Did you (or someone you know) go to Grad Night at Disney World? Pls tell me about it!

[SeaSpray]

I just found out that DS's senior class trip next year will be to Disney World! And 2 years after that, my younger DS will be going, too. I'm now trying to find out as much info as I can.

Please tell me all about your Grad Night experience, whether you were the student, a teacher chaperone, parent chaperone, or even if your child went without you.

Thanks!

 

[JerJan]

Well, Let's see I went in 1978 and 1979 and I had a GREAT TIME. I know that was 25 years ago but I can't imagine it being any different....just GOOD, CLEAN FUN!!!!! What more coulfd you ask for?

 

[pjshaff]

Went in 1987 as a student. We took Greyhound up there, I think there was at least 15 busses. IIRC, we were in the park from about 10-11pm until 5 am ish. I had a blast...would do it again in a heartbeat.

Pam

 

[Miranda Danda]

I went in 2001 as a student. It was not nearly as much fun as it sounds. Not ever ride is open, people get VERY cranky and rude since you HAVE to stay there until like 5am, there is a VERY strict dresscode (we had to wear close-toed heeled dress shoes, church clothes, etc), we saw a lot fo school rivalry and just childish behavior.

Disney tries very hard to make it special. That was obvious. But when you put high schoolers from all over the country together in Disney World, in dress clothes until 5am, things get way out of hand. I layed down on a bench and slept for an hour.

 

[Flower4Pwr]

Grad nights are really great! They start after the park closes, special decorations go up and they have special event merchandise for sale. It's an all night event and when they say all night they mean ALL NIGHT. It's kinda crazy, so tell your DS to get lots of sleep during the day before the event!
They have concerts through out the park which are really good but they get crowded quickly so you have to stake out a spot well before the start. They also have a "foam party" by Ariels grotto which is very popular.
There is a VERY strict dress coade and they will not let you into the park if you don't meet the requirements. They do check at the gate and wont let you enter if you don't follow the rules but the chaperones know this and they usually check before the group leaves the hotel.
They also check EVERY SINGLE BAG and I mean throughly. Everything in your bag is opened and checked and if anything illegal is found the consequences are severe!

Overall it's good clean fun! I hope your DS has fun!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Attended in 1979 as a student and had a blast!!!!!

 

[debbiedoo]

I went to grad night in 1988 -- and had a great time!! I grew up in Vero Beach, FL we took charter busses to WDW left at 5 pm and left WDW at 5:30 AM --

had some great memories from that trip----one that I will never forget

 

[AuburnJen92]

I went in 1988 and had an absolute blast. From what I hear from my fellow teachers at the HS level, the dress code is just as strict. They had (at the time) the latest bands and they played great music. The fun you have is up to you. Our trip was not as long from Stuart, FL., just a couple of hours ride on the bus. Have a great time and I can't wait until my son gets old enough so I can chaperone the trips with my peers. (He still wants mommy at night!) Enjoy!

 

[wdw4us2]

I went to Grad Nite '77.

It was great! We had KC & the Sunshine Band, Starbuck and Flash Cadillac & the Continental kids play. We took a charter bus for the 2 hour bus ride. I don't remember and kids getting into trouble as we had plenty of chaperones and Disney security was everywhere.

I still have my ticket stub - it cost a whopping $9.00!!!

 

[Mich Mouse]

Do they seriously have a dress code that includes heeled dress shoes for ladies? I just can't believe that is possible.

 

[Miranda Danda]

Do they seriously have a dress code that includes heeled dress shoes for ladies? I just can't believe that is possible.

They did for our class. I got really upset because we were given a sheet full of dresscode rules and our school followed them to the T and then when we arrived we saw hardly any other schools who abided by it. Some of the rules for guys were dress pants (khakis are okay but no jeans, must wear a belt, ect), and dress shoes, no wife beaters, etc. and girls were the dress shoes, no shorts, no jeans, blah blah blah......

I totally understand that they want it to be nice but I was so uncomfortable. I wore dress pedal-pushers with a dressy tank-top and black healed shoes. I took my shoes off for one second because my feet were killing me and I got blasted by a security guy.

 

[erinz]

I went to Grad Nite '77.

It was great! We had KC & the Sunshine Band, Starbuck and Flash Cadillac & the Continental kids play. We took a charter bus for the 2 hour bus ride. I don't remember and kids getting into trouble as we had plenty of chaperones and Disney security was everywhere.

I still have my ticket stub - it cost a whopping $9.00!!!

Hey! We had Flash Cadillac too!! And Olivia Newton John. But I went to Disneyland for my Grad Night back in........oh this hurts.....1974.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I attended in 1991. We had a blast! I still have my WDW picture from Grad Nite! Great memories. One guy from another school kept on stealing my Graduation Ears all night. LOL Yes there was a strict dress code, but I believe it has relaxed a little since then (still pretty dressy though, for teenagers that is, lol).

