Free Dining Oct-Dec Is Here!!! (And a whole lot more) ~ Part 3

[mrsranger2131]

This may sound odd, but I am glad to see some other middle school parents taking their kids out. We are going in December and my daughter is starting middle school - 6th grade. I was a bit nervous - with band and harder classes - but I figure it is only going to get harder. I have wanted to take a Christmas trip all my life, but wanted to wait until my youngest - who suffers from an odd growth disorder - was tall enought to enjoy everything. I am seeing some good ideas for notes to teachers.

 

[TDDisney]

This may sound odd, but I am glad to see some other middle school parents taking their kids out. We are going in December and my daughter is starting middle school - 6th grade. I was a bit nervous - with band and harder classes - but I figure it is only going to get harder. I have wanted to take a Christmas trip all my life, but wanted to wait until my youngest - who suffers from an odd growth disorder - was tall enought to enjoy everything. I am seeing some good ideas for notes to teachers.

Again, I am a teacher. If any school district denied our request, I would have lots of "defense".....Schools should recognize that children should be well rounded individuals, learning doesn't begin and end at the school doors, parents and teachers should be partners in education, life experiences help build background knowlede that helps students excel in the classroom....and, seriously, what is the child going to miss from school in those few days that he/she will never learn in life bc of the Disney trip? (nothing)....what would the child never experience by skipping a Disney trip (lots!).

 

[jska482]

Sorry if there is a better place to post this...but I'm confused. Fast pass? Fast pass+? Magic band? I have an option in MDE to request the magic bands, but the deadline is 8/31!! If I request these, can I still use the traditional fast pass? Any opinions on fast pass+ ?

 

[KathieSmallwood]

YAY! Got my California grill reservation at 5:45 this morning! Trip is all set.

 

[scard192]

Touring Plans Crowd calendar has all the days of our trip posted now. We will be at the parks 6 days: 3 days 4/10, 1 day each @ 1/10, 2/10, 3/10.
Your first visit has our week at a 2!

 

[plutospalforever]

Sorry if there is a better place to post this...but I'm confused. Fast pass? Fast pass+? Magic band? I have an option in MDE to request the magic bands, but the deadline is 8/31!! If I request these, can I still use the traditional fast pass? Any opinions on fast pass+ ?

I do know you do not have to use MagicBands, you can choose to have cards instead. I am not certain, as this is all new and only a trial, but I think you will get the cards when you check in to resort. Theoretically, it is either cards or MBs, but because the MBs are a trial and can have glitches, cards may also be issued if there are consistent problems with the MBs; for example not being able to access one aspect or more of the MB :unlocking room, FP+ service not working, etc.

Also, it sounded like, at least when I accessed my bands, that if I did not customize them, they were going to be shipped to my house regardless, but they would be all grey with no names.

With FP+, I don't know if it is a benefit or otherwise, but you are allowed to reserve up to 3 FP per person per day in the SAME park.

It is all soooo new and I expect there will be more changes/modifications as time goes on. Confusing and crazy!

 

[xipotec]

Fyi California grill is open for ADR!

 

[plutospalforever]

This may sound odd, but I am glad to see some other middle school parents taking their kids out. We are going in December and my daughter is starting middle school - 6th grade. I was a bit nervous - with band and harder classes - but I figure it is only going to get harder. I have wanted to take a Christmas trip all my life, but wanted to wait until my youngest - who suffers from an odd growth disorder - was tall enought to enjoy everything. I am seeing some good ideas for notes to teachers.

Have a wonderful Disney Christmas!!! My oldest is in seventh grade, and like you, we figured why not this year?? Things are only going to get busier and harder. I was only nervous because at school registration we were notified of new attendance policy: you have to "request" absence from principal, and he is determine if it is excused on unexcused. If unexcused, automatic 15% reduction on all assignments. I submitted my letters to principals, teachers and coaches, and first thing the very next morning, the principal calls offering well wishes and that his absence would be excused.

Life is short! In my oldest son's young life, he has already had 4 separate classmates/team mates, that have lost a parent. Treasure every moment!

