Marching Band

[dzorn]

Any tips on traveling with the high school marching band?

Denise in MI

 

[Robo]

Any tips on traveling with the high school marching band?

Don't stand too close in front of the trombones.

 

[bcinohio]

DS's band marched just before the 3pm parade at the MK in 2011. We staked out our spot 1hr prior to the parade so that we would be on the side to see our son the best and just 10min prior to the parade we heard someone say they were going to reverse the parade and it would come from Frontierland up main street toward the train station. We asked CM and it was true. It was due to the weather. So we had to switch sides and some very nice people let us stand in front of them just until the band went by. We promised to move as soon as they passed. My advice make sure you know which way the parade is coming because it can change.

Also Robo is right, don't stand in front of the trombones (that is what my son played)!!

We will be going back next spring with our younger son.

 

[Iowajes]

When I went to Disney with my high school drill team (88 girls) we were required to be in groups of 4 minimum and could just go do whatever we wanted. We had to check in with chaperones ever 3 hours but were otherwise totally on our own from the time we got to the park until the time we left. The freedom was really nice, and there were no problems in the parks (there were problems with the hotels, and one major drama that could have happened anywhere).

We did have a hotel curfew- they put scotch tape on the outsides of the doors. It in no way blocks the door from opening, but if the door is opened, the tape will not sit back on the door frame. The first year- no one even knew they were taping the doors so they caught any past curfew offenders. The second year, some girls figured it out and would tape each others doors back, but one room always had to take the fall.

Let the kids pick their own groups, but tell them to take in mind their ride preferences, you don't want someone who hates thrill rides in a group with those who love them, unless that person knows they are in for a day of line waiting without riding.

 

[wiigirl]

Don't stand too close in front of the trombones.

 

[dzorn]

When I went to Disney with my high school drill team (88 girls) we were required to be in groups of 4 minimum and could just go do whatever we wanted. We had to check in with chaperones ever 3 hours but were otherwise totally on our own from the time we got to the park until the time we left. The freedom was really nice, and there were no problems in the parks (there were problems with the hotels, and one major drama that could have happened anywhere).

We did have a hotel curfew- they put scotch tape on the outsides of the doors. It in no way blocks the door from opening, but if the door is opened, the tape will not sit back on the door frame. The first year- no one even knew they were taping the doors so they caught any past curfew offenders. The second year, some girls figured it out and would tape each others doors back, but one room always had to take the fall.

Let the kids pick their own groups, but tell them to take in mind their ride preferences, you don't want someone who hates thrill rides in a group with those who love them, unless that person knows they are in for a day of line waiting without riding.

I never would of thought of taping the doors.

It will be our directors first trip with the band and ours DD is only in 9th grade. DH wants me to ride on the bus with DD because of her special needs. The though of all that time on the bus with little sleep. I'm not a fun person to be around with little sleep.

Denise in MI

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I never would of thought of taping the doors.

It will be our directors first trip with the band and ours DD is only in 9th grade. DH wants me to ride on the bus with DD because of her special needs. The though of all that time on the bus with little sleep. I'm not a fun person to be around with little sleep.

Denise in MI

You are taking busses down from Michigan?

My boys did this last April (but they flew down). They performed in WDW and Universal. They had a great time and the kids stayed out of trouble, but they acted like teens. Same as the PP, groups of 4 or 5 when touring the parks, checked in every few hours.

The hotels were a nightmare. Every kid trying to get away with as much as they could - and this is a good group of kids. It was like they were going away and they were going to push the limits of the experience. But no one was sent home early, and no one was caught doing anything that was really out of line.

 

[dzorn]

You are taking busses down from Michigan?

My boys did this last April (but they flew down). They performed in WDW and Universal. They had a great time and the kids stayed out of trouble, but they acted like teens. Same as the PP, groups of 4 or 5 when touring the parks, checked in every few hours.

The hotels were a nightmare. Every kid trying to get away with as much as they could - and this is a good group of kids. It was like they were going away and they were going to push the limits of the experience. But no one was sent home early, and no one was caught doing anything that was really out of line.

