Field Trip to Disney Imagination Campus

[Walker_Adventurer]

Our school is going for a Disney Imagination Campus workshop in Spring of 2026.

Any suggestions for budgeting and helping students pay for their trip?

What do I need to know for booking the workshop? Booking rooms?
What are room block discounts? Where to stay? Are early bird tickets worth it?

Is there different times I can book these?

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

Well, it looks like we're staying at All Star Movies. The group prices were released yesterday for 2026, but I only saw group rates for a handful of resorts.

We were hoping to be able to squeeze in POP! Century under the budget we originally gave the students, but looks like we are sticking with ASMo.

Any tips and tricks for booking the next steps would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

Finally got the pricing for youth meal certificates.

Does anyone have any experience using these? or what's the best way to use these?

 

[mistysue]

Just chiming in to bump this for you, and say how it's so cool your school is doing this!

As for fundraising, I would check out what your PTOs and sports teams are doing, and maybe try to pick a different company so people haven' already bought it. When I had to run fundraising for our school I think our best was when nobody had done yankee candle for a few years and we tried that. Otherwise look to local businesses, we have a lot of pizza shops that will sell kits or discount cards, we have a bakery that sells punchcards to prepay loaves of bread, pies, cookies, etc. Any of these could be done and the kid gets credit for how many they sell.

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

Just chiming in to bump this for you, and say how it's so cool your school is doing this!

As for fundraising, I would check out what your PTOs and sports teams are doing, and maybe try to pick a different company so people haven' already bought it. When I had to run fundraising for our school I think our best was when nobody had done yankee candle for a few years and we tried that. Otherwise look to local businesses, we have a lot of pizza shops that will sell kits or discount cards, we have a bakery that sells punchcards to prepay loaves of bread, pies, cookies, etc. Any of these could be done and the kid gets credit for how many they sell.

Thank you so much! We've looked at a handful of different fundraisers, but we live in a small city and a lot of our local businesses are starting to reach out to our school district to try and limit the number of fundraisers each team/club can do because of how often they're having to give. It is very likely we will only be able to do 3 fundraisers throughout the year so it would have to be the three best.

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

As it is our AP Computer Science, Digital Media, Engineering, and Physics classes going to this workshop, we have successfully signed up for Technology of the Disney Parks Workshop for March 2026.

Completed:
- Approval by District
- 39 people signed up
- Booked ASMo Room Block
- Booked Technology of Parks Workshop

Waiting:
- 2026 Group Ticket Prices
- Book Charter Bus

 

[mistysue]

Thank you so much! We've looked at a handful of different fundraisers, but we live in a small city and a lot of our local businesses are starting to reach out to our school district to try and limit the number of fundraisers each team/club can do because of how often they're having to give. It is very likely we will only be able to do 3 fundraisers throughout the year so it would have to be the three best.

I'm in a smaller town and we've had similar issues come up. It's been circulating in the back of my mind, so just to give you a stronger sense of what we saw more participation from -
https://betterworldfundraising.com/yankee-candle-fundraiser/ - this is the yankee candle one, and running it in the fall helped so people get items before the holidays because they tend to sell a lot of highly giftable items.

We found a greenhouse that let us sell flats of Spring flowers. Individuals from a school where it was normal to buy 1 thing would come in and spend $200 on a couple flats (and we might keep around 20%), plus a few hanging baskets and even planter pots that are pre-made. I'm in the North, groups also do sales for mum plants in the Fall if candles aren't exciting to the group. You would want to look up your growing seasons, and ask some places - some of our better deals came from places up to 30 miles away, so it doesn't have to be the shop down the street.

I'm pointing these out because while we had excellent participation in our elementary schools, I ended up the PTO president at our middle school... a school with about 800 kids and it was normal to have something like 20 of them even turn in their fundraiser forms in the previous years with the typical crap schools would send home. These ones would bring in 50 or so responses, and people were able to sell to other families, whereas the typical stuff we sent home was basically just parents buying from their own kids, which defeats this specific type of fundraising. We made a reasonable amount from the mug and bag sales fundraisers, but those were really kids selling to mom and dad only. The neighbor doesn't want an overpriced bag or school mug.


