BAND TRIP SPRING 2023 - WALT DISNEY WORLD & UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Band Students & Parents,
We have been working to provide the MB&G with a quality trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios this school year. This will be the first trip that the Mighty Black & Gold has officially participated in since the world shut down in 2020. In looking at possible dates, we have decided to use the first part of Spring break for the return of travel for the MHS Band. This packet contains information pertaining to the trip. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TRIP IS OPTIONAL! Remember that your priorities should be your Fair-Share Band Fee obligation. Each person attending the trip must fundraise or pay for their fair share and trip prior to our departure. Please review the packet and return your Trip Intention Form and $150 by October 24th so that we can be begin making reservations. We reserve the right to deny anyone from participating in this trip. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you,
Michael Schultz
Milton HS Director of Bands
We have been working to provide the MB&G with a quality trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios this school year. This will be the first trip that the Mighty Black & Gold has officially participated in since the world shut down in 2020. In looking at possible dates, we have decided to use the first part of Spring break for the return of travel for the MHS Band. This packet contains information pertaining to the trip. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TRIP IS OPTIONAL! Remember that your priorities should be your Fair-Share Band Fee obligation. Each person attending the trip must fundraise or pay for their fair share and trip prior to our departure. Please review the packet and return your Trip Intention Form and $150 by October 24th so that we can be begin making reservations. We reserve the right to deny anyone from participating in this trip. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you,
Michael Schultz
Milton HS Director of Bands
DATES OF THE TRIP
Our 5-day trip will take place from Friday morning, March 10 until Tuesday evening, March 14, 2023.
PROPOSED ITINERARY
Friday, March 10 - Depart@ 10am/Lunch en route TBD/Check into Resort/Dinner at Disney Springs
Saturday, March 11 - Breakfast Buffet at Hotel / Visit Hollywood Studios
Sunday, March 12 - Breakfast Buffet at Hotel / Visit Magic Kingdom (PERFORMANCE)
Monday, March 13 - Breakfast Buffet at Hotel / Visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
Tuesday, March 14 - Breakfast Buffet at Hotel / Return to Milton by 5pm
SCHOOL ABSENCES / SCHOOL BOARD APPROVAL
This trip is an official school board approved function of Milton High School. Students will miss one day of school and will need to make-up their work OR get their schoolwork early. Students should receive an excused absence.
COST OF TRIP
The cost of the trip is $765 PER PERSON. This amount includes top-quality charter bus transportation, hotel accommodations at the gates of Disney World & Universal Studios, breakfast at the hotel, a $20 meal voucher per day at parks, 2 Days at Disney Park, and 1 day at both Universal Parks. Attendees may purchase meals and souvenirs above the cost of the trip.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
In order to make sure that we are able to pay for trip expenses in a timely manner, please try to adhere to the following payment schedule. All fair share band fees MUST be paid in full BEFORE trip payments can be made. We will work with individuals to an extent, but please make sure that you are closely communicating with us. Once we begin ordering individual tickets and paying for rooms, we must have your funds in our account to help cover the cost. Here is the recommended schedule:
OCTOBER 24 - $150 Non-Refundable Deposit
NOVEMBER 28 - $125 Non-Refundable Payment
DECEMBER 16 - $150
JANUARY 23 - $175
FEBRUARY 23 - $165/Remaining Balance
Remember that checks are payable to “Milton HS Band”. All cash must be brought into the band office before depositing so that we can write a receipt.
CHARTER BUS TRANSPORTATION
We are planning to travel with Good Times Tours out of Pensacola, FL. These buses are air-conditioned, restroom-equipped, and have DVD players/Direct TV onboard. There is a chance that free wifi is provided as well. They also have electrical outlets scattered throughout the bus for the all-important charging of the cell phones and Switches.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
We will be staying at the Rosen Inn on International Drive in Orlando. This is about a quarter mile south of Universal Studios and a mile from the gates of Walt Disney World. We have stayed here several time in the past and the facilities are very clean and luxurious. They have two swimming pools, a video arcade, fitness center, and is right next door to the world’s largest McDonalds.
