The happiest place on Earth for 28. (TR) About This Page:

[Alaskan Mom]

Well now that I got pics downloaded to my computer, and mostly up to photobucket although the Disney photopass service is not letting me download those pics today I thought I would get started anyway.

For full details of how this trip came about you can read the pre-TR, I'm going to Disneyland with 50 teenagers, what?

A brief summary:
My DD (Beth-17) has been in choir at her high school since freshman year. In her freshman year the choir went to New York City but her choir section was not going. They did not travel last year as they had a new choir teacher. This year was a trip to Disneyland to attend a workshop and perform in the park. DD thought we would not be able to go but the price was really good so I signed up to chaperone - we were going!

Cast of Characters
me, Bonnie 55, mom of 2, grandma of 3 (adult DD is 32), teacher, lived in Alaska almost 43 years, currently living in WA. Always liked Disney movies, I have a large collection, enjoyed the parks, Disneyland several times and WDW once but did not get the 'bug' until our last trip (2011) to WDW when we stayed on property.

DD, loves disney, can sing all songs from films, many films can quote line for line, knows lots of trivia, this would be her 2nd trip to DL and had been to WDW in 2011.

The choir teacher - Luke, likes Disney, single, 24, had been to DL a couple of times before, fav rides space mountain, potc, and splash - must like goofy because got a goofy hat.

Chaperones:
Sirfredrick, really likes Disney and goes frequently with his daughter.
Shalondra, quietest chaperone.
Sheryl, most vocal, likes Disney - had been at least once before.

There are 4 choir groups at DD's school, Bella Voca - all girls and Concert choir are the only 2 groups who had students going, DD is in concert choir. The final tally was 23 students from the 2 choirs who went.

Day 1 Tuesday April 5th, part 1 and We're off!

5AM, alarm rang, out of bed, hopped into shower, dressed, dump alarm clock, toothbrush, ect. into carry-on. Get DD up, DH up so can take us to airport. Last minute check to see if I forgot anything, nope good to go.

6:55AM arrive at airport, find teacher and TA with several students, Sheryl, a couple of parents who were going but on their own, apparently Sirfredrick had arrived and went though security with his daughter and one other student. TA directed students who where there and Sheryl and I to get in a line (just for us) to pick up boarding passes, which we did then asked if I would take this group through security, sure. The 10 students and I headed for security, I asked the choir president (student) if she got through before me to find a gathering spot on the other side of the security line. The line was loooonnng and we inched along. A family behind me, asked if they could move in front of me because their plane left in 25 minutes, I said sure but really! People should plan ahead. I was at the front of the line when a TSA agent told me to hold out my hands and then wiped them down with something, I couldn't smell anything but he never said why he did it.

Because I had pre-check security said I didn't have to remove my shoes and let 4 other students and me though the only metal detector rather than the full scan where you had to raise your arms. Another TSA agents asked what he was doing and ours said we had pre check, I even waved my boarding pass at him so we didn't have to go back though the other one.

Then DD's suitcase didn't come though and had been flagged by security so we waited for an agent who opened it checked around and pulled the sunscreen (which was an aresol can, shook it and declared it was only half full which would then have been under the limit (although it was a brand new can) so I am glad they didn't throw it away. Then wiped a cloth around the edges of the carry on, before saying we were good to go. Even with that stop we were the first ones on the other side. We had seen teacher with last arriving students get in line before we went though security so knew everyone had arrived. Went to gate and found a place to gather, found Sirfredrick and other 2 students so we were all together for about 1 minute when a student thought his boarding pass was left at security so teacher told me he was returning with the kid.

I told teacher I would check with airline agents about boarding without them. When I asked the agents asked "Are you willing to leave them here?" So in other words not a good idea.
The agent did tell me they could reprint boarding pass so I texted teacher and told him to come back. He reappeared less then a minute later saying the kid had his boarding pass with him after all and had found it. The announcement was made to board and we got in line. Everyone got on board and found their seats with some shuffling around of students but finally we were airborne!

Up next, Is that our bus?

[chezp]

I'm glad you've started, although you've already had your fair share of drama and you're not even on the plane yet. I was exhausted reading all that!

[Cam22]

Great start! Glad that you all survived a bit of confusion before boarding.

[cattailmarsh]

Too much chaos for that early in the morning. So far it seems like you are the more organized of the bunch! Looking forward to reading more. Glad that you started this.

[purplegal]

Glad you started, looking forward to following along.

[Alaskan Mom]

Originally Posted by chezp

I'm glad you've started, although you've already had your fair share of drama and you're not even on the plane yet. I was exhausted reading all that!

It was a little crazy but things do calm down, thank goodness!

Originally Posted by Cam22

Great start! Glad that you all survived a bit of confusion before boarding.

Thanks, me too.

Originally Posted by cattailmarsh

Too much chaos for that early in the morning. So far it seems like you are the more organized of the bunch! Looking forward to reading more. Glad that you started this.

