Disney YES Program Open to non-groups

[DIS_MERI]

Does anyone know if you can use Disney gift cards to pay for yes tickets?

I came on here tonight to ask the same question! I've been earning and saving Disney GC's and hope to use them when signing up for YES next year. (Along with paying for other expences) Has anyone done this?

Things could obviously change, but when I purchased YES tickets in April 2011 for a June 2011 class, no, you could not use Disney GCs (and I definitely would have, had I been able to).

 

[december]

I believe 8 days is the maximum allowed on these tickets, but if you purchased the tickets with the waterparks and DQ, you also have 8 "plus" passes. We were there for 8 days and got 5 day YES tickets, and spent 1 day at each of the water parks and 1 day doing Disney Quest, saw a movie at DTD (Winnie the Pooh), then saw La Nouba that night. It was amazing!

 

[princessjv]

Anyone know if the current list of classes is pretty solid or if they miight add more? The options in Dec are pretty slim and I would love for DS to have the opportunity to do this!

Where are you seeing Dec. Classes? I'm looking for Nov. classes and I don't see any.


Does anyone know how to find the Nov. classes?

 

[McIntoshMango]

It seems to me that the more people lie about things like age, the more restrictions there will be in the future. Just sayin'.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

The only November classes I see are for DisneyLAND.

The only things available at Disney World are Disney's Performing Arts.

Sorry.

http://www.disneyyouth.com/events/calendar/list?month=11&year=2011

 

[ConnieB]

It seems to me that the more people lie about things like age, the more restrictions there will be in the future. Just sayin'.

I didn't suggest lying. I simply said that they do not ask for your child's birthdate or age. As a parent there are many things that I have to decide if MY child is ready for based on the suggested age. And I've often decided that my child is ready despite not being exactly the suggested age. I've also often decided they are not ready even though the rest of the world thinks they are...and oddly, I'm running into THAT scenario more now that they are teenagers more so than I did when they were much younger, lol.

And for YES....I wasn't aware that they restricted it....even went just now to look if I missed some restriction and couldn't find anything saying if your kid isn't within the age range don't apply.....did I miss it? In fact the only thing I see about ages is in the description where I took it (and still take it) to say this is the age level where we'll be teaching this course.

I always took the age suggestions as merely suggestions and in fact my girls attended a YES program that said it was for ages 5-8 when they were NINE. But they really loved the description even if they were "too old". And they had a great time, and not once did anyone question why a 9 year old was in a younger class and you KNOW at that age they're always asking "how old are you", lol. I went along as I always do (and heavens I am CERTAINLY too old, lol).....and while they weren't challenged by this class, they did learn a few new things and had a good time reviewing things they already knew, so to me the class was a success and worth the price.

Maybe it's because I'm a homeschooler and we tend to go by our children's ability, interest and aptitude rather than strictly by age. I have seen many 4 and 5 year olds that would keep up just fine with a class geared towards kids twice their age....and I've seen some teens that would do better in the younger class. Age has nothing to do with ability. If that 4 year 10 month old can handle the lessons meant for someone 2 months older than he, then I'd put that child in the class. Heavens, even as infants the spectrum of what they "should" be able to do at a certain age spanned many months....that hasn't changed just because you judge their age by years now instead of months.

 

[McIntoshMango]

If something says that the age range is 6 - 10 you are now saying they need to clarify that they really mean that? For you to follow it? I've homeschooled for 15 year now, and dont find a need to circumvent the rules to save money. My snowflakes aren't any better than the rest of the world. They can follow the rules.

 

[torinsmom]

I don't think they mind older kids going to a class for younger kids as much as kids who are too young for the class. I think there are safety considerations. It certainly couldn't hurt to call and ask, if your child is close to the stated age.

DS17(he was 16 at the time) went to a class for 8-15 year olds in August. They do ask for the child's age on the registration, so they knew he was "too old". Noone seemed to care. He was a little bored, but then so were the 12 and 15 year old in our group. I think 8-15 is too large an age range to keep everyone interested. Next year, I'm planning around a class for 12-17 year olds instead.

Marsha

 

[kid-at-heart]

It seems to me that the more people lie about things like age, the more restrictions there will be in the future. Just sayin'.

True. Some restrictions have already occurred in the past few months due to folks trying to tweak the program to their needs.

 

[ConnieB]

If something says that the age range is 6 - 10 you are now saying they need to clarify that they really mean that? For you to follow it? I've homeschooled for 15 year now, and dont find a need to circumvent the rules to save money. My snowflakes aren't any better than the rest of the world. They can follow the rules.

