This is the biggest thrill a parent can have at WDW

[KarenB]

You may have read in a previous post that our DSs (15 and 17) were marching down Main Street with their high school band. They did it this past Friday and what a thrill!

There is nothing like sitting on the sidewalk of Main Street, hearing the familiar drum cadence, watching your children round the corner by the train station to proceed up Main Street with the CMs smiling and clapping to Phantom of the Opera as the band played. We staked out our spot for the 8:45 parade by 7pm. We met up with a bunch of other band parents. It was so very cool to hear all the wonderful remarks from other people around us.

I wish I could express the feeling better-I cried and am getting teary eyed as I type. If you have been there you know exactly what I mean!

Karen

 

[lewdyan1]

Congrats!

 

[Credit Man]

No that's a WOW moment!

 

[keenercam]

Karen -- That is so exciting! Our DD17 will do that in March when her band performs at Disney's Music Days. We cannot wait. We are making a weekend trip to see them. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, as far as we are concerned.

Congratulations to your DS's and their band for earning that honor!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

How neat. Both of my kids are in marching band but have not marched at WDW. I think I would cry too.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I often wonder when I see big pardes, like Macy's or Disney's Christmas parade, how proud the family's must be. It must be an incredible feeling! Congrats on a once in a lifetime moment!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Oh Karen that is so cool! And the day after Thanksgiving when the place is packed too! Congrats to you and your boys!
Robin M.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Karen, Congratulations to your kids and their school! Could you pm me with the process your school went thru to apply?
I always keep my eyes open for marching bands from Ohio when we're at MK. I take digital photos of them as they're marching along. Then when I get home I do an on-line search for the school and e-mail them to the band directors. I was so surprised when, last Christmas, we were down there and the Utica Marching Band marched in the parade. I didn't even know where Utica was but found out it was somewhere near Columbus. Would you believe that another DISer (whom I have met in person) sent me a pm and asked if I had been to WDW and if I was the person that e-mailed pictures to their band director!!!
All I can say after that is, It really is a small world after all!

TC

 

[Stitchfans]

That is so super. Funny when we were at WDW one Spring break the band from the high school I work at was there also. Was nice but not thrilling since of course none of the students were mine kids.

 

[Kitty 34]

If any child has the opportunity to march at Disney GO for it and parents you need to go, too. Like Karen, my son also marched last week down there and it was an awesome experience!! I can hardly wait to see the DVD that Disney tapes of the band marching!!!

 

[KarenB]

Tuffcookie-sent you a PM. There was band from Mason Ohio there when we were.

Kitty-Tell me about the DVD!!

 

[LUVDSNY04]

Karen,
I live in central PA. I'm just wondering if you are from Curwensville,PA. Their band was down at DW and marched down Mainstreet.

It is neat to hear a local high school band when you are at DW. We seem to be at DW the same time West Branch HS Band marches and my husband taught their band director.

 

[simba928]

I am glad you had a good trip KarenB. I wish my parents could make it for when I am marching in WDW. They tried to though. Your right, it is cool hearing people make comments about the band. We did a parade on Saturday and it was so cool hearing people sing along to Jingle Bells (thats what we played) and dancing. There was a little girl that waved to all of us as we were marching past. We also did a parade earlier this year at a local amusement park (our first performance). One guy said, "Man, you guys are killer with those flags". Those comments make up for all the negative comments and rude, ignorant remarks we get.

Kitty- I want to know about the DVD, too. Can you order them from Disney or do they just give one copy to the band?

 

[Kitty 34]

Tuffcookie-sent you a PM. There was band from Mason Ohio there when we were.

Kitty-Tell me about the DVD!!

They (Disney) gave us the option to buy a DVD of our band marching. It was all part of the Magical Music program. It's rather expensive at $45 but for me it's worth it to relive the memory.

 

[simba928]

They (Disney) gave us the option to buy a DVD of our band marching. It was all part of the Magical Music program. It's rather expensive at $45 but for me it's worth it to relive the memory.

So each person can buy one, right? Can you let me know how it is and if it is worth the $ when you get back?

 

[KarenB]

LUVDSNY04-sent you a PM

 

[Kitty 34]

So each person can buy one, right? Can you let me know how it is and if it is worth the $ when you get back?

Yes, everyone could order one. I have no idea when they will ship them to us but I'll let you know when I get it, how good it is.

 

[MinnieM3]

Congratulations! That must have been fabulous! I'm hoping to go in March with my DS.

 

[JKLLady]

Congratulations, Karen! My DD, 19, marched down Main Street with her HS band when she was 14. I too admit I cried............I was so proud of her & her friends and the people around us gave lots of compliments! DH & I were the only parents who weren't chaperoning who made the trip; I felt bad for the parents who couldn't come, they missed a very special moment.

I'm so glad you got to experience it!

:thewave:

 

[Towncrier]

Congrats. I know exactly how you feel. My son and daughter marched down Main Street on April 1st of this year. When we asked about a DVD, we were told by the travel agency that handled our marching band trip that it was "too expensive". So myself and one other dad (Glenn) took videos of the parade. I followed the band (and actually got in front of it two or three times) while the other dad setup his camera on the hub in front of the castle. My wife, in the meantime, took as many digital photos as possible. When we got home, Glenn and I loaded our videos into my PC and cut together the best footage from both and created our own DVD. I offered to burn copies for the marching band at cost and let them sell them as a fund raiser for the band boosters. I made 110 copies of our DVD and the band boosters made a nice chunk of change. Granted our DVD is nowhere near as professional as the one that Disney would have made, but it was made with love.

I have to say that my favorite of all Disney moments has to be the day that I saw my children marching at the Magic Kingdom.