Marching Band to Disney!

[Amy]

My DS has only been in marching band for 1 year, so this is all still pretty new to us. While they've been rehearsing for the Memorial Day parade, the band director told the kids that the band is going to Disney over spring break in 2005. So I was wondering.......

What can we expect as a band at WDW? I know we'll stay at the All Stars (or maybe Pop Century now that it's open), but other than that, I'm clueless. Do the band members get discounts on park admission? What about group discounts for DisneyQuest or (do I dare hope?) the Hoop De Doo? What about chaperones or family members who tag along on the trip?

Of course, the school board still has to approve the trip, so we might be getting all excited over nothing, but I'm still hopeful. From what I hear, the band hasn't had a big trip for over 2 years, so we're due. Thanks!

 

[browneyes]

My first trip to WDW was as an 8th grader in our Marching Band. It was so much fun! That was so long ago (only MK existed). We did a few fund raisers that paid for our tickets, bus fare to Florida, and hotel rooms. The fund raisers also paid for the chaperones tickets, bus fares, and rooms too.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Disney offers discounted tickets etc, but where you stay and what is offered is up to the band and how much they are able to raise for the trip etc. With our kids, they sold magazine subscriptions and candy etc.

 

[mickeyfan1]

What can we expect as a band at WDW? I know we'll stay at the All Stars (or maybe Pop Century now that it's open), but other than that, I'm clueless.

The band and chaparones stayed off site. The place you stay is determined by the company you go with for the trip. If it's the official "Magic Music Days" you will stay at WDW, most likely in a value resort, with 4 kids per room. Keeps the costs way down.


Do the band members get discounts on park admission? What about group discounts for DisneyQuest or (do I dare hope?) the Hoop De Doo? What about chaperones or family members who tag along on the trip?

The band and chaparones had 2 one day one park tickets included with thier package. I am not sure about meals, they did not do anything like HDD or the Luau. Again, this is all by the package your and booster group and the directors pick.

I did not go as a chaparone, I volunteered, but didn't make the cut. So sad, I drove down by myself, had a room at Dixie Landings (now POR) and a park hopper. I watched the band march in Disney-MGM Studios and the sit down competition at a nearby school, then the awards ceremony in the Indiana Jones Theatre.

If you are not already involved with your Band Booster Organization, get in there and be active. My son, who is now 27 recently told me that one of his best memories is that I was at every foot ball game, every concert performance, and every band activity there was. He still plays drums today, in a band, and claims that I am his biggest music influence.

 

[Amy]

Originally posted by mickeyfan1
If you are not already involved with your Band Booster Organization, get in there and be active. My son, who is now 27 recently told me that one of his best memories is that I was at every foot ball game, every concert performance, and every band activity there was. He still plays drums today, in a band, and claims that I am his biggest music influence.

Thanks for the advice mickeyfan1! Yes, DH and I are both involved in the boosters - we work the concession stand at all the home football games and go to every competition, chaperoning as often as we can. (Sometimes it's nice to just sit in the stands and watch.)

DH and I have already been discussing whether or not we want to volunteer to chaperone the WDW trip - 2 days in a bus with a bunch of teenagers? Yikes! And yet, the band kids seem to be the best-behaved kids at the school - must be all that discipline "drilled" into them!

Keeping my fingers crossed that the school board approves the trip!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

That's great, Amy, good luck in the months ahead, sounds interesting and fun.

 

[DoeWDW]

I have 2 kids in marching band and they're going to march down Main Street USA on New Year's Day 2005. They are staying offsite and there are no "extras" in their trip, like Hoop-De-Doo or the Luau. It's a shame that they'll be there during such a crowded time - I think it will limit the amount of fun they have.

I can tell the person doing the planning has no clue. They are going to be in the MK for the whole day of New Year's Eve (at least they're getting there early). On the itinerary, it tells them to "meet at the castle at 11 PM to see the fireworks". Apparently they don't realize the MK and especially the castle area will be wall-to-wall people.

There's a meeting June 7th, and I'll be there, offering to help with the planning.

 

[Amy]

Doreen - I'm thinking of volunteering to help plan the trip, too, to make sure the kids get the most out of it. (DH said it'll drive me nuts if I'm not involved and "clueless" people are planning this!) Although if the band director is talking about spring break 2005, SOMEBODY must have done some initial planning already, right???

Oh well - can't do anything until the school board gives the ok.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

My DD (11) is a first-year clarinet player. I hope she continues as I know she will have many travel opportunities. The marching band at our local high school is getting ready to go to China. When I was in HS -- we never even left the state!

 

[Kitty 34]

Hi Amy. Our band is going to march at Disney Thanksgiving week 2005. I am forming a committee right now of parents that want to help plan the trip. Gosh, can you believe they delegated me to be "leader" of planning this trip. That's what over 16,000 DIS posts get ya!!!

Our band director has gone several times with previous bands but does not want to go by way of a TA. He wants to stay onsite and he wants to fly.

So I am curious, too, in what to do.

Mickeyfan 1 or anyone.....what is the Magic Music Day package? What WDW numbers would I start calling to ask about staying onsite and getting passes?

Amy, you and I will have to compare notes as time goes on. Feel free to PM me any time. Good luck!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Kitty, here is a link to the info on the Disney Site
http://disneyyouthprograms.disney.g...andingPage?id=ProgramsMagicMusicDaysIndexPage

We didn't do that program. I don't know what the band director was thinking when they set the trip up, the kids stays at a rat hole HoJos, 4 in a room, totally disgusting. For the price we paid, the parents had to foot the ill, no fundraising for it, it was a real rip off, IMO. I know I paid less for my room at DL and my Park Hopper and stayed solo. But seeing your kid sanding next to a sign at MGM with the school name on it, and then watching them ake st place in every category they were entered in was quite fun. The competition ran for several weeks, they did well on their week, but we never found out how they did overall, which was another problem. They all went in busses, it was only an 8 hour drive from where we lived at the time. I think doing it through Disney will cost more, but in the end it will be a better deal. ON site, meal tickets, passes, etc.

Have fun, all of you!

 

[poochie]

Our group is doing the Magic Music Days with a dance troupe performing in Tommorrowland. We went thru a Travel Agent who specialized in this type of trip (MMD at WDW). We got a special price for the hotel choice of All Stars or Coranado Springs (We chose CSR), special price on hopper passes, and meal tickets along with a special class with a Disney Chorograher. Also a special bus to take them from the Hotel to the park on performance day. (dancers & teachers only) the rest of us had to get to the park on our own. They also willl get a Magic Music Days T-Shirt, pin and a certificate.

We will be leaving in 4 weeks this Sat. (Excitement !!! )

Doing the happy dance>

 

[Amy]

mickeyfan1 - thanks for the link - answers a lot of questions.

Now everybody wish for some pixie dust that the school board approves the trip!!