How old do you have to be to stay?

[Disneydenise]

Well DD went to her first week of college on Saturday and called home last night crying. She has a fall break and we have already planned to go to the Poly for 5 days. Tickets bought etc. She will not be able to go she thinks because she can't really miss class and we are flying out at 8 on the one night that she has a class until 9:30. I got the last flight. So to stop the tears I said maybe she and a friend could go to WDW for spring break. I would never let her go to one of the other spring break places. Idon't care how old she is. If she goes to Disney I know she won't have a car and she can't go crazy. I don't think she would but none the less I want assurance that she will be able to go to the All Stars and stay. She is an adult but she can't rent a car. A very good thing. I think that the types of friends she has they will be silly and have a great time but not nuts and annoying. Does Disney have any rules about the ages of the guest checking in?

 

[eeyore0062]

They would have to be 18 years old to stay.

I don't understand why she can't miss that one class to fly out with her family? All she needs to say is that has to leave due to family business, and show that the flight has been paid for, and is unrefundable---if the professor can't understand that, she could always drop the class before drop/add is over, and get the money refunded for it. There are ways around it... but I guess being new at the college scene, she may not have figured that out. Good luck to her, and I hope that you are able to work it out.

 

[Megan]

My friend and I went to Disney when we were 19 and we had no problem checking into the hotel. Megan

 

[lilboo]

I don't understand why she can't miss that one class to fly out with her family?

I agree-I'm not sure what block of days you are going this fall but did you say it was a fall break? I'm assuming that that's a four- day Columbus Day wknd or something that you're referring to...

At any rate, most students on the cusp of a school break may be forced to have to miss a class because of travel restrictions.Students are always given the syllabus- she can xerox her readings, make her apologies to the Prof, and most likely be given the go-ahead.

Good luck-I hope she gets to go.

 

[minnie my my]

My sister and I went when I was 19 and she was 14. I actually looked 14 at the time and had no problem checking in. They never even asked for an id. Since she is 18 she should have no problem. But I agree that she may want to ask her professor about missing that 1 class. Sometimes professors can be intimidating. I found that when I was really nice about it my professors were usually accomodating. She may want to give it a try.

 

[Jeanne]

On my honeymoon at the Contemp. we were surrounded by a senior class trip, not much supervision or noise control, but that was 20 years ago, maybe the rules have changed.

 

[UltimateWDWFan]

Although... I'm not sure I would want to start out a class by putting the screws on the proffessor; I like to keep the person with control of the grades happy!

Besides, now that she's got the offer of a Spring Break with a friend deal, why would she want to change that? I would love being 18 and on my own at WDW! (Shoot; I would love either one of those two things! )

/th

 

[eeyore0062]

She doesn't have to "put the screws to the Professor" right away, she will have at least a couple of weeks under her belt before she needs to say anything. Then she needs to make an appointment during office hours and politely tell him of her dilemma, showing copies of the airline tickets. I know that if I, as a parent had paid for tickets, airlines tickets etc, I would encourage my child to at least try to talk with the professor. Really, they are just people, and not to be "feared". Why give up without even trying? I would definitely go that route 1st!

As for Springbreak at Disney...been there, done that, and it is NO WHERE near the experience one might think. It is mobbed...never again!

 

[followme2disney]

I would think that your daughter's school should have an attendance policy for missing classes explained in the class syllabus or college handbook. I can't believe that they are not permitted to miss at least one class per semester. If it is a matter of missing an exam that may be different however it could not hurt for her to talk to the professor about it. If nothing else maybe she would not mind flying out by herself the next morning to meet your family there.

Good Luck!!!!

 

[MrsPete]

Just wondering . . . does anyone here think that students should ever bother to attend class? Does the teacher never say anything useful?

You're talking about college here. You're paying to be there. At an average state school in my area 40% of the freshman class doesn't return for a sophomore year. My college classes typically had only two tests and two papers, so each one counts quite a bit. Most of my professors in college didn't keep attendance, but if you didn't show up you had very little chance of passing the tests. She needs to go to class.

I could see flying down later to meet the family. I could see doing the spring break thing. Skipping class in college to go to Disney? No way.

One more note . . . if she's literally crying because she is going to miss the trip, I suspect there's something else going on. I suspect that she's overwhelmed by the new college atmosphere she's in, she's not quite feeling comfortable with the academic expectations, and she's just a little homesick for what was comfortable -- mom and dad, familiar vacations, etc.

 

[CarolA]

I have to agree. College classes can be very difficult to make up and some professors are NOT agreeable about these things. Plus for all we know the prof could have scheduled a test or something that week. I think this is the student's decision. However, at that age most professors are NOT going to be real impressed by the argument that I have to go with mom and dad to Disney.

However, I think that she could go to Disney for Spring Break no problem. Does she have a friend to go with her?

 

[pollyanna]

I am very curious about a freshman having a college class until 9:30 at night! Most college classes at night are geared for returning adults or working adults. Neither of my college sons had any night classes listed in the curriculum.

But missing one class...esp. if she askes ahead of time,might be ok.

