Scout trip

[Third times a charm]

I am thinking about taking our Girl Scouts to Disney. Has anyone done the Y.E.S. program? Any suggestions anyone has regarding taking a group of pre-teens would be appreciated.

Our thinking is to rent one cabin and a tent site so we would have some cooking supplies available.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Lesli54]

Being involved with Girl Scouts myself, I agree that the "cheapest" way to stay would be to rent a cabin. You could do tent camping, but with the extra amout of work that it takes probably isn't worth the savings since you would cut into FUN time.

As far as cooking goes, make sure that you rotate who is doing what so they feel they have some free time. Also, let them plan the meals before you go. This way they get the kind of food they want and if they are aware of the food budget it will make them realize that you won't be able to eat out all the time. Have them pick a few places that they really want to eat at or do a character breakfast at and schedule it into the meal plans. It costs a little more, but it is fun and just means that you cook an extra meal at the cabin. I had girls plan meals for a big camping trip and they did great with a little help understanding the cost of food.

You can buy the book Birnbaum's Walt Disney World and let the girls look through it. It has a description of all the different attractions, eateries, etc. There are also maps that will give them a better idea of where things are located so you can plan your days. I would suggest that they come up with a couple of "must do's". If you can, do for each girl so she doesn't feel left out. Then make plans to definitely do those things. After that, anything else that you do will be a bonus.

MGM will probably be of great interest for girls this age. Mine enjoyed the Tower of Terror, Star Wars, and the Back Lot Tours. If you get a park hopper plus pass then you can go to one of the water parks or Disney Quest. The number of times depends on the number of days your pass is for.

The Magic Kingdom is fun for all ages and the girls would probably love to shop on Main Street. Make sure you stay for the light parade at night. It is really beautiful and was enjoyed by my DD's

A great souvenir for all is a Disney autograph book (about $10). Even pre-teens will enjoy getting autographs from the characters and having their pictures taken with them.

At Epcot, they will probably enjoy going to the World Showcase. There are so many different little shops in each "Country" that are filled with items from around the world. It is really neat just to get a feel for the countries and see the differences. A great souvenir here is the Disney passport (about $10). You can take it to the different countries and they will stamp it for you. Sometimes they even sign little messages in the native language of that country.

We didn't make it to Animal Kingdom, but plan to this year.

My family went to the parks in the morning and returned to our room to swim in the afternoon. It also gave us time to regroup so that we could go back in the evening. This way you can enjoy the spectacular fireworks displays at the different parks.

Also, the girls might enjoy getting the same Disney shirt which you can buy before you get there.

And of course, never forget the number one thing on a girls mind. SHOPPING! They will love to shop or browse the many stores at Downtown Disney.

Hope this helps and hope you have a great time!

 

[MrsPete]

How many girls are going on this trip? I would suggest two cabins. I don't think you can get a cabin and a tent site next to one another, and splitting up the troop doesn't seem like a good idea. You're also going to run into problems deciding who's going to sleep in the cabin and who's going to sleep in the tent.

As much as I like staying onsite, you could get a good-sized condo or house for the same price as your cabin/tent plan.

How old are your girls?

 

[risy]

Cabins sleep 6 (2 doubles and bunk beds). There are no tents allowed on the cabin sites. Tent sites and Cabin sites are a considerable distance apart, for your situation.

Good news is that with an AP pass, you can get cabins as low as $144/night during certain times of year. The Campground has longer value season than other resorts.

Also, cabins have a BBQ grill outside. That will allow you to split some of the cooking duties between inside the cabin and outside.

You might want a cabin close to a comfort station so that 12 ppl aren't waiting on two bathrooms!

I was a scout for 9 years - would have loved staying at Ft Wilderness. Lots to do!

 

[Lesli54]

If you have a way to do it, you could also consider bringing in a pop up camper or other type of camper/RV. Don't know how many girls you have, but the $ amount to rent a site for campers is very reasonable.

 

[Steffi]

My DD's GS troop stayed at POR last year for two nights. The first night, they all went to Downtown Disney together. The next day they did a character breakfast at Chef Mickey's, then swam for most of the afternoon at POR & POFQ. That evening they went to the campfire & movie at FW. They didn't go to the parks at all, but had a great time.

I'm not familiar with the Y.E.S. program, so I can't offer any advice there.

 

[Third times a charm]

We are from New York, so too far to drive for me with our camper. We have twelve girls, 10 - 13 year olds. My family went to FW last month, we had such a wonderful time, that I know my scouts would love it.

Financially not sure how we would affored it. Time to fundraise.

I printed out the information for the Y.E.S. program, that really sounds great. They offer some great discounts for groups. So possibly renting two cabins would be better that attempting to bring and pitch tents from home.

Wanted some concrete info. before mentioning it to the girls.

 

[Third times a charm]

They didn't go to the parks at all, but had a great time.

I do think for a realistic budget, we could only choose two parks. Or as someone mentioned, get the hopper passes, then at least see Fanstasmic at night, and Wishes are a must see.