Should I Take My Kid Out of School for a Disney Vacation?
Spoiler alert: YES! (with some exceptions)
It's every parent's dilemma: Summer is the hottest and most crowded time at Walt Disney World, making travel there while the kids are off school the least ideal situation, but when the weather cools and the crowds return to Disney-level-sanity, the kids are back in school and it feels awful to take them out.
But I am solidly in the "let them out of school" camp. I come from a family of teachers and I teach adults myself as a corporate trainer, so education is at least as dear to me as it is the next person. But, travel is a great way for children to learn and experience the world around them, and while Walt Disney World isn't exactly your exotic location, there is still so much a kid can learn on a Disney trip.
I'm going to tell you when to NOT take your kid out of school, how to have the discussion about your kid missing school with their teacher, and then suggest some subject-related activities your child can do to learn while having fun on vacation that you can share with your kid's teacher.
Times to Avoid Having Your Kid Miss School
In general, it's not ideal to extend an already long vacation like Spring Break or Winter Break by having your kid miss school the week before or after these already long periods. This is because a person will begin to forget what they learned if they don't exercise it within about 7 days. If your kid is out of school for two weeks, they might have trouble not only catching up with new material, but remembering material that was covered shortly before break, so avoid extending these already existing long breaks if possible.
Also, avoid any standardized testing time. It's an inconvenience for the school or teacher to arrange a back up testing time and should only be required of them if your child is ill or there is a family emergency. Sorry, but a trip to Walt Disney World is not a family emergency.
If your kid is older, they might have mid-terms or finals, ACTs, or SATs (in high school). These are extremely important tests and your child should not miss them or the study time leading up to them.
When in doubt about the schedule of these things, talk to your child's teacher and coordinate wherever possible.
How to Talk to Your Child's Teacher
Like I just said above, if you can be somewhat flexible with travel dates, try to coordinate with your child's teacher so they aren't missing something important.
Let them know about your vacation plans as soon as possible, and then plan to remind them again later about two weeks before the trip. If you only talk to the teacher once in September about a trip that doesn't occur until February, they will forget. They have enough on their plate, so bring it up early to avoid scheduling pitfalls, but remind the teacher two weeks ahead.
Sometimes the teacher will require paperwork for the school office. This two week warning also gives your kid plenty of time to get the paperwork in order. My middle-schooler, for example, needed sign-off from every teacher of every subject she took.
Ask about the teacher's expectations for work that will be missed. Would your teacher like it done ahead, before the vacation, during the vacation (avoid if possible!), or after the vacation? If after, within how much time should your kid be caught up on homework?
Ask what the teacher will be covering and if there is anything you can do to help bring your kid up to speed.
Ask if the teacher would like your kid to do any sort of alternate work or report about their vacation. For example, the expectation at my daughter's school is that she keep a travel diary which she would then share with the class upon her return.
Finally, thank your child's teacher for understanding your desire for family time even though it takes away from school time.
Subject-Related Learning Opportunities at Walt Disney World
You might be surprised at how much children (and adults!) can learn at Walt Disney World. Some of these things might even be great suggestions for teachers who are looking for assignments for your kids to substitute for work missed at school. Here's a list of subjects and activities I could come up with. Feel free to add any you can think of to the comments!
History:
*Watch a viewing of Great Moments In History (Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom) and write down what you learned
*See The American Adventure (America pavilion at EPCOT) and comment on your favorite moment in history and why.
*See The Hall of Presidents (Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom). Which president inspired you most? Why?
*Ask a Cast Member at Liberty Square to tell you something about Liberty Square (for example, to explain the brown path in the middle of the walkways there). Write down what you learn about history from this interaction.
*When it is seasonally open, ride the Carousel of Progress (Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom) and report on something you learned about each decade represented on this ride. For Bonus Points - research the Carousel of Progress's history at the World's Fair and name a few other exhibits displayed at the same World's Fair at that time.
*Ride Spaceship Earth (EPCOT) and describe what you learned about the origins of civilization and communication.
Social Studies:
*Choose a new (to you) food to try at one of the countries in World Showcase(EPCOT) and review it.
*Take pictures of the costumes worn by Cast Members at each of the countries in the World Showcase (EPCOT) and compile them into an album.
*Complete a World Showcase Passport (EPCOT) - see Guest Services or ask a Cast Member where to obtain the kit to get started.
*Ride It's a Small World (Magic Kingdom) and name the nationalities you saw and how the dolls represented each. Which dolls yodel, for example? Which dolls are wearing the conical hats?
*Visit Africa or Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Describe the music, the outfits Cast Members are wearing, the buildings, and what is in the shops. How are they different from your culture? Is anything the same?
Ecology/Zoology:
*Do several badges of Wilderness Explorers at Disney's Animal Kingdom and fill out the Wilderness Explorer's guidebook with what you learned.
*What is your favorite animal at the Animal Kingdom. Talk to a Cast Member nearby about this animal and write down anything new you learn about this animal.
*Go on Kilimanjaro Safari (Animal Kingdom). How does Disney provide a natural feeling habitat for these animals while encouraging them to be visible to guests?
*Visit Conservation Station (Animal Kingdom, at Rafiki's Planet Watch). What can you learn about animal care and/or conservation?
*After a visit to Animal Kingdom, write down what the biggest threats are to the environment and wildlife. How is Disney trying to help? How can YOU help?
*Visit the manatees in the Living Seas pavilion (EPCOT). Why are manatees endangered?
Literature/Writing:
*Visit Tom Sawyer Island (Magic Kingdom, accessible by keel boat) and take note of the things that are in the book that you see represented here.
*Visit the Swiss Family Tree House (Magic Kingdom) and compare this tree House to the Swiss Family Robinson book.
*Can you find a reference to King Arthur at the Magic Kingdom?
*Which Disney stories represented by attractions at the Magic Kingdom were originally books? If they are both a book and a movie, did you prefer the book or the movie?
*Keep a travel diary during your vacation to share with your classmates. Write one entry a day.
*Disney Imagineers who craft the rides are considered great storytellers. How did the Imagineers craft the story behind your favorite ride? What things make you feel like you are in the story?
Science:
*Take a penny with you to ride the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney Hollywood Studios). Before the big drop, open your palm face up, with the penny on it. What does the penny do as you fall? Why? (This is not recommended for a first-time rider who will be too busy screaming).
*Ride Rock N Roller Coaster (Disney Hollywood Studios). Why don't you fall out of the vehicle during the loops?
*Visit Innoventions (EPCOT). What is the most interesting exhibit there? How does it work?
*How does the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (Magic Kingdom) work?
*How does the monorail work?
*Ride Living with the Land (EPCOT). What are some alternative methods to farming?
Math:
*Wear a pedometer. How many steps do you take each day? How much more is that than average? How many miles is that? How many steps per mile do you take? How many mile would you walk if you took 10,000 steps?
*Calculate how many people can fit on a monorail by counting how many people are in your car and multiplying it by how many cars are on the monorail?
*What is the fastest ride at Walt Disney World? How fast does it go?
Hopefully the tips and learning ideas above help prepare you to have a productive conversation with your child's teacher about your child missing school for a Disney vacation. Remember, learning can be fun, and you'll be surprised at how much you and your child can learn while having fun at Disney.
As always, share your comments, and we'll see you next time!
