Anyone travel w/group through Brightspark?

[maxsmom]

Just wondering, b/c we just got information on our group and what was included. The prices seem extremely high. We didn't get a break down of exactly where our money was going. I can price some of it out on my own, all but a couple elements. They seem to be charging a high premium for those, but I also don't have experience traveling w/ a group. Thanks

 

[teea]

We are travelling next year through another company - is your little one dancing? I found the price to be high as well, definitely higher than if I did it myself. But again, I'd find the cheapest way to do it!

 

[subtchr]

I work for a company that organizes trips for high school bands and choirs. Not just to WDW, but it is our most popular destination. I've been there 5 times this spring with groups, and I have two fall trips on my calendar.

For us, the price includes EVERYTHING - Transportation from the school (charter bus or flights), tickets, meals (vouchers, meal cards, meal money, or special group meals like Illuminations dinners or pre-park opening breakfasts), lodging, driver tips, and anything else the group chooses to add. We also provide a tour director from the time of leaving the school to the return at the end of the trip. (That's my job -- I love it!)

Depending on what options are chosen, the total price, including the percentage added to the cost to keep us in business, is usually a bit more than if the individual students/families organized it on their own, but there is a lot of value added. Mostly, at least from the director's viewpoint, that EVERYTHING is taken care of other than chaperoning and performance. And it's not always more expensive, depending on whether we are able to get any group or industry discounts on any of the elements.

I do not know whether those details would apply to your situation, but Brightstar does have a good reputation.

Hope your trip is fun!

 

[maxsmom]

Yes, and it's almost double the cost. They gave us price for 3 nights, 3 day hoppers, 3 quick service meal vouchers, the dance class. Then the things that I cannot price myself are the motor coach to the back stage of area, them booking everything. They also said a travel guide to make sure they got to their motor coach and backstage. I cannot see that costing almost double. Here's my break down. The room is $100 a night and that includes tax so $75 (they figure the cost on per person w/ 4 per room and if not 4 the cost goes up for 3 nights). The tickets are $175 (disney performance tickets, 3 day hoppers) and the class is $30. I figure since they aren't distinguishing b/w adult or child the meal vouchers are for quick service and probably charging $20 each. I get a total of $340 plus you would need to cost of a motor coach to get the girls back stage since it's required by Disney. They have given us quote of $615. That's an additional $275 for those things. I also think the meal vouchers are a joke unless they are free which makes this deal even worse. I have real problems with this.

 

[bbjunkie]

Hmmmm....

Your ticket prices are fantastic. Would you be able to get those tickets for the same price without going through the tour group? Same with the room rate? I'm honestly asking because I'm trying to think it through, too. What time of year are you going? Where are you staying?

 

[maxsmom]

That is the price of the tickets w/ out the tour group and that is rack rate for our dates. The tickets are special deal for performance groups. They didn't give us a break down of cost per item just the $615 and the cost if it's only 3 per room or 2 per room or 1 per room. they told us how much more that would make it per person. This is for January 3 -6 (3 nights) staying at All Star Sports. I know the plan was to stay at a value hotel.

 

[maxsmom]

Now if that includes transportation then that would be a different story, but it doesn't.

 

[subtchr]

Can your daughter participate with the group if you book your trip independently? If so, I'd do that. If not, you just have to decide whether the experience for her is worth the expense.

A couple points...why is it that you say the meal vouchers are a joke? If they are the same ones we use with our groups, they entitle the holder to a drink, entree with side, and dessert, at select locations. And no, they are not free. I believe you are correct, they are $18-20. Here's a pic of the back of the voucher to show the locations it can be used:

MEAL VOUCHER LIST by Sue, on Flickr

Charter buses are expensive, especially if you have one for the whole trip. How much that adds per person depends on how big the group is, but it can add a significant chunk. It's a necessary expense, to get the group where they need to be on time for competitions or performances.

Most groups also comp their directors, meaning the cost for them is shared by all the other members of the group. That is not up to the travel company, it's up to the group. Again, how much this affects each individual's cost is determined by how big your group is and how many staff are comped, if they do this at all.

