Oh no! Daughter's 8th grade class going to DL on June 14th.

[The old man]

I was going to meet her there (parents not allowed on the bus) to give her my expert guidance to maximize rides. The school always just goes to DL, so I thought fine. Then I found out today DCA is closed in prep for Cars' Land (or however it's grammartized) on that day. Also the Matterhorn is closed. It's going to be pure murder there. I always like a challenge, my plans work so well we rarely stand in lines for more than 5-10 minutes, but I'm thinking of backing out of this.

[yellowrosedtxn]

I was going to meet her there (parents not allowed on the bus) to give her my expert guidance to maximize rides. The school always just goes to DL, so I thought fine. Then I found out today DCA is closed in prep for Cars' Land (or however it's grammartized) on that day. Also the Matterhorn is closed. It's going to be pure murder there. I always like a challenge, my plans work so well we rarely stand in lines for more than 5-10 minutes, but I'm thinking of backing out of this.

I think that you could still help move things along as best as you can. It would still be a challenge, and one that I am sure you could handle. It can be fun, it is what you make of it. (Trying to be encouraging!!)

[The old man]

I probably will, but I'm shaking in my Sketchers.

[currence]

Does she want you there? At an end of 8th grade party, I probably would have rather hung out with my friends even if the time spent was less than optimal than have my dad around.

Of course .... I am going to be the "cool mom" that my kids are going to want to take along (yeah right).

If she wants you there and you want to go, it will be a blast no matter what the crowds. Keep in mind that I am at the opposite end of the age spectrum so I don't have any been-there-done-that advice for 8th graders.

My boy (whose last day of Kinder is today) is going on a summer camp trip to DL this summer. I plan on spending the next few months reinforcing what to do if you get lost and practicing letting him navigate the park as the leader. They are only getting tickets to DL so at least that's only one park he has to memorize (and he is probably there already even if he doesn't know it).

ETA: per Disney's website, the matterhorn bobsleds are closed until 6/14. Perhaps they will open that day to increase the park's overall capacity since DCA is closed?

[Angie2009]

Good luck!

Eighth grade? Build in shopping time. Make sure the girls get to meet Prince Charming and Aladdin and the other princes if you can.

[monkeyboy]

I was going to meet her there (parents not allowed on the bus) to give her my expert guidance to maximize rides. The school always just goes to DL, so I thought fine. Then I found out today DCA is closed in prep for Cars' Land (or however it's grammartized) on that day. Also the Matterhorn is closed. It's going to be pure murder there. I always like a challenge, my plans work so well we rarely stand in lines for more than 5-10 minutes, but I'm thinking of backing out of this.

You know the old saying, no guts, no glory (grin).
Actually, I'm hoping that your daughter would still have a good time, being in Disneyland any time has to be fun. I know it's probably going to be crowded anyway, being a summer month. At least she'll know in advance that the Matterhorn is closed. When I was riding in on Supershuttle last October there were three 20-somethings in the van with me, they were laying out thier plans for the parks. One said they should go hit Fantasyland and Toon Town during the firework shows, since everyone will be watching the fireworks. I turned around and told them that both Fantasyland and Toon Town would be closed during the fireworks shows, but to check anyway. A little later they were talking about going on Pirates of the Caribbean, and I had to turn around again and tell them that Pirates was closed for refurbishment... their faces looked as if I had hit them with a wet fish.... I felt bad for them. I know I was disappointed that Pirates was closed while I was there, but at least I knew that in advance so it wasn't a major disappointment.

[The old man]

Does she want you there? At an end of 8th grade party, I probably would have rather hung out with my friends even if the time spent was less than optimal than have my dad around.
Actually she's at that, "Get away from me" phase. But she knows I'm the Master of Disneyland. However I probably wouldn't be with them all that much, I'd be the fast pass gatherer.

[candles71]

On the ugh Dad is here topic. I ended up going with a nephew of ours. We are 8 hours away from Disneyland, I hung out with a group of moms for a bit, then I ended up on my own for a good part of the afternoon, but when it started getting dark, my cell phone rang with "auntie, where are you?" He spent the rest of the evening with me and away from his friends. He was ready for that bit of home and comfort.
Put me in the no guts no glory category. ;) The teachers did let me give the kids some pointers the night before at dinner to help them maximize FPs etc. It helped.

[currence]

Actually she's at that, "Get away from me" phase. But she knows I'm the Master of Disneyland. However I probably wouldn't be with them all that much, I'd be the fast pass gatherer.

Okay, if you are spending time gathering fastpasses for them for later and not actually hanging out with them - after driving up from San Diego to do this - you are definitely in the cool dad category!

[Rufus T Firefly]

You can do this. Please keep us posted. Sounds like it could be fun.

[cdcooper]

Yeah I don't think I'd want my parents there if it were for a class trip....

[candles71]

Yeah I don't think I'd want my parents there if it were for a class trip....

You mean the walking ATM who is also fast pass running? (As long as they are not stuck like glue to you you will survive honest.)

