Strategies for Teachers and others

[Ryan Landrum]

I have noticed that going through my research of planning a Disney trip, most of the strategies cannot apply to someone with my job. I am a teacher/coach, so leaving for a week's worth during anytime from Late July - Late May is basically a lost cause. I am currently forming a blog that will log my planning and potentially help those with the same trouble as me. Are there any other teachers out there that can help me with strategies with the limited months of travel that I have. My district is still voting for next year's calendar, so my departure date can be as soon as the Tuesday after Memorial Day to the next Tuesday, and basically through mid July (although I am 100% sure the later I leave, the worse it will be).

I hope this thread cannot only help me, but others on here! Thanks!

 

[pitpat]

that will help anyone with kids who can't miss school as well

 

[Capang]

I also teach and travel to WDW. We usually go in early June, as soon as I'm out. My last day is usually a day or two after Memorial Day. We leave just after that. Crowds are fine. Last summer it seemed the crowds were less than normal summer months, but Disney doesn't release firm numbers to really support that. We went in October for a long weekend and it was definitely more crowded in October v our June trip. Heading mid July this year, and not looking forward to the heat.

 

[Alesia]

Summer is not that busy any more. I think early June is a much better time to go than September or October, both crowd-wise and weather-wise.

Spring break can also be a good choice if it's not one of the weeks surrounding Easter.

Fwiw, I've never taken my daughter out of school for a vacation. No matter how busy the parks were, we've never waited more than 30 minutes for anything. Having a good touring plan is so much more important than going when the crowds are lower.

 

[aimfon]

We traveled to Disney for thanksgiving in 2016 with friends of ours who are teachers. They used two of their personal days so we could leave before the crowds started. We were there the Thursday before thanksgiving through the Wednesday (day before thanksgiving) Crowds didn't get too bad until that Monday.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I teach HS and usually travel during my spring vacation week or during the summer weeks. I think any week during the summer is about the same in terms of crowd/humidity. It is more expensive to go during vacation week but the weather makes it worth it. Next year, I have a trip planned for the last week of June and will also book for Christmas 22-27. Having a school/teacher schedule is tough but there are definitely ways to work around it as long as you are willing to compromise in terms of crowd, weather, and/or money.

 

[Ryan Landrum]

My second sport (softball) will stop a spring break travel, I really don't get a break until Thursday of SB, and that is if there is good weather MTW. Thanksgiving is a big no for my first sport (football), seeing as we could be playing that week. Any travel to really anywhere from late July-late December is basically shut down. Having to explain that to my then girlfriend, and now wife to be, was one of the hard things during our first year. She liked how I had the entire week of Thanksgiving off, but didn't like how we couldn't really plan anything. We use it for a week of of staycation, aka staying in bed.

 

[Ryan Landrum]

I teach HS and usually travel during my spring vacation week or during the summer weeks. I think any week during the summer is about the same in terms of crowd/humidity. It is more expensive to go during vacation week but the weather makes it worth it. Next year, I have a trip planned for the last week of June and will also book for Christmas 22-27. Having a school/teacher schedule is tough but there are definitely ways to work around it as long as you are willing to compromise in terms of crowd, weather, and/or money.

Yeah, the whole money thing sucks for me, just not as bad as the schedule. I am having to plan a 2019 trip, just to get enough money. Cost of living (at least for Texas) is unreal where I am. Apartment rents are the same for housing mortgages, and the housing market in my area is booming. I can't afford a 5% down payment, where others who are moving in are basically paying it all up front in cash. I have more money saved away than most of my generation (looking at you millennials), but it took living at home, rent free, for three years. Even with that money saved, still can't really afford a house, with a decent neighborhood, within an hours commute.

 

[teachmedis]

I'm a teacher and we go over spring break. However, this year will be the last year for a spring break trip for a while. Not because of crowds or Disney prices but because of airfare. At least with Disney I feel like I'm getting something worth the expense, paying a couple thousand+ dollars for a family of four to be crammed in small, uncomfortable seats just isn't worth the time saved. In the future we'll road trip it over summer vacation. While teachers have to travel when everyone else travels, I'm grateful that I have the time to take long trips. I can take a week and a half (including my drive) and still have the whole summer to rest up when I get home.
Spring break in Disney is beautiful, perfect weather, Flower and Garden festival...just a little extra planning and prioritizing. I'm arriving the day before Easter and staying the week after. I got great dining reservations, easily, on my 180th day. I'm curious to see how fast passes go...maybe this spring break won't be as busy as others.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Looks like summer is your only option
Join the club

We've gone at all different times, but we've grown to really love our summer trips

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Yeah, the whole money thing sucks for me, just not as bad as the schedule. I am having to plan a 2019 trip, just to get enough money. Cost of living (at least for Texas) is unreal where I am. Apartment rents are the same for housing mortgages, and the housing market in my area is booming. I can't afford a 5% down payment, where others who are moving in are basically paying it all up front in cash. I have more money saved away than most of my generation (looking at you millennials), but it took living at home, rent free, for three years. Even with that money saved, still can't really afford a house, with a decent neighborhood, within an hours commute.

