Disney YES Program Open to non-groups

[auger]

Your best bet is to call Sara or Heidi and ask. It is the way to go for sure. I figure if it rains, we can go to Quest and if we want a break from the rides, hit the water park. For the little difference in money, it is certainly worth it. Good luck.
Stay well,
AnnMarie

Thanks - that's what we were thinking too. We will be @ WDW for 12 days, and had figured on just hanging @ the pool for the 2 extra days. But for the $$ difference, we realized the premium tickets made more sense.
I'll give a call in the AM. Here's hoping!!

 

[5forDiz]

I wanted to post our experience attending World of Physics: Energy & Waves on Aug.23 at Magic Kingdom from 9 to noon. There was probably a total of 14 - 16 kids altogether and we were split into 2 groups. Our group had a total of 8 kids: 3 kids aged 10 or <, 3 between 12yrs - 14 yrs of which my DD and DNeice were part and 2 who seemed slightly older maybe between 14 - 16 yrs.

We were among maybe the last 3 families that YES CMs checked off on their list & there were many names that were not checked off; before we started out with our instructor the YES group again stood there looking over list & my DSis overheard one CM comment to others ' guess the rest are sick or whatever... '. I don't want to sound like I am preaching, because we all know emergencies come up & getting sick often comes out of the blue, but I really truly hope that Open Enrollment doesn't end up being discontinued in future because too many just don't attend their program

Our instructor was Ned from Boston and he was very pleasant, well spoken & patient explaining various scientific aspects as they relate to specific attractions such as energy, sound waves, use & manipulation of light ( Stitch's Great Escape, Mickey's Philharmagic & Haunted Mansion ). Ned answered any questions the group had as well. It was an interesting and informative program, although it seemed sometimes that a quicker pace may have been better for older kids in our group but with 3 younger kids along, I think Ned was trying to keep it on an even keel for all participants. It was a very hot, sunny August morning so if you're attending during warm weather months bring along bottled water, hats, etc. as you would for a typical day in park. We did not sit down except for when we went to attractions (SGE, MP & HM) so those not fond of standing & being on your feet for pretty much 3 hours might want to take this into consideration.

The highlight of our program was going behind scenes at Haunted Mansion My DD and DNiece and it seemed every kid & adult in our group were wowed with this ( daughter & niece are still talking about this ).

Overall, myself & my daughter and my sis & her daughter would give it an A. My daughter & niece said they would like to attend future programs too if they are offered when we next travel to WDW so it definitely appealed to our young teens

 

[hambirg]

5forDiz. . .thank you for your review! I have been thinking lately. . .we would like to go sometime in 2011. Considering how we like to tour it would be better for us to forgo free dining and get a room only discount. The 5 day premium YES ticket would be perfect for us. I'm curious if anyone knows if they are going to continue this into 2011. I would love for my kids to have a chance to participate! My two youngest would be so into the Ocean or animal behavior one. And my oldest would LOVE the Production Arts one! Please keep the info coming. TIA

 

[torinsmom]

Yes, I hope the program keeps going as well. My DS was actually sick(viral strep with a temp) the day of his class. I kept the receipt from from the Minute Clinic he went to in case they have us on a list not to be able to do the program again. We called that morning at 6am, like it told us in the email to let them know he could not make it. It is really wrong to just not show up or to pretend to be sick. We were signed up for an animation class, but if they do the Physics one next summer, we will schedule our trip around that one.

Marsha

 

[5forDiz]

Yes, I hope the program keeps going as well. My DS was actually sick(viral strep with a temp) the day of his class. I kept the receipt from from the Minute Clinic he went to in case they have us on a list not to be able to do the program again. We called that morning at 6am, like it told us in the email to let them know he could not make it. It is really wrong to just not show up or to pretend to be sick. We were signed up for an animation class, but if they do the Physics one next summer, we will schedule our trip around that one.

Marsha

Hi Marsha, I remember reading your post about your son & how very much he was looking forward to the class but was too ill to attend . I hope most families who find themselves with the unexpected illness or emergency will do as you did and call them, etc. You took the time to let them know your situation On the day of our program it seemed that they were wondering about a good many of those who did not come.