 

[eeyore0062]

C'mon folks... it is one class, not a week of classes, and the airline tickets have been purchased! Having been to college, I know for certain that there are ways around this, and non refundable tickets are certainly one of them! I never saw even the hardest nosed professor not give in to that one! All she needs to do it present it to her professor in an adult manner. If there IS a test, they will usually make arrangements for it to be taken ahead of time during office hours. Yes, we do pay quite a bit for our kids to attend college, but no one is saying for her to ditch the entire week, just one class, and let the professor know ahead of time. Most kids do this during the semester without even thinking... they just wanted to sleep in, or go to that frat party, at least this isn't what she is doing and at least she is concerned... but I don't think she has exhausted all of the possibilities, and if she is feeling a little homesick, a nice family vacation would be great for her. I think that we tend to forget that life is not all work and academics... there should be family time, and fun time, too! I hope that she is able to work it out, because it sounds like a nice trip to WDW is just what the doctor ordered!

 

[jcanary]

I can tellyou from experience, Profs are not always that understandable. My daughter plays college soccer, well there was an away game that they had to leave on a Friday morning, now this is a school event. Well one of her professors scheduled a test on that day and it was not able to be taken again, She ended up with a Zero, Since it was a required major course, she ended up having to drop it. I understand your daughters pain, but all have to understand that it really depends upon your prof. You are not attending these classes every day, they are only 1-3 times a week. We have scheduled and rescheduled our vacation because of sports and school.
See if you can cancel her flight and get a voucher. Iknow SWA does this. Take the pressure off of the poor college student and let her get back to her studies. You have an excellent idea about spring break and I think you should follow thru with it. College is tough, my oldest graduates this year and boy am I glad.

 

[eeyore0062]

I still think it is worth a try to talk to the professor. I can't understand this feeling that college professors are gods, or something. Most that I have ever encountered in the 7 1/2 years I got my various degrees have been extremely understanding, and really appreciated being approached with something like this came up. My husband is currently in college, actually a state university with a good reputation, and things do come up... and the professors do understand. Professors are not the ogres some would have you believe.

If you can get a voucher, then have your DD fly out after her class, or the next morning, if missing the class is going to stress her out. What will REALLY stress her out is knowing that you are in WDW and she can't be! Don't have her miss this vacation, it sounds as if she could really use it!

 

[Jen D]

I took many evening classes as an undergrad. Evening classes often equal one week of class (A three hour evening class may be held once weekly, while the same course would be held an hour M-W-F.) I for one think missing classes in college is a pretty big deal, and I specifically remember professors tartly announcing to classes that when fall break or Thanksgiving break is set for certain dates, that means THOSE dates, not those dates plus a couple days before and a couple days after.

I agree it is worth asking but since she seems pretty sure she can't miss it I suspect she already knows the policy. I don't think professors are ogres either but there are plenty of them that have strict policies to protect the integrity of their class. In any case, it may not be a question of the professor-- the professor may not give two figs about attendance, but in a serious college class, you can miss a heck of a lot of important stuff when you cut.

I did occasionally cut classes in college, but I tried to control the bad habit by reminding myself how much tuition I was flushing down the toilet everytime I did it. Break it down per hour. It's one of the few things more expensive than Disney.

To answer the original question, if she is 18, that should be fine, and I think a Disney trip will be a great treat by Spring Break! Freshman year is a tough time.

 

[CBRorBust]

The only reason why I would see her Professor being a jerk about not letting her out of class is if she has to take a mid-term exam or such. But even then, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that about 99.9999% of Prof's are willing to allow you to take ANY test at an earlier date. I can see them not letting her take it later, but she should also be willing to make a sacrafice!

That's just me.

By the way, my boyfriend and I stayed at WDW when he was 19 and I was 17 for my graduation gift. We had no problems at all! And got around just fine with no car.

 

[shamrock30]

Jen D is absolutely right. It probably is a once a week class that meets at night for three hours. I was a full time student as an undergrad, and took one of these most semesters.

I would wait a few weeks and get the feel for the class and the professor before saying anything. Skipping "that one class" could be very difficult when you are talking about one that meets once a week. It depends on the professor and the subject matter. Also, some instructors DO take attendance.

 

[inaminute]

My husband attends college at night--always with those "once a week classes." He has missed a class or two while we were on vacation. He was able to find out ahead of time what work was required and managed to get it done prior to our vacation.

By the way...he works a full time job AND has a part-time job to pay for his classes AND manages exceptional grades at the same time.

I guess I'm saying that it shouldn't be too difficult for a full time college student to make up a little extra work. All she has to do is ask. The worst that can happen is the professor says no. She's already planning to stay behind so she has everything to gain.

 

[StrwLady]

Yes some night classes are a weeks worth (3 hours) and some are 1/2 a weeks worth ( 1 1/2 hours a night 2 times a week).

I say go to the teacher now and let him/her know this trip is planned and see if arrangments can be made to miss the class. Its possible your daughter can attend another section of the class eariler in the week. Yes you will find some teachers that will say No no matter what the situation is but there are some that will understand and work something out so the student will not miss what is covered that day.

I don't think its outrageous to try and make arrangements to miss one nights class if shes a good student and not struggling in the class. If the teacher says you must attend...then you do!!! But it never hurts to ask...for all you know the teacher could be a disney nut too

Hope things work our for you and your daughter.