145 Middle Schoolers: Wicked Awesome or Epic Fail???DeParting-Such Sweet Sorrow p. 76

[hcoker1]

Too funny that your first ride of the trip is the one thing you dislike! I hope the group rides/events get better for you.

 

[jenseib]

I love the magnet idea...that was really smart thinking on someones part.
I have not rode Stitch but did ride it when it was Alien encounter...I have no idea what it had to do with Disney...BUT it was the scariest thing I EVER rode. I was in my 20's and so was my friend (about 5 years younger than me) and her brother was with us and he was 18...WE all SCREAMED! Like little girls. It was so real and scary...but too intense for a lot of people. The second time I went on it a few years later though, I made it so I wasn't snug against the back of the seat and it was so scary knowing what was going on.

 

[eandesmom]

A waste of precious time pretty much sums it up. Oh my, not impressed with YES so far are we?

Glad you got your coffee, was cracking up at the leftover pizza being out for breakfast.

Great resort pics!

 

[Missyrose]

First ride is Stitch?!?!? That's Disney planner blasphemy. Did they come to take your commando credentials afterward?

I had heard about some of the cooler classes in the YES program, I guess yours wasn't quite as cool.

Hope your MK day got better after all that!

 

[natebenma]

Tom and I went on Stitch during a kid-free trip (I was attending a medical conference at Yacht Club) and it was definitely 30 minutes that we'll never get back. Nathaniel periodically wants to try Stitch and we've been able to avoid it - so far. I suspect his curiosity will get the better of him on one of our trips...

Amanda

With what you have written about Nathaniel, I don't think he would necessarily enjoy this attraction. Tell him Dee doesn't recommend it!

Refresh my memory- how do your kids do with ITTBAB? This reminds me a lot of that. Unpleasant sensations. Scary situations. Screaming and crying children.

Not Disney's best work!

Too funny that your first ride of the trip is the one thing you dislike! I hope the group rides/events get better for you.

Hmmm... Funny was not the adjective that popped into my head!

I love the magnet idea...that was really smart thinking on someones part.
I have not rode Stitch but did ride it when it was Alien encounter...I have no idea what it had to do with Disney...BUT it was the scariest thing I EVER rode. I was in my 20's and so was my friend (about 5 years younger than me) and her brother was with us and he was 18...WE all SCREAMED! Like little girls. It was so real and scary...but too intense for a lot of people. The second time I went on it a few years later though, I made it so I wasn't snug against the back of the seat and it was so scary knowing what was going on.

Love the imagery of your memory!!!

A waste of precious time pretty much sums it up. Oh my, not impressed with YES so far are we?

Glad you got your coffee, was cracking up at the leftover pizza being out for breakfast.

Great resort pics!

The morning was not off to the bestest start! Like the remainder of the trip, this day was like a rollercoaster- ups and down, twists and turns.

First ride is Stitch?!?!? That's Disney planner blasphemy. Did they come to take your commando credentials afterward?

I had heard about some of the cooler classes in the YES program, I guess yours wasn't quite as cool.

Hope your MK day got better after all that!

Both of the programs our school did were new ones to our group.

This was not a great first impression! Part of my self-proclaimed mission for this trip was to put together a defense that supported the choice of a class trip to Disney from an educational, as well as safety, standpoint. So far, this wasn't giving me the ammunition I needed!

 

[333disneymom]

Dee - I think my reaction would have been the same as you. I can't believe they even have a YES program that incorporates the Stitch ride.

 

[kirbybruno]

I followed you from the BC thread, this is so much fun! I have been restraining myself from the beginning, but what is YES and the trip? I googled it, but I still am a little fuzzy. I have 2 kids going into 7th and 6th but I have never heard of it, and I know for sure we didn't have it when I was I was Jr.High.

I thoroughly enjoy your writing, and our personalities and volunteer experience are so similar it is almost scary, ha!

 

[MHTeacher]

Laughing at the fact that the one ride you had already warned folks about is the one you have to wind up riding first! But I completely agree about it being thirty minutes of your life you'll never get back!

I like your magnet idea with the doors. When I've been at cheer camp, I use tape on the doors for my cheerleaders!

