UPDATED: 3/19/03! A Bit of a RANT -or- How Our Band Got The Shaft!

[SuiteDisney]

I sure hope this works out and turns out better than you expected.

I think I would write to a local newspaper and tell them what this guy did. He shouldn't be able to get away with that.

 

[Tess]

The one good thing is we did NOT supply any money to the other band and our total payment to the TA was due on 3/21--we had deadline dates (within our own band) for payment in full--broke it up into several payment dates--so all of the money is sitting there waiting to be paid out!

The group sales rep said he was going to see "what kind of Disney magic he could send our way" and is supposed to get back with us before closing time at group sales. I just hope it comes within our budget. . .

Forget the jousting dinner thing--what a waste. I thought about trying for a dessert party at Illuminations (provided we can make the trip work)--the music is terrific and seems more appropriate for a band group than jousting! The dessert party should be less pricey than the dinner anyway I should think?

 

[Tuffcookie]

Tess, You go girl!!! I just love a "take-charge" kind of person! I agree that the most important thing is to somehow pull this trip off. Thank goodness you did not pay $$$ to anyone yet. Your band director may be good at his/her job but really dropped the ball on this one. Hopefully, a lesson was learned from this. We're all so proud of you for picking up the pieces. I will send extra prayers and pixie dust your way. (BTW: I like your idea of forgetting the jousting dinner and doing the dessert party at Illuminations instead.)

TC

 

[Big V]

Sounds like you have everything under control Tess! That band is so lucky to have you there! Sending some more pixie dust your way.
Scott

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Good luck and pixie dust Tess! Hope you're able to work this out for the kids - then when all is said and done let us hope the band director learns a lesson from this!

Deb

 

[mickeyfan1]

Originally posted by Tess

Forget the jousting dinner thing--what a waste. I thought about trying for a dessert party at Illuminations (provided we can make the trip work)--the music is terrific and seems more appropriate for a band group than jousting! The dessert party should be less pricey than the dinner anyway I should think?

Tess, our kids did the jousting dinner, HATED IT. I would go for Illuminations if you can get it, it it totally awesome. The prices I have seen are from 17 to 40 dollars PP, depending on what you pick, I assume.

Keep us posted, I hope you get to go. For a lot of these kids, it is the only way they will ever get to the World!

 

[Tess]

You are so, so right about some of these kids. Many of them have never left the confines of our county--let alone a trip to WDW! There are a few of the kids who wouldn't even be going but for the generosity of companies like Wal-Mart and parents who have worked for "credits" toward the trip who donated them to those kids.

My husband deserves more credit than I--he's making the phone calls (after all he gets to go, I'm at home with our middle school daughter)--I'm just the "supervisor" sending him in the right direction. The dessert party was an inspiration from posts on the boards. First things first though--get the show on the road! Things are looking good at this point.

Maybe the biggest hurdle will be keeping the trip on the books once war breaks out. . .the superintendent gave us an "unofficial" okay even when things get rolling in Iraq--if we go to code Red (which I don't think will happen barring any more terrorist acts on the home front), our schools will close until things are stepped down which would (could) nix the entire plan. The band has had permission for the trip since the beginning of the school year--just hope nothing happens to rescind that permission. We're doing a lot of juggling right now--hope those balls don't bonk us on the head!

Thanks for the words of encouragement and dust!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

That's funny about Medeival Times--our band goes to WDW every four years and hated it last time. I think TAs must get a kickback for booking it. They only give the kids about 2 days in 3 parks but always push out-of-park stuff.
Tess, if you run into any roadblocks, have you thought about the "call for action" type of TV coverage? I would think your community would rally around you--although that would mean someone would have to talk about the other band director on camera, which your band director probably wouldn't do if she's that devoted to him.
Robin M.

 

[ByTheSea]

Good luck! Hope it all works out for you!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm a band mother who cries whenever a high school band marches at WDW-the joy they must feel, the pride of the parents. it chokes me up now. DS is in college now (music performance major) but "once a band parent always a band parent". I just wanted to send my thoughts and prayers with you for a good trip-I know I don't have to say "Have fun"-I'm sure you will. Let us know how it all turns out.

 

[kidzmom3]

just wanted to wish you good luck and pixie dust!

 

[skuttle]

I hope everything works out for the trip!!

DH and I just returned from WDW w/ his band....well, he's not the director, but he's the percussion instructor (DH is still in college working on his music ed degree ). They marched in MK and had a wonderful time!

Sending TONS of pixie dust your way....I really hope you can work everything out!

 

[kidzmom3]

just wondering if you have had any resolution??