Disney Y.E.S. Program

[JessB320]

They are strict about the age range. Your younger son will not be allowed to attend. You can call the number on the Y.E.S site and explain the situation, but I would be surprised if they allow him.

Please no flames, really just want to know- how do they know the actually ages of the kids signed up for all the classes?

 

[GAN]

Please no flames, really just want to know- how do they know the actually ages of the kids signed up for all the classes?

You'd be surprised what Disney knows. But my guess would be they really don't -but if you place a child in the wrong age group I would think there is a chance they would be bored -no?

 

[Granny square]

They ask the kids. so your child either lies or they know.

 

[torinsmom]

Yep, they do ask the kids, especially if they have any doubt. Why not sign them up for a class they both fit in?

 

[My3Princez]

I did end up finding a class that covers both age ranges, so that's good. Not the ideal schedule for our trip, but workable.
New Question: We have never done Disney without using Disney transportation. We need to be at the entrance of Epcot to meet for class at 8:30 a.m. and are staying offsite at Best Western LBV. Can I drive DH and my DSs over to Epcot and drop them off somewhere? Or do I actually have to park in the Disney lots? How much time should I allow? I don't think the shuttle busses from the hotel run early enough for them to get there for their class. I'm an expert on the Disney bus system and how it works, but I'm at a loss for how to get there when staying offsite . . .

 

[GAN]

My kids will be in this class as well. Dad is going with them because they are shy and don't want to go without one of us!

My kids are excited about the class -glad to hear there will be a few Dis'ers in the class as well.

 

[Granny square]

I did end up finding a class that covers both age ranges, so that's good. Not the ideal schedule for our trip, but workable.
New Question: We have never done Disney without using Disney transportation. We need to be at the entrance of Epcot to meet for class at 8:30 a.m. and are staying offsite at Best Western LBV. Can I drive DH and my DSs over to Epcot and drop them off somewhere? Or do I actually have to park in the Disney lots? How much time should I allow? I don't think the shuttle busses from the hotel run early enough for them to get there for their class. I'm an expert on the Disney bus system and how it works, but I'm at a loss for how to get there when staying offsite . . .

The parks all have drop off areas. glad you found an option.

 

[Tink_RN]

Just got back from Disney this morning. My 12 year old son did the Wild by Nature class. It was hot, but a really fun class. We did the Safari and walked the trails. Would definitely do this class again.

 

[MickeyP]

My kids just did Synergy in Science. I would not call it fun. It was hot and way too long. During the class, the kids and parents rode Spaceship Earth, Journey into Imagination, and Captain EO, with no fastpasses. I think the kids should have rode Soarin', Test Track, (yes, I know it's down right now) and Nemo, WITH FASTPASSES!!! I also think the learning part should be done in a cool room to get out of the heat. The parents tried to be good sports, but I heard one couple had a bet and the loser had to go to the class with the kid.

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

Just got back from Disney this morning. My 12 year old son did the Wild by Nature class. It was hot, but a really fun class. We did the Safari and walked the trails. Would definitely do this class again.

Sounds neat. I'm wondering if my 12 year old daughter would like this class. What else did you do beside walk the trails and safari? Was it like a behind the scenes tour? Thank you.

 

[julirina]

My kids just did Synergy in Science. I would not call it fun. It was hot and way too long. During the class, the kids and parents rode Spaceship Earth, Journey into Imagination, and Captain EO, with no fastpasses. I think the kids should have rode Soarin', Test Track, (yes, I know it's down right now) and Nemo, WITH FASTPASSES!!! I also think the learning part should be done in a cool room to get out of the heat. The parents tried to be good sports, but I heard one couple had a bet and the loser had to go to the class with the kid.

Well, that's discouraging. Fortunately my 7yo is a little ball of sunshine who makes her own fun wherever she goes...i don't think she's ever been bored. But it won't be much fun for my DH!