I teach in the Northeast where most of the states pay their teachers well (respect on the other hand is another story...), anyway I do understand the financial struggles of fellow teachers who teach in other parts of the country. I remember living on my first/second year teaching salary and barely scrapping by. I also lived with my parents until I got married and was able to save enough money to put 20% down for a house in MA with my husband. It is tough to make it on a teaching salary in some places and I get why you are probably coaching on top of your teaching workload. Is there any way you can volunteer for paid opportunities (detention, late bus duty, tutoring, etc.) that will help you save more money and not be a conflict to your coaching responsibilities?

As for money being the limiting factor, I would suggest that you take early June into consideration since crowds should still be decent since a good amount of schools around the country are still in session and weather is okay. Since you are saving now, I would hold on to that money in an account that will collect some type of interest and when it comes time to book your reservation, buy discounted Disney GCs from BJs (approx 4%) or if you have a RedCard from Target (5%) to use as your deposit. As you save more and get closer to your payment deadline, buy more GCs and pay with them. Those will be some extra savings.

 

[Ryan Landrum]

I teach in the Northeast where most of the states pay their teachers well (respect on the other hand is another story...), anyway I do understand the financial struggles of fellow teachers who teach in other parts of the country. I remember living on my first/second year teaching salary and barely scrapping by. I also lived with my parents until I got married and was able to save enough money to put 20% down for a house in MA with my husband. It is tough to make it on a teaching salary in some places and I get why you are probably coaching on top of your teaching workload. Is there any way you can volunteer for paid opportunities (detention, late bus duty, tutoring, etc.) that will help you save more money and not be a conflict to your coaching responsibilities?

As for money being the limiting factor, I would suggest that you take early June into consideration since crowds should still be decent since a good amount of schools around the country are still in session and weather is okay. Since you are saving now, I would hold on to that money in an account that will collect some type of interest and when it comes time to book your reservation, buy discounted Disney GCs from BJs (approx 4%) or if you have a RedCard from Target (5%) to use as your deposit. As you save more and get closer to your payment deadline, buy more GCs and pay with them. Those will be some extra savings.

The DGC idea is definitely something we are doing! My fiance has RedCard and a Sam's Card, which $500 cards are on sale for $470, so we are seeing if my rewards on my AMEX would double up on that saving measure. Early June is the best for us, seeing as she hates the heat lol.

It isn't necessarily that we get paid bad, because we don't. My district skimps on the benefits sides, as they only pay the minimum into it, and us to cover the distance. Cost of living may not seem like a lot to other states, but its hard to save on $1500 rent for a 2 bedroom/bath apartment ($1000+ for most 1 bedroom/bath in the area), and most moderately new houses costing above the $250k line (and that is with a 30 min commute). The average housing cost in the district I am employed is $350k, and that includes all of the old houses. Not much compared to other states, but even when I am picking up game working, coaching stipends, and any work I can get, grossing less than $60k per year can't really help you save that much!

 

[RysMomma]

I am a teacher in NJ and we get out late June and don't go back until after labor day. So far, the best thing for my family is going in late August. We're doing land and sea in 2018 and the later we went in August, the better the price. Granted, then you have to worry about hurricanes, as well. It's all a toss up, I guess!

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

The DGC idea is definitely something we are doing! My fiance has RedCard and a Sam's Card, which $500 cards are on sale for $470, so we are seeing if my rewards on my AMEX would double up on that saving measure. Early June is the best for us, seeing as she hates the heat lol.

It isn't necessarily that we get paid bad, because we don't. My district skimps on the benefits sides, as they only pay the minimum into it, and us to cover the distance. Cost of living may not seem like a lot to other states, but its hard to save on $1500 rent for a 2 bedroom/bath apartment ($1000+ for most 1 bedroom/bath in the area), and most moderately new houses costing above the $250k line (and that is with a 30 min commute). The average housing cost in the district I am employed is $350k, and that includes all of the old houses. Not much compared to other states, but even when I am picking up game working, coaching stipends, and any work I can get, grossing less than $60k per year can't really help you save that much!

My hubs hates heat and humidity too so April works the best for us but like a PP said, airfare is ultimately the worst part but a happy hubs, is a happy Disney trip! Anyways, that is awesome that you are doing the GCs...they really do save you some money. Not sure if you coupon and shop sales but if you do that, it can really help with your savings too!

