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

[natebenma]

You all know by now that one of the conditions of chaperoneship was a ban on alcohol during the trip. To be honest, I don’t drink much, so although I have been joking around, this rule was not an issue for me.

But there was another problem I had to overcome. A different addiction I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to satisfy.



For me, the worst thing about staying at a value resort is the lack of a coffee maker in the rooms. When we stayed at All Star Music back in 2008, I brought a brand new 10 cup Mr. Coffee with me for our stay. Before our trip, I had prearranged to donate it to an ongoing fridge swap when we checked out. As some of you may know, my very first post on the Beach and Yacht Club FAQ thread was: “What kind of coffee makers are in the rooms?”

I considered bringing a coffee maker again this year, but instead I decided I would try to make do with a refill mug. I just didn’t know if I would be able to get coffee early enough in the morning, so every night, I made sure I had some coffee to put in the fridge for a morning ice coffee, while I waited for my real coffee. I prefer hot coffee in the morning, and I drink it black, but I need to add cream and sweetener when I am having it cold. I added cream to my cup, stashed the refill cup in the fridge and added ice each morning.

Bedtime was around midnight on our arrival day. The following morning, I woke up around 4:30. I was pretty sure I couldn’t fall back to sleep, so I decided to get up, grab my coffee, grab my camera, grab my phone (to check up on the DIS) and head out for a walk to the lobby area.

First stop was to the check-in desk. I wanted to add charging privileges to my key card. The CM was able to do that BUT it was too early for her to print me a new card. I would have to check back later.

At some point I finished my first coffee and I was pleased to discover that although the food court was not open yet, the coffee machine was accessible and functioning. I poured myself a cup and wandered the resort. Many of the early morning resort pictures in the previous posts came from this morning.

Some time later, I checked on the breakfast room. The teachers were just starting the preparations, so I jumped in and helped, washing and cutting fruit and setting up the food on the tables.

We had special, chartered buses to take us to the MK this morning for our Y.E.S. program. We boarded at 8 am for a 9 am opening at the park.

I did a much better job taking a picture of the MK sign this morning, than I did with the WDW sign the previous night:

The buses let us off at the TTC. I haven’t been here since 2004!

I never mind a ride on the monorail!

Here are a few of the views as we approached the MK:

We entered the park, and met up with our Y.E.S. instructor, Donna.

We waited around to see if any other students would join our instruction group, but it ended up “just” being our 14 boys and 3 chaperones. The other chaperones had free time in the park and had the mission of gathering FP for us to use during the afternoon.


Next Up: Energy and Waves and the only attraction in Disney I Dis

 

[15isto2]

Is that pizza at breakfast?

 

[Ninja Mom]

Nice!! I'm likin the Pizza for breakfast!!!

I can imagine that some sage on the trip realized the object was to get them to eat ANY remotely nutritious foods to keep them stoked for the morning. The worst thing you can do is to let them not eat something in the morning. It would be melt down city for sure later in the day!

Was that Pizza cold from the night before?

~NM

 

[natebenma]

Is that pizza at breakfast?

Nice!! I'm likin the Pizza for breakfast!!!

I can imagine that some sage on the trip realized the object was to get them to eat ANY remotely nutritious foods to keep them stoked for the morning. The worst thing you can do is to let them not eat something in the morning. It would be melt down city for sure later in the day!

Was that Pizza cold from the night before?

~NM

Yes, and Yes!

I may have grabbed a slice myself. I can't remember.

 

[MHTeacher]

I'm liking the fact that y'all had a "breakfast room." Anything to help ease the OOP money for food that parents have to send with their kids is great! Did y'all order from a grocery service and have all that delivered? I'm guessing you all didn't load that up in luggage and check it at the airport!

 

[natebenma]

I'm liking the fact that y'all had a "breakfast room." Anything to help ease the OOP money for food that parents have to send with their kids is great! Did y'all order from a grocery service and have all that delivered? I'm guessing you all didn't load that up in luggage and check it at the airport!

