"performing at Disney" what does that mean?

[descovy]

I'm pretty sure I am going to regret asking this, but now I'm curious, (and I have nothing to lose)

Is it common for the performers and their families to pay their own way?

Or is it common for them to request donations/hold fundraisers in their home communities to perform at Disney?

If its a combo, what do you think? 50/50? 60/40?

Figured this is a discussion board, with lots of people who have participated in such a thing, so why not give it a shot?

 

[Jennasis]

I'm pretty sure I am going to regret asking this, but now I'm curious, (and I have nothing to lose)

Is it common for the performers and their families to pay their own way?

Or is it common for them to request donations/hold fundraisers in their home communities to perform at Disney?

If its a combo, what do you think? 50/50? 60/40?

Figured this is a discussion board, with lots of people who have participated in such a thing, so why not give it a shot?

When my sister's dance troupe was invited to perform (on the Tomorrowland stage in July 2000) every family paid their own way.

 

[mrsklamc]

When I was in HS, fundraisers were offered, but each student was responsible for their own costs and could decide how much to participate.

 

[Albort]

dont do it!!! it destroys magic for the kids!!!

 

[mrsklamc]

dont do it!!! it destroys magic for the kids!!!

No it doesn't. I mean, sure, Cinderella smoking backstage was a little weird, but we marched the parade route just prior to the parade on Thanksgiving, and all those people lined up and cheering for us was definitely magical. They were all yelling "Go Huskers!" b/c they were good that year and I think because that was all they knew of Nebraska.

 

[Hrhpd]

I'm pretty sure I am going to regret asking this, but now I'm curious, (and I have nothing to lose)

Is it common for the performers and their families to pay their own way?

Or is it common for them to request donations/hold fundraisers in their home communities to perform at Disney?

If its a combo, what do you think? 50/50? 60/40?

Figured this is a discussion board, with lots of people who have participated in such a thing, so why not give it a shot?

Around here, it depends on the family. A relative went down last year with her highschool orchestra. You could fundraise as much as you wanted to take on. There were weekly car washes during the summer, wreaths at Christmas, cookie dough and many other fundraisers. The school Booster club also funds part of it. Each sport and music program is allotted x amount of funds each year.

They also start the payment process a year in advance through a travel agency that specializes in wow school trips, so you can make monthly payments.

I know some parents who wrote checks for the full amount, some parents fundraised the entire trip, and the rest in between. So, I don't think you can come up with an average percentage as each parent does what is comfortable for them.

Our kids don't ask for direct donations from individuals as the school frowns on that. The booster club raises funds through business and parent/student donations.

 

[disney1990]

We asked Disney, if they ever say no to a group. And the answer was pretty clear, if the group can afford to come down, they will perform

Fairly sure the criteria for performing at Candlelight Processional is more stringent. It is a featured Disney event.

 

[N&B'smom]

My dd's dance team performed at Disney last year. They were not asked to perform, they sent in an audition tape and application and were accepted to perform. In order to perform at Downtown Disney, they had to take Disney's dance workshop. The team had to fill 25 minutes at the stage at Downtown Disney. No more, no less. Their slot was 8 pm on a Friday night, so they had a lot of spectators stopping to see them.

It was a once in a lifetime experience to have performed at Disney, but it was something their team decided to to do as a team as a fun activity.

Exactly! My DD8's dance team performed at DTD this past Feb. Disney contacted them a couple months later asking if they'd like to participate in the Christmas parade that is televised on Christmas morning. So.....we are headed back again this Nov/Dec!!

 

[mnrose]

As others have noted, these groups ASK to perform at Disney. It does not happen the other way around. And, you have to pay. My DD's dance school has done this a bunch of times, and believe me when I say, they are nothing special. Competent, but no more. We went once, and my DD has now moved studios where they don't do it. I always thought it was a way for the dance instructor (studio owner) to get a free trip to DisneyWorld (as her room was comped....the rest of us paid).

My DD loved it though..and it was "worth it" from that perspective. However, I certainly don't think a group is "all that" just because they perform there...most are nothing special.

 

[ckay87]

It is a way to get groups to Disney. Our band goes every 4 years. Fun but not something that is exclusive.

I "performed" in Epcot as a marching band majorette in 1987. It was just another venue for us. We were never under the illusion that it was an honor. Just a really cool opportunity.

 

[GeorgeG]

School and community bands that get to play at various WDW venues do it for the opportunity, period. There are strict rules to follow. Whatever uniforms you were wearing in the material you submitted is what you must wear for your performance, which is a mistake if your photo is in winter uniforms and you perform in August. Your bus or buses take you first to a backstage rehearsal hall where you wait (and get dressed) until it's time to head to the performance. Your bus is then escorted to where you will enter the park from backstage and then escorted at a quick pace to the stage or start area for the perfomance. They insist on keeping on schedule so you don't get much time to set up. Once the performance is over you must vacate the stage quickly and go directly back to the bus, rehearsal hall, and then out of the backstage area. You are not allowed back into the park in your band uniform and must re-enter through the normal guest entrance with tickets you purchase (up until around April of 2006 each performer was given a complimentary one-day ticket). It is an exciting opportunity, anyhow, especially the first time.