Save money? Since she not only has to pay for the child, but they need an adult to accompany them, she'll be paying $60 or $70 to go to this class. No, saving money would be to say "sorry dear, you're too young and can't join your siblings/friends, let's go ride on Nemo instead". LOL

But to each his own...I prefer that my children do activities that are something they'll enjoy and/or get something out of regardless of whether they're 9 and it's an 8 year old class or they're 15 and it's meant for college students. We let our children have interests regardless of what someone else says their age should be (or their gender for that matter...we never did do much with dolls, but we did a lot of "boy" interests when they were younger, trucks, army men, sports, etc...and now as teens they are about as girly-girl as I can stand, lol).

My children are teenagers now taking college courses (dual enrollment) so I guess they shouldn't have gone to the college and asked for permission either since technically some of the courses they're taking weren't intended for the dual enrollment program, but since they could show that they could handle the load, an "exception" was made. And I stayed completely out of it, telling them if they wanted it, they had to convince the college. My girls are in classes where 19 & 20 year olds are coming to OUR house for study time. And no, they're NOT brainiacs, just studious and ambitious and most of all hard working for what they want.

So I, guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Because you'll never convince me that age matters enough to keep a 4.10 year old out of a class for 5.00 and above. Age simply isn't good enough of a determining factor for anything we do...and not just as kids, but as adults. I know a 67yo who could run rings about my teens for her energy, and she refuses to retire because she's loving working, but mainstream says she should have 2 years ago or more and every year she complains that her friends are putting pressure on her to retire but she won't! I'll bet she was a 4 year old capable of being with 5 year olds, lol. And my 15 year olds can hold their own and then some with kids several years older then they are without batting an eye. BUT...that's only in the classroom...they're simply not interested (thank you Lord) in the social scene of those college age kids.

AND last point and then I'm done...if Disney really cared that deeply about being sure that no one was 2 months short of the listed age range, then they'd have asked for birthdates or at least ages on the application. Then...well, then it would be lying to put other than the child's true age and then the 4.10yo should not apply, IMO. They ask the child's age when you book a room for heavens sake....of course that's partly to know whether to charge them kids or adults price on the dining plan.....but ya know they also have that so when a child turns 18 and is suddenly the 3rd adult in a room, and pay an extra fee. That's important to Disney. And if that 4 year old enrolls then Disney gets that $70....why would they turn that away. So if Disney cared, they'd ask....they don't ask, and I don't personally feel it necessary to tell them more than they asked.

 

[2forMe]

Where are you seeing Dec. Classes? I'm looking for Nov. classes and I don't see any.


Does anyone know how to find the Nov. classes?

There are no november classes.

 

[torinsmom]

Save money? Since she not only has to pay for the child, but they need an adult to accompany them, she'll be paying $60 or $70 to go to this class. No, saving money would be to say "sorry dear, you're too young and can't join your siblings/friends, let's go ride on Nemo instead". LOL

But to each his own...I prefer that my children do activities that are something they'll enjoy and/or get something out of regardless of whether they're 9 and it's an 8 year old class or they're 15 and it's meant for college students. We let our children have interests regardless of what someone else says their age should be (or their gender for that matter...we never did do much with dolls, but we did a lot of "boy" interests when they were younger, trucks, army men, sports, etc...and now as teens they are about as girly-girl as I can stand, lol).

My children are teenagers now taking college courses (dual enrollment) so I guess they shouldn't have gone to the college and asked for permission either since technically some of the courses they're taking weren't intended for the dual enrollment program, but since they could show that they could handle the load, an "exception" was made. And I stayed completely out of it, telling them if they wanted it, they had to convince the college. My girls are in classes where 19 & 20 year olds are coming to OUR house for study time. And no, they're NOT brainiacs, just studious and ambitious and most of all hard working for what they want.

So I, guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Because you'll never convince me that age matters enough to keep a 4.10 year old out of a class for 5.00 and above. Age simply isn't good enough of a determining factor for anything we do...and not just as kids, but as adults. I know a 67yo who could run rings about my teens for her energy, and she refuses to retire because she's loving working, but mainstream says she should have 2 years ago or more and every year she complains that her friends are putting pressure on her to retire but she won't! I'll bet she was a 4 year old capable of being with 5 year olds, lol. And my 15 year olds can hold their own and then some with kids several years older then they are without batting an eye. BUT...that's only in the classroom...they're simply not interested (thank you Lord) in the social scene of those college age kids.