5forDiz. . .thank you for your review! I have been thinking lately. . .we would like to go sometime in 2011. Considering how we like to tour it would be better for us to forgo free dining and get a room only discount. The 5 day premium YES ticket would be perfect for us. I'm curious if anyone knows if they are going to continue this into 2011. I would love for my kids to have a chance to participate! My two youngest would be so into the Ocean or animal behavior one. And my oldest would LOVE the Production Arts one! Please keep the info coming. TIA

We wished we were staying an extra day at WDW because the girls could have taken Wild by Design too ( I think this is what animal behavior program is called ). When I had spoken to Heidi at YES program when we registered she said they hoped to do Open Enrollment in 2011 too so fingers crossed for that
I am so very grateful to those on this thread because that is how I found out that Open Enrollment would be held in August ( I had previously read that it would end in July but I kept my eye on YES site and this thread ).

Best wishes & hope it's available for dates you are traveling in 2011.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I wanted to post our experience attending World of Physics: Energy & Waves on Aug.23 at Magic Kingdom from 9 to noon.
The highlight of our program was going behind scenes at Haunted Mansion My DD and DNiece and it seemed every kid & adult in our group were wowed with this ( daughter & niece are still talking about this ).

Overall, myself & my daughter and my sis & her daughter would give it an A. My daughter & niece said they would like to attend future programs too if they are offered when we next travel to WDW so it definitely appealed to our young teens

Thank you so much for your review. I organized a group on the DIS (18 kids total in our group) for December 15th for this very class, and it sounds amazing! I can hardly wait for all the kids (and a few parents) to experience it and go behind the scenes at the Haunted Mansion!

 

[5forDiz]

Thank you so much for your review. I organized a group on the DIS (18 kids total in our group) for December 15th for this very class, and it sounds amazing! I can hardly wait for all the kids (and a few parents) to experience it and go behind the scenes at the Haunted Mansion!

That's awesome I don't think your group will be disappointed.

Going into the backstage area & getting to see some of HM behind scenes was such fun We really enjoyed rest of program too and really, only rather minor things kept us from rating it A+ instead of A. We did have some young kids in our group so I think that is why it probably couldn't have been somewhat faster moving than it was, also it would have been nice to have some areas where at least the kids could sit while listening to the lesson parts of the program & during one demonstration using tuning forks have a couple to pass out among the group instead of waiting for instructor to go from person to person with just one fork. And my DD and DNiece said they would have liked to receive a booklet or brochure detailing the lessons & demonstrations & a certificate of attendance in case they want to include this in a school assignment; since they are starting high school anything they reference in an assignment or project usually needs to have source substantiated ( I sent an email to YES group mentioning this along with our praises on the class ).

Have a great time with your group in December & hope Ned is your instructor/guide too

 

[familydisney]

I am really hoping there will be open enrollment for next June. The problem with last year is that the announcement came so late, we had already booked another trip. It's hard to let the deals go by when we aren't sure if the YES will follow through.
So...how far in advance can they confirm there will be the YES open enrollment, and when can we buy tickets? We are taking DM for her first trip and she really wants us to finalize everything, like, NOW for 6/4-11. I'd pull the trigger today if they would sell them to me!

 

[mrsklamc]

I am really hoping there will be open enrollment for next June. The problem with last year is that the announcement came so late, we had already booked another trip. It's hard to let the deals go by when we aren't sure if the YES will follow through.
So...how far in advance can they confirm there will be the YES open enrollment, and when can we buy tickets? We are taking DM for her first trip and she really wants us to finalize everything, like, NOW for 6/4-11. I'd pull the trigger today if they would sell them to me!

It's been pretty last minute lately (month or two) so if I were you I'd go ahead and grab another deal. I wouldn't be able to stand worrying about it all that time.

 

[torinsmom]

I am really hoping there will be open enrollment for next June. The problem with last year is that the announcement came so late, we had already booked another trip. It's hard to let the deals go by when we aren't sure if the YES will follow through.
So...how far in advance can they confirm there will be the YES open enrollment, and when can we buy tickets? We are taking DM for her first trip and she really wants us to finalize everything, like, NOW for 6/4-11. I'd pull the trigger today if they would sell them to me!

