DEADLINE FOR DISNEYLAND TRIP EXTENDED AGAIN - WE MUST CLOSE THE Y.E.S. CLASS REGISTRATIONS AFTER THAT TO PROCESS ALL THE ORDERS - SO HURRY AND GET RESERVED TODAY AND JOIN ALMOST 1000 HOMESCHOOLERS AT DISNEYLAND SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2008!!!!!
Many frequently asked questions about the Disneyland trip are answered here. SHEA members can discuss travel arrangements, meetups, activities, and more on our members-forums.
"How do I know SHEA is legitimate and you have really booked an event at Disneyland?" SHEA's Answer:
If you look on our ABOUT US page, you can find information about SHEA. To verify we have booked YES classes for Sept. 15-16 (the 17th is a rollover park hopper day and we did not book classes for this day) call the YES staff at Disneyland: 1-800-854-8671 or 714-781-3417. To verify we have blocked hotel rooms and booked a private party dinner, call group sales: (714) 956-6515.
Question:
Is this an "official homeschooling" day? SHEA's Answer:
Only the Florida Disney properties host an official homeschool days event. Disneyland California does not endorse a "homeschooling day" for any group. The folks at Disneyland have worked well with us to make this field trip a success, even customizing some of their educational format for our group, and providing custom pricing that is not currently advertised anywhere else. We are authorized to use certain intellictual property through a signed contract. We can say that our event is *at* Disneyland, but we may not call it a Disneyland event. This is a SHEA event, open to all home educators - both members and nonmembers. Any group that is claiming or insinuating their event to be an official Disneyland event, could be liable to Disneyland for damages.
Question:
"Can I just purchase our tickets for the classes at the gate or directly through Disneyland?" SHEA's Answer:
No. Our package is a group package, and the group must purchase all of our tickets under one order. We got an outstanding price for handling all of the class rosters, and guest passes for the theme parks. Disneyland does not sell YES experience passes at the gate. They must be reserved either through a school or group ahead of time so that Disneyland can schedule qualified staff to teach the classes, and the class size is limited. SHEA has reserved the classes for the two days (Sept. 15 and 16) and we will send Disneyland a class roster. You are welcome to purchase a 3-day park hopper at the gate, but our price is significantly lower. The regular cost of a 3-day park hopper pass at the gate is about $189 - our price is just $109.
Question:
Must we attend the YES classes to get in on this great deal? SHEA's Answer:
No. You do not have to take YES classes to get the $109 group rate. If you are not taking a YES class, use the GUEST PASS ONLY option on the SHEA registration page.
Question:
What is the age that Disneyland lets kids in free? SHEA's Answer:
Children 2 and under get in for free - but NOT in the YES classes - everyone in the YES class must have a YES pass.
Question:
Both my 4th and 6th grader will be studying CA History this year; is it possible for my 6th grader to join the California, Here I Come! class, even though she is not in the specified grades?. SHEA's Answer:
Yes, absolutely. We are working closely with our coordinator at Disneyland, and they understand the fact that our group is comprised of home educators who will want to combine age levels. Disneyland is more concerned with younger children being in a class where they might not understand the material, or they might not be able to go on some of the rides because of height restrictions. However, the attractions that are included in California Here I Come package are equally enjoyable for older children, so he should be fine.
Question:
"My child is 6 years old and very advanced for her age, will Disneyland allow her to attend a YES class if I go with her?" SHEA's Answer:
Disneyland is being very understanding of the fact that home educators do not really classify their children into grade levels. They only ask that the parents read the class outline and determine if their child is mature enough to attend the three hour class. In addition, if your child does not meet the height requirements for the rides included in the chosen class, they will not be permitted on the ride, and will have to stand to the side while the rest of the class goes on the ride. Disney really put a lot of planning into these classes, so please read the outline. You can find links to the outlines on the YES description page.
Question:
If I want to attend the YES class with my 10 year old, but I have a toddler, how does that work? SHEA's Answer:
Whoever attends a YES class must pay for and register for that class. The YES classes are designed for specific age groups (see the question about some flexibility in this for home educators) and toddlers do not fit the requirements for any of the preteaching material, therefore Disneyland will not allow them in the class. SHEA is providing chaperones for children who are attending the classes without a parent. If you cannot make other arrangements for your toddler, do not sign yourself up for the class. Instead, just sign up your 10 year old for the class, and then at the bottom of the order form, order a guest pass for yourself for the amount of days you wish to attend the parks. SHEA and/or Disneyland will not issue refunds for misinterpretation of this rule.
Question:
My Aunt is interested in taking my son to this event (they are both annual pass holders). Is there an option for annual passholders? SHEA's Answer:
Yes - you may purchase YES classes for Annual Passholders at $30 PER CLASS. Please see the Annual Passholder option on the reservation page.
Question:
"Can we purchase additional days at the same discount?" SHEA's Answer:
Disneyland is not extending more than three days on this discount level.
Question:
Are parents required to attend the YES classes with the children? SHEA's Answer:
No. SHEA will provide chaperones for you if you would like to use the 2-3 hours to get some free time in the parks! You will need to sign your child in and out of the class, but you are not required to attend.
Question:
How do we know where to meet? Where are parents dropping off their children? Where will we pick them up? What if an emergency happens? SHEA's Answer:
SHEA will provide chaperones who will have your child's name and emergency contact information that you provide at check-in. If an adult is not registered for a YES class on the same order as the child(ren), then they will receive a liability/emergency contact form with their tickets. Disneyland does not assign class times until 2-3 weeks before the event when they set their staff work schedules. As soon as we get the times, they will be emailed to each participant and posted on our member forums. The check in and out procedure is very streamlined and you will receive instructions with your tickets via certfied mail.
Question:
Now that I have paid for my passes, when will I receive them? SHEA's Answer:
Disneyland will send them to us about 3-4 weeks prior to the event. We record all of the ticket numbers and put the packets together and we will mail them to you VIA CERTIFIED US POSTAL MAIL at the address you provided on your order form. Please do not ignore any certified mail signature requests that appear in your mailbox from us. The tickets will NOT be at the gate, you must sign for them from your postal carrier or at the post office. If you do not receive your passes by September 5th, contact us immediately.
Question:
Are there any added fees or taxes to the price of the tickets or anything else? SHEA's Answer:
The only added tax is the room and occupancy sales tax that the State of California charges. SHEA does not collect this fee on your order. If you book your room through SHEA, you will be responsible for the tax at the time of check in and any parking fees or resort fees that are applicable. (The Grand Californian charges a $10 daily resort fee that includes unlimited come and go free parking, use of high speed internet in your room, and use of the exercise facility at the hotel). SHEA is adding a small shipping and handling fee to cover the postage and copying fees for the information that goes in your packet.
Question:
"Is there a deadline to order for the September 2008 trip?" SHEA's Answer:
We only have a certain amount of rooms and a certain amount of tickets available for the YES classes. Disneyland has a maximum class size, and they have set limits as to how many children to adults the ratio can be. All of this information is updated automatically - when you go to the registration order form you can see how many tickets are left for each class and each hotel. The only ticket that is not limited on quantity is the guest park hopper pass for those who are not attending a YES class. We need to cut off the registration for all YES classes in time for processing - about 6 weeks prior to the trip. Additional activities may have other deadlines.
