Marching Band

[11290]

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.

Day parade, probably Frontierland to Fire House. For night parade, it will be from Fire House to Frontierland.

 

[bcinohio]

When DS marched before the afternoon parade in March of 2011, It was supposed to come from Firehouse toward Castle but 10 min prior to start, due to the weather it came the other way from the Castle toward the Firehouse. They made for better pictures with the Castle in the background. We had to switch sides at the last minute so we could see DS.

 

[11290]

Since the new parade begins at Frontierland now (different than the old day parade), not sure if they are bringing the Magic Music Days events that way (more than likely) or moving them up to the Fire House and running the "frontwards". I've been away for a couple of weeks and won't work a day parade until next week to find out.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

I went with my DD's band last year, and we also did the tape on the door, with great results. Our band was grouped together in groups of 6, each assigned to a chaperone. When they weren't performing they were allowed to travel in the group and had to physically check in with a chaperone once every few hours. Could not leave the park, on their own for meals, etc. We all met back at the bus at the end of the day.

My DD and all her friends still kicked around with me all day, even though they didn't have to. My experience is band kids are generally pretty good kids who don't mind hanging around with parents. I've also chaperoned soccer teams and that's another story.

Make sure everyone has fully charged cell phones and everyone has everybody's #.

 

[quest4dl]

I purchased portable chargers for myself and for ds on Amazon. It's lightweight and a great emergency charger. Of course, you need to remember to keep the portable charger charged.

I also have the cell phone number of one of the chaperones so hopefully she will give me a heads up if they reverse directions.

I also plan to carry a sign to wave for the school. Does anybody know if there is a policy against this? I know that for one of our trips to Disneyland we made signs to improve our chances of being picked for Jedi Training but I was warned to fold it up in the backpack for the security check.

 

[lovegrumpy]

I had a blast when I went with my son back in 2012. We had a group of six that would check in every couple hrs. The kids had full rain on what they did and what park. So it was pretty easy watching them. Going again in 15 but with a differnt school. So not sure how they do it.

 

[NinaBella]

We used painters tape on the doors of kids room when the band went to D.C. No one had incidents. However, we were at a hotel with other band schools from other states that did not tape the doors. So the kids could have had one of them retape it. Or, they could have just ripped tape off random doors and kids would be accused that were innocent. If a kid wanted to sneak out, he/she may be smart enough to take tape off random doors (from their own group) so either multiple rooms get blamed or chaperones think a random guest was being a jerk.

 

[vicb]

My DS marched in MK 2012 the week of Easter! They marched 30 min. before the afternoon parade, from the firehouse to FL. We stood in the hub, got some great shots. Parents stationed all around parade route to take photos, then we all shared on facebook. Also Disney took official photos and we were able to purchase a nice close up of DS.

Kids should have dry clothes to change into after they march, it was hot on our day and our kids were drenched in sweat! The ones who had dry shorts and t-shirt to put on were sooo glad.

Our kids bussed down from MI, it was a long trip for sure. Stayed off site which was ok then as it was old FP and they could use that. Kids had free run in park, supposed to stay in small groups and check in. There were no problems.

Our DS had been to WDW four times prior, had no trouble navigating the parks. It was hard for him to deal with the food voucher thing and being with other kids who didn't want to do anything other than grab and go eating. He missed the sit down meals he had been to with us. Last night in Epcot he convinced his group to make an ADR at guest services and do a WS restaurant. They could only get into Marakkesh but they liked it a lot and enjoyed the belly dancer.

Good luck.

 

[quest4dl]

Thanks for the suggestion about the change of clothes!

My ds and his friends are intent on a steak dinner. They couldn't get Le Cellier (their first choice) so they booked a dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby (for 3:50 pm! - but that's all they had). I'm not sure how he got the ADR since he didn't give a credit card so I asked him to call back to confirm.

What are some good places to stand for the parade? I wanted to be able to get the castle in my shots if possible. I only have an auto-focus so hopefully someone will be able to get some better shots.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Any tips on traveling with the high school marching band?

Denise in MI

If your band is marching before the nighttime parade, try to get a spot at the very beginning of Main Street. The lights are still on in that area and you can get great pictures. If you are farther down the route, and don't have a huge light on your camera, the pictures will not come out.

 

[pjynx]

No tips from me yet but I'm interesting in reading this thread. We're about to take our Band trip next month too (also riding on busses (ugh) from MI). DH & I are both chaperoning. The trip is 4/5-4/11. We'll have concert band & orchestra performing at Downtown Disney, and marching band in the parade in MK.

The rules placed on the kids is that while they are in the parks, they have to stay in groups of at least 3, and they are not allowed to hang out with other people who are not on the trip (other family/friends who also happened to be there). This helps keep the groups together and ensures that nobody is left out. We are also putting masking tape on the doors so we can see if anyone has left the room. Chaperones are taking 1.5 hour shifts roaming the halls during the night (thankfully there's enough chaperones that most only have 1 shift for the whole trip). The director has advised us to put the tape near the bottom of the doors because if other hotel guests see it at middle level, they are more inclined to tear it off. But if it's down near the floor, they won't bother stooping down. This is the directors 4th time with this trip so I think he's pretty well organized.

 

[dzorn]

When DS marched before the afternoon parade in March of 2011, It was supposed to come from Firehouse toward Castle but 10 min prior to start, due to the weather it came the other way from the Castle toward the Firehouse. They made for better pictures with the Castle in the background. We had to switch sides at the last minute so we could see DS.

We have the afternoon parade on 4/16.

Denise in MI

 

[quest4dl]

Apparently there are no night time parades any more for high school marching bands. Kids were a bit disappointed about that. Two years ago the band went to Disney and marching in the night time parade was a huge highlight for them.

 

[vicb]

Our band also participated in a musical workshop that took place in HS at a sound stage and they recorded some disney theme music that was put to film for them. The kids found it very worthwhile.

 

[bopper]

Our band does the "tape the door" plus they hire a security guard to do the overnight shift.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Apparently there are no night time parades any more for high school marching bands. Kids were a bit disappointed about that. Two years ago the band went to Disney and marching in the night time parade was a huge highlight for them.

Ours marched before MSEP last year during Spring Break & it was awesome.

 

[dzorn]

Our band also participated in a musical workshop that took place in HS at a sound stage and they recorded some disney theme music that was put to film for them. The kids found it very worthwhile.

We are doing one at EPCOT.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

bump

 

[redc]

Our DD is marching with her band during Memorial Day weekend. Her band also was on the field during half time at the SuperBowl with Bruno Mars so what a senior year she is having! They are traveling by air from NJ.

We are arriving the day before and staying a day later at the BC. We are NOT chaperoning. Disney sans kids (for the most part), first time in 30 years Yahoooooooo! NO busses or tape!!!!

 

[quest4dl]

Need all the good vibes we can get. DS broke his baby toe on Monday and they leave Friday. Have been taping, icing, and elevating but it's still painful. Forecast does not look good for Tuesday either.