I could kick myself for not knowing about this program when we went October 2011! I learned about the YES program through my sister who is a science teacher in south Louisiana. She organized a trip for her graduating 8th graders to go to WDW through this program. If your group has 10+ kids, your organization can schedule a trip with the YES program. Year-round classes are offered for kids from ages 5-18 years old in all four parks and Downtown Disney in different areas of education. As with everything Disney, these educators are talented and entertaining! My sister brought her kids to classes on American History and Physics. She raved about both classes!
Now most of us aren't the Duggars and we don't have 10+ kids in our family. But even if you did, you wouldn't qualify for the regular YES program. It must be booked through an organization...a school, a church, a boy scout troup, a danceteam, etc. If you CAN arrange a trip through an organization, that is AWESOME because it is availabe year-round and has a wider variety of classes to choose from. Plus, you can usually get discounts on rooms when you book over a certain number, but I'm unsure of the exact number. I also want to add that they have a special area/deal for homeschoolers. I haven't looked into but if that's you, I suggest you research it!
Here's where it applies to you - our single families can take advantage of YES through Individual Enrollment season. I was told it's available June-October and January-February. If you haven't decided on a definite time-frame for your trip, make sure you go when you can take advantage of this offer. Not only will your kids (and usually one parental chaperone) get to experience the fun & education of the class, but your entire group will qualify for the discounted park ticket prices through YES!!
Here are some the best things about this discount program...
- Only ONE child (5-18 yo) in your group has to attend ONE class for every person in your group to receive the discounted park tickets. I don't know about you, but I am willing to force my child to attend a class in order to get an awesome deal! I know, Mother of the Year. (When you book through this program, each child in your group qualifies to attend one class; they can choose different classes - they do not have to go together. They COULD go to multiple classes if they wanted to - although I think each additional class beyond the first one is another $30 added to the price I listed below.)
- These tickets are completely unrelate to Disney packages. This means you can stay off Disney property or on Disney property - doesn't matter. Gives you the freedom to use hotel points you may have saved up somewhere else, or stay with that aunt in Orlando who keeps offering. However, many Disney deals (like free dining) require you to purchase a Disney package to receive the discount. I think I have figured out a way (read further) to utilize both deals.
- The classes offered have such a wide variety that I think there is something for everyone! I've listed below the classes offered for Individual Enrollment June-October 2011 to give you an idea of what is out there. Keep in mind, organizations registering with YES have more options than what I have listed. Children under 13 yo must have a parent/chaperone with them in the class...so you know what that means, right? You get to go to the classes at no extra cost! SCORE : )
- In the event a class gets cancelled (they must have a certain number of students sign up for the class to be held), you still get your discounted ticket price without having to go to class. It's a win/win!
3 Day Pass: $238.56; Park Hopper Option: $296.07
3 Day Pass & one Yes class: $130.37 (Savings of 45%)
With Park Hopper Option: $148.48 (Savings of 50%)
4 Day Pass: $247.08; Park Hopper Option: $304.59
4 Day Pass & one Yes class: $138.89 (Savings of 44%)
With Park Hopper Option: $157.00 (Savings of 48%)
5 Day Pass: $252.41; Park Hopper Option: $309.92
5 Day Pass & one Yes class: $147.41 (Savings of 42%)
With Park Hopper Option: $165.52 (Savings of 47%)
This is just the ticket price discounted!!! Imagine if you could pair this up with another special, like free dining or a discounted hotel rate. To combine YES with another discount, I suggest to work with a Disney travel agent to figure out the best combination (see my post on the Home page on 9/21/2011 about Disney travel agents). This how I think it would work for the free dining deal: You must be planning 5+ days in the parks, which I recommend anyway, for this to work. First call the YES program (number listed at the end of this post), and book your classes to get your discounted park tickets. Then call your Disney agent to book your package. See, you have to book a package (at least 3 nights of Disney hotel stay and 2 days of park tickets to be considered a package) to get the meal plan free. If you wanted 5 park days, this is how you would work it- you would book a 5 night stay in a Disney hotel, 2 days of park tickets with your package to get 5 days of free dining. (The days of dining given is based on your number of nights booked in the hotel within your package, not the number of park tickets you buy through the package.) You then use your 3 days of YES tickets for the remainder of the trip. You saved $148.48 per person in your group by utilizing the YES program PLUS you got free dining!! You love me yet?
Did I mention that another reason I love the idea of YES classes, besides the obvious educational side, is that the kids get to experience different attractions in the park in a special way? Each class lasts 2-3 hours long (the younger the students, the shorter the class is), sometimes starting before the park even opens! While some people could look at the classes as eating into valuable park time, keep in mind the "students" get to experience certain aspects of the park during the class. In peak season, like summer, it is rare to expierence 3 attractions in 2-3 hrs, not to mention the class itself!!!
Below is a list of the courses offered for Individual Enrollment in 2011, broken down by age ranges and the attractions included in the course. This should give you an idea of what's out there:
Ages 5-8: How Things Move in MK (Goofy's Barnstormer)
Ages 6-11: Synergy in Science in Epcot (Spaceship Earth, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Journey into Figment's Imagination)
Ages 7-15: Wild By Nature in AK (Kilimanjaro Safari, Forest Exploration Trail, Maharajah Jungle Trek)
Ages 8-11: The American Story in MK**(Hall of Presidents, Splash Mtn, Big Thunder Mtn Railraod)
World of Physics in MK**(Splash & Space Mtn, BTMR)
Ages 8-15: Ocean Discoveries in Epcot (The Seas with Nemo)
Ages 8-18: Animation Magic in DHS
Ages 9-15: Everyday Chemistry in Epcot (Ellen's Energy Adventure, Test Track)
Millennium Cultures in Epcot (World Showcase)
Ages 11-13: Production Arts & Sciences in DHS (Tower of Terror, Studio Backlot Tour)*
Ages 11-18: Dynamics of Technology in Epcot (Mission Space, Test Track)
Ages 12-18: Captivating Moments in Epcot (photography)
* also available in older class group of 14-16.
** also available in older class group of 12-17.
To register for your child(ren)/get your discount park tickets, you must call the Yes program line, not the normal booking through Disney. That number is 1-877-wd-youth. You can also check out everything AND MORE at their website www.disneyyouth.com/Education If you go to their website and click on "Individual Enrollment" on the left and then "Programs," you'll see all the remaining 2011 and 2012 dates!
