Disney YES Program Open to non-groups

[kidd_freeper]

PS - I asked when the next open enrollment was. The teacher didn't know. He mentioned that Open Enrollment is still an experiment. Oddly enough, we were not asked to provide an evaluation.

 

[torinsmom]

Oooohhhh, Properties of Motion sounds cool! If there is Open Enrollment next year, we will be planning around that class for sure. Was it one of the 3rd-12th grade ones? I know it wasn't offered when we went. My son ended up with strep and we didn't get to go to his class.

Marsha

 

[TinkerBelle920]

Who is the Youth Group Team and do you know how to get approval? It seems to me that if you are coordinating the class, as long as you feel the group is ok with having 5 year olds participate, then they should let you. Otherwise I know they do have classes for 5 year olds ( I think its something to do with Motion) that may be another possibility - but I do think a class at AK would be cool. Thanks.

Does anyone know if there are still spots available in Dec. I have sent you a PM in regards to this please let me know if there is availability

 

[maroo]

My family attended the Properties of Motion class yesterday (Juy 14, 2010).

We are me, DW, DD (17 yo), and DSs (8, 9, 10 y/o).

We arrived at the TTC at 7am. Parking lot open and trams running, but no attendants. Got the best parking spot I'm ever going to get. Walked to a building just to the right of the ticket booths. There had been no mention of where the YES group was supposed to meet, but this was the only visible non-CM group at the TTC, so they were easy to find.

The class had about 36 students and perhaps 24 parents (60 in all). We were broken into three groups. Our group had twelve students. Most looked to be 7th-10th graders, but my kids were older and younger than this.

Class was supposed to start at 7:15am, but we had to wait for one student. Turns out they were waiting in another part of the TTC. It was quite muggy and 82 degrees out,making outside activities mildly uncomfortable.

We were supposed to start the class on the monorail, but the monorails were undergoing a safety check, so we all boarded a bus to the MK.

Once at the MK, our teacher, Ben (27ish, part time chemistry teacher from Boston) began the class, near the Seven Seas lagoon. He brought out a Mickey head ornament hanging on a string and asked students to name some of its properties. Eventually got around to a discussion of inertia. Discussed the difference between speed and velocity, acceleration and Newton's 2nd law.

Ben mixed in lots of Disney stuff into the class. Whenever some part of the park disrupted his discussion, such as the railroad whistle or a character walked by, he would say something like, "Well, there's part of that Disney magic!" and continued on. He also brought in the movie Hercules. We had to slap our heads and shout "Oh, Herc!", which was actually O-H-E-R-C, which are letters that represent the scientific process (Observation, Hypothesis, Experimentation, Recording, Conclusion).

Ben was quite patient. Certain members of our group were very high maintainance. One student did not participate in anything. Another kept asking what rides we were going on and for free ice cream, but had little interest in the class. Others needed bathroom breaks at bad times and another parent determined that she couldn't make the walking and needed a scooter. Ben managed these quite well so that the class was not disrupted.

Walked into the park at 7:50 am (after a bag check and running tickets through the reader). Main street was far from empty, but it was not mobbed.

Walked to Tommorrowland. Took lots of video on the way, but at Tommorrowland, there was a rope across the entrance, just past the bridge. At that point we were instructed to stop taking pictures.

Walked to an area just to the right of Space Mountain. He had set up three small roller coaster like tracks that used marbles instead of cars. One had a loop, the next a simple curve, the next a simple hump. Ben explained the concepts of potential and kinetic energy, first by bouncing a golf ball and then by having the students (broken into three groups of four) try out the mini roller coasters. Students made measurements of how high the marble had to start to complete each roller coaster.

Then we rode on Space Mountain. First with the lights on, then with the lights off. Really cool to see. However, with the lights on, Space Mountain is a real lame ride. Good thing its done in the dark.

We were supposed to estimate (1) max speed, (2) max height, (3) height of largest drop, (4) length of ride. These guesses were made after riding with the lights on, the off, then he gave the answer.

Then we learned about pneumatics and hydraulics. He had a Lego toy to show this.

Then we went to Buzz Lightyear, just as the park was opening. Got to see the mad rush to Space Moutain. People dragging frightened children by the hand to be first in line to Space Mountain look really silly from the side.

We rode Buzz Lightyear to find examples of pneumatics and hydraulics. And wrote them down after.

