You work hard all year - and in return you get a set number of PTO days. But did you know there's ways to strategically use your PTO days around holidays so you can plan longer trips while only taking one or a couple days off work?
In 2025, the dates are even sweeter with many of the holidays being on Fridays (in addition to the ones that always fall on a Monday) so it's super easy to turn one day off into a super long weekend.
TA Tip: Many of these dates fall into the busiest times of year for theme parks, because everyone is trying to go at the same time (makes sense). There's still many that are more than doable and there's truly no 'slow season' at Disney any more. But if you're really worried about crowds, an alternative way to use this list is to book dates just before or after these ones so you avoid the busiest times.
1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 20, 2025)
Extend this three-day weekend by taking Friday, January 17, off. With just one PTO day, you’ll have a four-day weekend. This also happens to be the opening weekend for Epcot's International Festival of the Arts. Why not be one of the first to experience the best (objectively speaking) Epcot festival over a long weekend?
2. Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 17, 2025)
Similar to MLK Day, add Friday, February 14, to create a four-day weekend. With Valentine’s Day coinciding, this is a fantastic opportunity for a romantic getaway or to escape to Florida for warmer weather in the middle of winter.
3. Memorial Day (Monday, May 26, 2025)
Memorial Day kicks off summer, and it’s already a three-day weekend. To stretch it further, take Friday, May 23, for a four-day break. This is already a HUGE weekend in the theme park world - with Universal Orlando's Epic Universe opening this week. Even if you aren't able to get into the new park, Disney crowds will likely be at an all-time low with the new competition. A great time to kick off summer with a theme park trip, no matter which park you visit!
4. Juneteenth (Thursday, June 19, 2025)
Juneteenth is a newer federal holiday (finally) and offers a midweek opportunity to create a long weekend. Take Friday, June 20, off for a four-day weekend, or go big by also taking Monday, June 16, through Wednesday, June 18, for a full nine-day vacation while using just four PTO days. I've found that June is actually a great month to visit Disney World - before the crowds really come in after July 4th and continue into the holiday season.
5. Independence Day (Friday, July 4, 2025)
Independence Day falls on a Friday, giving you a three-day weekend. Add Monday, July 7, for a four-day getaway. With warm weather, it’s a perfect time for a lots of trips. The theme parks will of course be crowded on one of their busiest days of the year - but maybe this is a time to try a cruise or another destination out instead?
6. Labor Day (Monday, September 1, 2025)
Stretch this three-day weekend by taking Friday, August 29, off for a four-day break. Use the time to enjoy the end of summer - or kick off fall and Halloween with the start of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando and the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot (anticipated dates for both till we get confirmation but they're pretty safe bets).
7. Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Monday, October 13, 2025)
Combine this holiday with Friday, October 10, for a four-day weekend. Halloween is in full swing in the theme parks, for both Disney and Universal, or you can try out a Halloween themed Disney cruise!
8. Veteran’s Day (Tuesday, November 11, 2025)
Create a five-day weekend by taking Monday, November 10, and Wednesday, November 12, off. This is a fantastic opportunity for an early holiday season trip with Disney parks typically always decorated this early (especially if you take a couple days off after the holiday itself).
9. Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27, 2025)
Take Friday, November 28, to extend Thanksgiving into a four-day weekend. If you can add Monday, November 25, through Wednesday, November 27, you’ll create a nine-day break using just three PTO days. No one's working in the office anyways, so why shouldn't you be at Disney instead?
10. Christmas (Thursday, December 25, 2025)
Maximize the holiday season by taking Friday, December 26, and Monday, December 29, through Wednesday, December 31, for an 11-day vacation (including New Year’s Day 2026) while using just five PTO days. Trust me - you don't want to work during the 'abyss' week of the year.
Worried about block out dates? Let me help you plan out how to do a theme park-style vacation without park access!
By strategically planning your time off, you can enjoy multiple extended breaks throughout the year while saving your PTO for longer adventures. Use these dates to complete your quote request form and I'll help you continue making the most of your time off!