 

[JerJan]

When I was there in 1978 we had KC and the Sunshine band and Starland Vocal Band! Yes, we too had to dress up and I remeber wearing a powder blue polyester pants suit....yuck! At the time very stylish though.. I still have the pictures which my 13 y/o DD finds very amuzing!

 

[SeaSpray]

I saw this yesterday on Disney's web site, so I figured I'd copy it here. They still do have a dress code for Grad Nights, but it looks more relaxed. Here's cut directly from Disney's site:


Acceptable For Her:

Dresses
Skirts
Blouse or top
Casual pants (including khaki style or jeans)
Casual shorts
Comfortable shoes (including tennis shoes, dress sandals, or boots)


Acceptable For Him:

Casual pants (including khaki style or jeans)
Shirt with collar (i.e., golf style shirt, dress shirt)
Sport jacket
Dress suit
Comfortable shoes (including dress shoes, boots, or tennis shoes)




No clothing with holes or shredding
Obscene or offensive language or graphics on clothing
Clothing that exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate at a school function, e.g., string bikini tops, bikini bottoms, G-strings, etc.
No backpacks of any type, size or style
No visible undergarments
No masks


Unacceptable For Her:

Tops that show the midriff


Unacceptable For Him:

Tank tops
Undershirts

 

[SeaSpray]

P.S. I can't believe so many of you went during the same time period that I was in high school. I graduated in 1979. Guess where MY senior class trip was to?? "ROCKING HORSE DUDE RANCH" in New York. None of my friends went, so I didn't go either. BUMMER. I had no idea that Disney was doing Grad Nights way back then! We were ripped off! LOL

 

[DisneyGirl2005]

I loved, loved, loved my Grad Night in '87! I do remember thinking it was just ridiculous that we had to wear a dress to Disney, but once we were there it didn't matter what we were wearing, we had a blast. I wish I could tell you how it is when you are traveling a long distance, but I grew up in Orlando. We just rode back in the buses to my high school where our parents picked us up. I will say that if my boys were ever given the opportunity to attend Grad Night I would have no problems letting them go. If you have the chance to be a parent chaperone, I would say go for it.

 

[DisneyGirl2005]

P.S. I can't believe so many of you went during the same time period that I was in high school. I graduated in 1979. Guess where MY senior class trip was to?? "ROCKING HORSE DUDE RANCH" in New York. None of my friends went, so I didn't go either. BUMMER. I had no idea that Disney was doing Grad Nights way back then! We were ripped off! LOL

Oh my Gosh!!! I was born in New York and also lived in New Jersey when my parents were still married. Well the only family vacation I remember from that time is "Rocking Horse Ranch". I haven't thought about it for a long time, but wow, as soon as I read that it brought back such good memories. Sorry it brings sad memories for you. Of course if I had to choose between the two, Disney wins, forget good memories, I love Disney!

Anyway, Thanks SeaSpray for the trip down memory lane!

 

[SeaSpray]

Oh my Gosh!!! I was born in New York and also lived in New Jersey when my parents were still married. Well the only family vacation I remember from that time is "Rocking Horse Ranch". I haven't thought about it for a long time, but wow, as soon as I read that it brought back such good memories. Sorry it brings sad memories for you. Of course if I had to choose between the two, Disney wins, forget good memories, I love Disney!

Anyway, Thanks SeaSpray for the trip down memory lane!

Rocking Horse Ranch doesn't bring sad memories; in fact DH and I have considered taking our DSs there for a family trip The "sad" part is because my high school chose that place for it's senior class trip when there were other places, specifically DISNEY WORLD,available to go to instead!

I'm glad you have good family vacation memories Where in NJ did you live? I grew up in central NJ, Middlesex County... Sayreville, to be exact.

 

[Miranda Danda]

I saw this yesterday on Disney's web site, so I figured I'd copy it here. They still do have a dress code for Grad Nights, but it looks more relaxed. Here's cut directly from Disney's site:


Acceptable For Her:

Dresses
Skirts
Blouse or top
Casual pants (including khaki style or jeans)
Casual shorts
Comfortable shoes (including tennis shoes, dress sandals, or boots)


Acceptable For Him:

Casual pants (including khaki style or jeans)
Shirt with collar (i.e., golf style shirt, dress shirt)
Sport jacket
Dress suit
Comfortable shoes (including dress shoes, boots, or tennis shoes)




No clothing with holes or shredding
Obscene or offensive language or graphics on clothing
Clothing that exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate at a school function, e.g., string bikini tops, bikini bottoms, G-strings, etc.
No backpacks of any type, size or style
No visible undergarments
No masks


Unacceptable For Her:

Tops that show the midriff


Unacceptable For Him:

Tank tops
Undershirts

Man, that doesn't sound too bad. They must have recently revised it because when we went there were absolutely no jeans allowed and dress shoes were a must. I bet they got some complaints. Blisters usually happen in Disney with comfy shoes on, but dress shoes are just a whole other story. I'm glad they revised the dress code. I hope your son has a blast!