High School bands that have marched at Magic Kingdom

[Tuffcookie]

Okay, I have another question: I got an e-mail from the travel agent saying he was open to trying to get us in the MK parade at 3:00. However, he stated we will only be there 3 days. One day the band will play, the next day they will have a workshop. His concern is if we book the parade also, in addition to the other 2 events, the kids will not be happy having that cut into their park time.

Is the workshop really that necessary? Do you think it would be better for the kids to participate in the workshop or march at MK? I'm thinking the marching at MK would be more fun. should I suggest to the travel agent they do the performance at Magic Music days and the MK parade and drop the workshop?

TC

 

[klj27]

Our planners cut out the workshop. It is my understanding that you have to pay extra for the workshop and they thought the kids would like marching more than a clinic.

 

[marcyinPA]

My sons HS band is going to WDW in the Spring 2011. Not sure what month yet. I haven't got all the details. They've marched down Main St. many times before, last time being about six years ago in February. They stayed at All Star Music. The day that they were supposed to return home, they couldn't fly into any airport in the NE because of a huge snowstorm. They were stuck in Orlando for two additional nights, at Coronado Springs. Unfortunately, they were unable to visit the parks and were pretty much confined to the resort. Plus, about half the band ended up with a stomach virus. Fun trip, I heard!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We have gone twice and did not do the workshop. It is not required. Both times, we drove 26hours each way, a day at each park, and a day at DTD. I would not recommend using a travel agent.

Please note that the process to be in the parade is very intense with exact measurements, video taping, music taping, etc.. These are things that a travel agent can not do, it really needs to be done by the band leader/manager. Take a little time to look over the application and the requirements.

Plus as we were told, there is never a guarantee that you will get assigned the parade at MK. Someone who may be a little closer to that part of the process might be able to explain it better.

 

[disneydentist]

However, he stated we will only be there 3 days. One day the band will play, the next day they will have a workshop. His concern is if we book the parade also, in addition to the other 2 events, the kids will not be happy having that cut into their park time.

Is the workshop really that necessary? Do you think it would be better for the kids to participate in the workshop or march at MK? I'm thinking the marching at MK would be more fun. should I suggest to the travel agent they do the performance at Magic Music days and the MK parade and drop the workshop?

TC

Some thoughts from having done two band trips in the past six years:

1. If marching is what everyone wants then drop the other performance and keep the workshop. Performing in the parade is still part of Magic Music Days.

2. You band director needs to send in information for consideration for the parade. This will include recent video. You can request particular days to perform during your planned trip but there is no guarantee. The sooner you get it in the better.

3. Make sure what you are getting in tickets. They are nicely discounted but don't pay for park-hopping or water parks if you don't want/need them.

4. The travel company will likely offer one "free" trip for so many paying students. Only our band director and band front advisor went for free. We took the "free" trips, charged people for them and used that money to make everyone's trip cost lower.

5. I'll politely disagree with the PP who said students will veto getting up early. They don't get a vote. Get them up and out early. I can go along with no later than 11:00 for getting back to the resort.

6. On-site vs off. Have done both. Pesonally, like on-site better. Could get our band and chaperones (150+ people) onto two Disney busses. Potential is there for kids going back to the resort. Check in a couple of times a day will offset this.

7. You said three days. Does this include your arrival day? If not, then what are you doing that day?

8. Disney offers prepaid gift cards that can only be used for food and beverage. We gave each student/chaperone enough for two meals per day unless we provided a different dinner (see below).

Short version of our last trip:

Day 1. Fly to MCO. Check in at resort. Downtown Disney. Rainforest for dinner. Back to resort. Change. Cirque du Soleil.

Day 2. MK. With parade.

Day 3. Epcot with workshop.

Day 4. Animal Kingdom. Hoop-Dee-Do for dinner.

Day 5. MGM.

Day 6. Fly home.

Hopefully this helps a little. Any other questions, just ask.

 

[Tuffcookie]

disneydentist,

The trip is slated for April 4-9, 2011. (Leaving home on April 4th, leaving to come home April 8th). They are traveling by bus so April 4 & 8th they would be sleeping on the bus. (I would be flying and staying on-site. My son graduates this year and I would be going as an observer/photographer.) They would be in a hotel April 5, 6,& 7.

The travel agency has chosen Country Inn & suites, 4 miles from WDW. They would have free continental breakfast there.

I like your suggestion that they do the workshop and then march in the MK parade!

The travel agency is very non specific about the meals included. They only state on their information sheet that there will be a variety of buffet, fast food, plated and/or pre-selected menus per the itinerary.

I think it would be nice if they could do Hoop de Doo or Cirque du Soleil.

Our band parents were quoted the following prices for staying off site and everything included:

For 120 passengers 4 to a room-$779 per person, 3 to a room-$804, 2 to a room-$855, and single in a room-$1,007.00

Does that sound like a reasonable amount for everything inclusive?

Thanks for your input!

