When Would You Go?

[Minnesota!]

When would you go?

We just got back on Friday (WAH!) and we had taken the kids out of school for 3 days to do so. One of these options takes them out for 6 days, and the others 1 and none. Their school is completely cool with them being gone....for the record. My son is able to catch up/understand concepts he missed. But I have never taken the out 2x in a school year so I am feeling a little uncomfortable with it.

Our choices are:

early Feb (1 week...with "free dining". Package is cheap, friends going at the same time, and air is reasonable). But will need to take them out of school. Dates are Feb 3 - 11.

Week of their spring break (no school missed, but $630 more for package, plus air is insane). Dates are March 8 - 16

2 weeks in June. But hot, crowded (I think...have never been at that time), etc. Dates are June 10-24

Thoughts?

 

[live4christp1]

Never been in February, if there are no penalties at school I don't see a problem with it. We are only allowed 5 abcenses per term in our area and then you have to go before the truancy board.

Have been that week in March and loved when that was our Spring Break - seemed to hit before the majority of other schools, wasn't crazy crowded, weather was nice.

Have been end of May/1st part of June on several occasions, yes it's crowded, yes it's hot but there is a bonus - Star Wars Weekends.

 

[DirtyDiana]

If the school is fine with it, I say go in February! It's seems the most logical to me considering all the positives.

 

[katt789]

I would definitely go in February, especially if the school is good wth them missing that time. It's worth it to have the free dining, save $600, plus the cheaper airfare, not to mention the crowds!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I would go in March. You could still get the free dining for the week if you check in on March 8.

 

[Ash8716]

February seems like the best time! Weather should be great and so much cheaper. It also shouldn't be that busy considering most people have school vacation a week or two weeks later. I guess it depends on how the school is how old your son is. If he is able to stay caught up go for it!!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

February -- less crowded, saves money, friends there too. Although, we liked the waterparks last month so I might be persuaded to pick a warmer time of year when both waterparks are open. But I also would not want to go during a crowded time.

If my son's school ever made an issue out of us taking him out of school for a family vacation, I would laugh. His school closes 2 hours early ALL the time so they can still count it as a full school day and still give teachers planning time.... instead of closing a full day for less days... or providing planning time during the school day. It's a huge inconvenience... not to mention they also close schools if there's more than 5 snow flakes that hit the ground. Being from Minnesota, I figure that would give you a laugh! People also empty the stores of toilet paper, milk, and bread when it starts to snow. Crazy people here.

When would you go?

We just got back on Friday (WAH!) and we had taken the kids out of school for 3 days to do so. One of these options takes them out for 6 days, and the others 1 and none. Their school is completely cool with them being gone....for the record. My son is able to catch up/understand concepts he missed. But I have never taken the out 2x in a school year so I am feeling a little uncomfortable with it.

Our choices are:

early Feb (1 week...with "free dining". Package is cheap, friends going at the same time, and air is reasonable). But will need to take them out of school. Dates are Feb 3 - 11.

Week of their spring break (no school missed, but $630 more for package, plus air is insane). Dates are March 8 - 16

2 weeks in June. But hot, crowded (I think...have never been at that time), etc. Dates are June 10-24

Thoughts?

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

I voted for June - although we prefer August - yep, we don't mind the hot, steamy weather! Dh is a teacher, so our only choice (besides Christmas) is to go in the summer - and we prefer Aug over June (we've done both.) Our bodies (we're in Wisconsin) are much better acclimated to the heat by the time August rolls around than the shock of the heat in June when we've been bundled up in winter clothes for the past 6 months!

 

[rusty4]

We are going that same week and it happens to be when our DS turns 8. We go with DH who has a convention so the rate is covered for us. Who could turn that down?! Anyway, we talked to his school before booking to be sure it would be okay and they assured us it is. DS is doing great in school. Above his grade level so we don't have to worry about him falling back. Plus his Teacher said to just remind her as the trip gets closer and she will have a packet ready for him that he can do before, during or after the trip. Now if he was in middle or high school I would have a problem with it. We figure this is our last time to take advantage of this convention and want to make the best of it.

 

[bellamama]

Another February vote here. It only makes sense, less $$$, free dining, friends to go with (if their travel style is similiar to yours), and more comfortable temps. If your kids' school really has no issue with it, and you are diligent about keeping up with their work (great use of airplane time I think) and tutor them along, what's not to love?

 

[dolphindan1]

I would go in JUNE...because you say its for 2 WEEKS....2 weeks is better than any other 1 week...You can do just as much if not more at a more leisurly pace and with the extended hours you can avoid the worst heat of the day everyday...just my opinion based on the 2 week issue...if it was just 1 week i would go in FEB

 

[rusty4]

I would go in JUNE...because you say its for 2 WEEKS....2 weeks is better than any other 1 week...You can do just as much if not more at a more leisurly pace and with the extended hours you can avoid the worst heat of the day everyday...just my opinion based on the 2 week issue...if it was just 1 week i would go in FEB

I didn't notice that! 2 weeks would be a big plus if you don't mind the heat.

 

[AJA]

I vote 2 weeks in June. Yes it will be hot but you can plan to be in the parks in the morning and swim/rest all afternoon.

 

[luvdumbo]

If it is no problem to take your kids out of school go in February. I am going for spring break in March 9-16 with free dining, of course this was before they changed the free dining dates for March. But I do agree flights from MN to Orlando are crazy expensive! If they dont come down I am planning on driving.

I would definately stay away from June! Went in June once and it was packed our hotel was overbooked so we got upgraded, which was nice, but the parks were insanely crowded especially around parade times.

 

[mom2_3girls]

If it is no problem to take your kids out of school go in February. I am going for spring break in March 9-16 with free dining, of course this was before they changed the free dining dates for March. But I do agree flights from MN to Orlando are crazy expensive! If they dont come down I am planning on driving.

I would definately stay away from June! Went in June once and it was packed our hotel was overbooked so we got upgraded, which was nice, but the parks were insanely crowded especially around parade times.

I'm from MN too and going those EXACT same days as you!! I agree airfare is horrid right now...I wish I could drive, but it will just be me and my 3 girls and I'm not comfortable with that.

To the OP...I would choose either Feb or June!!

 

[budafam]

I say February. How old are your kids? I'm taking my 5 year old son out of kindergarten for 5 days next week and he'll be missing another 6 days in May for our next vacation to WDW. But it's kindergarten. Not like he's going to have tons of makeup homework or anything.

 

[kohlby]

How old are the kids? That would factor into my decision to take them out of school or not. If they're young and easily catch up, then I'd vote Feb. But otherwise, I'd be tied for the other two times until I noticed two weeks. So my second choice would be June if they're older kids. Even if the school district has no issue with taking them out of school, I would not do it for middle or high school kids. (Upper elem depends on the kid. If you're talking kindy, then I'd pull them out in a heartbeat).

 

[travelbug24]

FEBRUARY! I have been to Disney I think every month out of the year. June is hot, humid and the crowds are horrendous. Depending when spring break is March crowds can be heavy too.

 

[21hearts]

If it was us we would go in February... But then again we've gone in February for the past two years... We like February.

 

[glaserjm]

Ok...so I took the poll first without reading your explanations, I just assumed it was a "what's your favorite time to go" poll so I chose March, because we love going then! However after reading everything, I would definitely say February. If the school is ok with it and your son won't get behind for missing a week, then save your family $ and avoid the bigger March crowds!

We travel in March so we can combine Spring Training with our WDW trip (as you can tell by my avatar we're huge baseball fans..GO CARDS!) but if we didn't I'd pick February for sure!