HELP!! Marching Band trip over Christmas Holidays

[rcraw45425]

I don't have much info yet (and I'm booster VP,lol) but our high school marching band is planning on playing the Champs Bowl in Orlando on Dec. 28. We are supposed to arrive sometime on the 26th and I've been told by the band director that we'll have two days in the parks, and a day at Cocoa Beach. Return home early morning hours of the 30th. We have always stayed onsite as a family, but I'm pretty sure that this trip will be in an offsite hotel. I'm guessing that the FOTL for purchase is imperative during this time and probably pretty pricey. Is it unlimited like the onsite version, or are you limited? Hate to say it but I'm not really looking forward to this! I'm tempted to not chaparone and get my own room onsite! Will the parks stay open later, our experience has been closings of before 8PM nightly but we've never been there over Christmas.

 

[ZYanksRule]

You can buy the unlimited express pass, it's obviously more expensive than the limited one (which is one express ride, per ride, per day), but worth it during the really busy days.

 

[mydisneykids]

Very funny, you sound like us.
Our daughter did the Marching band trip a few years ago during April Break. It was crazy then with the crowds over Easter.
But we just found out she will be singing in the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT on Dec. 28th They will be staying offsite.
We have already talked to her choir instructor. They are flying down on the 26th. Airfare is half the price on the 25th and we are a family of 5 wanting to watch her perform. We are flying down on the 25th and staying at the Hard Rock that night. We will get up early on the 26 and tour the parks and get in early for Harry Potter. When her group gets to Universal(due in around 2:00 p.m.) she will go join them for the remainder of the trip. We will then move to our Disney timeshare hotel and spend the rest of the time there.
I can say that this is not the week that I would want to chaparone. We will enjoy seeing her perform, but they are not going to be getting to the parks until early afternoon most days because of workshops and at that time of year it will make touring very difficult.
I am planning on crazy crowds but think it will be worth it to see her sing in the candlelight processional.
I would not even think about going during the holiday week without buying the express pass or staying onsite, though.
Good Luck!!!!

 

[Metro West]

You can buy the unlimited express pass, it's obviously more expensive than the limited one (which is one express ride, per ride, per day), but worth it during the really busy days.

The only unlimited Express Plus pass available for purchase is part of the VIP ticket. The VIP ticket includes park admission and unlimited Express...just as though you were staying onsite.

The Express Plus pass is definitely required for the week after Christmas but is limited to a single time through the line.

 

[rcraw45425]

The only unlimited Express Plus pass available for purchase is part of the VIP ticket. The VIP ticket includes park admission and unlimited Express...just as though you were staying onsite.

The Express Plus pass is definitely required for the week after Christmas but is limited to a single time through the line.

Dang, that's what I thought. I really leaning more towards just driving down on my own and getting a room at PBH for the family, then hooking up with them during the day. I have a voucher from PBH for one night water view to make up for problems we had with our February stay there, so that would help, along with fotl priviledges. I just don't know right now. Free would be nice, but I'm not a fan of offsite!