The Challenge of Holiday Time Sharing in Orlando
Florida is known for its sunshine, beaches, and world-class events, and Orlando sits at the heart of it all. With major theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, as well as festivals, parades, and holiday celebrations throughout the year, Orlando families often find that standard custody arrangements aren’t always enough to handle the demands of such a unique and eventful calendar. That’s where creativity and communication come into play.
Whether you’re negotiating a new custody agreement or modifying an existing one, having a lawyer guide the process helps ensure that both parents’ voices are heard. Talk to an Orlando family lawyer about how to craft a final plan that supports a smoother co-parenting experience.
Creating a Comprehensive Plan
Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Spring Break are not only peak travel times but also among the most popular for family vacations to the theme parks. Add in special events like the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, Halloween Horror Nights, or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and you have an environment where timing and crowd control become real concerns for co-parents.
Disputes often arise over who gets to take the kids to Disney during school breaks, whether both parents can take children to the same event on different days, or how to manage high-traffic weekends around festivals and local celebrations. To avoid last-minute arguments and stress, it’s essential to include clear, detailed, and flexible language in your parenting plan. A few ideas that can be built into a time sharing plan include:
- Alternating major holidays each year so both parents get equal opportunity for vacations and celebrations.
- Designating specific weekends or weeks during breaks for each parent, based on work schedules and children’s school obligations.
- Creating a rotating system for theme park visits (e.g., one parent gets spring break at Disney this year, the other gets it next year).
- Specifying blackout dates or festival weekends that may be important to the family, so each parent can plan accordingly without overlap.
The key to successfully navigating timesharing around busy seasons is open communication and a willingness to compromise. If one parent wants to book a Disney vacation during a popular week, it’s important to notify the other parent early and work together to adjust the schedule if necessary.
Having a clear process for making travel requests, sharing costs for event tickets, and handling any unexpected changes (such as illness or weather cancellations) can reduce tension and keep the focus on the kids.
Reviewing Your Desired Schedule
An experienced Orlando family lawyer can help parents identify potential problem areas in a proposed parenting plan and offer solutions that are both fair and legally sound. Lawyers who are familiar with the local event calendar and peak visitation times can craft plans that reflect real-world concerns while prioritizing the best interests of the children.
Were you surprised to discover your soon-to-be ex is fighting you on calendar planning? The family law attorneys at Donna Hung are available to share communication strategies with you. Solutions are in reach, call 407-999-0099 or contact us online to get started.