In addition to parent chaperones and nurses, we had one administrator, 4 8th grade teachers, 1 7th grade teacher and 1 5th grade teacher. Only a couple of them were responsible for a group of kids- the rest were "floaters/free agents" who helped out in the event that a student couldn't go to a park, or had to come back. I think there was one rental car (van???). The teachers made daily trips to a nearby Sam's Club to purchase most of the items.

When the teachers first arrived in Florida, they got 24 cases of water, muffins, fruit, cereal, milk, juice, granola bars, pretzels, cheezits, etc.

Then on the following days picked up anything they needed to restock, like 36 cases of water on Day 2!!!

They told parents/kids that the only money they would need to bring, on top of what we had paid for the trip ($775 per person) was money for food at the airport on our arrival and departure days. Of course, many students had additional money for snacks, the arcade, souvenirs, etc...

 

[JanetMom]

In addition to parent chaperones and nurses, we had one administrator, 4 8th grade teachers, 1 7th grade teacher and 1 5th grade teacher. Only a couple of them were responsible for a group of kids- the rest were "floaters/free agents" who helped out in the event that a student couldn't go to a park, or had to come back. I think there was one rental car (van???). The teachers made daily trips to a nearby Sam's Club to purchase most of the items.

When the teachers first arrived in Florida, they got 24 cases of water, muffins, fruit, cereal, milk, juice, granola bars, pretzels, cheezits, etc.

Then on the following days picked up anything they needed to restock, like 36 cases of water on Day 2!!!

They told parents/kids that the only money they would need to bring, on top of what we had paid for the trip ($775 per person) was money for food at the airport on our arrival and departure days. Of course, many students had additional money for snacks, the arcade, souvenirs, etc...

That sounds incredibly well organized!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

In addition to parent chaperones and nurses, we had one administrator, 4 8th grade teachers, 1 7th grade teacher and 1 5th grade teacher. Only a couple of them were responsible for a group of kids- the rest were "floaters/free agents" who helped out in the event that a student couldn't go to a park, or had to come back. I think there was one rental car (van???). The teachers made daily trips to a nearby Sam's Club to purchase most of the items.

When the teachers first arrived in Florida, they got 24 cases of water, muffins, fruit, cereal, milk, juice, granola bars, pretzels, cheezits, etc.

Then on the following days picked up anything they needed to restock, like 36 cases of water on Day 2!!!

They told parents/kids that the only money they would need to bring, on top of what we had paid for the trip ($775 per person) was money for food at the airport on our arrival and departure days. Of course, many students had additional money for snacks, the arcade, souvenirs, etc...

I was wondering where the food came from too. Since you guys were setting it up I thought it was the school who arranged it- that was great!

Hey maybe I can teach one of the Y.E.S programs! if I don't find a job around here. I probably would have seriously done that a few years ago but now that the boys are the ages they are I'd hate to pull them out of their schools and have them leave their friends.

 

[DrMomof3]

Love the pizza for breakfast!
Love all the pics of All-Stars! As a family of 5 I can't imagine we'll stay there soon. It's interesting to see the details of the resort.

Amanda

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Sounds like you had all the bases covered! Love the breakfast set up-laughed when I read about the water as I was shocked the first time we went to florida just how much water we drank!!
I love that you managed to organise fastpass runners even without your husband there You should definitely persuade Mark to join you on Ben's trip when the time comes! You would be awesome together organising those kids and I would be in awe this side of the Atlantic reading every tiny detail(just sayin)

 

[natebenma]

That sounds incredibly well organized!

The trip was extremely well organized (even though it was not by me)!

The school has been doing the Disney trip for 10 years now. As I have said before, many parents object to this location for a class trip- expense, perceived educational value, etc. After experiencing this trip, I can see why this is the right choice- it is really the best, safest and I believe most cost effective trip for our group.

There is no way the teachers would be able to head to Sam's Club every day if we were in the middle of NYC or Washington, DC. I can't imagine what the food costs would be for a trip like that. And 8-10 hours on a bus with teenagers??? I'll pass on that, thank you very much!

