Band Students in Disney-help!

[mdsouth]

My DD went with her high school band a few years ago. It was so much fun. We didn't get to see her very often but it was a great experience seeing the band march down main street!

This! I loved seeing my son march down the middle of Main Street U.S.A. and march in front of the castle!

When and where do they usually march? I'm trying to plan our day

I guess it depends on what route your group is assigned. For us, we started near the fire station and went up Main Street and around the hub right in front of the castle. Then the parade ended up right outside of Splash Mountain. We just started at the same place and followed the band the entire route. We were able to walk briskly ahead of the band at times to get good photo angles along the route. I have a TR from that trip in my signature and have photos along the route to give you an idea.

I feel your pain of trying to planning anything. I remember how hard it was for me to be patient and wait for the details our director would provide and then it switched! So frustrating. Hang in there! My son's band marched in the morning I believe.

I've had 2 kids march at WDW, the last was this past March. FYI, they march well ahead of the actual parade. One thing to pass on to the band - there will be a CM that "crowd sweeps" in front of the band, walking quickly. They do NOT have to match her pace. My first dd practically ran down the parade route as her drum majors tried to keep up with the CM. For the second trip, second dd, who was drum major herself, knew to walk at standard parade pace.

We got 3 days worth of tickets on the first day, so were able to make FP's as much as 3 days out. I chaperoned the band both times. It is a TOTALLY different experience than going as a family, as there is very little pre-planning you can do, and no control as to when you get to the park. You just go and wing it. We initially had an itinerary 3 months out with at least what parks we'd be at on which days. We were given an updated itinerary 1 week out that had switched parks and days. Every experienced mom in the group was sitting there in that meeting trying to rearrange dining reservations. LOL With all that, it is a fun trip, and it's fun just to see the kids enjoying themselves.

So true! I thought that their band would be a part of the main parade. They just march in their own parade. There were two other bands that followed behind them with big gaps between so they did not overpower each other in sound.

And just like aggiedog, I was given one schedule and made ADRs and plans for different parks based on their trip plans only to then have the date of the parade in the MK changed! Ugg! But it all worked out. I remember how stressed out I was at the time. So, try to keep this thread in mind as you plan. A truly hard trip to plan since you have no say in what day you will be in what parks, and even the times can change. BUT remember, you are in DISNEY and you get to see your child march down the middle of Main Street USA!!!!

 

[subtchr]

Jumping on here too...I'm chaperoning my daughter's band and chorus trip in March during our spring break. Thank you to subtchr for your information! I was a bit concerned about the fastpasses as well. We are staying off site, so no access until 30 days out.
One question I had was on the food vouchers (which our directors have already let us know our rough schedule and that we'd have vouchers for food). Are these basically "gift cards" but for counter service? Or how do those work????

It depends on what type your group is using.

There are actual meal vouchers, that are a cardstock card that is good for a meal and drink (and sometimes a dessert, depends on the voucher purchased) at select quick service locations. The locations are listed on the back.

There are also Disney DIning Cards, which our company has begun to use instead of the vouchers. Those are plastic gift cards that can be used at any food and beverage location. They are better than the vouchers, in my opinion, because they are accepted many more places, and you can use them however you want, instead of always getting a full meal. For example, if you want to get a kids’ meal, or a bunch of snacks, or even use the value of the card toward a more expensive table service meal, you can. Our groups generally get dining cards worth $15 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, and $20 for dinner. So if there is a day that they are covering all 3 meals, they would get a $55 dining card for that day.

 

[caroline5177]

So glad to happen upon this info! I’m planning to travel as a tag along for my daughter’s Festival Disney trip in April. Had not even thought to add her to my room for FastPass or charging privileges. Also, the dining voucher info is very helpful. We have not had a detailed parent meeting yet, so I’ll be interested to see how all is planned.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think some of what you want to know is up to your school. When my nephew went with his orchestra a few years ago, they were not allowed to keep their park passes. They had to give them back to their chaperones. That way no one was tempted to leave the park.

They also had to tour the parks in groups of at least 4 kids.

 

[Boopuff]

Our kids stayed at a local hotel (not a Disney hotel) since the only way the kids could get around was via tour bus. The band director was very strict and the kids had to check in with their appointed group adult several times a day and they couldn't park hop.

 

[JodyLynC]

This is fantastic information! Thank you! I will be chaperoning for our school's band trip in April.