Professionals actually have it easier and get to roam the parks a bit and spend more time on stage before and after the performance. I suppose it's an opportunity for some, but for most, it's a paycheck.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Our music program went to Disney this year. The concert band, jazz ensemble, and choir all performed in Downtown Disney. The concert band and choir also had a chance to record music with Disney employees in a studio session.

The marching band also marched during the 3PM parade in the Magic Kingdom. While they do try to go every 4 years, they must provide an audition tape each time.

Whether or not it's a "honor" doesn't make it less special.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

You are not allowed back into the park in your band uniform and must re-enter through the normal guest entrance with tickets you purchase

This isn't strictly true when it comes to the parades. They certainly aren't allowed back in the park in their uniforms, but they don't have to go through the front gate, either. But they, they went in through the front gate in the morning to begin with, in street clothes.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I'm pretty sure I am going to regret asking this, but now I'm curious, (and I have nothing to lose)

Is it common for the performers and their families to pay their own way?

Or is it common for them to request donations/hold fundraisers in their home communities to perform at Disney?

If its a combo, what do you think? 50/50? 60/40?

Figured this is a discussion board, with lots of people who have participated in such a thing, so why not give it a shot?

When our band goes, children and any chaperones/tag-a-longs must pay their own way. Plenty of fundraising opportunities are available, and some "general" fundraising (snack stand & 50/50 tickets at football games, etc) ends up lowering everyone's price a little bit.

 

[luvmyfam444]

learning something new. I didn't realize it was an invitation thing. I know dd's band is going this year so that means they were picked.
They are tenatively planning on competing -but they are having second thoughts because it would be a small area - the size of a gym. So if they don't compete they will request to just march ( I think that was the other option).

As for us - it's supposed to cost like $450 - and we are doing fundraisers. In fact 3 this week alone (the trip is next spring). that is likely how yoour neighbor paid for it - she didn't.
Our director said most kids raise all their funds for the band fees & their trip fees.

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

Performing at Disney = Opportunity

Performing for the President of the USA = Honor

 

[disney1990]

I know audition tapes are required. We had to send one in, all the kids that would be performing had to be on the tape. If you were not on the tape, you could not perform. Been through the process. We were told by Disney, they rarely turn performers down. When we orginially started the the process, we were suppose to dance in one of the parks, but they had changed their policy and all the performers were being done at DTD.

This is not always the case. I know somebody that performed at Candlelight that was NOT on the tape. As a matter of fact, it was his sister's school chorus that auditioned. He had graduated the June before and was allowed to perform with the group when they did Candlelight.

 

[dicar123]

I grew up near DL and my high school band did a parade there once a year, every year when I was in high school. We didn't pay admission to the parks, our only transportation cost was a school bus.

We certainly thought we were Very Cool, and it was a fun day but I think I assumed that most high schools in the general area did it too.

 

[Allison]

This is not always the case. I know somebody that performed at Candlelight that was NOT on the tape. As a matter of fact, it was his sister's school chorus that auditioned. He had graduated the June before and was allowed to perform with the group when they did Candlelight.

I was going to say the same thing. The trips for our band are set well before the incoming freshman perform with the band.

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

School and community bands that get to play at various WDW venues do it for the opportunity, period. There are strict rules to follow. Whatever uniforms you were wearing in the material you submitted is what you must wear for your performance, which is a mistake if your photo is in winter uniforms and you perform in August. Your bus or buses take you first to a backstage rehearsal hall where you wait (and get dressed) until it's time to head to the performance. Your bus is then escorted to where you will enter the park from backstage and then escorted at a quick pace to the stage or start area for the perfomance. They insist on keeping on schedule so you don't get much time to set up. Once the performance is over you must vacate the stage quickly and go directly back to the bus, rehearsal hall, and then out of the backstage area. You are not allowed back into the park in your band uniform and must re-enter through the normal guest entrance with tickets you purchase (up until around April of 2006 each performer was given a complimentary one-day ticket). It is an exciting opportunity, anyhow, especially the first time.

Times have certainly changed. When my band performed in '93, it was nothing like that. Our bus arrived backstage behind Splash Mountain. We were given a tour of the parade barn, and other backstage things like the trash disposal system they have (Sort of like the Keys to the Kingdom tour minus the Utilidors). Then we were taken to the staging area and shown the dressing rooms and given a time to report back to get dressed. We were then shown the way to the cast member entrance between Pirates and Jungle Cruise and were given free reign over the park. At the specified time, we made our way back to the staging area, got dressed, stood in formation and were given a thorough inspection. Whites had to be white, etc. When the parade was over, we were given free reign over the park again.

As a previous poster mentioned, it was a little disturbing seeing a a princess smoking, only mine was Snow White..LOL

But to the OP's question, I definitely consider it an fantastic opportunity, not necessarily an "honor".