My ds high school band is going to Disney

[TEENEE]

My ds came home from school last week and told me I had to go to a meeting at school. His band director made it clear that the kids and parents that were at the meeting would have the first opportunity to sign up for the bands trip to the world. My ds doesn't get worked up or excited like this very often so it was clear that he really wants to go. I'm excited for him. I hope I get to chaperone.

 

[OhMari]

When are you going?

We are going Easter Week, 2007. Our whole band goes. It is not a first come first serve sign-up. We have over 125 kids in our band. We were told the cost would be around $700. I would say $300 of that will be done through fund-raising. I just e-mailed the band director last week and told him I am going to start putting $50 a month in my dd account. Otherwise come next Fall, they want $150 by Oct., then Nov. and I can't swing that in the Fall.

I chaperoned 3 years ago when my son was a Freshman. Every parent should have to ride the bus and chaperone. We are from WI and it took almost 21 hours.

If you have anyother questions, either ask here or PM me.

 

[TEENEE]

We're close enough that the kids are only going for two days, April 25 & 26. The director is limiting it to 48-68 students. If he has too many chaperones he'll take the parents of the kids with the most seniority. My ds is a freshmen so I probably won't get to go. Do they allow cameras in the studio?

 

[Lars624]

My son's band is going the last weekend in March

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

DJ is in high school already? Sheeesh, where have the years gone! Is he at Northeast?

I hope you get to go, would be exciting to see him marching.

 

[TEENEE]

Yup DJ is in high school at Northeast. They won't be marching though. They're going into a recording studio. From what I understand they will do some sight reading, maybe get some pointers from castmembers. Then a screen will come down in front of the kids and play a disney movie and the kids will play the music for it.

You really want to feel old Chris? Sam will be in middle school next year.

 

[Towncrier]

Yup DJ is in high school at Northeast. They won't be marching though. They're going into a recording studio. From what I understand they will do some sight reading, maybe get some pointers from castmembers. Then a screen will come down in front of the kids and play a disney movie and the kids will play the music for it.

You really want to feel old Chris? Sam will be in middle school next year.

Our kids did that (looping session) last April with their marching band. They also marched down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom on April Fools Day. Unfortunately the parents were not allowed to attend the session in the recording studio, but that was more than made up for by seeing the kids marching at the MK. You are going to have a great time. Enjoy.

 

[Amy]

My DS's high school band just went to WDW in Dec. 2005 and the kids had a great time! They had a stage performance at the Galaxy Palace Theatre and marched in the afternoon parade at the MK. They also did the studio thing - they sight-read music along with some Disney musicians and then played along to either Pocahontas or Aladdin (I can't remember which). DS really enjoyed the workshop.

I don't know about taking pictures in the studio - the band director made a point of telling everyone that pictures are not allowed back-stage. But one of the kids got a picture of Mickey with the entire band somewhere backstage; my DS said that supposedly the Disney photographers also took a picture of Mickey with the kids and that all the kids would get their own copy. So far he hasn't received anything.

 

[Nickimouse]

How exciting!
My DS14 Band will be there April 16th-18th. They will be marching down Main Street!
My DH, our DS11 and I are going as chaperone's. We have been asking ourselves what we were thinking. We leave here on the 15th at noon and arrive at Disney the morning of the 16th. It should be quite an experience,but a lot of fun!!!

 

[simba928]

How exciting! I am going in 23 days with my band. My parents can't go, unfortunatley. They tried to be able to come down for the day we are marching, but couldn't. We are also from up north, taking a bus down. It will be a 20 hour bus ride. And lucky me, I get the most immature, annoying guys on my bus. UGH. At band camp I rode a bus with them for 10 minutes and I was ready to scream. LOL. Anyways, I can't wait. Does anyone know what that Magical Music Day breakfast or whatever is like?

How exciting!
My DS14 Band will be there April 16th-18th. They will be marching down Main Street!
My DH, our DS11 and I are going as chaperone's. We have been asking ourselves what we were thinking. We leave here on the 15th at noon and arrive at Disney the morning of the 16th. It should be quite an experience,but a lot of fun!!!

