June 9 update - Disney trip information
Our plans to reschedule the 2020 Disney trip remain on hold while the Disney Corporation begins to re-open following the COVID-19 shutdown. Work continues behind the scenes to secure refunds for our graduating seniors. We appreciate your patience while we work through the process; we will keep you updated as soon as more details are available!
2020 Trip information - will be updated for 2021 trip once new information is finalized:
Disney Trip FAQ
Click the button below for the Disney trip FAQ, compiled from questions received since the April informational meeting. Email Mrs. Stark if you have a question not listed here and we will get you the answer!
If your student WILL NOT be traveling to or from Orlando with the band on the buses, please let Mrs. Stark by email know as soon as possible. Because we pay for each seat on the bus, there is no reduction in the package price for any student who elects to travel with their family rather than on the buses.
Our plans to reschedule the 2020 Disney trip remain on hold while the Disney Corporation begins to re-open following the COVID-19 shutdown. Work continues behind the scenes to secure refunds for our graduating seniors. We appreciate your patience while we work through the process; we will keep you updated as soon as more details are available!
2020 Trip information - will be updated for 2021 trip once new information is finalized:
Disney Trip FAQ
Click the button below for the Disney trip FAQ, compiled from questions received since the April informational meeting. Email Mrs. Stark if you have a question not listed here and we will get you the answer!
If your student WILL NOT be traveling to or from Orlando with the band on the buses, please let Mrs. Stark by email know as soon as possible. Because we pay for each seat on the bus, there is no reduction in the package price for any student who elects to travel with their family rather than on the buses.
How do Fast Passes work? Here is information from the Disney website:
How many FastPass+ selections can I make for each day of my vacation?
Before you arrive, for each day of valid theme park admission, you can make up to 3 FastPass+ selections for a single park per day (depending on availability).
Use the First 3, Then Get More
Once you redeem your initial set of FastPass+ selections (or the last arrival window has passed), you can make another FastPass+ selection for the same day at an in-park kiosk or using your mobile device, up to park closing. After you redeem the additional FastPass+ pick, you can return to a kiosk to make more selections (one at a time).
If your ticket includes a Park Hopper Option, after you use your initial FastPass+ selections at the first park, you’ll be able to make additional FastPass+ selections (one at a time) at the second park you visit that day, up to park closing. Just visit a kiosk or using your mobile device to make the additional selections.
With Tickets, Plan 30 Days in Advance
With theme park tickets, you can make FastPass+ selections up to 30 days prior to the day you’ll use them.
Still have Fast Pass questions? Visit the Disney website https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/fast-pass-plus/number-selections/
Students are reminded not to schedule their Fast Passes during scheduled performance times:
A note about meal vouchers from our Tour Operator:
"Meal vouchers are not worth a set dollar value at the restaurants, but rather, good for one entrée, side, and drink. This is stated on the voucher. We will announce that students are to present the voucher before ordering to be sure they are ordering included items. For example, in Universal at Leaky Cauldron a sample of meals would be Fish and Chips, Specialty Chicken Sandwich with fries, Bangers & Mash (Sausage and mashed potatoes). At Hard Rock Café, some samples would be Burger, Cheeseburger, Veggie Burger, Chicken Tenders, Cheesy Mac, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Caesar Salad. The sandwiches include fries. At Louie’s Italian they can get things such as Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti, garlic breadstick and side salad, Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, breadstick and side salad, or jumbo pizza slice with breadstick and side salad. The walk up places are mostly sandwich/salad type offerings."
Reminder about Trip Insurance:
Trip insurance is not included in the cost of the trip, but is a recommended optional purchase from a third party vendor. Policies vary by company and may cover cancellation due to illness, luggage loss, or other items as detailed in their individual policies. We strongly recommend that families research their trip insurance options, costs, the deadlines to purchase, and the items covered by the individual policy chosen. Neither Gull Lake Community Schools nor Explorer Tours sell trip insurance or endorses any specific insurance company; it is the responsibility of each traveler to decide if they wish to purchase trip insurance through the company of their choosing. Each company that provides trip insurance for purchase has their own specific rules, policies and coverage limitations, and it is up to the individual traveler(s) to understand the coverage that they have selected.
Explorer Tours offers a link to InsureMyTrip.com on their website as a convenient way to start researching available policies. Please click on the "Payment Schedule and Costs Per Person" button on the Trip Costs and Payments drop down page above for information about cancellation deadlines and penalties and trip insurance.
A note about hair color:
Disney has a strict policy against hair color for their guest performers. No student with unnatural hair color - pink, purple, green, blue, etc - will be allowed to participate in the Disney parade. Students who are considering hair dye should wait until AFTER the Disney trip!
Important Dates for all Disney trip travelers:
CANCELLED Friday, March 20, 2020 at 7:00 PM - mandatory meeting for all travelers and parents
Paperwork may be turned in at the meeting or to the Band Office; all paperwork is due Friday, March 27 at 3:00
CANCELLED Friday, March 27, 2020 by 3:00 PM - all paperwork due to Mrs. Stark
CANCELLED Thursday, April 2, 2020, 5:00 - 6:00 PM - mandatory luggage drop for all travelers
CANCELLED Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 6:00 PM - mandatory meeting for all travelers and parents.
