Dear Titan Band Disney Families:
Throughout our Disney planning process we have received some good news on things like our performance date and the resort of our choice. We have also received some not-so-good news, mainly centered on costs.
As we explained at our Disney parent meeting in December, we rely on the historical data of previous Disney trips as well as discussions with other band programs to estimate the student costs. Back in December we were confident, especially after the Band Boosters invested $12,000 towards the trip, that our $1,030 per student cost would hold. What was not anticipated in December were world events and inflation driving the cost of the trip higher than our expectations.
Disney has also begun employing a new pricing strategy at their theme parks. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal outlines this new strategy and points to things that in the past were free, such as parking our buses and band trailer. Disney still offers the band a good discount because we are performing, however the prices that those discounts are based on rose significantly.
Along with the new parking fees, we are also anticipating a fuel surcharge from our bus company due to the cost of diesel fuel.
Based on firm costs from Disney, which covers most of our expenses (hotel, food and park tickets), and estimates for other areas, we are raising the cost of the trip by $100, making the new per student cost, $1,130.
We understand that this new cost may create an unforeseen burden on some families especially as they deal with the impact the economy may be having on their own personal budgets. Therefore, we will issue a refund, including the $75 non-refundable deposit, to any family who wishes to cancel their student’s trip. You must notify Mr. Fudale by September 30th.
While working with Disney and our other vendors over the past two months, we have been recalculating our calendar of down payments. As of May 1st, all Disney students should have paid $400 into their accounts through payments and hoagie sales. The next threshold is still November 1st, where students will need to have their accounts paid up to $730 through payments and hoagie sales. Everyone must be paid in full, $1,130, by March 1st, 2023.
A reminder that the hoagie drives are still a great way for students to off-set the costs of their trips. There is still time left in this current hoagie drive which will allow students to apply $3.00 for every hoagie they sell towards the cost of their trip. Every student registered for the trip will earn a portion of the overall hoagies sales (after expenses) whether they sell hoagies or not. The next hoagie drive in February will only offer a portion of the overall sales (after expenses) for every student on the trip.
We appreciate your understanding regarding the price change on the Disney trip. We still feel very confident, and hope you feel the same, that a five day trip to Disney World for this price is still a good bargain.
Thank you!