Thats OK. I can one-up ya. We go to school on Friday all day. We leave at 7 that evening. Drive all night until we get to Cocoa Beach Saturday afternoon. Stay there for a few hours then go up to Orlando to our hotel and check-in. That evening, we have a pool party. Go to bed at around 11 (probably closer to 12). Get up the next morning at 7 LOL.

 

[Towncrier]

It will be a 20 hour bus ride.

I made that same 20 hour bus ride on the bus with all of the 9th grade band students. Yikes. The two girls that sat behind me and my wife never slept a wink on the trip down.

Does anyone know what that Magical Music Day breakfast or whatever is like?

Our breakfast was held at a picnic shelter type building that is located over by the Swan and Dolphin hotels, very close to the Fantasia Gardens miniature golf course. The breakfast was a buffet with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, coffee, and juice. I don't recall if there were any pastries or not. There was an orientation presentation given during the breakfast that outlined the Magical Music Days program. The funny thing is that, because of our schedule, we went to the breakfast on our last day, after having been through the entire program.

 

[simba928]

Thanks Towncrier. Thats funny about your breakfast being on the last day. A couple friends of mine already decided that they would sit behind the band director and every once in a while blow a fog horn or whatever those things are called and kick his chair and basically just get on his nerves. LOL.

One more question...Where is the something stage West or something like that in Epcot? I looked on the map, but couldn't find it and I can't find what its called exactly on the band website.

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

middle school - wow.

I hope that their band will get to march in the parade too, that would make it extra cool!

 

[gharrer]

My dd is going with her band 3/24/ They march on Main Street on 3/26. I am a bus chaperone, which means a 16 hour bus ride, oh joy! Nancy

 

[Kitty 34]

I was one of the trip coordinator's for our band's trip down there this past Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful experience and actually a lot of fun planning!!

I just finished watching the DVD we bought that Disney made of our band as it marched thru MK. That was so cool!!

 

[OhMari]

My dd is going with her band 3/24/ They march on Main Street on 3/26. I am a bus chaperone, which means a 16 hour bus ride, oh joy! Nancy

It will be an experience that you never will ever do again. I call it "Having paid my dues". Try to score your own seat if possible. I ended up on the Freshman bus and nobody wanted to sit with the freshman, so our bus was a little more emptier than the other 2. It makes sleeping a lot easier.

When we go down in April 07, I am flying. My dd will be a Junior. I went with my son when he was a Freshman.

 

[Towncrier]

One more question...Where is the something stage West or something like that in Epcot?

I have seen bands perform on a stage that is located behind Innoventions West that faces the Land and Journey To Imagination Pavillions. It's easy to overlook. If you are familiar with the Segway Tours, it is near where they start out.

 

[Amy]

How exciting! I am going in 23 days with my band. My parents can't go, unfortunatley. They tried to be able to come down for the day we are marching, but couldn't. We are also from up north, taking a bus down. It will be a 20 hour bus ride. And lucky me, I get the most immature, annoying guys on my bus. UGH. At band camp I rode a bus with them for 10 minutes and I was ready to scream. LOL. Anyways, I can't wait. Does anyone know what that Magical Music Day breakfast or whatever is like?

Simba, I asked my DS15 about the Magical Music Day breakfast. Here's what he said: it's in a pavilion near the Swan/Dolphin - Fantasia Gardens mini golf. It's a buffet - french toast stix, bacon, sausage, cereal, OJ. A bunch of tables with a stage with TVs so you can watch music videos while you eat. Then a cast member/performer comes on stage and tells what the professional musicians do. Mickey comes out and gives the band director an award; Mickey walks around to visit the kids. THen the whole band gets a picture with Mickey.

Have a great time, fellow Pittsburgh-er! GO STEELERS!

 

[simba928]

Thanks again Towncrier! I'll have to look on my map to try to find about where it is.

Thanks Amy. I cannot wait! Can you buy pictures of the band with Mickey or how does that work?

 

[KarenB]

Our DSs marched down Main Street the day after Thanksgiving this past year. DH and I went to watch, not chaperone. There is no better feeling than hearing your band announced, listening to the others around you making compliments, then seeing your own child/children!! I still get teary eyed!!!

Have a wonderful time,
Karen

Be sure to find out where they stand still at. Each band stops and plays for 2 minutes at some point. If one CM can't tell you the spot, keep asking until you find out. Then stake out a spot there!