A disney trip dilemna

[joeokw]

My oldest DS is in the 7th grade.. He plays the trumpet and was invited to play in the High School Marching band. The band goes annually to WDW to participate in the Music days at WDW. At easter.... Now here is the dilemna. ... The band is going to by bus 19 hours from New York. We can go as chaperones and the cost is 525/pp. (my DW , other DS and myself ) included is off site hotel, a 5 day hopper pass, the bus and coupons for breakfast and dinner in fast food counters at disney. I crunched some numbers and figured out we can save money to fly from Atlantic City to Orlando on Spirit airlines .. rent a car from Budget stay at the Courtyard Marroitt for 109.00 per night / or use points for a studio (we are DVC) and eat cheap. Now Dw has a haunting feeling about having parts of a family traveling separately. she wants to travel with the Band regardless of the costs and I am saying why.. and plus we are on our own don't have to chaperone 105 High Schools kids. I am asking if Dw is being to cautious.. she wants to know

 

[KimRaye]

OK, I'll be the 1st to (not) help.

Is there some way DW can take the school trip while you & DS take the alternative? You've obviously done your homework for this trip. Personally, 105 kids (106 counting your other DS) for 19 hrs. on a bus BESIDES the destination chaperoning, would probably be way too much for me. I would probably enjoy watching my DS play in that band in a more relaxed mode, than while chaperoning. jmo

I can understand both your viewpoints but, I will mention that some families/parents PREFER to travel separately for the same 'haunting' reasons. (I'm not one of them, btw)

I just think it's great that you're gonna make this a family trip, either way!! Congrats to DS and, Enjoy, however you decide to do it!!

(See, I told you I would be of NO help!)

 

[minnieandmickey]

Being the former band person, I would say do it on your own. When I was in band our chaperones were there 24/7 I don't think they ever had free time,between all the other competitions and all , and if they did it was very little, and we were in Hawaii. On top of that a few of the kids got in trouble and had to stay at the hotel for the day and guess who got to stay with them, the chaperones. Plus are they going to be doing any other competitions while in Orlando? I know when we did the Disneyland Magic Music days we not only did DL but we did a parade competition in San Diego. I'd say do it on your own, then when the kids are at the parks be with them, then when they leave if the parks are still open you still can enjoy them. Or, is there a possibility your wife can travel by bus so that her nerves are calmed, then you can pick her up at the hotel the band is staying at? If there is room of course.

 

[Ricola]

That sounds like a fun trip

Personally, I try not to make my vacation plans based on money. Sure, we have to pay for them, but trip time is rare and precious to me, and I am much more concerned with being able to enjoy the vacation than how much it would cost me.

Personally, I would not consider chaperoning all those kids to ba ANY sort of vacation. I am sure it would be rewarding in its own way, but it would NOT be relaxing.

I think, given your scenario, I would fly and stay at DVC. If DW is SO concerned about traveling together, then I would arrange for DS to fly with me. (But I suspect he would rather bus it with his friends. . And I am also sure he would enjoy the trip more if Mom and Dad were NOT the chaperones. I was in 7th grade at one time. )

I am sure that I was almost as much help as KimRaye.

 

[KimRaye]

Gee, thanks Ric!

 

[ASFCurly]

I think that I would leave the choice up to your son, I know he is young, but if he wants you on the bus then I would go, if he doesn't then I would fly.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If I took the JOB as chaperone I would expect to work the entire time and not look at it as a vacation. I would look at it as volunteering my time for the students. You never know what could happen.
So if you and DW are planning on a vacation I would fly. Otherwise you may be disappointed.
Good Luck with your decision & Congratulations to your son!

 

[amid chaos]

If my 7th grader was traveling with High school age kids you can bet I'd be on that bus. big age difference there.

 

[DocRafiki]

independent girl says -- too cautious. all those other kids aren't bringing their moms (almost all of them). tell her to stop babying him.

 

[joeokw]

thanks for the feedback... I know chaperoning can be a big hassle .. But we did go in August for two weks and are going in Feb. for 5 days.. We have always kept my son under our microscope.. ie : I was his baseball manager at 3 levels and his scout leader.. DW is always at the school and we do all the babysitting over the years because we work different shifts and all.. So it is good nature to do this.. but I want to have some kind of time because we will have my other younger Ds with us. oh well .. we always know whatever we decide it will be for the jhighest good.