DLP Dread :(

[joolz1910]

Hi, I'm looking for reassurance / advice.

These are my trip details:
I'm off to DLP on a school trip on 26th Feb - 1st March. We are taking students aged 17/18. I will be personally responsible for 11 students. So far, so good...

My 'dread':
We are leaving the Midlands at 8pm and travelling by coach and ferry to DLP, the estimated arrival will be 8am. Now, I am the world's lightest sleeper, so I am anticipating minimal shut-eye, however I have been told today that we will not be able to check in until 5pm. This is what fills me with dread - I will have been awake for about 34 hours by the time we are able to check in. I will look like a dog's dinner (sleeplessness ages me lol) and will feel like a zombie.

Any words of wisdom...please?

 

[DLPdaft]

lots of coffee?????
earplugs, eyemask, travel pillow for the coach journey, and really really try to get some sleep - I'd be a nightmare if I had to stay awake all that time!

 

[joolz1910]

lots of coffee?????
earplugs, eyemask, travel pillow for the coach journey, and really really try to get some sleep - I'd be a nightmare if I had to stay awake all that time!

Thanks Elaine. I will get an eye-mask for definite!
I am used to having little sleep (my kids have kept me awake for the last 11 years ) but more than 30 hours might make me a little crazed. If anyone sees a 40 year old woman, wandering around looking dazed and dishevelled, clutching an espresso, followed by 11 grumpy teenagers; that will be me.

 

[J Marley]

lots of coffee?????
earplugs, eyemask, travel pillow for the coach journey, and really really try to get some sleep - I'd be a nightmare if I had to stay awake all that time!

Was going to say much the same as Elaine.......MP3 player with soothing sleepytime music, Nytol Herbal, pony tail for the hair if long enough and keep the make up bag to hand

Bet there will be a lot more sleep on the journey home...Good luck

 

[lilacgems23]

which hotel are you staying at?

 

[Ware Bears]

Ooh, I don't envy you that journey

Hope you get some sleep and that the excitement of being at Disney will wake you up once you're there but if all else fails then ditch the students and go and find a quiet bench!!

 

[Lizzi]

12 hours travelling? That seems an astonishing long time to take to get to disney.

What about taking a single nightnurse capsul whilst you're on the coach. I find it tends to help me get to sleep quickly. Not sure what the knock-on effects are for the following day, or being in charge though; so probably not a fantastic idea.


Why not put a radio or TV on in your bedroom and on overnight for a few days/week before your trip so that your body gets used to sleeping with noise/distraction. If all else fails, you'll be sooo tired by the time you get on the coach that you'll fall asleep anyway.


btw, when you say you're in charge of 11 students, that doesn't mean they all have to stay glued to you for the trip, does it? Will you be letting them go off in smaller groups?

Last thought - if it's possible, can you call the hotel and request an early check-in? 5 seems late. I thought normal hotels were about 2pm latest!

 

[mimmi]

My longest time without sleep was 42 hours including a long haul flight and a karaoke bar in Japan.
In my opinion after a while it doesn't matter anymore if you haven't slept for 15 or 20 hours. I usually reach a very low point and after this it gets better again for many hours. I always tell myself that once in a while I just have to suck it up, nothing lasts forever.
If you could at least act as if you weren't tired you would be cooler than the teenagers, what a motivation!

 

[kizzabel]

id try to sneak naps in anywhere possible. 11 teenagers... valium perhaps!!!!??

 

[Kittina]

I'm sorry I don't have much advise but i just remembered back to my first DLP trip with my school, when I was 11. It took us 12 hours to get there too and i didn't sleep a wink on the coach! Then we had the whole day there, then the coach back again. I was exhausted ! It was still fun though!

 

[joolz1910]

12 hours travelling? That seems an astonishing long time to take to get to disney.

That's what I thought too.

What about taking a single nightnurse capsul whilst you're on the coach. I find it tends to help me get to sleep quickly. Not sure what the knock-on effects are for the following day, or being in charge though; so probably not a fantastic idea.

Better not.


Why not put a radio or TV on in your bedroom and on overnight for a few days/week before your trip so that your body gets used to sleeping with noise/distraction. If all else fails, you'll be sooo tired by the time you get on the coach that you'll fall asleep anyway.


btw, when you say you're in charge of 11 students, that doesn't mean they all have to stay glued to you for the trip, does it? Will you be letting them go off in smaller groups?

Good god, no. I was joking.

Last thought - if it's possible, can you call the hotel and request an early check-in? 5 seems late. I thought normal hotels were about 2pm latest!

I thought 5pm seemed late. I wonder if you could pay for an earlier check-in.

I also like the idea of an MP3 and ponytail band.

We're staying at the Cheyenne.

 

[SwipatronSparks]

you dhould be able to check in before 5 if your staying at a disney hotel... check in is usually from 3pm.... as for having 11 students... if they dont have to stay glued to you... try wandering around with them for a while until they get their bareings, if theres one who has been to DLP before fantastic hopefully they will know their way around a little...! if not then not to worry, make sure they all have a map and as group choose a meet up point and mark it down on all of the maps.... exchange mobile numbers for emergencies.... and then maybe split up for an hour or so.... let them go off and go on some rides while you go and have a sit, some coffee and maybe a bite to eat to get your energy back up....

 

[joolz1910]

you dhould be able to check in before 5 if your staying at a disney hotel... check in is usually from 3pm.... as for having 11 students... if they dont have to stay glued to you... try wandering around with them for a while until they get their bareings, if theres one who has been to DLP before fantastic hopefully they will know their way around a little...! if not then not to worry, make sure they all have a map and as group choose a meet up point and mark it down on all of the maps.... exchange mobile numbers for emergencies.... and then maybe split up for an hour or so.... let them go off and go on some rides while you go and have a sit, some coffee and maybe a bite to eat to get your energy back up....

I'm not at all worried about being responsible for 11 teenagers. They will be fine. I'm really only concerned about the lack of sleep. Like you said, check-in is usually 2/3pm, so hopefully we will be able to get showered and have a nap. I think strong coffee will be on the menu.

 

[mbkteach]

I travel with teens from the US to Europe every year. We always have an overnight flight and then hit the ground running, (after losing 5 to 6 hours to the ime distance). Somehow, your body keeps going. I agree with Mimmi...after a while, it doesn't seem to matter how many hours you go without sleep. One good think is that everyone - including students - is tired at the end of the day.

Enjoy!