[AnotherJenny]

I went on a class trip in middle school (before fastpass) and we just sort of hung out at times without really trying to hit every ride. I would not have wanted a parent on a class trip, even to hold a spot in line, because my behavior was different with my friends than it was when my parents were around. Was it better behavior? Maybe not, but I survived without losing any appendages or getting arrested, so it was probably ok. :D Anyway, my point is, those class trips are about the kids having fun together, being rewarded and asserting some independence in a semi-controlled environment. I don't think they're about hitting all the rides or optimizing your time in the park the same way you might on a family trip. If she's in the "get away from me" phase, let her see what it's like to do it her way. She will probably come around and want your FP help next time.

[SuzanneSLO]

I went on a class trip in middle school (before fastpass) and we just sort of hung out at times without really trying to hit every ride. I would not have wanted a parent on a class trip, even to hold a spot in line, because my behavior was different with my friends than it was when my parents were around. Was it better behavior? Maybe not, but I survived without losing any appendages or getting arrested, so it was probably ok. :D Anyway, my point is, those class trips are about the kids having fun together, being rewarded and asserting some independence in a semi-controlled environment. I don't think they're about hitting all the rides or optimizing your time in the park the same way you might on a family trip. If she's in the "get away from me" phase, let her see what it's like to do it her way. She will probably come around and want your FP help next time.

One of the milestoes in my life was getting to go to DL with a friend for the first time and not having to stay with my Dad. This was way before FP and I recall just spending a lot of time enjoying the sights and sounds of Disneyland at night. To this day, I'm not sure what my Dad did while my friend and I were off alone, but he probably found a way to entertain himself, probably on a ride or two. He recently went on Space Mountain just a day or 2 before his 83rd birthday. -- Suzanne

[cdcooper]

You mean the walking ATM who is also fast pass running? (As long as they are not stuck like glue to you you will survive honest.)
I mean, it's kinda of like a getaway, to be wild and silly with your friends from school. I wouldn't want my parents within 5 miles of me if I was in middle school... It's fun to feel independent and know you won't be running into your parents.

And I'd assume parents aren't allowed on the bus, to give the kids some alone, fun time?

[candles71]

The no parents on the bus may be more for space issues. Our district's big trips like that we used to run 2 buses for, but costs have gone up and budgets have gone down, so now parents are allowed if there is space after packing the kids on.

[carolinakid]

I would have died if either of my parents had been at my 8th grade school trip. Just sharin' how I felt at age 13. And I adored my Mom & Dad!

[Malcon10t]

Actually she's at that, "Get away from me" phase. But she knows I'm the Master of Disneyland.Does she want the Master of Disneyland there? By the time my kids were in 8th grade, they knew DIsneyland well, and I don't think they would have appreciated my presence (and I was a "cool" mom.) Also, there will be a LOT of field trip groups at the park, and it does change the dynamic. And, going with a group of 13yos is very different than going with your family. While the family may be hitting BTMRR followed by Indy followed by Star Tours, a group of 13 yo girls will more than likely check out the shops in NOS followed by hanging out in Rancho del Zocolo...

[UsBurchs]

WOW! Who ever is in charge of planning the date of that trip certainly isn't a Disney planner like those of us on Mouseplanet - we could have warned them to stay clear that day . . . and the next! What a bummer. Well, hopefully they will still have fun!

[The old man]

Yeah I don't think I'd want my parents there if it were for a class trip....
Your parents aren't as old or hip as me. Three weeks ago I took her and a friend to a 9 hour outdoor Dubstep concert. There were 24 acts on three stages ending with 90 minutes of Skrillex. It was suppose to be 16+ (didn't find this out until a week after I bought the tickets) so they were amongst the youngest there. And we didn't see anyone older than me. A fun time was had by all (though my daughter rarely sat with me.)

At the end a 23 year old girl told my daughter that her father was "sick." I think that's a good thing--right?

[The old man]

The no parents on the bus may be more for space issues. Our district's big trips like that we used to run 2 buses for, but costs have gone up and budgets have gone down, so now parents are allowed if there is space after packing the kids on.
It really is a no parent event. The insurance, and liabilty rules, keep strict control of the method of arrival and leaving. The kids really are on their own at the park. They just can't leave, unless because of an emergency.

[The old man]

WOW! Who ever is in charge of planning the date of that trip certainly isn't a Disney planner like those of us on Mouseplanet - we could have warned them to stay clear that day . . . and the next! What a bummer. Well, hopefully they will still have fun!

True that.

[monkeyboy]

Three weeks ago I took her and a friend to a 9 hour outdoor Dubstep concert. There were 24 acts on three stages ending with 90 minutes of Skrillex.

ummmmm -- I think I need my Orphan Annie Decoder ring to interpret Dubstep and Skrillex.... wait a minute... it says
"Drink More Ovaltine"

[The old man]

ummmmm -- I think I need my Orphan Annie Decoder ring to interpret Dubstep and Skrillex.... wait a minute... it says
"Drink More Ovaltine"

"A crummy commercial."

[Rufus T Firefly]

At the end a 23 year old girl told my daughter that her father was "sick." I think that's a good thing--right?

I've always considered you to be sick as well.