TC

 

[daemom]

Our HS Band went two years ago. Our travel agent completed the application but we had to provide him pictures with our uniforms and a current DVD of our band performing. We stayed at AS Music--with night time guards. SO worth the extra money since all rooms open outside. The guards added $5 to each person's trip total--as a chaperone it was worth 10 times that! Meal allowances--we had a coupon to use in the AS Music food court--entree and drink. we also were given a $15 meal card to use in the parks. It could be used at the small vendors or any eatery. We went to LaNouba--so great for band students! We were able to march the nighttime parade and "open" for Spectromagic. My son still says that this was the highlight of his high school band career! He said that while they were behind the gate, waiting to come out, that he could "feel" the vibration of the excitement on Main Street!!! It was a tiring, but truly wonderful trip! (Much better than the Universal trip we just returned from, but that's another thread) Have a great time!!

 

[Greyhound22]

Awesome experience, our band goes every 4 years. Pic is from this Spring Break.

 

[Sean's momma]

My high school marching band went back in 2001 at DL. It was a great experience. We, unlike most of the posts i read, stayed in a high school gym and slept on the floor. It saved a lot of money for all of us. We all flew from seattle to LA on alaska and spent 1 day in DL and i think 4 days in general including a marching band competition. I think the total cost for each person was around $300. I wish they had the fast pass when we went as not many people got pictures. But it was such an honor and one of my most memorable moments from high school.

 

[disneydentist]

Tuffcookie,

If I remeber correctly we charged $1050 per person for the quad rooms. That included busses to and from our local airport and airfare plus what I detailed above. It also covered the cost of our equiplment truck to get everything to Florida. This was at All-Star Music.

What we did was get quotes from two agencies and get two quotes form each, on- and off-site. This gives you a better feelling for costs.

I'd want more specifics on meals than you seem to be getting.

With four days in Florida you can do one park each day and use the evening of your Animal Kingdom day (assuming it's not your last) for either DTD/Cirque or Hoop-Dee-Doo. Our kids liked Cirque but they loved HDDR.

 

[Tuffcookie]

disneydentist, I agree with wanting more specifics from the travel agent. When I read that about the meals, I was a little concerned! I sent an e-mail off to him asking for a breakdown of all the expenses, per person, involved with the trip. I suggested Cirque du Soleil or Hoop de Doo so I'll have to see what he says about that.

I'm trying to not come across as a know it all. I don't want to ruffle any feathers but I want to make sure the school & the kids get their money's worth!

I really appreciate your suggestions!

TC

 

[disneydentist]

Don't be surprised if they won't detail the expenses. Then you'd be able to see how much they are making. It's a nice chunk of change per person.

I also wouldn't ask the TA any questions outside of a meeting unless I had cleared it with the band director.

You might want to have a sit-down with the director and discuss your concerns. Has the director ever done a Disney trip before? Roookies tend to go along with the TA's advice.

 

[Tuffcookie]

No, our school has never done the Disney trip before.

I am letting the band director in on every correspondence I have with the travel agent.

Thanks, again for your help!

TC

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Our trip this year was from April 17 - April 24. Cost was $629.00 per girl in a 4 girl room, second girl from a family was $378.00. Chaperones were $778.00 and were two per room.

Included:

3 buses from bus company that stayed with us the whole trip.
5 nights in the hotel
4 days in the parks
4 day hopper passes
breakfast everyday
dinner theatre on Sunday Night
hotel reception provided by the hotel
Pool party at the hotel one evening

We left on Saturday morning and drove through the night. Arrived in Florida Sunday morning, went to Mass, then over to the hotel. Checked into the hotel. The hotel had a reception for us with light finger foods that was our "lunch". We went to Capone's Dinner theatre in the evening.

Monday: performed at the Magic Kingdom for the parade. Late breakfast was provided, children paid for their dinners.

Tuesday: Epcot day. Breakfast provided, the students were responsible for lunch and dinner.

Wednesday: MGM day, same as above, hopped to Magic Kingdom which was open later

Thursday: Animal Kingdom til 3pm. The band performed at the hotel for Alumni, there was a catered pool party for the students (so breakfast and dinner was provided)

Friday: Breakfast provided, pool time, DTD, then headed home.

Our bus ride was 26 hours. The busses stopped every 2-3 hours if it was just a restroom break and also for all meals. The meals were at area's with a few choices of restaurants, meals were at students costs.

Hope this helps.

 

[bobcat]

Our band went thru a travel agency for our Christmas '08 trip and initially I was worried. Everything went so smoothly and we had a great tour guide. We stayed off site at a newly renovated Holiday Inn on I-drive and my only complaint was the free breakfast buffet they provided for us was horrible. It was so bad even the teenage boys wouldn't eat it! I would stay here again.

We did 3 days in the parks. MGM our arrival day, MK and marched before the 3pm parade, Cocoa Beach which the kids loved and DTD that night, and the last day AK in the morning and Epcot in the evening. We had a catered dinner at Jetty Park at Cocoa Beach and it was a great time.

It was a fun, but interesting trip, and I will go back with DS in a couple of years when they march again. Our new band director is a Disney fan and is planning his own trip without a tour company.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Bobcat!!!

I've been looking for you!!!

I have lots of questions about your school's trip.

I will leave you a pm with my phone number!

TC