 

[babydoll65]

Could someone please tell me how to go about this. We're staying at por 11/11-11/17 with a ro on the 10th. My mother will be using a scooter (70 yrs young) and I'm sure we will have the option of using magic bands. When I took her last year she needed a scooter then and it was her first time and I noticed every time I had a fp for a ride they had us go to a different enterance because of she disability that we got on the ride but didn't bother with our fp. If I get the magic bands and setup all these fps how does that work. Am I going to go crazy trying to set all these up just to be led to another entrance and have them not bother with it. magic bands or no magic bands?

 

[HBGdancermom]

My kids were just complaining about how they don't want to start school next week. Than I told them....the sooner you start school the sooner we go to Disney. Their tune changed than. Lol

Good strategy!!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Not too much longer before I'm in single digit countdown mode, too. Can't wait - I am so excited about this trip. I've had my suitcase all packed (other than last minute stuff) for almost a month now! LOL

Btw, Joe, your live updates will be cool; but your *love* updates could be really interesting, too (says the single lady with no date or love life) /sigh

Whoop Sylkie!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Touring Plans Crowd calendar has all the days of our trip posted now. We will be at the parks 6 days: 3 days 4/10, 1 day each @ 1/10, 2/10, 3/10.
Your first visit has our week at a 2!

Nice!!!

 

[Sylkie31]

I have my park bag packed, that's it. And that's been an ongoing thing since we booked last October. I want to pack our suitcases so bad but we still need our clothes that I'd pack lol

On a side note....I don't know where you live but I have a single brother lol

North Carolina here - sadly, unless you're a lot older than I think you are, I am probably too old for your brother. I've been a widow since I was 32 - and that was back in 1984 (do the math - lol).

 

[Sylkie31]

This may sound odd, but I am glad to see some other middle school parents taking their kids out. We are going in December and my daughter is starting middle school - 6th grade. I was a bit nervous - with band and harder classes - but I figure it is only going to get harder. I have wanted to take a Christmas trip all my life, but wanted to wait until my youngest - who suffers from an odd growth disorder - was tall enought to enjoy everything. I am seeing some good ideas for notes to teachers.

The school system around here (Raleigh, NC area) have a policy that if you miss more than 4 days during a 9-week grading period, you will automatically get an 'F' for that 9 weeks regardless of your GPA unless ALL of your absences are excused (i.e. doctor's notes and/or pre-approved other reasons). My son & his family would have loved to come with us (DD & her family + me) this year, but they'd have to take the kids out of school at least 2 days. As long as my older DGS didn't get sick during that grading pd, he'd be okay, but if he did ... am very disappointed that they won't be able to be there, but hopefully we'll be able to arrange something so we can all go sometime.

 

[AMateus]

78 Days till Disney!

 

[plutospalforever]

Apparently the word on the street is, if you're doing a MB trial, you also get KTTW cards at this time

 

[xipotec]

There's a light at the end of the tunnel! My husband asked me when I was planning on telling the kids teachers/principals about our trip. I told him ill be sending all of them emails the first week of school.

We do not tell them anymore. It makes no difference anyway. We still get the same warning letter and the teachers do not bother to give the work out ahead.

We will only miss 4 days due to veterans day anyway

 

[jebpompano]

I do like that my info is on the band if my kid gets lost! Parents worst fear!
I hope they sell something that looks like a band then, a "dummy" non-magic band or something, for the younger crowd. DD will be 2.5 so old enough to know she is missing something! But certainly won't pay $100 for it! Would be nice to have info on it though!

As far as I know, under 3 does get a magic band. I spoke with a few people when I called yesterday and they said definitely yes. I already customized my 2 year old's band, so I guess they were right! So happy!

 

[ALD85]

I THOUGHT I wanted pink, now I just don't know! Disney world problems.

 

[plutospalforever]

As far as I know, under 3 does get a magic band. I spoke with a few people when I called yesterday and they said definitely yes. I already customized my 2 year old's band, so I guess they were right! So happy!

My phone app version said my 1 yo was eligible, but would get grey only with name. The WDW website version, said not eligible at all and could not customize anything. I just got my box of MBs and no band for my almost 2 yo