Although Tigger did push her for a bit during the candy scramble at FW, we have said "never again" for Easter during the April vacation). We love April when only New England and New York are there. And it's Flower and Garden too. Let's see ... Christmas 1998, 2001, 2003, and planning for 2005. Guess somehow (Tourguidemike) we find Christmas more manageable than Easter. We have made trips to WDW in February over Presidents vacation too. And we'll be doing that again in 2006. DH and I have also been in August, working around his Membership Training Conferences (teaching CEA members useful skills) and this year in July. We're also planning another trip the second week of July 2006.

So I guess that means we go whenever his calendar will let us!