 

[Hootenany]

I am an elementary school teacher and have taken a week off to go on our Disney Vacation for several years in a row, usually in September. I am very careful about taking days off other than for our vacation. I line up my own sub (a retired teacher) to take my class and I am upfront with the families of my students. The memories that our family has made are priceless. Each of my administrators have always been extremely supportive, and some have actually planned small trips for their families during the school year as well. I encourage you, OP, to talk with your administration. They might surprise you with their answer! Our jobs are very important, but family time is way more important! It is also important for our students to see the value in family time.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Love summer. Of my trips, our last week of June trip a fews years ago was one of my overall favorite trips crowd-wise. We did 7/4 week this year and loved that too.

If you can do July past 7/4, you’ll get into the low/value season summer rates, which are usually attractive, relatively speaking. Discounts are also ‘generally’ more plentiful in the summer.

Happy planning OP.

 

[Spencer Wright]

Love summer. Of my trips, our last week of June trip a fews years ago was one of my overall favorite trips crowd-wise. We did 7/4 week this year and loved that too.

If you can do July past 7/4, you’ll get into the low/value season summer rates, which are usually attractive, relatively speaking. Discounts are also ‘generally’ more plentiful in the summer.

Happy planning OP.

I cannot relate to these scheduling concerns; however I have also gone late June, and had family do it other years. It is a great time to go as the above poster stated. Also, I have seen, on the boards, some posters say during 'low times' (which is a whole other discussion), staffing and maintenance can be quite lax. Late June, every line is open, every place a CM can be is filled, and while not perfect, WDW is absolutely prepared for the crowds. I thought it would be awful, but with strategic ADR/FP planning, it was a great trip!!

The heat is horrible, and people can really stink. A mid-day pool break helps, but the heat is a HUGE downside.

I was quite displeased with the late-June scheduling, but overall it worked out great and I would do it again!

 

[DavidNYC]

I actually disagree with your statement about strategies not working. Other than not being flexible with dates, you'll find tons of planning advice here particularly with FP planning and knowing which parks to go to which date that are relevant any time during the year. Almost any of the strategies people post here can cut down wait times, crowds, and increase the number of rides you can get on. Perhaps the magnitude of difference may be less at the most crowded times, but the strategies really remain the same.

 

[Jess_S]

I am an elementary school teacher and have taken a week off to go on our Disney Vacation for several years in a row, usually in September. I am very careful about taking days off other than for our vacation. I line up my own sub (a retired teacher) to take my class and I am upfront with the families of my students. The memories that our family has made are priceless. Each of my administrators have always been extremely supportive, and some have actually planned small trips for their families during the school year as well. I encourage you, OP, to talk with your administration. They might surprise you with their answer! Our jobs are very important, but family time is way more important! It is also important for our students to see the value in family time.

Although I'm not a teacher, my dad is. His experience has made me believe that more teachers should be adopting this approach. He did not take any of his time off during his whole teaching career because he was originally entitled to be paid out for unused days when he retired. The state recently imposed a cap on the number of days he can be paid out for, so he has a whole bank of time off that is essentially valueless. He didn't get to enjoy the time off with his family and now he won't be paid for it either. This year, he is taking some of his time off for a spring WDW trip with my mom, my DH and my son.

If you have time off and are able to use it for vacation, I think you should consider it. The fact is that our society doesn't value or treat teachers properly -- so you should treat yourself to the time off with your family that you deserve. But not the first week of May -- because I want low crowds for my trip.

 

[Ryan Landrum]

David: I agree with the strategies as far as doing/seeing things, however, a lot of my research says first thing to do is avoid crowded times. After that, it is sometimes difficult to find people who have gone or offered strategies that have gone the same times as I have to go through, so between the filtering and finding specifics, it can be tough!

Jess and Hoot: While I am sure school admin wouldn't care, the more immediate bosses wouldn't be so supportive. When I signed up for coaching, I knew the deal. Late July -Late December would always be off limits, especially for the goal in which I want to achieve in Texas High School Football. My second sport can be a little more flexible, but with Softball being one of the top 2 longest seasons, mid January up until mid May, if if you are good into June, it is almost impossible. On top of all of that, I only get 3 personal leave days per year. I do get "sick days" but I don't get many, and those are the ones I have to save year after year to make sure that I have enough days to take off in case something drastic happens to my future child(ren). I have known other teachers/coaches who have had to take up to a month off due to complications, and had to be docked pay for missing for their child. I don't want to take that risk. :/ It is unfortunate for planning, but something that I feel like I need to do personally .

Thank you all for the advice! Let's keep it going!