I agree, I would have had groups set up to go through security before arrival because it seems like the TA just did everything when people arrived which was a little last minute if you ask me.

Originally Posted by purplegal

Glad you started, looking forward to following along.

Thanks for joining

[Canada Amy]

Looking forward to hearing what you thought of the crowds! I guess those crowd predictions were correct after all!! Does touring plans give a report on what the crowd levels actually were? I'd love to know because if that wasn't 8 or 9, I don't think I'd chance DL again ever from March until September! And since it can be cold in winter months, that leaves late October and early November, I think!

[KimmyAnn1147]

Signing on!

Amy: I think DL is doing a great job of "distributing" visitors throughout the year, AKA attracting folks during traditionally less busy times. From what I've read, I don't think there is any time of year when it's really low-crowd.

[Alaskan Mom]

Originally Posted by Canada Amy

Looking forward to hearing what you thought of the crowds! I guess those crowd predictions were correct after all!! Does touring plans give a report on what the crowd levels actually were? I'd love to know because if that wasn't 8 or 9, I don't think I'd chance DL again ever from March until September! And since it can be cold in winter months, that leaves late October and early November, I think!

The whole time we were there were 9's except Thursday was an 8, it seemed to me that DL was more crowded than CA. I think the 60th Anniversary is bringing crowds up. I did some checking over last year and times when park is 4-6 or lower as far as crowds would be:
last 2 weeks of January, 1st week of February
Last 2 weeks of April & 1st week of May
Last week of August & all of September (lowest crowd month) and much of October, & 1st week of November.
1st 2 weeks of December.. We went during this period our last trip to DL and crowds were minimal but got rain & wind one day, cloudly a couple of more days and the rest was sunny.

Originally Posted by KimmyAnn1147

Signing on!

Amy: I think DL is doing a great job of "distributing" visitors throughout the year, AKA attracting folks during traditionally less busy times. From what I've read, I don't think there is any time of year when it's really low-crowd.

Glad you joined in!

[Alaskan Mom]

The first 30 to 40 minutes of the flight the students were chatting and noise levels were up, I made some notes but then students quieted down and were listening to music or napping, DD too. Shalondra, who was sitting in our row of three was by the window and had plugged into her laptop watching a show and didn't speak to DD or I the entire flight. I felt on the tired side, too much excitment getting ready and so I was but of course cannot sleep on an airplane but I did close my eyes for a bit and rest.
About 30 minutes before we landed, the students seemed to wake up and begin talking again now that we were close to landing. We taxied in and waited our turn to get off. I was the last one in line just to make sure everyone got off the plane. As I said good-bye to the flight attendants a student approached me saying his carry on was still on the plane but the attendant had placed it at the back of the plane. I walked out of the ramp to find teacher, Shalondra and several students standing together discussing where the rest of students went (bathrooms). Teacher wanted to go collect them - I told him we needed to wait for student on plane - so we waited for that student and while doing so, the male students returned from using restroom so we walked to find the closest women's restroom and the female students where Chaperone Sheryl was waiting.
We finally had gathered everyone who had not gone to baggage with Sirfredrick and were off to meet them. As soon as we got there I moved closer to the doors so my phone had a better signal to call the bus company that was picking us up. This is what the TA told us to do, I reached him and he said he would be at the airport shortly, that I could call him Mr. E and he would be driving a black bus. The teacher knew the company name so that would help us identify which black bus.
The teacher wanted students to be with there assigned chaporone so we grouped up and went outside to meet the bus. For some reason I was the first one out the door, crossed the street to the walkway so that I could spot the sign we were supposed to stand under. My students were following me, and when I turned to check on them all the groups were following me, It looked like a mama duck with all her ducklings.
We grouped together as best as we could without taking up all the space in the area waiting. After about 5 minutes I heard students and chaperones begin to watch buses asking if that was our bus. I will share with you that - I got that a bunch this trip- if anyone didn't know something they would ask me, not the teacher. They certainly did about DL so that 2nd day in the parks one of the chaperones started calling me mama Disney and it stuck. Maybe it's just because I look wise but more likely it's because I'm old! It was only a few more minutes when Mr. E arrived so we could leave the airport.
I will stop here so I can add pictures in the next installment.

Up next: What's "The Animal"?

[oldmom]

Traveling with groups is fun. I went with a GS group of 32 to the British Isles and 48 to GA and Disney World. Your departure sounds familiar.

[cattailmarsh]

Better that they asked you than another teacher/chaperone who obviously knew nothing about DL. Mama Disney is kind of catchy!

[chezp]

Mama Disney - I love it! My goodness, you can see why the chaperones are needed, as you're already being well used, what with leaving stuff on the plane. I guess in a big group, there's always going to be someone who needs help.

[belle0517]

Great start!

[cubfancolleen]

Signing on! I'm laughing over much of this so far, as I completely relate. I chaperoned my son's soccer team trip to Italy and Spain. Getting 20 15 yr old boys through all those airports (and keeping track of them in-country) was certainly a bit of a challenge.