What are your best packing tips for high school students on their Spring Trip to WDW

[angiepangie]

In a couple of weeks I will be chaperoning a group of High School students to WDW for their Spring Trip. As a Disney Veteran, I have been asked to compile a list of necessities for the students. I have my own very extensive packing list for my family of four but I can't expect each student to pack all of the things I would take for my family. So if you have had experience chaperoning a group of students, what would your recommendations be?

This is what I have so far:

Sunglasses
Light Backpack
Hat
Towel
Sun Block
Ponchos
Band Aids
Extra Socks
Wet Wipes
Ziplock Bags
Kool Aid Single Serving Packets
Snacks
Chargers - Phone, Camera, MP3

 

[rpcwjr]

I would make sure they know to bring good sneakers for walking. A day in the park in flip flops could be painful.

 

[chartle]

Band Aids for the blisters. Also, is this an overnight trip.

 

[Queenscoroots]

I would recommend good sneakers for walking, but flipflops or sandals for just going to your resort pool. Also, I don't think they would need to bring a towel (we never do), as they are available at the resorts and water parks, and it takes up so much room in your suitcase!

 

[angiepangie]

Band Aids for the blisters. Also, is this an overnight trip.

Yes this is an over-nighter. We will have 3 nights in the hotel and 4 days of parks.

 

[chartle]

Yes this is an over-nighter. We will have 3 nights in the hotel and 4 days of parks.

Well I have done two trips, on exactly this week of the year (end of Feb) with my sons' band. Not sure how much it will warm up, but make sure they are prepared for the weather.

Six years ago it was 70's to 80's all week and we were looking to go to Walmart to get shorts. Two years ago its was long pants and coats.

After a near disaster at Epcot, I made sure to tell the kids the night before when we were leaving the bus what the weather was going to be the next day.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Multiple teens in a room definitely need a powerstrip or two for charging. Even back in the old days when we didn't have cell phones and miscellaneous electronics, we ran out of plugs!

I hate being loaded down in the parks, so I would do some trimming. Some parents will take your list literally and run out and buy everything you suggest, even if their kid isn't one who would carry all of it to the park. I wouldn't include the following unless it was in an "optional, but here it why it is handy" list.

Towel - not really needed
Wet Wipes - maybe one teen in a group might carry a small package, but it isn't an item they all need.
Ziplock Bags - ditto
Kool Aid Single Serving Packets - only for those who don't like plain water
Snacks - again, I'd just as soon buy snacks if needed as carry them.

I think I would add more packing suggestions:

3 pairs of shorts
1 pair of jeans
4 shirts
Walking shoes
Night clothes
Swimsuit
Flip-flops
Coverup

 

[chartle]

Multiple teens in a room definitely need a powerstrip or two for charging.

yes

 

[Random Ninja]

Here's our standard list for Disney trips with teens/kids/groups for 3 nights.

Suitcase
2 pairs of jeans
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of sandals *for pool
5 sets underwear
1 swimsuit
4 short sleeve shirts
1 light-weight jacket *waterproof preferred
2 set pajamas
5 pairs of socks
Toiletries


Daypack
Camera
Phone
Sun glasses
Hat or visor *optional
Hand sanitizer
Reusable Water bottle *optional
Snacks *optional
Sunscreen
Bug repellant
Poncho
Ziplock bag *keep stuff in on water rides
Contact phone number list
Group Itinerary
*Light backpacks only*

 

[angiepangie]

Well I have done two trips, on exactly this week of the year (end of Feb) with my sons' band. Not sure how much it will warm up, but make sure they are prepared for the weather.

Six years ago it was 70's to 80's all week and we were looking to go to Walmart to get shorts. Two years ago its was long pants and coats.

After a near disaster at Epcot, I made sure to tell the kids the night before when we were leaving the bus what the weather was going to be the next day.

Great tip -thanks!

 

[angiepangie]

Multiple teens in a room definitely need a powerstrip or two for charging. Even back in the old days when we didn't have cell phones and miscellaneous electronics, we ran out of plugs!

I hate being loaded down in the parks, so I would do some trimming. Some parents will take your list literally and run out and buy everything you suggest, even if their kid isn't one who would carry all of it to the park.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[minnieears]

Thanks for the advice on this thread. I'm chaperoning a middle school band to Disney next week, and was wondering the same thing. I know what I would pack for my family but wasn't sure what to suggest to the band parents.

My own daughters will have a cross-body bag for their cell phone, chapstick, money, water bottle, sunglasses, hat, etc. I worry about the kids loosing their money, ticket, etc. if they don't have a secure place for the items.

 

[chartle]

Thanks for the advice on this thread. I'm chaperoning a middle school band to Disney next week, and was wondering the same thing. I know what I would pack for my family but wasn't sure what to suggest to the band parents.

My own daughters will have a cross-body bag for their cell phone, chapstick, money, water bottle, sunglasses, hat, etc. I worry about the kids loosing their money, ticket, etc. if they don't have a secure place for the items.

As for tickets if you have them now photo copy them all.

The last trip I was on we separated them by room and then made one copy per room. Once each kid picked their ticket from the room they then marked their ticket on the sheet. That way we could find a ticket easy and get it replaced quickly.

As for money we had 7th to 12th graders and just hoped they would be responsible. Some parents made up envelopes that the chaperons handed out each day.

With a school trip, any wasted time tends to create triple the issues. On two 6th grade over night field trips to DC we missed seeing the Iwo Jima memorial because both times one group was late meeting up because they walked out the wrong door of the Smithsonian Museum we were meeting at.

 

[noahdove]

I always told the youth I worked with, pack your underwear,socks in an ziplock baggie that way, once they are in the bathroom, they will have what they need. Also, be sure they have YOUR cellphone number, just in case they get misplaced in the crowd I would say 2 swimsuits as the first one may not get dried before they want to swim the next time. Wick dry socks, gold bond powder to help with chafing, blister block to rub on areas that may get a blister. Extra batteries for cameras...That's it for now

 

[hcoker1]

As a high school music teacher I do a trip a year and have taken them to Disney. Really push the comfortable shoes! I found that they had NO concept of how much walking was involved.
- make sure that they have their money in a checking account instead of a savings account. Out of country bank machines don't always have access to savings (I've lent money to students on many trips!)
- I gave out a small laminated business card with my cell number, the resort info and phone number to every kid.
- make sure they travel in groups! They will be so busy looking at everything that they might get lost and they don't think about having one/two people look after their "stuff" when they go on a ride
- plan to meet every 3-4 hours to check in
- we did at least one common activity each day which was amazing! No matter who they hung out with they all had these few things that EVERYONE did together, it built a great sense of community
- keep applying the sunscreen!! We Canadians got burnt pretty badly because the sun is so different in Florida
- make sure you take lots of pictures of everyone so you can share them with the kids. Some won't have cameras or will forget their cameras...or will forget to take pictures...they will thank you for this!

The most important thing: tell them not to eat too much junk! It is so easy for them to have hamburgers and fries twice a day. I went through a full package of pepto bismal for all of the upset stomachs.

Have a blast!!!