Those are just some possibilities. No one in this business is getting rich, but we do need to have a profit to stay in business. I know the people I work with do it because we love to create great experiences for kids.

 

[maxsmom]

I say that about the meal vouchers b/c my daughter and wouldn't come close to spending that amount of money one meal a day. That's about $40 for both of us and she's 8. The bus is not for the entire trip, it is for the performance day to get to the backstage area. I do realize that the buses are expensive, but that still seems high. It was never mentioned that we would be paying for our dance director, so I have no idea about that. Thank you!

 

[subtchr]

No problem, and I totally understand your concerns. I was just pointing out that when you use a travel company (either by choice or if you are compelled to do so because of a group activity), there are many elements that go into the pricing.

As far as the director being comped, would she normally pay her own way for a trip like this? As I said, my company creates trips for bands and choirs, so we often have very large groups. I think the largest I have taken was almost 200, and next year I am scheduled to take a group over 400! For that many group members, comping a director or two is a neglible increase for each student. But with a small group, it could be much more significant. You'd have to ask the question to your director to find out for sure (if that is a can of worms you want to open, that is!).

As far as the meal vouchers, since I take high schoolers (who are hungry ALL THE TIME), they work well for my groups. I can understand that with an 8 year old, you might not want a full-sized adult meal for her. Remember, the vouchers (if they are the same ones we usually use, and I imagine they are) are not for a set amount, they are for a meal at a designated restaurant - drink, entree with side, and dessert. I usually try to choose the most expensive item on the menu (just to challenge myself -- Hah!), and also get a dessert that I can save for later.

If you are not able to book independently and still have your daughter participate, you will just have to decide if it's worth it for the experience. I hope no matter what, you and your daughter have an amazing experience! I've had probably 25 group trips over the past 6 years, and the Disney Performing Arts CMs are the best!

 

[maxsmom]

This is a small group, trying to get 40 people in all, not just dances. We have never done anything like this as a dance studio. Many of us cannot pull of that kind of money in 6 months. We are also from Ohio so the travel to get there is a significant factor.

I apologize for the meal voucher comment. I was just thinking aloud of my personal thoughts on it and how I would rather that not be on there b/c the value wouldn't be good.
I did find out that group didn't have any value rooms available. I have to admit this really shocker me. Right now they have 10 rooms on hold for us until the date we have to have confirmation. I just cannot imagine 1 of the 4 values don't have 10 rooms open for 3 nights. That sounds crazy, but I don't try to book that many rooms at once.

Unfortunately my daughter and I won't be able to go. I am offering help w/ whatever I can since I've been there many times. The dates came back for the 1st days back from our winter break In January instead of over that break. My husband & I are teachers and we cannot use personal days to extend a holiday. We would both have to take at least one day w/ out pay and I would possibly have to take more. I can not justify $2460 for a 3 night trip and that doesn't include half our meals and travel expenses to get there and days with out pay. Once that add in we are looking at it being more than our 8 night trip we have planned for this summer!

Thank you for all of your help. I really wish they'd give a break down of the cost for each item. I just really don't like that. Maybe b/c I'm the planner and try many different things to figure out what we want and the best cost for it. If anyone saw all of my figures when deciding what to book they'd think I was crazy!

 

[bumbershoot]

I really wish they'd give a break down of the cost for each item. I just really don't like that. Maybe b/c I'm the planner and try many different things to figure out what we want and the best cost for it

I guess the issue is that there's no real choice. It's go or don't go for these groups. Doesn't matter that you can get it better, because Disney seems to require this sort of group purchase for these groups.

 

[subtchr]

No need at all to apologize, and I am exactly like you when I am planning my own family's trips!

But think about it -- if you saw an exact breakdown of costs for a group trip organized by a travel company, there would have to be a line item for that travel company's profit. Even if you would not consider that proprietary information, it would definitely be a point of contention.

People hire companies like mine for convenience and for value added elements like a tour director or special activities. And yes, some places like Disney require groups to use a company, so that they can ensure the performances and competitions go smoothly. There isn't anything deceitful or nefarious about it, we are just trying to make a living, as you do at your job.

