Should I Pull My Kids Out of School to go to Disney World?

The question of whether or not you should pull your kids out of school to go to Disney World is a hot button for many people. Is pulling kids out of school something that is right for you? There are several things to consider when making this decision, and I want to cover the thought process of most parents when they are thinking of taking their kids out of school, so you will be able to make the decision that is best for you.

Avoiding the hottest months

Weather in Orlando can be brutal. The average high in July (When many families on summer break are traveling) is 92 degrees. That is the AVERAGE. Which means it can easily get even hotter. The average high in January? It’s 72 degrees. This might be something to consider if you or your children are sensitive to the hotter weather. Or if you have a husband like mine who complains any time it is over 77 degrees outside.

Possible stress of missing school

This will really depend on your child’s age. If you child is in Kindergarten, Elementary, or Intermediate School you probably wont have this issue. But once kids hit around 5th or 6th grade, school can start getting more demanding. Missing a week of school can put them behind and cause stress or anxiety upon return.

Younger kids will be less likely to fall behind due to missing school. But no matter what age your child is, I always suggest having a talk with your child’s teacher before you make your decision. Your teacher might even be able to give you some school work to take with for the plane or car ride. It might not be their favorite thing to do, but it will keep them busy on the plane or car ride, and help keep them up to speed when you return.

Fewer Crowds

Many parents assume if they travel to Disney World during the school year they will automatically see fewer crowds in the parks. That just isn’t entirely true anymore. October used to be a great time to pull your kids from school for a Disney vacation. But now there are Columbus Day Weekend travelers, people coming in for the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and students on fall breaks. It has become one of the busiest time of the year.

Conversely, the summer months are not nearly as packed as they used to be. A trip in early June can often have moderate and very manageable crowds. So if crowds are your main reason for considering taking a kid out of school you will really want to think about themonthsthat you are traveling.

If you are thinking of pulling kids from school to avoid the crowds I would suggest early January or February (But not President’s Day Weekend). If you don’t mind taking your kids out of school at the very beginning of the year, September can also be a slower month crowd-wise.

Pricing

When is Disney most likely to have awesome discounts and special offers? During the “off season” of course (and I use the term off season lightly, as there never is an actual off season at Disney World).

Discounts and special offers during the peak times are grabbed up quickly. And price is a HUGE factor for so many families when it comes to booking a Disney World vacation. Getting that sweet discount on your resort could mean the difference between booking and not booking for some families. So if you see a discount that puts your trip in your budget, it might be worth it for you to pull your kids out of school for a few days so that you can go on the Disney World vacation of your dreams.

So… WHAT DO I DO?!

I think many parent’s look for permission or validation when they want to do something like this for your family. So what I want you to do is to weigh out the options above. Is cooler weather going to be better for your family? Are you going to be happier working around the crowds? Can you get a super sweet discount? Can you help your child so they aren’t stressed about missing school? If the answer to any of these questions is YES, then you do you! And book that trip whenever is best for your family.

Still confused or need help?

I am happy to help!Contact me.

Ready to book your trip?We can help!

See you at the parks,
-Julie

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