ETA- since these are all computer/science kids... I wonder if you could do a "hack a thon" or "code a thon" or something with the kids where they raise money by small donation- like when we run or jump rope or whatever... but something that is more fitting. Have the kids lock themselves in for a Saturday and code a roller coaster on roblox or something? They might be able to say what they have the skills to realistically pledge to do.

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

I'm in a smaller town and we've had similar issues come up. It's been circulating in the back of my mind, so just to give you a stronger sense of what we saw more participation from -
https://betterworldfundraising.com/yankee-candle-fundraiser/ - this is the yankee candle one, and running it in the fall helped so people get items before the holidays because they tend to sell a lot of highly giftable items.

We found a greenhouse that let us sell flats of Spring flowers. Individuals from a school where it was normal to buy 1 thing would come in and spend $200 on a couple flats (and we might keep around 20%), plus a few hanging baskets and even planter pots that are pre-made. I'm in the North, groups also do sales for mum plants in the Fall if candles aren't exciting to the group. You would want to look up your growing seasons, and ask some places - some of our better deals came from places up to 30 miles away, so it doesn't have to be the shop down the street.

I'm pointing these out because while we had excellent participation in our elementary schools, I ended up the PTO president at our middle school... a school with about 800 kids and it was normal to have something like 20 of them even turn in their fundraiser forms in the previous years with the typical crap schools would send home. These ones would bring in 50 or so responses, and people were able to sell to other families, whereas the typical stuff we sent home was basically just parents buying from their own kids, which defeats this specific type of fundraising. We made a reasonable amount from the mug and bag sales fundraisers, but those were really kids selling to mom and dad only. The neighbor doesn't want an overpriced bag or school mug.


ETA- since these are all computer/science kids... I wonder if you could do a "hack a thon" or "code a thon" or something with the kids where they raise money by small donation- like when we run or jump rope or whatever... but something that is more fitting. Have the kids lock themselves in for a Saturday and code a roller coaster on roblox or something? They might be able to say what they have the skills to realistically pledge to do.

I have never heard of the "hack-a-thon" idea, but that is brilliant! This has opened a whole new spectrum of fundraising ideas. Thank you so much!

 

[Cfabar1]

Finally got the pricing for youth meal certificates.

Does anyone have any experience using these? or what's the best way to use these?

Yes have done these many times.

The nice thing is all the work is taken out of it for you

Make sure you find the locations that accept it. Sometimes CMs need to work with each other if they aren’t used to seeing them - this happens more at the resorts and Disney springs.

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

Yes have done these many times.

The nice thing is all the work is taken out of it for you

Make sure you find the locations that accept it. Sometimes CMs need to work with each other if they aren’t used to seeing them - this happens more at the resorts and Disney springs.

What is the best way to get the most out of these? We're considering buying them for the kids to help out with the costs, but we want to make sure they're worth it.

 

[Cfabar1]

What is the best way to get the most out of these? We're considering buying them for the kids to help out with the costs, but we want to make sure they're worth it.

Look at the most expensive items on the menu and order them.

Honestly, I think you can sometimes end up way ahead, sometimes end up breaking even, and sometimes end up losing money...

However, my thought when I did group travel was that the convenience outweighed the cost. It helped in a few ways:
1. It ensured that everyone had to eat at the same type of establishment, and made it easy for chaperones, no having to hold onto money, no needing to worry what if a kid lost their gift card, etc.
2. We also always bought extras - raised the cost of the trip a little bit, but once again made things much easier.
3.They can be used in so many venues - so if you change parks, if you go to Disney Springs, that would be great. We never stayed at the All Stars with them so I don't know how that goes.

Every time you travel, and the groups you travel with there is that intersection between cost and convenience. I think with kids sometimes the marginal cost increase is well worth it... I found the certificates to be money WELL spent... it takes the guesswork out of budgeting for families, it makes it easier for the chaperones, and ensures the kids all get the meals they need and that they are spending their food money on food, and makes families feel like the cost is "included" and if they want to get a snack in every country at EPCOT that's on them.

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

Look at the most expensive items on the menu and order them.

Honestly, I think you can sometimes end up way ahead, sometimes end up breaking even, and sometimes end up losing money...

