Has your band ever marched at Disney?

[Disneyfanatic01]

My High School Choir went in 1997, not band though. We stayed off property and bussed in with our coach busses each day. (Concert Choir sang at American Adventure and Jazz Choir sang at Cosmic Rays!) I am not sure exactly which hotel we stayed at, but it was nice with a nice pool and rooms! We took a side trip to Cocoa Beach one day and everyone had a great time swimming in the ocean, I got totally sun burnt!

As part of our trip, we also got the meal vouchers while at the Disney parks (I think we only did MK and Epcot!). One of my friends and I shared meals so that we could get more value out of them. I think that we actually ended up not using one of them!

In hindsight, I wish that we had stayed at one of the All-Stars! We have stayed there when there has been a lot of "groups" (cheerleading, etc...) staying there.

HTH and good luck with the planning!

Korey

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Our high school band has marched in WDW twice. Both times were in May just before school was out for the year. We made our arrangements thru Disney Magic Music Days and we stayed at the All Star Music both times. We marched in the Magic Kingdom afternoon parade. We flew the band down from Pittsburgh Pa. and had two chaperones drive a rental van with the uniforms and instruments. We stayed 3 nights and took a side trip to Medieval Times dinner show. (The kids loved that!!!) We purchased meal vouchers for the kids meals and we had them check in twice a day with the chaperones who took turns "stationed" in each of the parks.

We have a great bunch of kids and never had any troubles on either of our trips!

Have fun with the planning. If I can help at all by answering any questions, I would be happy to. Just send me a PM. Have fun!!!

 

[kmgl78]

My daughter left this morning with her marching band. They will be staying at the All Star Music the 9th-13th. They will spend 2-3 hours on Thursday at an instrumental workshop at Epcot and will march in the parade at Magic Kingdom on Saturday. Other than those two band activities the rest of the time will be spent in all four theme parks.

There is one chaperone assigned to every four students. Safety is the main issue. The students must stay with the chaperone on the way to and from the park each day on Disney transportation, but while in the park, can explore on their own. Chaperones will be at designated places in the park so that the students can come to them with problems etc. Also the chaperone assigned to each group makes sure they are in their rooms by curfew each night. In addition certain chaperones will take turns staying up all night in the hallways so that no student can leave their room during the night.

We used All World Travel, Inc. (based in Texas) for this trip. Included: plane tickets, four nights stay at All Star Music, park hopper for all four parks, four breakfasts at All Star, four meal vouchers to use for lunch or dinner at the parks, one dinner at Planet Hollywood, transportation to and from the airport, Disney transportation to parks, truck to carry instruments and luggage to and from the airport, music workshop, t-shirt for marching in the parade. The cost was about $800 per student. The students only had to take additional money for about 5 meals and souvenirs.

We had about 150 going (including students and adults) and I don't think I would attempt such a thing without the help of the travel company unless you have a much smaller group. Just the logistics of getting all the instruments and uniforms where they need to be is a lot of work.

I hope this helps.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Yes. To help you with your planning

1) Make plans to/from school to airport.
2) Call airlines ("Group Travel") for rates, usually REALLY good,
3) Call WDW ("Group Sales") with the number of attendees.
4) WDW can make all the arrangements for you.
5) The big factor is fund raising.
6) Fund raise.
7) Fund raise.
8) Fund raise.
9) When you think you are done, fund raise some more.

 

[lwilliam]

Our high school band and show choir performed last March in
the MK. We stayed at All Star Music. We have gone to Disney
at least twice a year since our kids were born (from PA) and
what a thrill that was to see our son perform in the show choir
in Tomorrowland and then watch the parade march down Main
Street - so many parents were there - it was the best time (even though we are not used to staying at All Star Resort, it was
fine for the time we were there - 4 days). I believe it was
arranged with a travel agent and Disney Magic Music Days.
It was great when one of the kids called home to their parents
and found out our school was closed due to snow and ice and
we were having a ball in sunny Florida!

 

[Nicoal13]

My high school band marches in Magic Music Days every 4 years.

I went in 1996 as a junior in high school. I have lots of great memories of the trip. It was also my first trip to WDW.

We marched down Main Street and we also performed at Busch Gardens.

I loved being behind the scenes and using our special door by PoC.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Yes around 1978, but we stayed offsite and I don't remember where. Have fun!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

We are going in 2 weeks. Our band isn't a marching band, we play at the MK.

We are staying at the ASMusic. No price break for a group, but we did get tax exempt status which saved the 12 percent tax.

The group tickets prices are amazing. We have 4 day park hoppers with one plus.

Our group is also doing the workshop at Epcot. The band went a few years ago and said it was excellent.

We bought two meal vouchers ($10.50) per day for each student. This way they are sure to get something to eat even if they spend all their money the first day.

We have a truck driving down with the instruments and the luggage so we don't have to deal with that.

Our school is letting us use the buses to get to the airport.

We didn't get a great fare (USAirways). Hopefully your market is better than ours!

If you have any questions let me know. I helped out with the fundraising and have been involved in the planing a bit.

PS - our band director said it was easier to plan this time around NOT using a travel agent; he used one 2 years ago when they went.