ATTRACTIONS
We will be purchasing each individual a Disney 2-Day Pass. These passes will be to specific parks. We are planning for Magic Kingdom on day one, then Hollywood Studios on day two. This will be contingent on which day Disney accepts us for the parade. We will also purchase individual tickets for a 1-Day park hopper pass to Universal Studios and Island of Adventure (Harry Potter Land included). If you already have season passes, there is a chance that you can deduct the price of ticket as well…. but please make sure that there are no black-out dates during our visit. This is up to Disney as part of the performance package.
PERFORMANCE (PARADE)
We are planning to participate in a Disney Parade while in Orlando. This parade will be at the Magic Kingdom starting in Frontier Land and going right in front of Cinderella Castle right down Main Street. We will be submitting an audition as a band for this. This audition will be evaluated by the folks at Disney and we will wait for final approval. We will be taking our MARCHING instruments with us with the exception of front ensemble instruments.
CHAPERONING / PARENTS & FAMILY MEMBERS ATTENDING
This is an MHS BAND trip, however we do welcome band parents to also attend the trip as chaperones. This means that you will have some responsibility in helping us monitor the students…though it is pretty minimal for this particular trip. Siblings of band members may also attend to an extent as long as there is one parent participating. Parents are responsible for providing supervision for all siblings no matter the age and they must stay in the room with their parent. Everyone pays full price per person price (see costs above). Also, we require that band students stay in hotel rooms with other band students instead of their parents…this is a BAND trip! As per school board policy, all adults attending the trip MUST be both a LEVEL 1 & 2 school board approved volunteer. We reserve the right to deny anyone the ability to participate in this trip.
LEVEL 1 & 2 VOLUNTEERS (SEE LINK ABOVE)
All adults and chaperones that would like to attend this trip MUST be a Level 1 AND Level 2 school board approved volunteer. Volunteers must be level 1 BEFORE they can be approved to be a level 2. Once you have acquired a level 1 clearance that is school board approved, you will need to fill out the VECHS form (See Mr. Schultz for form) and turn it in to Mr. Schultz. Once these forms have been approved, you will receive a notification from our front office stating that you will need to get fingerprinted and drug tested. SEE STEP-BY-STEP HANDOUT. This is a $53.25 additional cost outside of the trip total. Once all of this is completed, you will receive a special ID badge that is good for the next 5 years, however, you will still need to apply for Level 1 clearance each year. This is a month and a half process so please take care of this NOW.
TRIP INTENTION FORMS AND DEPOSIT
So that we can begin to make reservations, please discuss the trip with your family and let us know if you are planning to attend the trip to Orlando. We are needing the Trip Intention forms returned by Monday, October 24th along with the trip deposit. Please complete the form and turn it into to the Band Office.
TRIP INFORMATION MEETING
We will have a Final Trip Information Meeting on Monday, February 27th at 6:30 pm in the MHS Bandroom. We are asking for all trip participants and their parents to attend the meeting as we’ll be distributing important information regarding final itineraries and other paperwork.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Schultz via e-mail – schultzm@santarosa.k12.fl.us.
Our 5-day trip will take place from Friday morning, March 10 until Tuesday evening, March 14, 2023.
PROPOSED ITINERARY
Friday, March 10 - Depart@ 10am/Lunch en route TBD/Check into Resort/Dinner at Disney Springs
Saturday, March 11 - Breakfast Buffet at Hotel / Visit Hollywood Studios
Sunday, March 12 - Breakfast Buffet at Hotel / Visit Magic Kingdom (PERFORMANCE)
Monday, March 13 - Breakfast Buffet at Hotel / Visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
Tuesday, March 14 - Breakfast Buffet at Hotel / Return to Milton by 5pm
SCHOOL ABSENCES / SCHOOL BOARD APPROVAL
This trip is an official school board approved function of Milton High School. Students will miss one day of school and will need to make-up their work OR get their schoolwork early. Students should receive an excused absence.
