Disney during school breaks update with another question

Unfortunately I have to travel during school breaks/ holidays because I work on a
School calendar.

Starting to think about a Disney trip.

What school holiday is the better to go? Crowd wise?

Xmass, feb break, spring break

We would be driving so airfare cost not an issue


Also I have 3 kids. Older 2 are twins
What are the better ages to go
Almost 4 and 6
Or
Almost 5 and 7

Update with another question
Thanks so much for your input.

My sister lives in Jacksonville...

Maybe we will split it into 2 trips/2 different years as we drive down there at least once a year
Do 3-4 days in February
3-4 days in August
Thoughts?!?

Message edited 3/28/2016 3:00:36 PM.

Re: Disney during school breaks

I am in the same boat.

Out of the three you chose Feb break has the (relatively) lightest crowds and usually the best weather.

One caveat with February is that you could end up there during a cold spell. We often go in February and we always had good luck until last year. One day it was actually below freezing when we woke up.

More often than not it'll be beautiful though.

Funny that you posted this because I am looking into Disney/Universal for next year and debating trying spring break for the first time but I have heard some real horror stories about crowds.

I don't think there is any real difference in the ages you described as far as them appreciating and enjoying Disney. The only thing that would sway me one way or the other is if being older would make a difference in meeting height requirements, 40" and 44" in particular.

Disney during school breaks

February break because not all schools get that break. It seems to be predominantly a northeast thing.

Re: Disney during school breaks

We just came back from a trip there Presidents week.

The weather was perfection.

The crowds- Insane.

But since you HAVE to travel during school break, I suggest Feb break because if I personally had to endure those crowds with uncomfortable heat & humidity, I would have been on the first flight back to NY.

Disney during school breaks

we went last year at the very end of august- like the week leading up to labor day. (our schools don't start until after labor day) it was HOT HOT- not gonna lie!! HAHAHA BUT--- the crowd levels were amazing!!! we didn't wait more than like 15/20 minutes for anything the whole week. and the heat honestly didn't bother us-- theres enough things indoors, the lines are mostly all inside--- so theres enough chances for breaks from the heat..

Re: Disney during school breaks

My sister is a teacher and she is going at the very end of August. Schools in the south are back in session by then so it shouldn't be too super-crowded, although it will be hot.

ETA I would not recommend Spring Break... I went that week a few years ago, never again.

Message edited 3/28/2016 2:33:08 PM.

Re: Disney during school breaks

Never on spring break. BTDT, never again. Last week of August is the best week.

Re: Disney during school breaks

Avoid Xmas at all cost. Honestly, it's absolute insanity at that time, literally wall to wall people and lines that never end. Of the choices you listed, I would go with February break.

My kids were 1.5 yrs old and 6 when we first took them and they had a blast!!!! Any age is perfect!

Re: Disney during school breaks

We usually go Thanksgiving weekend. Have been in the summer and it was miserable with the heat. If you could go for a long weekend like Martin Luther King or Columbus day that would be my first thought but I know you said you were driving. I'd probably go with Feb. or Spring break.

Re: Disney during school breaks

We were there for February break. The weather was perfect and it wasn't too crowded. Also have been there end of August and while it's super hot, the crowd level is a lot lower.

Disney during school breaks

Was there this week. It was sheer insanity. Not only were then parks at capacity, the crowds insane, but restaurants (even off site) were a zoo. I live in FL, and the only reason I went this week was because family was in town and on spring break. Otherwise I would never ever ever go again during school breaks.

Re: Disney during school breaks

Thanks so much for your input.

My sister lives in Jacksonville...

Maybe we will split it into 2 trips/2 different years as we drive down there at least once a year
Do 3-4 days in February
3-4 days in August
Thoughts?!?

Re: Disney during school breaks update with another question

Re: Disney during school breaks update with another question

The trick is To go on a break that not everyone has. When I was young I remember going a year (like this year) that Passover and Easter were at different times. Most of the country has spring break around Easter , we took advantage of Passover.

I also did very end of August , I went with my best friend and we were in out early/mid twenties and had a blast besides the heat. I don't know how I would do now with that esp with little ones in tow.

Disney during school breaks update with another question

Honestly - I would just do a full week in one shot. 3 or 4 days is nothing and you wont even be able to get a lot done in that time.

I also think the 4 and 6 year old ages are the best at disney! My 6 year old is just starting to lose some of the excitment of the princesses and stuff so I am glad we are going next month. Any age is good for Disney but having them little enough to still believe they are meeting the real characters is awesome

Disney during school breaks update with another question

We just went February break, and the Sunday and Monday of President's weekend were absolutely insanely crowded. They run marathons that week, so that drives up the crowds, and compound that with the locals taking advantage of the holiday weekend, and the northeast people on vacation. But, Tuesday through the rest of the week were totally fine.

We went last April for Spring Break. Wasn't too bad IMO. Found it to be manageable, but we were confined to the room for the last 4 days of the trip since I became very ill. So it could've been more crowded than our first 3 days, but I doubt it!

I would do last week in August, like other people have said. Lower crowds since the local kids are back in school

Re: Disney during school breaks update with another question

I work in the schools too. I've never gone over February break.

April: very crowded but good weather
Christmas break: insanely packed, unpredictable weather. I'd never bring kids, too crowded to get to everyone's must dos.
Last week in August: hot but not crowded

Re: Disney during school breaks update with another question

I'm not sure your religious background but if you are considering just a few days, rosh hashanah is 2 days which backs up against a weekend this year. I have coworkers go when that happens, and they report the park is fairly empty.

Re: Disney during school breaks update with another question

Re: Disney during school breaks update with another question

Disney during school breaks update with another question

Another option would be, if you can take one day off, is going the week of Columbus Day and Yom Kippur. They are on Monday/Wednesday during the same week.

Also - Election Day and Veterans Day fall in the same week as well in November (Tuesday/Friday) I believe.

Message edited 4/1/2016 9:40:59 AM.

Disney during school breaks update with another question

We just went during February break - I don't think it was that bad- it was crowded but nothing too terrible- if you fast pass right I think the longest we waiting was 25 mins for a ride. The weather can be cold though- we were lucky it was in the 70s but the week before was much colder.