 

[natebenma]

Dee - I think my reaction would have been the same as you. I can't believe they even have a YES program that incorporates the Stitch ride.

I was targeted as the lead chaperone for the group (shocker), so I was given the survey to fill out for this class. I will certainly be commenting about this!

I followed you from the BC thread, this is so much fun! I have been restraining myself from the beginning, but what is YES and the trip? I googled it, but I still am a little fuzzy. I have 2 kids going into 7th and 6th but I have never heard of it, and I know for sure we didn't have it when I was I was Jr.High.

I thoroughly enjoy your writing, and our personalities and volunteer experience are so similar it is almost scary, ha!

Thanks so much for checking out the report and for your kind comments! I'm glad you are enjoying it.

The Y.E.S. programs are enrichment classes offered by Disney, at the various theme parks, to school groups or individuals. My sons' school offers this "field trip" to 8th graders every year.

Here is what I wrote about the Y.E.S program earlier in the report:

Here’s a link that describes everything about Disney’s Youth Education Series program:

http://www.disneyyouth.com/youth-education-series/

A quick summary explains that the program gives students real-world learning experiences at Disney Theme Parks and provides newfound insights, skills and knowledge to motivate and inspire students. There are 3 hour classes every morning and then the students get to “apply” their newfound knowledge by enjoying attractions in the theme parks.


At EPCOT, the classes include Ocean Discoveries, Dynamics of Technology and Everyday Chemistry.

MK has Energy and Waves and the World of Physics.

Animal Kingdom includes Wild by Nature and Team Up for Wildlife.

At Hollywood Studios, there is a new program called The Art of Imagineering


Our school usually does the Physics program every year: Hands on activities showcasing properties of force, motion and gravity.

AT SPACE MOUNTAIN!!!


*************************************************************

School groups can book these trips, but individuals can, too.

Here's the specific link to the Individual program. I think the price of the class may include a one-day Disney theme park ticket, which can be used during this trip or at another time but since our package was all-inclusive, I'm not positive about this.

Laughing at the fact that the one ride you had already warned folks about is the one you have to wind up riding first! But I completely agree about it being thirty minutes of your life you'll never get back!

I like your magnet idea with the doors. When I've been at cheer camp, I use tape on the doors for my cheerleaders!

One of the parents (my roommate) asked if I knew that the Stitch attraction was included and that's why I put that comment on the tip sheet.

No. That's not why. The ride is just stupid.

I'm a big believer in backup plans- maybe we should use the magnets AND the tape...


.

 

[jmskinner]

I totally forgot about Stitch during our class. Sorry, I didn't warn you.

 

[natebenma]

Here are a few pictures of the castle taken as we traveled to our next spot:

We gathered in this alleyway in Liberty Square, with views of the Hall of Presidents

While we were here, we discussed various aspects of light- the rainbow, prisms, reflection, refraction.

Donna did a demonstration about reflection showing what happens when one of the students goes behind glass and different lights are used to illuminate him at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe.

Our assignment was to look for various light-related features: fluorescent light, scrims, reflection, refraction, etc.


During our visit to… The Haunted Mansion! (That’s better)

Picture of the Beast (picture number is 666)

We were asked to pay particular attention to the ballroom scene.


After we were done with this attraction, and had discussed the various places we had seen the lighting effects in effect, we were in for a treat!

Backstage IN the Haunted Mansion!

We were given a series of warnings:

It was very dark, but I think there was a flashlight to light our way. Donna explained the path we would be following.

Absolutely NO cameras or cell phones could be used. (This means you, Dee!)

And most importantly, we would have to be very, very quiet. We would be right under the track where the Doom Buggies were carrying guests through the Haunted Mansion.

Shhhhhh!!!

We got to observe, close-up, the staging and secrets of the ballroom scene.

OK, this was seriously cool!

Would the final part of the class be equally impressive?

Next up: Why do they call it Mickey’s Philharmagic?

 

[jmskinner]

Isn't that cool? We didn't have flash lights, wonder if something happened to make them start using them.

So, this is where learning some of those tricks sort of ruined other rides for me, how about you?