This is the best job I've ever had, and my favorite part is seeing kids just glow with pride after a performance, and to watch them have fun together on a trip, experiencing things they never could at home.

I totally understand if your family decides not to participate because of the costs -- that's a personal decision. I just wanted to share another perspective.

 

[chartle]

I also think the meal vouchers are a joke unless they are free which makes this deal even worse. I have real problems with this.

While I wouldn't use the word joke for these meal vouchers, I do find them a waste of money.

I've done 2 school group trips at WDW the second where I planned pretty much everything. We had 7 to 12th graders. For some tiny 7th graders they live off of soft pretzel and a Mickey Bar. We want to have meals prepaid so the kids eat so for the second trip we did gift cards that covered 2 small meals or 1 and a half larger meals.

OK now that I type this I guess giving an 8 year old a meal voucher for an adult meal could be called a joke.

But as for the over all cost, dance groups are not like TA's that get commission from Disney so need to cover their costs. Also when they book rooms I don't think they get much of a discount so this discount is their profit. I have read many posts from people asking about Dance groups and they generally don't give you a deal, its more like it will cost you more than what you are used to. It could be worse, most if not all require you to purchase their ticket package even if you have a AP. They usually throw in some other ticket for the awards show that you can't get by itself forcing you to buy the ticket. They then find out that this ticket has a few weeks expiration date and can't be upgraded.

As for the tickets while you see $170 per ticket they usually mark them up or tell you how much of a discount, say 20%, you are getting off a MYW ticket which doesn't come close to their cost. But if you want to go you have pay the money.

 

[chartle]

This is the best job I've ever had, and my favorite part is seeing kids just glow with pride after a performance, and to watch them have fun together on a trip, experiencing things they never could at home.

I'm pretty sure I've said this before to you but I want your job.

 

[chartle]

I guess the issue is that there's no real choice. It's go or don't go for these groups. Doesn't matter that you can get it better, because Disney seems to require this sort of group purchase for these groups.

For Dance Groups I'm pretty sure its the groups themselves are making up these inflexible packages.

 

[maxsmom]

I guess I should clarify a bit. Disney requires the dance group to arrive backstage at the performance site (Downtown Disney) via a motor coach. They do not require you to book through one of these places. The price for the tickets is the price ($175 for 3 day park hopper) we can get through Disney for their performance groups. They also have a page for you to submit for hotel stays. On site and off site or listed to check on. I just assumed since they offered some fantastic deals on their tickets for their performance groups they might offer some sort of discount on rooms. That is what the page implied, they might offer a discount of some sort or at least they would help you. I told our dance director that she should look into this once she has our dates. However, this trip was suggested by another mom. This other mom chaperoned a high school band trip last November and they went through Brightsparks. So our director just went with them. She has no idea about anything Disney and has never been there. She thought that seemed like a good price. The mom that got this rolling grew up in Florida and has made an occasional trip to Disney since moving here. However, I asked her about using magic bands and fastpasses with the group she went with last yr and she acted like she had no idea what I was talking about. So she seems to be a bit rusty on the workings of Disney. And we know things have changed ALOT the last few yrs. I would have been happy to look into this and help more, but I understand why she's working with this other mom. I just know this is very expensive and many will not be able to go b/c of the price. I was talking numbers a bit with her mom. Like I said they've never gone. So she was asking the cost of things for just traveling there. They know we are heading there this summer. The trip I had originally booked for 4 (3 adults, 1 kid) 8 nights w/ 7 day hoppers at a moderate was $3200ish during the summer. Then I rebooked through a travel agent. If I stayed at the the same resort, Coronado, it would have been $2900ish. This 3 night trip w/ 3 day hoppers and 3 quick service meals would cost us $2450. This is the first week in January, a much cheaper season to travel. So, I said yeah that is way expensive for us! I guess it was sticker shock and would like for the most dance kids get to go that can. Non of these prices include our travel expenses to get there. Or the cost of my husband and I taking 2 days with getting paid. Thanks for all of your help!