Disney YES Program Open to non-groups

[HeyMickeyUSoFine]

You'll be fine. I had to change mine for a June class. I purchased mine before they adopted the pick-up rule. So I had to send them back and they re-issued me new ones and mailed them at no additional cost.

 

[Apopper74]

Does the YES Individual program historically offer classes in May?

 

[mbbarron]

I emailed the Individual enrollment department to ask about March 2012 and recieved this reply:

Hi Dawn,

Thank you for your email. Due to park attendance and other events happening at the parks in March, April, and May, we are unable to offer Individual Enrollment during these months. We have added you to our email list and as new dates are announced for 2012 you will be one of the first to know.

Have a Magical Day!

Disney’s Individual Enrollment Team


When I asked what dates the program is normally available, this is the response I got:

Hi Dawn,

Thank you for your questions! We typically offer programs on select dates in January, February, June, July, August, September, and October. At this time, we are wrapping up our fall 2011 offerings and once that is completed we will begin to release information about our 2012 offerings.

Keep checking back to our website for updates! If you have any additional questions please let me know!

Have a Magical Day!

Disney's Individual Enrollment Team
1-888-779-1757, option 3

When did you receive this email from YES Individual Enrollment? Was it after they had already posted their October dates? I'm waiting to see if they release select Nov dates but have been told their next release dates will be for Jan 2012.

 

[tinkercat]

Hi everyone...
I just wanted to pop into this thread and say thanks again for those who shared the info on the YES classes!

My 3 kiddos attended "How Things Move" last Monday at the MK and they enjoyed it. They definitely learned something too, because every time we went on the TTA after that, they talked about how the magnets made it move. I would definitely do another class in the future and hope that the program will still be going strong when ever we start planning our next trip...probably a few years from now.

 

[HomeschoolMama]

When did you receive this email from YES Individual Enrollment? Was it after they had already posted their October dates? I'm waiting to see if they release select Nov dates but have been told their next release dates will be for Jan 2012.

I received the e-mail on July 6th.

 

[dizzydrop]

So, I've ran into a predicament...my sister and her 19 year old daughter was supposed to be going with us on vacation. I bought tickets through the YES program for me, my husband and our 2 kids attending the program. Well now my sister and her daughter have decided they don't want to go anymore and I have two smaller kids (2 and 3) who can't be at the class...so what do I do? Do I call YES program and tell them my situation because we were really looking forward to taking the kids to the class but I don't know what to do with my younger 2 and I'm really not too keen on the babysitters at Disney keeping them (since I don't know them and my younger kids will be scared). I'm just really mad that my sister waited until I bought everything and then bailed on me when we're only 8 weeks away...

 

[jcemom]

So, I've ran into a predicament...my sister and her 19 year old daughter was supposed to be going with us on vacation. I bought tickets through the YES program for me, my husband and our 2 kids attending the program. Well now my sister and her daughter have decided they don't want to go anymore and I have two smaller kids (2 and 3) who can't be at the class...so what do I do? Do I call YES program and tell them my situation because we were really looking forward to taking the kids to the class but I don't know what to do with my younger 2 and I'm really not too keen on the babysitters at Disney keeping them (since I don't know them and my younger kids will be scared). I'm just really mad that my sister waited until I bought everything and then bailed on me when we're only 8 weeks away...

Can't either you OR your husband attend the class with the two older kids, while the other of you occupies the two younger kids?

 

[dizzydrop]

^IDK, I thought it was one adult for each child under the age of 13?

 

[goofydad99]

I was by myself and attended with 2 of my children. I would imagine you would be ok.

 

[kidd_freeper]

My family attended the 'Wild By Nature' class at the Animal Kingdom on Tuesday July 12. This class was appropriate for those 7-15 years old. We were: me, DW, DD18, DS11, DS10, DS9.

This was our second YES class...we took Properties of Motion in July 2010.

We arrrived at AK at 8:10 am for our 8:30 class. We parked fairly far away from the entrance despite our early arrival. We met at the flagpole between the bag check and the turnstiles. We were the first ones there and the place was rather quiet. The YES leaders showed up about 5 minutes later and we checked in.

We were assigned to the "giraffe" group with two group leaders (Tessa and Bea). There were three other families in our group, making about 10 kids in all and about an equal number of non-kids. There was one who required a wheelchair for much (but not all) of the class.

There appeared to be three other such groups.

We were each provided with nametags on a lanyard, earpieces and a radio receiver. One of the leaders (Tessa) had a microphone which could be heard through the earpieces/receivers. This really helped to hear what was being said in this very noisy park.

We entered the park at 9am, through the castmember turnstiles. Tessa explained that she was the 'alpha' leader of the group, and our survival depended on our ability to follow the alpha leader's lead. We immediately proceded to a quiet area in the Oasis part of the park and had a discussion about survival. This included the importance of observation. We had a fun quiz on observation. Those who did well received a gold clip for their lanyard, those who did poor got a red clip.