 

[chaoscent]

Dee - a few things. I am not a TR reader, but followed you from the BC thread & I have really been enjoying your report. I check this thread first to see if you updated in anything. I find your writing enjoyable. The YES program sounds great. I wish we could have gone to WDW for our class trip. Oh, I forgot, WDW wasn't opened when I graduated

Next - I am a DISigner from the Creative DISigns forum. I woke up this morning thinking of a wedding shirt (using the priceless theme) and was going to go looking for a cool landscape castle shot after I read your update. Well don't cha know you took the shot I need Do you mind if I use it to make a DISign? We aren't allowed to sell the DISigns, only give them away and we do it because we enjoy it. If I know the photographer I liike to ask permission. Again, thanks Penny

 

[natebenma]

I totally forgot about Stitch during our class. Sorry, I didn't warn you.

I don't know that being prepared would have made it any better!

Isn't that cool? We didn't have flash lights, wonder if something happened to make them start using them.

So, this is where learning some of those tricks sort of ruined other rides for me, how about you?

We didn't all have flashlights. I think that was how Donna pointed out the path we needed to follow backstage.

Knowing how the effect is done doesn't ruin the experience for me. I enjoyed learning the technology behind the scenes.

Dee - a few things. I am not a TR reader, but followed you from the BC thread & I have really been enjoying your report. I check this thread first to see if you updated in anything. I find your writing enjoyable. The YES program sounds great. I wish we could have gone to WDW for our class trip. Oh, I forgot, WDW wasn't opened when I graduated

Next - I am a DISigner from the Creative DISigns forum. I woke up this morning thinking of a wedding shirt (using the priceless theme) and was going to go looking for a cool landscape castle shot after I read your update. Well don't cha know you took the shot I need Do you mind if I use it to make a DISign? We aren't allowed to sell the DISigns, only give them away and we do it because we enjoy it. If I know the photographer I liike to ask permission. Again, thanks Penny

Penny

Thanks so much for your comments!

You are absolutely welcome to use any of the photos I post. Do you need me to PM or email it to you? Or will you just copy it off?

Which picture?

You can email me at beachclubdee@yahoo.com if you want to get in touch. I use that account mostly for DIS purposes.

 

[Queila]

I am thoroughly enjoying you report. Different, informative and entertaining!

Whoever came up with those magnets at the doors in the hotel is a genius. Way to keep everybody in their rooms. I am not going to lie, it crossed my mind to get one for Bea's room here at home for when she hit her teens. Shhhhh!

That was a bummer about Stitch's ride but I guess you can include that on the list of "Done" rides.

And every time you get to see some backstage action is a good day to me.

Cannot wait to read more.

Q

 

[cmcadoo66]

Phew! I'm all caught up. We have had family in visiting and it is really cutting into my Dis time!!

The magnets are a great idea! Wish I had known about that when I was a girl scout leader.

I think the teens sharing a bed is just an issue with the boys. My DD(15) and her friends still share beds when they have sleepovers. But teen boys.....not going to happen!!

Going on your least favorite ride was not a great start! We have only been on it twice in all of our years of going and I'm sure that will be all we do. Kids are not impressed with that one!

And how cool to get a behind the scenes tour of HM!! One of our favorite rides and one that we always talk about wondering how they do some of that stuff.

Looking forward to the rest of your TR!

 

[MHTeacher]

Now backstage in The Haunted Mansion sounds a LOT better than Stitch's Great Escape!

 

[nannette]

Dee,

A couple of those castle shots are post card perfect! Great job!! Also I 100% agree about Stitch!!! Waste of time!!

~Nannette

 

[Ninja Mom]

The back stage tour under the Doombuggys would present quite the challenge for me!

Do I "Plus" the guest experience and add to the "sound track" as the guests ride above or do I behave? Could you reach up and "goose" the guests? Perhaps appear as a grim grinning ghost in the car with the riders? I can rock a mean bed head, way beyond what Disney Imagineers can conceive of, so I'm sure I could be quite effective appearing unannounced next to the guests.

I'd probably be the first chaperone locked back in the room with magnets on my door!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow! I would have loved to been with ya'll when you went "behind the scenes" of the Haunted Mansion. I bet your fingers were just itching to take pictures.