I was wondering where the food came from too. Since you guys were setting it up I thought it was the school who arranged it- that was great!

Hey maybe I can teach one of the Y.E.S programs! if I don't find a job around here. I probably would have seriously done that a few years ago but now that the boys are the ages they are I'd hate to pull them out of their schools and have them leave their friends.

It was really a great way to handle breakfast. The "breakfast room" was occupied by Nate's math teacher and lots and lots of food! They took around 5 or 6 tables from other rooms in our groups, 5 fridges (I think in the past they had to rent them) and several of the trash pails which they filled with ice to keep the waters cool.

Love the pizza for breakfast!
Love all the pics of All-Stars! As a family of 5 I can't imagine we'll stay there soon. It's interesting to see the details of the resort.

Amanda

Pizza for breakfast worked for me, too! I also loved that the extra didn't go to waste. We must have finished it all, because I didn't see it any other morning.

I thought the resort was really cute. I loved the details in all of the sections. I didn't post the pictures of the other sections of the resort here, but it cracked me up that the walking paths in Dalmations has painted bones on it.

Sounds like you had all the bases covered! Love the breakfast set up-laughed when I read about the water as I was shocked the first time we went to florida just how much water we drank!!
I love that you managed to organise fastpass runners even without your husband there You should definitely persuade Mark to join you on Ben's trip when the time comes! You would be awesome together organising those kids and I would be in awe this side of the Atlantic reading every tiny detail(just sayin)

A LOT of water!!! Unfortunately, they ran out of bottled water for us the first day, which was the hottest of our trip. They encouraged us to take a bottle or two to the park with us, but there was no more by the time my group came looking for some.

Mark may come along on Ben's trip. We will have to see what happens when that gets closer. Ben would love to have Dad there. But there is no way that Mark would room with someone he doesn't know. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't mind bunking with me.

 

[JanetMom]

I should clarify that when I said "well organized", I meant from the class trip point of view - things like the Sam's Club breakfast, having a room assigned for breakfast, lots of chaperones etc.

I know there is noooo waayyyyy this trip could possibly be well organized from a best way to hit WDW point of view. You would have kicked there butts when it comes to organizing things like best way to get from point A to point B contest, best way to win the who's got the most Fast Passes contest, best way to get back to the Resort while seeing the most other places in WDW and riding the most rides along the way. I assume they couldn't possibly have done that right.

Some parents are never going to be happy with the choice of location for a class road trip. They think the entire trip should simulate being in a classroom when really the trip is about learning how to be out and about in the world without constant parental supervision (unless they come with you , but even then he had to learn to live with his room mate, get up on time etc.) I think the best trips are the ones where the kids learn a tiny bit of traditional educational stuff, and learn a whole lot about how to conduct themselves socially and have some fun.

Up here in Ontario, our grade 8 trip is to Ottawa. It involves a 6-hour bus ride (I did not chaperone my son's!). I do still remember my grade 8 class trip to Ottawa - it was the first time I stayed in a nice hotel and I loved the experience and still remember havng a great time sharing the room with my friend Barb. I don't remember much about the museums we saw, but I remember having fun on the trip.

 

[15isto2]

Do the teens share two or four to a room?

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I'm glad you are enjoying the report and that I could give you a laugh!

Wow, your trip is rapidly approaching!!!

I enjoy your writing style!
Looking forward to my trip! So many things to do & yet here I am on the Dis!

 

[natebenma]

I should clarify that when I said "well organized", I meant from the class trip point of view - things like the Sam's Club breakfast, having a room assigned for breakfast, lots of chaperones etc.

I know there is noooo waayyyyy this trip could possibly be well organized from a best way to hit WDW point of view. You would have kicked there butts when it comes to organizing things like best way to get from point A to point B contest, best way to win the who's got the most Fast Passes contest, best way to get back to the Resort while seeing the most other places in WDW and riding the most rides along the way. I assume they couldn't possibly have done that right.

