Disneyland YES field trip...need help

[hpfan100]

Hi everyone!

I am trying to take my resource class students to Disneyland in May for a YES workshop. I'm also hoping to stay an extra day so they can see both parks. I need some advice from anyone whose ever taken a group to Disney.

Hotel thoughts???

I need 5 rooms, ample parking for bus, free breakfasts and clean/safe

any other thoughts???


thanks so much DISers!!!

 

[skiingfast]

Are you taking the bus to the parks or planning to walk?

I want to mention that many bus tours come to my town. The hotels that book most groups have designated bus parking but if you let some of the others know that you are coming in a bus or camper they will put cones out and hold a spot for you to park.


If you need somewhere close I would try the Ramada Maingate, Park View inn and Tropicana( though this has a place you have to drive under so you might want to find out the clearance height. These all have breakfast and parking in a loop so you can easily turn the bus around.

 

[CA Disney Fans]

When DS's band performed at Knotts, they stayed at the Best Western by the main gate. What a tease since they didn't go to DL though.

 

[hpfan100]

Are you taking the bus to the parks or planning to walk?

I want to mention that many bus tours come to my town. The hotels that book most groups have designated bus parking but if you let some of the others know that you are coming in a bus or camper they will put cones out and hold a spot for you to park.


If you need somewhere close I would try the Ramada Maingate, Park View inn and Tropicana( though this has a place you have to drive under so you might want to find out the clearance height. These all have breakfast and parking in a loop so you can easily turn the bus around.

We are taking a charter bus to get there so parking is a big deal. I was thinking about the ramada but wasn't sure if it was nice. We can walk or take the bus but walking is probably easier to do for my students.

When DS's band performed at Knotts, they stayed at the Best Western by the main gate. What a tease since they didn't go to DL though.

Knott's would be fun too!

 

[skiingfast]

We are taking a charter bus to get there so parking is a big deal. I was thinking about the ramada but wasn't sure if it was nice. We can walk or take the bus but walking is probably easier to do for my students.

What I meant is can you want to take the bus to the parks, not to Anahem.

Anyway I can't really recommend out of the DL area.

The Ramada will be fine. Honestly there is only one hotel adjacent to the parks that I would advise against. The Ramada fits all three of your needs and is a few minute walk to where you got of ART. I'm sure you will like it.

I should add I'm not sure I'd call the Ramada really nice but do you need to take the kids to a Hilton on Hyatt? I'm guessing not, you just don't want a dump.

 

[hpfan100]

yes I don't want a dump. I'm going to call the ramada and see what kind of deal they can give me. We are riding the bus to anaheim and we will use it to get parks if we can't walk.
I need to call the disneyland people and see what they can help me with. Oh the fun of planning.

 

[ironpig70]

I have stayed at the Ramada several times and like it. I have stayed at the economy hotels at WDW and besides the pool and "Disney" theme and staff at the Disney hotel I feel the Ramada is of equal quality.

I do not spend a huge amount of time in my room besides sleeping.

 

[hpfan100]

Well I got a great rate at the Carousel Inn (92/night before tax)
Is that a good rate or should I look for something cheaper?

So I started calling charter bus companies. the best price is 2000 dollars for two days HOLY MOLY

anyone have any great fundraising ideas out there????

 

[jjameson]

I've gone with groups to Disneyland and we've always been happy at the Anaheim Plaza Inn. It's on the main street (Harbor), a little farther down than the Carousel, has room to park a bus and rates are about $59 to $69 a night. We called them directly and they let our school group book under the state government rate so it cam out to $49 per night. Rooms are really big and newly redone. This is a basic hotel but we were more than happy here and the staff was great. The only thing they don't offer is breakfast, but they gave us an option for a breakfast buffet just for our group but we didn't do it so I'm not too sure about that.
But I'd definitely call them and see what they can do for you.

Also, I'm sure you worked it out but the Carousel has very limited on site parking, I'd double check with them about the bus.

Good luck with your trip.

 

[skiingfast]

Well I got a great rate at the Carousel Inn (92/night before tax)
Is that a good rate or should I look for something cheaper?

So I started calling charter bus companies. the best price is 2000 dollars for two days HOLY MOLY

anyone have any great fundraising ideas out there????

Amy:
I guess if cheaper is important especially if the charter bus rate is eye popping, you can probably get a better rate else where. Do you know if you are thinking of going during a busy or slow time? $92 at the carousel sounds like a good rate for there, but you can get a better rate elsewhere.

Like I said in my first or second replies some places are bus friendly some not. So try calling all of them. Like PP said the API is also one I mentioned. They market right to groups so you may have luck with them too.