Then we walked across the park and stopped in front of the Liberty Tree Tavern for a lecture on centriputal force. Learned about F=mv2/r. He had a picture of Mickey Mouse riding on a curvy road and each group of kids were asked to pick out F, m, v and r in the picture. Also learned about g-forces and lateral forces.

Then we all rode BTMRR to experience g-forces and lateral forces.

Had a brief discussion of the experience afterwards. Then class ended around 10 am.

Excellent class and teacher. It would have been worth it just for the parking spot. But also got early entry into MK and got to ride SM with lights on. And a fantastic phyisics class. Well worth it.

Oh that is so cool!!!

I wish they would let adults come! I may have to rent a kid.

 

[ilovefh]

Does anyone know...the registration form says the window closes at 5 and the confirmation says 4. Is it 5 or 4? Also, where is the group window at Downtown Disney?

We picked up our YES tickets at DD in June. The tickets were at the group window at Disney Quest at Downtown Disney. And, they couldn't find the tickets with my credit card. Luckily, I could find the email on my phone to give them the confirmation number.[/QUOTE]

Thank you! That is a very easy direction to give to my first timer friends! I'll make sure they have their email confirmation with them!

 

[sparklynails23]

bump

 

[minnie1928]

do the tickets have a valid date on the them like a range? Do they have names on them? What happens if you dont attend your scheduled seminar? We want to use this for our group of 10, but only 3 would be attending would it work?

I don't have my ticket handy, but I know that they are labelled "Youth" and do not have names on them. Technically, you could skip the seminar because you'll have the tickets prior to attending the seminar. As far as the 10 to 3 question, I would call about that. We had 4 adults and 3 kids without any problems.

For what it's worth, yesterday we attended the Oceans program which was really good. The overall group of people was split into 2 groups, first group had 16 and then our group had 7 (our party). An hour and a half after the class started, the remaining 10 people for our side of the group arrived. So, we had to interrupt the class to get this group set up. Then, 45 minutes later they announced that they had to leave in order to catch their flight home. The kids in their group were obviously enjoying the program, but their arrival/departure was just a huge interruption for the whole thing. I thought the whole situation was incredibly rude, but our instructor handled it very well.

I guess what I want to say is that if you sign up for a class, please make every attempt to go to the ENTIRE class.

 

[torinsmom]

The tickets have a range of dates on them. I think it is one week before your stated arrival day and one week after your departure day. No names, but they say YOUTH on them. They don't work with the finger scanner thing.

We did not go to our class, but it was because DS was sick with strep and we didn't want to pass that on. Plus he didn't feel like going anywhere for 2 days. We called and told the YES people---got an email close to our travel dates with cell phone numbers to call.

I would hope that unless there is an extenuating circumstance that people would go to their class. If they start having problems with people not showing a lot, they will not continue having the program(at least that's what I think) That includes getting there late/leaving early without reason. We hope to do the program next year and hopefully this time DS will not get sick.

Marsha

 

[imayoyo]

do the tickets have a valid date on the them like a range? Do they have names on them? What happens if you dont attend your scheduled seminar? We want to use this for our group of 10, but only 3 would be attending would it work?

Keep in mind that anyone scheduled to attend can have their tickets shut off if they should skip the program. The tickets are specifically tied to the program, and in the fine print it does mention program participation is required for those signed up.

Not to mention if a lot of people start no-showing, this program will get shut down faster than you could imagine. Trust me on that one.

All of that being said, new dates available for August/September/October enrollment. Call today! 888-779-1757 option 3.

 

[Melani]

do the tickets have a valid date on the them like a range? Do they have names on them? What happens if you dont attend your scheduled seminar? We want to use this for our group of 10, but only 3 would be attending would it work?

The tickets are valid for 7 days prior and 7 days post the Groups registered arrival and departure dates. So if you have group members arriving early or later than most, just adjust the group's dates accordingly when you send in the rquest form.

And can you imagine being that instructor & only 3 of 10 show up.

For what it's worth, yesterday we attended the Oceans program which was really good. The overall group of people was split into 2 groups, first group had 16 and then our group had 7 (our party). An hour and a half after the class started, the remaining 10 people for our side of the group arrived. So, we had to interrupt the class to get this group set up. Then, 45 minutes later they announced that they had to leave in order to catch their flight home. The kids in their group were obviously enjoying the program, but their arrival/departure was just a huge interruption for the whole thing. I thought the whole situation was incredibly rude, but our instructor handled it very well.