Yep the kids are on tour buses, we are taking our van as we are staying in florida additional week when the kids head home.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Yep the kids are on tour buses, we are taking our van as we are staying in florida additional week when the kids head home.

Did you ask your DD what she thought about you riding with her? I know that my boys would have been very upset at the idea.

 

[chartle]

We did have a hotel curfew- they put scotch tape on the outsides of the doors. It in no way blocks the door from opening, but if the door is opened, the tape will not sit back on the door frame. The first year- no one even knew they were taping the doors so they caught any past curfew offenders. The second year, some girls figured it out and would tape each others doors back, but one room always had to take the fall.

Actually there is a way but "everyone or no one takes the fall"

We talked about taping doors at a pre trip meeting once and parents thought we were going to seal them in with duct tape.

We used overnight security with mixed results.

 

[dzorn]

Did you ask your DD what she thought about you riding with her? I know that my boys would have been very upset at the idea.

DD has autism so feels more secure with a parent around. The kids have been wonderful with her. I did ask her if she wanted me to ride the bus and her response was "are you going to have your ipad". If I do ride the bus I get two seat for myself so she would be sitting with someone else anyway.

Denise in MI

 

[chartle]

The best tip I give out after two such trips is that this is not going to be a regular Disney trip with your normal touring style since your time is not your own so just go with the flow.

 

[chartle]

Did you ask your DD what she thought about you riding with her? I know that my boys would have been very upset at the idea.

On my two trips my older teenage sons stayed with me. In fact I toured with a group of 10 or so of their friends and my son's GF's friends which was about a fifth of the band.

But they didn't have to tour with an adult. Our group was 7th-12th graders.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

On my two trips my older teenage sons stayed with me. In fact I toured with a group of 10 or so of their friends and my son's GF's friends which was about a fifth of the band.

But they didn't have to tour with an adult. Our group was 7th-12th graders.

My boys were the "tour guides" for their groups. They had been so many times that they were helping everyone figure out how to maximize their fun. We got to spend some time with them, but not much. We still had a great time, as did they.

 

[dzorn]

The bets tip I give out after two such trips is that this is not going to be a regular Disney trip with your normal touring style since your time is not your own so just go with the flow.

We are spending 3 additional days at disney before going to the in-laws so my touring will be done then. DH took over 2000 pictures at band camp and so I suspect he will be taking many pictures during the activities.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

Thought I would bump it back up to see if anyone else has some tips.

 

[11290]

Ear plugs

 

[bcinohio]

If you are riding the bus take a bottle of Febreze with you. DH and I were just talking about the trip he took with our oldest DS in 2011 (younger DS is going spring of 2015) and how bad the bus smelled. It was a 22hr ride from Ohio to Orlando. On the way home they had spent all day at the parks, it rained (really hard) and it was hot. They left at 10pm to travel home. He said you didn't notice it as much while you were on the bus but when you stopped and got back on it smelt like a locker room. He wished he had some Febreze!!

 

[JillyBean1899]

Make sure that *EVERYONE* with a cell phone has the chaperone's numbers programmed into it. It never fails, if only one person in the group puts your number in their phone, that is the phone that will get lost/battery die during the trip, and the rest of the kids in their group won't have any way to get in touch with you. Or print up business cards with all the numbers and give them to the kids. Depending on how many kids there are and how much time before the trip, you might want even look into getting laminated cards printed up with info. You can DIY it with laminated self stick luggage tags from Wal-Mart or places like Office Depot may be able to do them. Those would also be handy for reminders of "hey, be at *PLACE XYZ* by *TIME* on *DATE*" type things (if they have to meet somewhere for marching, or whatever).

 

[quest4dl]

Subscribing! My son will be be marching with his band at Disney last week of March. They are going in bus too (Chicago burbs). We will also be in Disney at the same time (younger ds also has spring break that week) - DS will join up at the end of his band trip and fly back with us after we spend the last two nights at Universal.

I'm also worried about not knowing which way the band will be marching - we were told that could be a last minute decision. Maybe the four of us (me, dh, ds, and my brother) will split up with two on each side.

The kids will hardly be at the hotel - mainly to sleep so hopefully no issues. They are basically a really good group of kids. I can't wait to watch them march down Main St.!