At various points during the class, the leaders would ask various questions. Only handed out gold clips for right answers, nothing for answers that didn't match the expected response.

We then walked to the Cotton Top Tamarin monkey on Discovery Island. It was explained that this type of monkey uses community babysitting so that mothers could eat while others watched their babies. One of the leaders then produced a stuffed animal that looked like the Cotton Top Tamarin monkey, and asked for volunteers to carry (babysit) it. The volunteer received a gold clip. Others had a chance to babysit during the class.

We stopped for a drink at a water fountain near Tamu Tamu refreshments. The leader called it a watering hole. Everyone who took a drink got a gold clip. Those who didn't got red clips.

We then walked to the Pangani Forest trail. Saw the Opaki, which we were told is the only other animal related to the giraffe.

We then found another quiet place near the Harmbe Fruit market. We then discussed communication. We were each provided with a closed green contained with an unknown object in it. We were supposed to rattle it and find others in the group that had a similar rattle noise. It turned out I was the only one of my kind (I had a half crayon in mine).

We then discussed the advantages of survival by working in groups. Four groups were then formed (I was put with another group). We were assigned as various predators (lion, cheetahs, etc) who had to find a specific type of prey (Thompson Gazzelle, Wilderbeast, etc). We then went on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride to find our prey. We entered through the Fastpass line and had the regular ride.

Then another trip to a watering hole and bathroom. While there, alpha-leader Tessa brought out two bags: one filled with red candies, the other with black candies. She sniffed then tasted then ate a red one. She then sniffed a black one, but put it in her pocket. She then offered red and black candies to the group. After everyone had eaten, she explained about non-verbal communication. Everyone who followed the alpha leader's actions and ate a red candy got a gold clip for their lanyard. those that ate a black candy got a red clip because they didn't see that the alpha leader didn't like it and it might be tainted.

We then walked to the Maharajah Jungle trek. Had a discussion about the bats and tigers there. Then had a talk about nature conservation. This included a trip to a 'bad' watering hole (polluted) - those who took a drink got a red clip.

Near the end of the class, we counted clips - subtracting one gold clip for every red clip. The one with the most gold clips got a tan hankerchief and was designated as the new alpha leader. the rest of us got blue hankerchiefs. A rather nice souvenier - had the Animal Kingdom logo on it.

The new alpha leader and Tessa then walked us over to the entrance of 'Its a Bugs Life', where she suggested it as a good place to cool off. The class then ended about 11:15 am and we said our thanks.

Summary
An excellent class, that was at a minimum, a good guided tour of the park. We had a quiet group. On one hand, the leader had to prod the class for participation, on the other hand we didn't have any behavior problems. The handicapped person had no problems participating in the class.

I recommend this class. I give it an A- for content, information provided, entertainment and delivery, with some loss due to inactive class participants.

 

[jcemom]

Thank you for taking the time to give us such a detailed review!!

 

[jmpellet]

Yes, thanks! We are in the August 9 morning session so this helps a lot!

 

[GinnyEmma]

There's nothing like giving away the whole system for surviving/clips.

 

[Nature Mom]

Thanks for such a great review! We are doing this class on 10/4 and I had wanted an idea of what to expect. I won't tell DD about the clips or what to expect though, better she be surprised and give honest participation.

 

[5forDiz]

^IDK, I thought it was one adult for each child under the age of 13?

It doesn't need to be an adult for each child attending in same family, so one adult is enough if there is more than one child attending from that family.

Also, a child 13yrs and up does not need an adult attending class but can attend independently if they wish but an adult family member must remain in that park when the class is being held and gives the CM their cell phone number.

 

[MiceFan]

I would love more info on picking YES tickets up at Disney Quest, especially how late the will call window is open and if we have to use the window specifically for groups. I thought I read somewhere that the group window closes at 4pm, that would ruin my plan if that's where we have to go.

Our flight arrives around 6pm and I'd like to pick up our tickets at DQ and let the kiddos play there for an hour or so that first night. Oldest DD would like to try going upside down a few times on CyberSpace Mountain before trying RnRC!

I don't remember if it was mentioned already in the thread, but individual enrollment is handled by an outside company...makes getting answers, especially right ones even more of a challenge!

 

[avic77]

There's nothing like giving away the whole system for surviving/clips.

yea that was a bit of a spoiler!

 

[MiceFan]

kidd_freeper,
I thought it was very thoughtful of you to take the time to write the review, thanks! As far as I'm concerned, I hate surprises, which I think is why I love the Disboards so much, they tell me exactly what to expect

 

[kadillon]

Ditto. It's a program for the kids so knowing all about it shouldn't be a problem for adults...if you don't want to know about it, don't read it...thanks for posting the info...we take the class on august 16th

 

[csmommy]

What time does the monorail start in the morning? We will be going to Epcot for an 8:30AM start time on 8/15 from the Contemorary.