When to go to disney world (when kids are out of school)

[taraprather]

We are going this September with our kids and my son will be missing a week of school. We plan on going again next year with my parents (renting a vacation home), and I don't want to take my son out of school again for it. When would be the best time to go, (when kids would be out of school?)
Spring break, thanksgiving break, xmas break, summer??
Thanks!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Summer. Your attitudes toward education will stay with your child forever. If you want your kids to respect education and get good grades, then please respect the school system. Thanks.

 

[schlepsnort]

If you really feel strongly about not taking your child out of school I've heard that the end of August is pretty good as far as crowds go because the FL kids are back in school.
In IL the kids don't go back until the beginning of Sept in most areas so you could squeeze in a final fling before school starts if that is the case for you?
We are taking DS out of school this year but he's only Pre-K, and he'll probably miss some time next year out of Kindygarten. We'll see beyond that.

 

[djblu883]

if you can do the heat go summer...if not school breaks but expect long lines!!

 

[siac]

spring break and Thanksgiving week is least crowded.

 

[NYMomof4]

We have been going the last week of August for the past 2 years and we love it! I doubt if it would be much hotter than September, though it is definitely swim weather. This year we are leaving earlier in August, but staying longer.

 

[MassMom94]

If you are looking for those times when WDW is least crowded, check out the Unofficial Guide web site page on crowds - http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14 I think you will probably find that the end of August is your best best, assuming you live in a district (like mine) where school is not yet back in session.

We went at this time in 2003 and found the crowds quite manageable. We're going back this month.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Your attitudes toward education will stay with your child forever. If you want your kids to respect education and get good grades, then please respect the school system. Thanks.

did you not notice that all the times she listed are BREAKS and that she specifically states that she DOESN'T want to take them out of school?

 

[schlepsnort]

TobysFriend--LOVE your sig...I guess we all just have to wait for next year!

 

[powellrj]

we love to go the first week the kids are out of school. The only problem we have ever worried about is if the have to make-up days for snow. If you can go the the end of May or the first of June, the crowds are still low, the heat is bearable and its a nice way to kick off your summer.

This year due to vacation schedules, we are going next week. I haven't left yet and its already been a trip I'm dreading. We have had problems getting the kids registered for school, the heat has been awful and everyone is pretty worn-out from summer activities. I will never plan to go this close to back-to-school if I can help it. I should add that my kids are a lot older so that could make a huge difference.

 

[Lan]

I was thinking about the first week of June. Has anyone been during that time?

 

[MinnieNurse]

We went in Spring Break once and the weather was nice and the crowds were there, but we went in June this year and it was hot and the crowds were a little heavier than they were in March. Out of those two I would have to vote for March just on the weather.

We are going during Christmas break this year so I do not know yet how that is. Anytime we go we have a good time though.

 

[goofymomof3]

I have always gone the second week in June. I am afraid of the first week of June b/c I have heard that it is a special week. My children are older now and I would not have as much of a problem explaining this to them but I was always afraid of explaining same sex couples to my younger kids. Also, this may no longer be the case???? so check it before I am your only source.......

 

[byoung]

Sounds good to me.

 

[jaycat]

I’ve been during Spring Break time (I'm still in school) and it was cooler than during July, and if I remember correctly lines were shorter. I love summer vacations, but spring break or Thanksgiving are good escapes from the drag of school. So I'm going to vote for Spring Break, for the pure fact that not every school has break at the same time like for Thanksgiving, summer, or Christmas.

 

[dougsmom98]

All of the times you listed will be crowded but manageable if you plan and arrive at the parks when they open. I am a teacher and I always have to go during school vacation weeks too. Does your school have a President's Week break? We enjoy that week in February. We have been once in the summer and I will never do that again. The crowds were just as bad as during other school vacation weeks and the humidity was miserable. The only way you would get me to go to Florida in the summer is if we were only spending time at the pool and that was it. I have heard any spring break that coincides with Easter is not a good time to go. We haven't had the chance to travel during spring break yet for that reason.

 

[DisneyDotty]

We have been to WDW in early June and just got back from two weeks there late July/early August.
If you choose to go in the summer, get your money's worth by following the Unofficial Guide or Tourguide Mike's advice about best parks to go to each day. We have always gone during peak attendance time, but because we use UG and TGM, we have never waited more than 15 minutes for any attraction (other than Pirates this time--no fastpasses+Jack Sparrow additions=a 20 or 30 minute wait.)
I will say that June was hot and sticky, but this time (late July/early Aug.), it wasn't so bad. Rained almost every day, and cooled considerably afterwards. Whenever you go, have a magical trip!

 

[LadyJade]

As teachers, the only time my husband and I go are during the summer. For us, summer vacation begins in early June. We usually go around June 5, and stay for 2 weeks. We usually don't have big issues with crowds. This last time we went at the end of July. We had no issues with crowds. We found out that schools in Florida get back in session around this time, so not as many Florida residents with kids visiting. I have been to WDW during Christmas Vacation and Spring Break. Much more crowded then than during summer (probably because the travel window is much smaller during those times).

 

[Darkwing Duck]

THE END OF JULY TO EARLY AUGUST

 

[disneygirl92]

I dont recommend summer because its too hot. We just got back from a 10 day trip and like every day, my friends and i always wanted to go back to the resort and go to the pool. While we were riding Expedition Everest, they stopped the ride for 15 minutes and we were in the direct heat because this lady had a heat stroke......i think. We got a special fastpass for 8 people cuz we waited that long. I recommend either Thanksgiving, Easter break, or X-mas.