AND last point and then I'm done...if Disney really cared that deeply about being sure that no one was 2 months short of the listed age range, then they'd have asked for birthdates or at least ages on the application. Then...well, then it would be lying to put other than the child's true age and then the 4.10yo should not apply, IMO. They ask the child's age when you book a room for heavens sake....of course that's partly to know whether to charge them kids or adults price on the dining plan.....but ya know they also have that so when a child turns 18 and is suddenly the 3rd adult in a room, and pay an extra fee. That's important to Disney. And if that 4 year old enrolls then Disney gets that $70....why would they turn that away. So if Disney cared, they'd ask....they don't ask, and I don't personally feel it necessary to tell them more than they asked.

It does ask for ages on the registration form. I know I listed my son and nephew's ages, and I just checked again. It asks for the students' names and ages.

 

[torinsmom]

Did you guys know that Disney's YES program has a YouTube channel? I was checking out the programs trying to pick one early for next summer, and I noticed that the YES website has links to videos. This is the overview, but on the side, you can click on videos about specific classes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=936T14_sw2w

 

[MKCP1984]

There are no november classes.

This was just the question I was going to ask. Thank you for the info.
(I can always find what I'm looking for on these boards!)

 

[EMHDad]

I cant wait until feb. Having a case of disney fever this week and wnting to plan more for the summer 2012 trip. Can only plan to a point with the ???? of dates still up in the air. I know I am not in this boat alone. lolol

 

[AuroraBeauty]

You can enter thru IG for the YES Class that starts when the park opens. Nothing is open and there are CMs all over. We had a manager escort us to the hub because she was going that way. We go caught in the rope drop so we had to wait then walk all the way thru and exit. The YES leaders have a list and they take attendance, so to speak.

Just be prepared for the walk, but you'll be able to go thru. You will need to scan your tickets at the IG turnstiles so make sure you plan on being at Epcot or you have park hoppers.

Our only challenge was that when we went to enter with the YES group our ticket showed us already in the park so they had to call over a supervisor to override the system.

Have fun!

 

[Nature Mom]

Did you guys know that Disney's YES program has a YouTube channel? I was checking out the programs trying to pick one early for next summer, and I noticed that the YES website has links to videos. This is the overview, but on the side, you can click on videos about specific classes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=936T14_sw2w

Thanks so much for the link.. I showed them to DD11 and now she's even more excited (so am I, lol). So glad I stumbled across this program...we can't wait for our trip.

 

[pamelasu1]

You can enter thru IG for the YES Class that starts when the park opens. Nothing is open and there are CMs all over. We had a manager escort us to the hub because she was going that way. We go caught in the rope drop so we had to wait then walk all the way thru and exit. The YES leaders have a list and they take attendance, so to speak.

Just be prepared for the walk, but you'll be able to go thru. You will need to scan your tickets at the IG turnstiles so make sure you plan on being at Epcot or you have park hoppers.

Our only challenge was that when we went to enter with the YES group our ticket showed us already in the park so they had to call over a supervisor to override the system.

Have fun!

Thanks so much for this answer...I was wondering about the same thing. Would you mind giving me your opinion on this....DD12 and I are booked for a class on 9/23 that starts at 8:15 (EP opens at 9 that day). We are staying at the Swan and will have a rental car. Do you think it would be better to walk through IG and back out to meet the group or to drive our rental car and come in through the front? Thanks much!

 

[jcemom]

Thanks so much for this answer...I was wondering about the same thing. Would you mind giving me your opinion on this....DD12 and I are booked for a class on 9/23 that starts at 8:15 (EP opens at 9 that day). We are staying at the Swan and will have a rental car. Do you think it would be better to walk through IG and back out to meet the group or to drive our rental car and come in through the front? Thanks much!

*I* would drive to the front of the park. It's a pretty long walk from the Swan to the front of the park. It's different when you're walking to the IG to enter the park and see/do things along the way. It's a real hike when you're going straight through the park and out the other side.

 

[sullins5]

I was wondering if feb was an open enrollment month? I saw someone asked but I never saw the answer. Also wondering when they open enrollment? I'm only seeing through Oct now-is that right? How many people do you need to try to make a class? I thought I saw some people getting together on here and getting their own class before. Can you make a class with people you don't know? Just wondering the rules and chances of that being possible?

I'd love to know too! Have a 12dd and would love for her to take a class or two!