Maybe a 2017 trip too!?!

[sydney]

Jared had hinted at his marching band possibly doing a trip this next school year to WDW to perform. I had to email his band director about something else and posed the question to him about the trip. he confirmed that the band is planning a trip for April 2017! No details are finalized so it's just in the beginnings of planning stages. I let him know I would be happy to help plan and definitely chaperone! Ron may not be able to get off work but said Jared and I should go and have fun! Taylor has also volunteered to chaperone if he can get off. Has anyone ever been with a group of teens?

[Dave]

DW and I have been with moderately large groups (18 - 22 people) that included teens, but never with only teens. Too bad Ron may not get to go, but you and Jared should have a great time. I think you should never miss a chance to go to WDW. I hope you're able to go.

[ilovdisney]

Sound like fun. If they are doing one of the music program they may play down the streets at MK.

[Karen K.]

That sounds like fun Sydney! Keep us informed!

[sydney]

No more maybe- it's happening!!!

ARHS band is officially going to WDW! It's not for as long as we're used to, but it will give more kids the opportunity to go. Part of it coincides with their Spring break. I am also signed on as a chaperone, so I'm super excited to not only get to go to Disney again, but to be able to see Jared experience it with his friends. About 70 kids are going as of now. This is the first big trip the band has taken since the school opened in 2008. The first director, who was Taylor's, took them to a national competition in Atlanta and then they did the Six Flags the next day and came home. The current director, who started Jared's freshman year, has taken bands to Disney before and has a great travel agent he's worked with in the past, so this should go well.

So the first day they'll leave school a couple hours early, stop for dinner on the way down, and then check in the hotel. We're not staying on property, but very close off Palm Parkway. The next day the band will perform in the morning, but we're not sure where yet. Disney still has to get back with their director on whether they're doing a parade or concert performance. The plan is to do that in the morning and then do either AK or DHS the rest of the day. The day after that they will be in MK from rope drop to close! Woo hoo! Then the last full day we will be at Universal all day, with access to both parks, ending the night seeing the Blue Man Group performance. Then we'll ride home the following day.

This will be so weird for me since I am not planning anything!!! I think it will be good for me to just go with the flow and be more spontaneous though. FP's won't be an option but that's ok. I don't have any clue about Universal since I've only been once as a teen and they've added a ton since then. I'm really only interested in the Harry Potter parts, so if that's all I do I'll be happy. Jared's not into the thrill rides either, though Ron said he may change his mind if his friends and girl friend are going on them. The hotel has a full breakfast buffet, then we get meal vouchers or something for the park days.

Another cool thing is that Taylor's girl friend will be working at MK when we're there! She actually leaves today to head down and is doing the college program. She is supposed to be working in Fantasyland but won't find out her attraction for a couple weeks. If she is off any time during our trip she's going to meet up with us.

As for Taylor coming down during this trip he is not going to. He is however wanting to plan to go for his birthday over the summer now. He'll be turning 21, and his girl friend will be turning 21 the week before. When her and I went to lunch last week we started talking about it and so now I'm going to look into where I can get him a room. He should be able to get the 4 day military ticket and then they can drink around Epcot to celebrate their birthdays! We'll probably go visit him at his base sometime in the middle of July.

Only 2 months till the trip and I know it will past by quickly. I've got a lot going on at work so I'll definitely be ready for a break!

[Dave]

Another Disney trip. Good for you, Sydney. I've never been to WDW when I didn't do the planning. Let me know if it works out. If it does I'll see if DW will plan a trip.

It sounds like a great trip - WDW and Universal. And with 70 kids, it should be really exciting.

Too bad Taylor won't be able to make this trip, but the "turn 21" trip sounds like a lot of fun.

I hope all of you have a great time.

[ilovdisney]

I'm glad it all came together and that you didn't have to do anything. Enjoy that. I can't believe Taylor is turning 21!

[Dave]

Sydney, Are you back from your band trip? How did it go and did you have a great time? Any plans for a trip report?