COST OF TRIP
The cost of the trip is $765 PER PERSON. This amount includes top-quality charter bus transportation, hotel accommodations at the gates of Disney World & Universal Studios, breakfast at the hotel, a $20 meal voucher per day at parks, 2 Days at Disney Park, and 1 day at both Universal Parks. Attendees may purchase meals and souvenirs above the cost of the trip.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
In order to make sure that we are able to pay for trip expenses in a timely manner, please try to adhere to the following payment schedule. All fair share band fees MUST be paid in full BEFORE trip payments can be made. We will work with individuals to an extent, but please make sure that you are closely communicating with us. Once we begin ordering individual tickets and paying for rooms, we must have your funds in our account to help cover the cost. Here is the recommended schedule:
OCTOBER 24 - $150 Non-Refundable Deposit
NOVEMBER 28 - $125 Non-Refundable Payment
DECEMBER 16 - $150
JANUARY 23 - $175
FEBRUARY 23 - $165/Remaining Balance
Remember that checks are payable to “Milton HS Band”. All cash must be brought into the band office before depositing so that we can write a receipt.
CHARTER BUS TRANSPORTATION
We are planning to travel with Good Times Tours out of Pensacola, FL. These buses are air-conditioned, restroom-equipped, and have DVD players/Direct TV onboard. There is a chance that free wifi is provided as well. They also have electrical outlets scattered throughout the bus for the all-important charging of the cell phones and Switches.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
We will be staying at the Rosen Inn on International Drive in Orlando. This is about a quarter mile south of Universal Studios and a mile from the gates of Walt Disney World. We have stayed here several time in the past and the facilities are very clean and luxurious. They have two swimming pools, a video arcade, fitness center, and is right next door to the world’s largest McDonalds.
ATTRACTIONS
We will be purchasing each individual a Disney 2-Day Pass. These passes will be to specific parks. We are planning for Magic Kingdom on day one, then Hollywood Studios on day two. This will be contingent on which day Disney accepts us for the parade. We will also purchase individual tickets for a 1-Day park hopper pass to Universal Studios and Island of Adventure (Harry Potter Land included). If you already have season passes, there is a chance that you can deduct the price of ticket as well…. but please make sure that there are no black-out dates during our visit. This is up to Disney as part of the performance package.
PERFORMANCE (PARADE)
We are planning to participate in a Disney Parade while in Orlando. This parade will be at the Magic Kingdom starting in Frontier Land and going right in front of Cinderella Castle right down Main Street. We will be submitting an audition as a band for this. This audition will be evaluated by the folks at Disney and we will wait for final approval. We will be taking our MARCHING instruments with us with the exception of front ensemble instruments.
CHAPERONING / PARENTS & FAMILY MEMBERS ATTENDING
This is an MHS BAND trip, however we do welcome band parents to also attend the trip as chaperones. This means that you will have some responsibility in helping us monitor the students…though it is pretty minimal for this particular trip. Siblings of band members may also attend to an extent as long as there is one parent participating. Parents are responsible for providing supervision for all siblings no matter the age and they must stay in the room with their parent. Everyone pays full price per person price (see costs above). Also, we require that band students stay in hotel rooms with other band students instead of their parents…this is a BAND trip! As per school board policy, all adults attending the trip MUST be both a LEVEL 1 & 2 school board approved volunteer. We reserve the right to deny anyone the ability to participate in this trip.
LEVEL 1 & 2 VOLUNTEERS (SEE LINK ABOVE)
All adults and chaperones that would like to attend this trip MUST be a Level 1 AND Level 2 school board approved volunteer. Volunteers must be level 1 BEFORE they can be approved to be a level 2. Once you have acquired a level 1 clearance that is school board approved, you will need to fill out the VECHS form (See Mr. Schultz for form) and turn it in to Mr. Schultz. Once these forms have been approved, you will receive a notification from our front office stating that you will need to get fingerprinted and drug tested. SEE STEP-BY-STEP HANDOUT. This is a $53.25 additional cost outside of the trip total. Once all of this is completed, you will receive a special ID badge that is good for the next 5 years, however, you will still need to apply for Level 1 clearance each year. This is a month and a half process so please take care of this NOW.
TRIP INTENTION FORMS AND DEPOSIT
So that we can begin to make reservations, please discuss the trip with your family and let us know if you are planning to attend the trip to Orlando. We are needing the Trip Intention forms returned by Monday, October 24th along with the trip deposit. Please complete the form and turn it into to the Band Office.
TRIP INFORMATION MEETING
We will have a Final Trip Information Meeting on Monday, February 27th at 6:30 pm in the MHS Bandroom. We are asking for all trip participants and their parents to attend the meeting as we’ll be distributing important information regarding final itineraries and other paperwork.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Schultz via e-mail – schultzm@santarosa.k12.fl.us.
