The Perfect Trip

[KCheatle]

This past Saturday morning a major light bulb went off about planning our next trip to the world. We'd thought about November. I liked the idea of Christmas parties, and low crowds. But, I just didn't feel comfortable taking my DD out of school for that long. So, I'd been kind of pondering summer trips, but couldn't decide about the crowd levels?? So, I was sort of stuck.

Also, I wanted my parents to come, but my DH didn't (he feels stressed when my family's around because he feels like he has to be on his best behavior all the time, and I don't blame him!). But, we went without them last time, so DH reluctantly agreed that they could come with us this time. And, my brother likes to go with us, but we don't really like to go with him because we're up-and-at-'em Disneyers and his family's much more eh-we'll-get-there-by-noon Disneyers. But, since he lives in Virginia (and we live in Nebraska), I like to use this trip as an opportunity to see him and his family. So, needless to say, we had a lot of issues...

BUT...low and behold...Saturday morning came the PERFECT SOLUTION!!!! My brother is going July 17-27. My parents are meeting him halfway through his trip. So, I thought, how about we go down July 26th. We'll meet my brother for dinner and get to spend that night and the next morning with them before they leave (perfect amount of time to see them, but not be annoyed + we're starting when they're ending, so I don't have to be sad - sounds mean, but hey, what can I say?). Plus, my parents will stay with us for a few days, but not the whole trip. So, now I'm happy because my parents will be there for at least part of the trip, and DH is happy because he still gets like 6 days sans-in-laws. AND, my DD doesn't miss school!!

So, I booked Saturday, and threw together a quick dining reservation plan because this morning was 180 days! Crazy! But, it really will be THE PERFECT TRIP!!!

 

[minniemickeyfan]

What a perfect solution! Glad it worked out for you guys

 

[tink33]

This is great! We're are pulling out daughter out of school. We checked with her teachers first. My husband's family is coming too. But they are flying in 3 days after us. Plus they are on the table service plan ( we are on the quick service plan). So we will get a break at meal times.

 

[71dsp]

Our school district allows for up to 5 consecutive excused absences for family trips. Our son is still somewhat young (9) so school is not terribly burdensome, although he does have at least an hour of homework a night. Anyway, over the past couple of years, he's picked a couple of days to do homework in a long stretch. I think we're fortunate to have such a flexible school district, and a kiddo that can handle the homework load and make good grades.

 

[Chip318]

As a teacher, I think it's a great learning experience for children. The only homework I give my students is to bring back 3 animal facts and 3 facts about their favorite Epcot country. If they are gone for more than 4 days I also have them write about their favorite ride. They usually come back with lots of valuable information to share.

 

[brifraz]

DW and I are both veteran teachers and feel that DW is a very valuable educational experience. Our DD10 has used Disney visits to learn about cultures, food, animals, and how to plan and prioritize time and activity. Since we are both teachers we have never been during the school year (except holidays), but regularly go down in the summer.

One word of advice to the OP; having gone quite a few times in late July - IT WILL BE HOT. Glad to hear that you are morning go-getters, because you will want to get out of the parks around 2pm each day. By then it will be packed and likely well into the 90s. Have a great trip!

 

[71dsp]

As a teacher, I think it's a great learning experience for children. The only homework I give my students is to bring back 3 animal facts and 3 facts about their favorite Epcot country. If they are gone for more than 4 days I also have them write about their favorite ride. They usually come back with lots of valuable information to share.

My son had a HUGE package of homework. He finished nearly all of it, but had a couple of things that we weren't clear on left. We made it back late on Sunday evening, so he didn't get a chance to work it after we got back. On Monday he handed it in, and the teacher was very impressed with how much he did get finished. He has learned a lot by going to Disney too.

 

[luv]

You might want to give your brother a small heads-up on the sleep-till-noon thing. Summer rains aren't usually the "only 20 minutes!" miracle rains everyone says they are. It can rain a lot in the summer and most of that rain comes during the afternoon/evening. But he might also be a person who doesn't take advice well, so you might not want to tell him that! You know him best!

If you haven't been to Orlando in the summer before, remember that it gets so hot and humid! Pack the coolest, lightest clothing you have. Drink a lot of water. Get a lot of sleep.

It sounds like a perfect combination of everything everyone wants.

Have the best time!!

 

[KCheatle]

I guess that is true that they do learn a lot! Especially at AK and Epcot. Last year though, the school was not too keen on my daughter missing the whole week in September. And, this year she's in 3rd grade, which is when they start standardized testing. So, that was really my concern. Plus, she is on a dance team, and they are pretty serious about the commitment once the school year starts. So, although I'll miss the "empty" parks, at least I won't feel the guilt/stress for taking her out of school and dance that I had to deal with this last year.

And...I won't have to deal with DH being mad because he can't watch the football game on Saturday - geesh...now that I think about it - his temper tantrum from missing football last year was terrible

So, it looks like I'll happily avoid all of the above

 

[71dsp]

My son gets the *week* of Thanksgiving off, and we're gone the week after, so he'll have two weeks off from school. Not sure how that will go over with his 4th grade teacher, but I figure if we tell him/her right at the beginning of the year we can mitigate any issues.

I guess I'm not much of a TV fan. I figure if there is something on TV while I'm at Disney, I can always DVR it and watch it later.

 

[Chip318]

My son had a HUGE package of homework. He finished nearly all of it, but had a couple of things that we weren't clear on left. We made it back late on Sunday evening, so he didn't get a chance to work it after we got back. On Monday he handed it in, and the teacher was very impressed with how much he did get finished. He has learned a lot by going to Disney too.

Homework on trips becomes stressful on parents. Some kids need family time more than homework. I hate giving them a ton of work. They have their whole lives to work.

 

[Betsyboo]

Homework on trips becomes stressful on parents. Some kids need family time more than homework. I hate giving them a ton of work. They have their whole lives to work.

We've taken our son out of school three times for trips, Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd grades. Twice for Disney and once for a cruise. His kindergarten teacher told us that family time was more important than homework. You sound a lot like her. He's done a couple of presentations to his class on what he learned. Sadly, he'll be in 5th grade next year and that's our last opportunity for a trip during the school year. Middle school and high school will just be too difficult to work in a trip.

 

[Chip318]

We've taken our son out of school three times for trips, Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd grades. Twice for Disney and once for a cruise. His kindergarten teacher told us that family time was more important than homework. You sound a lot like her. He's done a couple of presentations to his class on what he learned. Sadly, he'll be in 5th grade next year and that's our last opportunity for a trip during the school year. Middle school and high school will just be too difficult to work in a trip.

Yea, school gets much more difficult then. I teach third grade. In my opinion, it's the perfect year for them to go because they are still excited to learn.

 

[jlsHouston]

Ahh, I love going in the summer even though it is really hot and miserable and the crowded. We do alot of pool time. We aren't morning go getters but if you are that is perfect for summer at WDW, start eary, leave the parks by 1 and return at night.