I guess what I want to say is that if you sign up for a class, please make every attempt to go to the ENTIRE class.

How can 10 people be that inconsiderate? I mean 1 or 2 here and there, but a whole clan of them!

Maybe they had just lost track of time or were stuck on a ride or bell service was late getting their bags or something?

 

[tinkerbell423]

FEB YES Program:
We have done three YES programs in the past and I am in the process of planning our 4th sometime Feb. 19-27. If anyone is interested in joining please PM me.

We have enjoyed all the programs we attended and look forward to another.

 

[tinkerbell423]

Do all the tickets say youth on them, even the adult tickets in your group?

Yes all the tickets are the same.

 

[torinsmom]

Keep in mind that anyone scheduled to attend can have their tickets shut off if they should skip the program. The tickets are specifically tied to the program, and in the fine print it does mention program participation is required for those signed up.

Not to mention if a lot of people start no-showing, this program will get shut down faster than you could imagine. Trust me on that one.

All of that being said, new dates available for August/September/October enrollment. Call today! 888-779-1757 option 3.

Yes, if there is a problem with attending your class, please call. We did not have our tickets shut off or anything, but I had documentation from DS's visit to the MinuteClinic(like Urgent Care) if there had been a problem. I called and let them know the night before that we wouldn't be there. We were both disappointed; our class was an animation one.

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

The tickets are valid for 7 days prior and 7 days post the Groups registered arrival and departure dates. So if you have group members arriving early or later than most, just adjust the group's dates accordingly when you send in the rquest form.

And can you imagine being that instructor & only 3 of 10 show up.



How can 10 people be that inconsiderate? I mean 1 or 2 here and there, but a whole clan of them!

Maybe they had just lost track of time or were stuck on a ride or bell service was late getting their bags or something?

I was assuming the PP meant they have 10 in their party, but 3 will be children participating. I thought she was asking if the other 7 in the party could get discount tickets or if they all(adults) had to participate in the class to get the tickets. I am not sure how many YES tickets you can get either. Is is 1 non-participant ticket for every YES participant or could you have one kid in the YES class and get 2 more YES tickets for the parents?

 

[torinsmom]

Keep in mind that anyone scheduled to attend can have their tickets shut off if they should skip the program. The tickets are specifically tied to the program, and in the fine print it does mention program participation is required for those signed up.

Not to mention if a lot of people start no-showing, this program will get shut down faster than you could imagine. Trust me on that one.

All of that being said, new dates available for August/September/October enrollment. Call today! 888-779-1757 option 3.

Is this open enrollment as well? My pastor is looking to take his family and wasn't able to go in June or July. I'd love to pass the info on to him if it will work for them.

Marsha

 

[Melani]

I was assuming the PP meant they have 10 in their party, but 3 will be children participating. I thought she was asking if the other 7 in the party could get discount tickets or if they all(adults) had to participate in the class to get the tickets. I am not sure how many YES tickets you can get either. Is is 1 non-participant ticket for every YES participant or could you have one kid in the YES class and get 2 more YES tickets for the parents?

During NON open enrollment. A group of min 10 students is required. With each student ticket a companion ticket is elligable for purchase. Only 1 chaperon per 5 students is allowed to attend the class. The companions are not required/allowed unless the student is 6yo or under.

 

[torinsmom]

During NON open enrollment. A group of min 10 students is required. With each student ticket a companion ticket is elligable for purchase. Only 1 chaperon per 5 students is allowed to attend the class. The companions are not required/allowed unless the student is 6yo or under.

Is open enrollment the same? If only 1 child attend the class, can you only get 2 discounted tickets?

 

[imayoyo]

Is this open enrollment as well? My pastor is looking to take his family and wasn't able to go in June or July. I'd love to pass the info on to him if it will work for them.

Marsha

Sure is! Just added today.

 

[torinsmom]

Sure is! Just added today.

So, is there a website or will there be? Or is it by phone only?

Marsha

 

[Melani]

Is open enrollment the same? If only 1 child attend the class, can you only get 2 discounted tickets?

No, not to my understanding.
My sis did Open in Jan & her, BIL, SIL, MIL, DIL, DN1, DN2 were all able to get discounted tickets on my nieces enrollment in one AK course.

Read through this thread or call YES.