Advice for a group of first-timer students

[DisneyRN11]

Hi everyone! I'll be chaperoning a trip with a high school marching band in about 3 weeks. There are 63 students, and 25 adults traveling. The students will be in groups of 4-5 for the most part with an assigned chaperone. Most of the students have never been to WDW. We are visiting 3 parks (no park hoppers)- Epcot, MK, and HS.

I'd like to make a list of Top Ten Tips for our trip to give to students and chaperones on the ride down (16+ hours straight through on buses.)

What are your favorite tips that you would give them?

 

[tinkerjo]

1. Rides are free ( my parents took a group 10 years ago and there were kids that didn’t ride because they said they didn’t have money. Sounds crazy but that’s a true story)
2. Do not make too many meet times. Kids have cell phones these days and may get stuck in line. Make sure chaperones have the kids cell numbers so they can check in
3. Use the MDE app to check wait times for rides/shows
4. Don’t stop in every souvenir store. It’s a waste of time. Pick a designated time that you want to shop for souvenirs
5. Have the kids in the group make a list of rides they want to get on and make a plan
6. You can’t come to Disney without trying dole whip or a mickey bar!!!
7. Try all the soda at the cool zone in Epcot (it’s free)
8. Use the single rider line for test track.you get in faster
9. The kiddie rides are awesome for all ages
10. A lot of rides have 0 wait during fireworks at magic kingdom but honestly you want to watch the fireworks
Good luck. My DD went on a couple school trips in high school and was very disappointed. We are very efficient at doing WDW and most the kids were happy just walking around doing a bunch of nothing but shopping and eating.

 

[DisneyRN11]

1. Rides are free ( my parents took a group 10 years ago and there were kids that didn’t ride because they said they didn’t have money. Sounds crazy but that’s a true story)
2. Do not make too many meet times. Kids have cell phones these days and may get stuck in line. Make sure chaperones have the kids cell numbers so they can check in
3. Use the MDE app to check wait times for rides/shows
4. Don’t stop in every souvenir store. It’s a waste of time. Pick a designated time that you want to shop for souvenirs
5. Have the kids in the group make a list of rides they want to get on and make a plan
6. You can’t come to Disney without trying dole whip or a mickey bar!!!
7. Try all the soda at the cool zone in Epcot (it’s free)
8. Use the single rider line for test track.you get in faster
9. The kiddie rides are awesome for all ages
10. A lot of rides have 0 wait during fireworks at magic kingdom but honestly you want to watch the fireworks
Good luck. My DD went on a couple school trips in high school and was very disappointed. We are very efficient at doing WDW and most the kids were happy just walking around doing a bunch of nothing but shopping and eating.

Thank you! I have a few of these on my list too! This will be my 10th trip to WDW, and it's a different perspective for me. I am like you- very efficient, and we are planners, so I know sort of my pattern. At the same time, I'm ok with going with the flow this time because i won't necessarily feel like I'm missing anything. I want to give the kids a sort of idea on making a plan though, because I'm not sure many of them will have the opportunity to return in the future. My son will be on the trip, and he is familiar with getting around, so I think I'm going to volunteer to chaperone a different group so we can both help people lol. For our trip, the chaperones are required to stay with our group the entire time. Our school district doesn't normally allow overnight trips, so this is a big deal, and I think they don't want to take any chances.

I appreciate the input!

 

[tinkerjo]

We have introduced many kids to Disney over the years and many of them have returned as adults with their families. Hopefully they all have a great time!! The teacher that organized the trip always put DD with a group since she’s was experienced. Make sure you get the kids all watching YouTube videos and maybe download park maps. Also make sure the chaperones know there are park guides when you enter the park and the kids (and adults) can get first visit or celebration buttons at guest services

 

[stitchfan75]

We are headed to Disney at the end of April with our marching band, but we have 203 kids and I don't know how many adults!
I'm trying to help these parents out but it's been real hard with how our trip is structured. No Magic bands, no booked ahead FP or dining. It is driving me a little crazy.
I'm hoping to hustle my group over to the FP area and get them done in the morning. Hopefully it's not to crowded if they have to wait in the regular line.

 

[Euby]

Just a suggestion... maybe structure the groups so that they all have similar interests. The coaster-loving chaperones be in charge of the kids that love coasters? All of the kids that like going to shows in a group, kids that are afraid of heights/coasters/ToT in another group?

I can imagine a kid being miserable because they were put with a group that only wanted to do roller coasters and they hate them.

 

[tguz]

Even though it quite close to your arrival time.....have each group go on MDE and book their fastpasses. Not sure what will be left being only 3 weeks out but maybe they can snag some good ones.