As far as fund raising. When I was young a kid in my class' dad owned a company that is widely known. Now as a parent I recognize how contributing to the comunnity his parents where. We had cubscout meetings, and class parties at thier hours. His dad bought a bus for his company that was painted on the exterior with adverting for the companies products. The purpose of the bus was for my elemetary school. We took field trips on this very novel and noble bus. Not that your school could get this same generosity. But letting the parents know of your transit dillema may spur some great contributions.

Or a bake sale. Though it's a lot of cupcakes to sell to get to 2K.

 

[hpfan100]

Anaheim Plaza Inn....hmmm I think I called but can't find my notes on that so I guess I'd better call again.

Skiingfast...wish it was that simple but these are tough times. Also I work at a full title 1 school and only have 11 students. That works out to almost 200 dollars a student to ride the bus. I think that is expensive.

I'm considering selling pizza coupon cards and maybe bookmarks that are scented.
Just wanted to see if anyone else had some experience with this and could provide some guidance.

 

[sonnyjane]

Also I work at a full title 1 school and only have 11 students. That works out to almost 200 dollars a student to ride the bus. I think that is expensive.

Hmm, only 11 students? Have you looked into just renting two full-size vans (with a chaperone driving?) In college we would go on overnight trips for a few of my classes. The classes were small, about 14 students, a teacher, and a TA. We used two large vans (the kind with 3 rows of seats and a student sitting shotgun) and the teacher drove one, the TA drove the other.

 

[Dramamama]

I take students to DL every year to do their education programs. We have done theatre workshops and the YES programs. We love them. We stay at the Ramada Maingate. They give us a great rate and they have great security for student groups. If a student is out of room after the curfew I set, I'm notified. They have been fabulous. It is walking distance so I never have to be worried about transportation for the 3 days we are there.

I take 2 - 10 passenger vans with two chaperone drivers.

As far as fundraisers: We do silence-a-thons, Kids get pledges to not talk for an entire day: yard sales, the student's families donate stuff for us to sell: Movie night, can't sell tickets to the movie but a mandatory concession fee is great

 

[skiingfast]

I'm considering selling pizza coupon cards and maybe bookmarks that are scented.
Just wanted to see if anyone else had some experience with this and could provide some guidance.

This reminds me of something. Back in the day a friend of mine sold an entertainment card which was awesome because........it didn't have a deal for the Anaheim Hojo......it had a deal for little ceasars which was the main pizza supplier of the campus dorms. She did this as a charity fundraiser for her sorority. Theta Chi, something.

Anyway maybe call some of the organitzations at ASU. I'm sure they already have partnerships set up, but maybe one would work with you on this single event. I'm sure it has plenty of frats and sorities plus some coed service frats that may be able to help.

 

[jjameson]

As far as the bus vs. 2 van debate goes, make sure you also check with your district office and high schools in your district. Most districts have vans that the sport teams use and usually other school sanctioned events can use them if they aren't needed when you're taking your trip. Definitely worth double checking, it might be your cheapest option yet.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

Great and easy fundraisers are doing restaurants...most give you 20% everyone eats!!!!

My DSD is staying at La Quinta this weekend for school...not sure if it is great, but they accommodate schools!

 

[hpfan100]

Great and easy fundraisers are doing restaurants...most give you 20% everyone eats!!!!

My DSD is staying at La Quinta this weekend for school...not sure if it is great, but they accommodate schools!

thanks for the tip...I'll check out that hotel too. We were looking into doing a pizza hut night so I'm glad you mentioned it. it seems pretty easy.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

We also sell popciscles after school....EASY too....you can make a killing on otterpops! That way the whole school participates not just your RSP kiddos!!!

And the YES trips are fantastic!

 

[hpfan100]

We also sell popciscles after school....EASY too....you can make a killing on otterpops! That way the whole school participates not just your RSP kiddos!!!

And the YES trips are fantastic!

another great idea....wow I'm soooooo glad you stopped by to share.

 

[D23Ry]

I've gone with groups to Disneyland and we've always been happy at the Anaheim Plaza Inn. It's on the main street (Harbor), a little farther down than the Carousel, has room to park a bus and rates are about $59 to $69 a night. We called them directly and they let our school group book under the state government rate so it cam out to $49 per night. Rooms are really big and newly redone. This is a basic hotel but we were more than happy here and the staff was great. The only thing they don't offer is breakfast, but they gave us an option for a breakfast buffet just for our group but we didn't do it so I'm not too sure about that.
But I'd definitely call them and see what they can do for you.

Also, I'm sure you worked it out but the Carousel has very limited on site parking, I'd double check with them about the bus.

Good luck with your trip.

jjameson....did you get my PM?? off topic i know, but wanted to see if you got it