 

[puffkin]

We marched in March 1996. I fondly remember that trip and all the fun we had. It was my first time to WDW ever (and the only reason I stayed in the band was to go on the trip!).

I have some suggestions:

- I wouldn't stay on site. It is too easy for the kids to get around on their own. We stayed somewhere on International Drive and had to bussed everywhere, but at least no one could go missing as easily.

- Plan at least 1 day at a waterpark and some time at Downtown Disney. Teenagers and waterparks and shopping are a match made in heaven!

-Our best day of the whole trip was the day we hung out by the pool and the hotel brought in pizza and ice cream for us.

Happy planning, just remember to fundraise, fundraise, fundraise!

 

[10drum]

DD"s HS band performed at Epcot April 03'. They stayed at Howard Johnson, Main Gate East.

A school band travel agent arranged everything(don't know their name).

They took 2 busses, from Illinois and drove all night, went to MGM 1st day, MK 2nd day, Coa coa beach the 3rd day, and Performed at Epcot the 4th day, left that evening,and drove back all nite.

Total cost was arround $500/student.

It was the weekend before Easter and was crowded, but they had fun anyway.

 

[Amy]

Our high school marching band is just waiting for the school board to approve a trip to WDW - the band director is telling the kids that they're going during Spring Break 2005. I already volunteered to be on the planning committee once we get the go-ahead. Can't wait!

 

[jimmiej]

I took my HS band in March of '95 (see below to see where we stayed). I was the head band director. We didn't march. We played a concert in the Magic Kingdom. Worked out great!

Our HS band where I'm a middle school director now has been several times. Both my DDs went. They always stay in Kissimmee. They're planning to go again in '06. I could go with them, but we always seem to be going the same years as a family, so I just stay home.

 

[Banzai]

Our school band goes every four years. 2004-2005 is a Disney year, those lucky dogs!

 

[ahilly]

Kitty

Where in Mid-Michigan? My best friend's DS's high school band (Marysville High School) just went down right before spring break. I know they stayed at one of the non-disney hotels at DTD and took their own bus in everyday. I'm sure if you asked they would be happy to help you w/anything. Let me know if you would like names & telephone #'s.

Ahilly

 

[nannon16]

I was on the drill team for my high school's band and we marched in the Magic Kingdom parade my senior year (1996) - it had to be one of the most amazing things I ever remember about high school! It was really fun to go to Disney a month before graduation with all my friends. And being in the parade speaks for itself!!! Plus it was neat to see some of the "backstage" stuff you normally don't see, like the floats being prepared and some characters only in half costume (it's really funny to see Pluto walking around without the head part of the costume ) If a group has the oportunity to do this definately don't pass it up!!! We did stay offsight, but even so it was a great experience.

 

[snowiit]

I went as a chaperone with my daughter high school choir/band groups last March. We stayed at the Radison Barcello on International drive. We took 6 coach buses down and they carted us around. We marched one night at MGM for the competiton for the Orlando International Music festival. The other competitions were at Valencia college. They also marched down main street at the MK which was wonderful. Jazz band performed at Cosmic Rays, and the girls and combo show choirs performed at the stage in Tomorrowland. We had such a great time. They added extra $$ to the cost to make sure they could give the kids money to eat with as they were getting off the bus each stop to eat. They also were given a meal vouched each day for a meal in the parks. We booked through a travel agent that specializes in trips like this. I believe it was Rodgers travel? The hotel also had the kids eat a buffet breakfast in the conference rooms at the hotel in the morning which was nice and we always ended breakfast with a quick overview of that days activities. Oh, and by the way, the awards ceremony was at the Theater of the Stars (Beauty and the Beast Theater) and we took home 13 tropheys! Grand champions too. It was wonderful.

 

[Ashes8380]

Hey! My high school band marched in the Magic Kingdom every other year, the first two years they went was when I was in 9th and 11th grades. The first year we were in the afternoon parade at MK, the next time we were started the nightime parade, talk about magic! We stayed at All Star Music, and it was great! Try to stay onsite! Makes it much easier to do more things in a short amount of time (we were only there for 4 days!) Good Luck!

 

[marcyinPA]

This probably won't help you plan much....but my band (me included!) marched in DisneyLand in 1983....we also marched in Knotts Berry Farm, and the Rose Parade. I didn't appreciate it at the time (typical ninth grader....with an attitude! LOL) but now as an adult I realize what a cool opportunity that was and not every teen has a chance to do that!

Our high school band still travels, but now they go to Ireland every 4 years. Not exactly Disney, but a great trip!!

 

[Kitty 34]

I just want to thank you all for the wonderful replies and helpful information!! I have written tons of notes from this thread which I will share with my band director soon.

If anyone else has any marching experiences please feel free to share!!! It sounds like it can be an exciting trip......once it's ALL planned!!!!

 

[DisneyMim]

Our HS band goes to WDW every 1-2 years and stays on-site, usually at a mod and sometimes at All Stars. I've seen them 2X and they looked so great!!! It figures that the one and only year my daughter was in it they didn't go. Oh well, we were there anyway! They usually go during April vacation.