Some parents are never going to be happy with the choice of location for a class road trip. They think the entire trip should simulate being in a classroom when really the trip is about learning how to be out and about in the world without constant parental supervision (unless they come with you , but even then he had to learn to live with his room mate, get up on time etc.) I think the best trips are the ones where the kids learn a tiny bit of traditional educational stuff, and learn a whole lot about how to conduct themselves socially and have some fun.

Up here in Ontario, our grade 8 trip is to Ottawa. It involves a 6-hour bus ride (I did not chaperone my son's!). I do still remember my grade 8 class trip to Ottawa - it was the first time I stayed in a nice hotel and I loved the experience and still remember havng a great time sharing the room with my friend Barb. I don't remember much about the museums we saw, but I remember having fun on the trip.

You hit the nail exactly on the head!!!

I was very nervous with the group of boys in our group. They are not kids who normally hang around together and I was concerned about how they would treat one another, but the biggest surprise was how they interacted- respectfully, cooperatively and without complaint or ridicule.

I am more proud of seeing the social lessons that than anything they "learned" in the organized classes.

I was very impressed with the organization of the trip, from start to finish (except for assigning me to a a group of 14 boys- all of the other groups were much smaller and more manageable).

I set aside my commando soul for this trip, and I was ok with that. There was no other way. I may have even "enjoyed" *cowers in embarassment* the afternoon breaks a tiny little bit.

Do the teens share two or four to a room?

The teens were 4 to a room. The adults were two to a room.

After bed check for each room, we placed a pair of magnets on the doors to the kids' rooms. If they opened the door during the night, the magnets would be displaced and there is no way to set it back up from inside.

The school also hires security guards overnight to watch the hallways while everyone is asleep.

I enjoy your writing style!
Looking forward to my trip! So many things to do & yet here I am on the Dis!

Thank you so much!!!

For some reason, I hate the "finality" of the last minute preparations for a trip, and I always put too many things off until the last minute.

 

[15isto2]

The magnets are a brilliant idea I do sympathise with a group of 14 teen boys, I can feel the testosterone from here lol

 

[cfw213]

Hello! I just read all your posts so far - sounds fun! My school has a trip to Disney our senior year - we had about 250-300 17/18 year olds...pretty crazy!

Can't wait to hear the rest!

 

[JanetMom]

Love the magnets! They made me laugh. Perfect way of "locking" them in while allowing the door to be open in an emergency.

 

[natebenma]

The magnets are a brilliant idea I do sympathise with a group of 14 teen boys, I can feel the testosterone from here lol

The magnets are a winner!

I have to say, the boys we had were really good. Most of the time. Compared to some of the other, smaller walking groups I saw, we lucked out.

Hello! I just read all your posts so far - sounds fun! My school has a trip to Disney our senior year - we had about 250-300 17/18 year olds...pretty crazy!

Can't wait to hear the rest!

Thanks for your kind words!

Do you take any of the Y.E.S. classes or is it just a class trip?

My first trip to Disney World was with members of my high school class (which included my DH).

I want to say at that time the drinking age was 18 in Florida, and we may have had one or two students who "qualified". But I could be wrong.

Love the magnets! They made me laugh. Perfect way of "locking" them in while allowing the door to be open in an emergency.

According to the teachers, the magnets have been a very effective method throughout the years to avoid any nocturnal wanderings.

.

 

[jenneth79]

I have to say, I almost enjoy cold pizza for breakfast more than fresh pizza!!! Especially if it's pineapple and pepperoni.... mmmm....

Great idea regarding the magnets! I will have to tell my friend about that. She gets a separate room for her three teenage daughters each time they go on trips, and always worries about them sneaking about.

MK looks super crowded! Was that just for the opening show or did it seem pretty packed? My only fear with traveling in the summer....I've gotten spoiled going off season, but we do miss out on a lot.

Glad you were able to get some coffee, I cannot live without mine now and have some starbucks via packs on hand at all times (though no coffee maker, wow, that just turned me off from Value resorts for forever. Moderates still have them, right?)

Looking forward to seeing which ride was 'dis'ed.... could it be a little Blue Alien???