School Band Trip to WDW, advice?

[MyDisneySig]

A slight change of plans... instead of being "spectators" for the school trip next month, we are now chaperones!

Even though it will be our first time for chaperoning a Disney trip, we have been to WDW many times. The school has also done this trip many times, and we're told that they have it really well structured and organized. We'll be flying and staying at the AS Music.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated, especially tips on keeping sane

 

[Bojo]

Sure, be excited - you're in DisneyWorld!! Just treat all the kids as you would your own and don't expect to get any sleep.

Enjoy it!

PS: Looks like we'll miss you by a week. We'll be sure to let Mickey know you're on the way!

 

[robsmom]

A strange but effective thing that my school used to do on trips was to put a piece of masking tape on the outside of our doors across the crack. There was no way that you could open the door (thus breaking the tape ) and re-tape yourself in. So unless we had a friend in another room willing to take the rap (and who carried masking tape in his/her suitcase), you were not going anywhere. Having been on other trips where I know people left their rooms, it was quite effective!

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by robsmom
A strange but effective thing that my school used to do on trips was to put a piece of masking tape on the outside of our doors across the crack. There was no way that you could open the door (thus breaking the tape ) and re-tape yourself in.

My brother takes his class on overnighters every year and that is what he does. This year they had a bit of an uproar in the middle of the night and 2 rooms full of girls broke the tape and ran into the hall screaming...some of the hotel workers were apparently talking to the girls during the day and found out what room they were in and they were trying to climb up to the second floor to get in there windows and the girls freaked out and ran into the hall to get the chaperons out of there rooms. My brother ran outside, caught one and then that one ratted on the others..the police came and of course they were all fired too. The girls were all upset that they broke the tape and thought they were going to be in trouble but of course they were not!

 

[IloveDMB]

Originally posted by robsmom
A strange but effective thing that my school used to do on trips was to put a piece of masking tape on the outside of our doors across the crack. There was no way that you could open the door (thus breaking the tape ) and re-tape yourself in. So unless we had a friend in another room willing to take the rap (and who carried masking tape in his/her suitcase), you were not going anywhere. Having been on other trips where I know people left their rooms, it was quite effective!

When I went on my band trips to WDW, this is what the band director did, too. I hated it. We were taped in and the cheerleaders were allowed to run around and be loud as late as they wanted.

I don't really remember much about what the chaperones did on our trips, but I know that my two marching band trips were a few of my favorite trips. You're going to be in WDW, I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Hmmm, my suggestion would be to take plenty of Tylenol!
Hope you have fun!
Kim (whose parents have been there, done that, eons ago)

 

[BostonTigger]

Say a prayer...and what LuvN~Travel said-take plenty of tylenol.

 

[MyDisneySig]

Originally posted by LuvN~Travel
Hmmm, my suggestion would be to take plenty of Tylenol!

Oh boy...maybe now I know why the band director felt it necessary to ban drinking by the chaperones

The tape on the doors sounds interesting. I'll have to check to see if that is something they have done in the past.

Keep those ideas coming!

 

[katerkat]

Good luck! I would not have wanted to be my band's chaperone back in high school...

 

[Pop Daddy]

keep the boys away from the girls

 

[aunties]

I survived five trips to WDW and numerous other trips as a band chaperone with lots of chocolate and pepto bismol! I was the twirling and flag instructor. In the 13 years I worked with these kids, I can count on one hand the trouble makers we had.

I also packed extra toothbrushes (got the 4/$1.00 kind), a sewing kit, extra sun tan lotion, extra cream for sunburns, and things like that. Someone always needed something from my "magical black bag" that I took everywhere when traveling with the kids.

It is true, you will have little sleep. But if your kids are anything like the ones I had the privilege to work with, you will have a great time.

One cute story. I had gone down to the lobby one night and when I was returning to our floor, I ran into 4 security guards heading in the same direction. I asked what was wrong and I was told there was a large commotion on the floor where we were staying. When the elevator doors opened, we saw 20+ elderly people dancing in the hall way. One of our kids had brought his accordian to practice and the elderly people heard him and were teaching our kids to polka! The hotel manager invited everyone to one of the conference rooms downstairs so we wouldn't bother the people on th floor below us. It was so amazing to see these teenagers interacting and having a great time with a group of senior citizens! It was a great night for everyone.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i went to florida last may with my senior class...our chaperones just had a curfew that we had to be in our rooms by 1130 and they walked around and checked to be sure that we were in there...i mean, if we wanted to get out, we could have..bc they were like watching us..but when i went away in 7th grade,,they did the tape thing

 

[MyDisneySig]

Originally posted by aunties
I survived five trips to WDW and numerous other trips as a band chaperone with lots of chocolate and pepto bismol! I was the twirling and flag instructor. In the 13 years I worked with these kids, I can count on one hand the trouble makers we had.

I also packed extra toothbrushes (got the 4/$1.00 kind), a sewing kit, extra sun tan lotion, extra cream for sunburns, and things like that. Someone always needed something from my "magical black bag" that I took everywhere when traveling with the kids.

It is true, you will have little sleep. But if your kids are anything like the ones I had the privilege to work with, you will have a great time.

Thanks so much! I put those on my packing list. Any other suggestions for items to include for that "magical black bag"? I was also planning to bring some prepackaged snacks, and I thought I'd give each student a disposable camera.

Originally posted by aunties
One cute story. I had gone down to the lobby one night and when I was returning to our floor, I ran into 4 security guards heading in the same direction. I asked what was wrong and I was told there was a large commotion on the floor where we were staying. When the elevator doors opened, we saw 20+ elderly people dancing in the hall way. One of our kids had brought his accordian to practice and the elderly people heard him and were teaching our kids to polka! The hotel manager invited everyone to one of the conference rooms downstairs so we wouldn't bother the people on th floor below us. It was so amazing to see these teenagers interacting and having a great time with a group of senior citizens! It was a great night for everyone

Your story warms my heart, and I hope I will have similar stories to share from this trip.

 

[poohbears5]

auntie that is too sweet!

 

[Traveliz]

If you are chaperoning rooms of girls extra feminine hygiene products are a useful item to have on hand.

Another tip that I did not know before we went was that the photographers (those that take your pic when you enter the park) take candid shots of the band while it is marching. We of course also took pictures but then went to the photo center the next day and just told them we were looking for photos of the band before the parade and at what time and there were some great shots!

Liz

 

[MyDisneySig]

Originally posted by Traveliz
If you are chaperoning rooms of girls extra feminine hygiene products are a useful item to have on hand.

Another tip that I did not know before we went was that the photographers (those that take your pic when you enter the park) take candid shots of the band while it is marching. We of course also took pictures but then went to the photo center the next day and just told them we were looking for photos of the band before the parade and at what time and there were some great shots!

Liz

I would never have thought about pictures from the photo center! Do you recall if they were very expensive? I'll definitely have to look into that.

(Also good idea about the FHP's )