However, my thought when I did group travel was that the convenience outweighed the cost. It helped in a few ways:
1. It ensured that everyone had to eat at the same type of establishment, and made it easy for chaperones, no having to hold onto money, no needing to worry what if a kid lost their gift card, etc.
2. We also always bought extras - raised the cost of the trip a little bit, but once again made things much easier.
3.They can be used in so many venues - so if you change parks, if you go to Disney Springs, that would be great. We never stayed at the All Stars with them so I don't know how that goes.

Every time you travel, and the groups you travel with there is that intersection between cost and convenience. I think with kids sometimes the marginal cost increase is well worth it... I found the certificates to be money WELL spent... it takes the guesswork out of budgeting for families, it makes it easier for the chaperones, and ensures the kids all get the meals they need and that they are spending their food money on food, and makes families feel like the cost is "included" and if they want to get a snack in every country at EPCOT that's on them.

I know the certificates work at all of the food courts at the All Stars, but I don't think we will often be at the resorts during peak meal times. I really like the idea of students being able to get "whatever they want" (as long as it falls under the 1 meal, 1 side, 1 drink/1 combo + drink deal).

We have a lot of kids that have never been so the original price was focused on us being able to stay at POP!, but when the prices came in, we couldn't afford it at the original quoted price. We the chaperones are also fundraising to cover the costs of the bus to help alleviate the costs for the students as well. I think the parents would also be willing to pay about $150-200 more as well to cover all of their meals on the trip.

Thank you!!

 

[first*toright]

Just chiming in on fundraising - in our schools we've found we do a lot better with fundraisers that are more direct (a big one was a fun-run, but something like a code-a-thon or other STEM challenge might be appropriate here) where kids just ask for people to sponsor them, rather than selling items. The fundraiser company keeps so much of the selling price - someone spends $50 to give the kids $20 or $25 at best. Better to ask for sponsorships and then virtually all of the donations actually benefit the kids.

 

[disneynicole325]

Wow, this is so cool! I didn't know trips like these existed.

 

[Cfabar1]

Wow, this is so cool! I didn't know trips like these existed.

They do. For so many different ages and groups. There is also a Disney corporate institute as well. Many people can get their employers to fund their attendance at the workshop. I’m not sure how beneficial it is, as I have not attended it.

The student ones are a mixed bag and the experience can vary wildly based on the presenter.

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

Just chiming in on fundraising - in our schools we've found we do a lot better with fundraisers that are more direct (a big one was a fun-run, but something like a code-a-thon or other STEM challenge might be appropriate here) where kids just ask for people to sponsor them, rather than selling items. The fundraiser company keeps so much of the selling price - someone spends $50 to give the kids $20 or $25 at best. Better to ask for sponsorships and then virtually all of the donations actually benefit the kids.

I really thought I had replied to this, but it may have been flagged and removed.

We did a walk-a-thon a few weeks ago, and I think the students averaged about $170-175 each (about 22% of total package). It was great and easy to prepare.

However, I'm not entirely sure how to setup a "Code-a-thon". I'm all EARS (pun intended) if anyone has any suggestions.

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

Wow, this is so cool! I didn't know trips like these existed.

My first year working at this school, we did something similar at Universal. We went three days in the parks and ended with a behind-the-scenes look at the Mummy (Science Club) and the Jimmy Fallon show (Digital Media). Needless to say, I didn't have field trips like this when I was younger so I jumped at the opportunity to chaperone!

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

There are apparently now FOUR categories for ticket prices: "Value, Regular, Moderate, Peak" Seasons.

Of course we're going during the most expensive part of the year.

 

[Cfabar1]

There are apparently now FOUR categories for ticket prices: "Value, Regular, Moderate, Peak" Seasons.

Of course we're going during the most expensive part of the year.

Always seems to be that way! Good luck!

 

[Walker_Adventurer]

Thank you!

Rooms $197/night for 5 nights
Tickets $395 for 4-day 1-park-per-day

Day 1: Travel down and Disney Springs
Day 2: Hollywood Studios
Day 3: Animal Kingdom
Day 4: EPCOT (Workshop)
Day 5: Magic Kingdom
Day 6: Sadly drive back home