Can't you book both a package and a room only and then cancel the one you don't need when you find out about the YES program?

 

[familydisney]

I could, but I'd have to pay 2 deposits and deal with the hassle of undoing one. We are either looking at Pop and free dining right after Memorial Day or 6/4-11 with a split stay and using DVC points. As you may already know, we have to purchase DVC points from an individual and can't cancel once you book.
Frankly, if we could get the YES tickets, I'd do that in a heartbeat. It looks like we'd save $500 for the 5 of us and, once you combine the savings with a DVC, we could have $1300 to pay for our "free dining", if that makes any sense. It'll cost the 5 of us $5000 for the 2 rooms and free dining at POP, and I've calculated the tickets and hotel will cost from $2800 (cheap AKL room) to $3400(BCV), then 2 nights at POR. Then we'd have to pay for food OOP, or buy 5 nights of DDP at the DVC.
I'm so torn on whether to book the FD with Disney before it's fullor to wait and do it myself with better savings at a superior property. If I knew about the tickets, it's just save me some agony!

 

[mrsklamc]

I could, but I'd have to pay 2 deposits and deal with the hassle of undoing one. We are either looking at Pop and free dining right after Memorial Day or 6/4-11 with a split stay and using DVC points. As you may already know, we have to purchase DVC points from an individual and can't cancel once you book.
Frankly, if we could get the YES tickets, I'd do that in a heartbeat. It looks like we'd save $500 for the 5 of us and, once you combine the savings with a DVC, we could have $1300 to pay for our "free dining", if that makes any sense. It'll cost the 5 of us $5000 for the 2 rooms and free dining at POP, and I've calculated the tickets and hotel will cost from $2800 (cheap AKL room) to $3400(BCV), then 2 nights at POR. Then we'd have to pay for food OOP, or buy 5 nights of DDP at the DVC.
I'm so torn on whether to book the FD with Disney before it's fullor to wait and do it myself with better savings at a superior property. If I knew about the tickets, it's just save me some agony!

Free dining is book by 12/20/10...Pretty sure YES won't be posted for June by then.

 

[kidd_freeper]

...Our instructor was Ned from Boston ...

We also had Ned from Boston for our Properties of Motion class on July 14 (see my report on http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37395426&postcount=680)

Nice report BTW

 

[jodee1201]

Just want to make sure I have this correct...if you have the free dining discount, then you are not able to take advance of the YES program? Can you participate, but not get the discount on tickets?
Thanks!

 

[torinsmom]

Just want to make sure I have this correct...if you have the free dining discount, then you are not able to take advance of the YES program? Can you participate, but not get the discount on tickets?
Thanks!

You could do the YES program, but since you have to buy at least 2 day tickets as part of free dining, I think your savings would be negated. Of course, you could use the YES tickets and save the 2 day tickets for another trip. If I was going to do that, I would go ahead and make the free dining tickets for your normal length of stay, since ticket prices will go up. Of course, if you don't know if you're going back, this might not be a good option.

a 2 day ticket is $172.53 for an adult, $155.49 for a child.

Marsha

 

[5forDiz]

We also had Ned from Boston for our Properties of Motion class on July 14 (see my report on http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37395426&postcount=680)

Nice report BTW

Thanks ! I enjoyed reading your report too Hopefully we will get to attend Properties of Motion on our next trip, DD is a huge fan of Space Mountain and no doubt she would enjoy this program.

 

[tinkamom]

Has anyone been able to change their class after enrolling for another? I signed DD7 up for a class on our last day at WDW but would perfer a different class earlier in our trip. Do classes ever open up again if someone cancels? Think there's any chance of us switching if another class opens up?

 

[tinkamom]

Hoping to find out if anyone has gotten into a closed class! DD7 is so disapointed the class she wanted is full. Maybe someone will cancel? One could hope, right?

 

[Michelle and crew]

i'd call and ask. and keep trying. no harm in trying.

 

[burnurcomputer]

Will any other DISers be there Oct. 15th for "The American Story"? We booked not that long ago after I saw posts about it and we are super excitied!!!!!!