 

[jcemom]

My kids just did Synergy in Science. I would not call it fun. It was hot and way too long. During the class, the kids and parents rode Spaceship Earth, Journey into Imagination, and Captain EO, with no fastpasses. I think the kids should have rode Soarin', Test Track, (yes, I know it's down right now) and Nemo, WITH FASTPASSES!!! I also think the learning part should be done in a cool room to get out of the heat. The parents tried to be good sports, but I heard one couple had a bet and the loser had to go to the class with the kid.

We didn't care for that class either. We thought it was slow-paced and boring.

 

[robin09]

We'll be there in 2 weeks Good to know.. did they have you go on anything? My DD13 is petrified of it's Tough to be a Bug (she was bitten there years ago). This is a surprise trip for her, and I am getting excited for her!

Just got back from Disney this morning. My 12 year old son did the Wild by Nature class. It was hot, but a really fun class. We did the Safari and walked the trails. Would definitely do this class again.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Sounds neat. I'm wondering if my 12 year old daughter would like this class. What else did you do beside walk the trails and safari? Was it like a behind the scenes tour? Thank you.

We did WBN last october. You walk on the Maharajah trek to see the bats and tigers, then head over to Africa to learn about the animals you will see on the safari. That is the only ride you go on. Be sure to listen to the instructor to earn clips My kids were 12 and 9 and they loved it! We brought along our own refillable water bottles as it does get hot and you do hot thirsty and the water fountain water tastes awful!

 

[wgeo]

Well, that's discouraging. Fortunately my 7yo is a little ball of sunshine who makes her own fun wherever she goes...i don't think she's ever been bored. But it won't be much fun for my DH!

I think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Or maybe we just had a great leader, but my kids both loved the Synergy in Science class we took last year. They still talk about it like it was one of the highlights of their trip. Sure Captain EO was weird, but my DD who made at least 2 new "best friends" didn't care (after the first 10 minutes these 3 girls held hands and giggled through much of the class). My DS really likes to understand how things work and was very interested in the "teaching" parts of the class so that he could figure out 3D. Having said all that I would probably have found the class a tad boring as an adult, but my DH and I both tagged along which made it nicer, and we went in with that attitude that this class was what made this trip affordable for us so we started off with a very positive attitude! Considering the huge deal on the tickets, the class would have had to have been miserable for us to complain .

Hope you have a great trip!
Gina

 

[Vickie46]

We did the class OCean Discoveries and our leader LEttie.. was awesome! She did great with the kids and parents! We finished early too and she let us complete the survey and we were on our way to start the rest of our day at Epcot.. we got to ride the Nemo ride.. Fast Pass style!

 

[eeyoresmom]

Is there a way to know with relative certainty that there will open enrollment in Feb 2013? We are DVC members and have to book our room pretty far in advance. Right now we have an April trip booked but DS wants to be a zoologist and would LOVE one of the programs at AK. I am willing to change the dates of our vacation from April to February but don't want to if there's no open enrollment released TIA

 

[jcemom]

Is there a way to know with relative certainty that there will open enrollment in Feb 2013? We are DVC members and have to book our room pretty far in advance. Right now we have an April trip booked but DS wants to be a zoologist and would LOVE one of the programs at AK. I am willing to change the dates of our vacation from April to February but don't want to if there's no open enrollment released TIA

We can't know for sure, but there has been open enrollment the past few years in February. I think they will have it again this coming January/February. It will most likely only be the first two weeks of February though, and we have no way of knowing which classes will be offered.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I need to add one more day to my tickets. Does anyone have the contact number to do that?

Thanks!

 

[Mirax]

My kids just did Synergy in Science. I would not call it fun. It was hot and way too long. During the class, the kids and parents rode Spaceship Earth, Journey into Imagination, and Captain EO, with no fastpasses. I think the kids should have rode Soarin', Test Track, (yes, I know it's down right now) and Nemo, WITH FASTPASSES!!! I also think the learning part should be done in a cool room to get out of the heat. The parents tried to be good sports, but I heard one couple had a bet and the loser had to go to the class with the kid.

I'm sorry you were so uncomfortable. I thought the class was inside, how can children learn and stay focused in the heat? We chose not to do Synergy in Science because it was mostly working in 3d and my DS has depth perception issues. He would have been miserable.