Final details and paperwork check before departure on Friday morning!
CANCELLED Friday, April 3, 2020 by 7:00 AM (call time to be confirmed)
All travelers arrive at GLHS for departure
How many FastPass+ selections can I make for each day of my vacation?
Before you arrive, for each day of valid theme park admission, you can make up to 3 FastPass+ selections for a single park per day (depending on availability).
Use the First 3, Then Get More
Once you redeem your initial set of FastPass+ selections (or the last arrival window has passed), you can make another FastPass+ selection for the same day at an in-park kiosk or using your mobile device, up to park closing. After you redeem the additional FastPass+ pick, you can return to a kiosk to make more selections (one at a time).
If your ticket includes a Park Hopper Option, after you use your initial FastPass+ selections at the first park, you’ll be able to make additional FastPass+ selections (one at a time) at the second park you visit that day, up to park closing. Just visit a kiosk or using your mobile device to make the additional selections.
With Tickets, Plan 30 Days in Advance
With theme park tickets, you can make FastPass+ selections up to 30 days prior to the day you’ll use them.
Still have Fast Pass questions? Visit the Disney website https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/fast-pass-plus/number-selections/
Students are reminded not to schedule their Fast Passes during scheduled performance times:
- EPCOT "You're Instrumental" workshop from 5:00 - 8:30 PM on Sunday, April 5; we will meet as a group prior to the workshop at 6:00
- Morning rehearsal and Magic Kingdom "Festival of Fantasy Pre-Parade" from 9:00 AM - approximately 3:30 PM on Monday, April 6
- Double park day, Wednesday, April 8: we will be at Animal Kingdom in the morning until approximately noon and Hollywood Studios in the afternoon. Do not schedule Animal Kingdom Fast Passes after 12:00 or Hollywood Studios Fast Passes prior to 1:00
A note about meal vouchers from our Tour Operator:
"Meal vouchers are not worth a set dollar value at the restaurants, but rather, good for one entrée, side, and drink. This is stated on the voucher. We will announce that students are to present the voucher before ordering to be sure they are ordering included items. For example, in Universal at Leaky Cauldron a sample of meals would be Fish and Chips, Specialty Chicken Sandwich with fries, Bangers & Mash (Sausage and mashed potatoes). At Hard Rock Café, some samples would be Burger, Cheeseburger, Veggie Burger, Chicken Tenders, Cheesy Mac, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Caesar Salad. The sandwiches include fries. At Louie’s Italian they can get things such as Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti, garlic breadstick and side salad, Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, breadstick and side salad, or jumbo pizza slice with breadstick and side salad. The walk up places are mostly sandwich/salad type offerings."
Reminder about Trip Insurance:
Trip insurance is not included in the cost of the trip, but is a recommended optional purchase from a third party vendor. Policies vary by company and may cover cancellation due to illness, luggage loss, or other items as detailed in their individual policies. We strongly recommend that families research their trip insurance options, costs, the deadlines to purchase, and the items covered by the individual policy chosen. Neither Gull Lake Community Schools nor Explorer Tours sell trip insurance or endorses any specific insurance company; it is the responsibility of each traveler to decide if they wish to purchase trip insurance through the company of their choosing. Each company that provides trip insurance for purchase has their own specific rules, policies and coverage limitations, and it is up to the individual traveler(s) to understand the coverage that they have selected.
Explorer Tours offers a link to InsureMyTrip.com on their website as a convenient way to start researching available policies. Please click on the "Payment Schedule and Costs Per Person" button on the Trip Costs and Payments drop down page above for information about cancellation deadlines and penalties and trip insurance.
A note about hair color:
Disney has a strict policy against hair color for their guest performers. No student with unnatural hair color - pink, purple, green, blue, etc - will be allowed to participate in the Disney parade. Students who are considering hair dye should wait until AFTER the Disney trip!
Important Dates for all Disney trip travelers:
CANCELLED Friday, March 20, 2020 at 7:00 PM - mandatory meeting for all travelers and parents
Paperwork may be turned in at the meeting or to the Band Office; all paperwork is due Friday, March 27 at 3:00
CANCELLED Friday, March 27, 2020 by 3:00 PM - all paperwork due to Mrs. Stark
CANCELLED Thursday, April 2, 2020, 5:00 - 6:00 PM - mandatory luggage drop for all travelers
- Officer Kelm and a Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department K-9 drug dog will be searching all luggage, including carry-on bags
- Chaperones will be checking that all students have their personal uniform items for the parade and community concert packed in their luggage:
- black marching shoes
- black socks
- gloves
- secondary uniform performance shirt
- secondary uniform performance shorts
- khaki shorts and light blue GL Disney trip shirt for the community concert
- Color Guard items will be announced
- Once searched, all luggage, including carry-on bags, will be locked in the Choir Room until Friday morning
- Carry-on bags will be returned to travelers Friday morning when we load the buses
- Luggage loaded in the storage compartment beneath the buses will not be accessible until we check-in to hotel late Saturday afternoon
CANCELLED Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 6:00 PM - mandatory meeting for all travelers and parents.
Final details and paperwork check before departure on Friday morning!
CANCELLED Friday, April 3, 2020 by 7:00 AM (call time to be confirmed)
All travelers arrive at GLHS for departure
