How To Plan a School Trip to Disney World

Disney World is the perfect destination for school trips. Yes, everyone loves the rides, restaurants, and resorts, but school groups can also participate in Disney-sponsored arts and science workshops held right in the park.  So whether it’s an educational field trip, a high school band trip, or just a fun senior class trip, Disney World is the perfect destination for any youth organization. Let’s take a closer at how to book a school trip to Disney World and how your organization can take advantage of Disney group discounts.

Are you planning a school trip to Disney World? Let the Disney Travel Agents at The Vacationeer assist you. Their services are 100% free and the assistance they provide will prove invaluable!

Eligibility for School Group Discounts

Through Disney Youth Programs, qualified school groups are eligible to receive discounted rates at Walt Disney World Resort.

In order to meet the eligibility requirements, the school groups must consist of at least 10 Guests between the ages of 3-22. Furthermore, the group must be affiliated with an accredited school, religious organization, or some other type of organized youth group. The number of designated Group Leaders and extra Guests must not exceed the number of youth Guests.

With Disney Youth tickets, your group can experience Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at a special lower price reserved only for youth groups. The group discounts are available year-round.

A youth group of 10 or more Guests may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A public or private school class field trip or graduation celebration
• An organized team, musical band, or club celebration, workshop, conference, or performance
• Trips for faith-based youth groups
• Special outings for a social organization
• Girls Scouts and other Scouts trips
• Elementary, Middle–Junior High, High School, College

2021 Disney Youth Tickets – Costs

Here’s the pricing for 2021 Disney Youth Tickets, Again, groups must be 10 or more and members of the group must be between 3-22 years old.

There are 3 tiers of Disney Youth Tickets: Starter Tickets, Park Hopper Tickets, and Premium Tickets.

Disney Youth Programs for School Groups

Whether it’s a fun class trip to the theme parks or a combination of educational workshops or arts performances AND fun at the parks, Disney Youth Programs has the right field trip for your school.

In addition to group discounts on theme park tickets, youth groups can partake in dozens of learning opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort. Here’s just a sampling:

• Disney Performing Arts Performance | Candlelight Processional
• Disney Performing Arts Performance | Dance, Instrumental or Vocal
• Animation Academy: The Secrets of Drawing Disney Characters | Disney Youth Education Series
• Cel Animation: Ink & Paint | Disney Youth Education Series
• Discovering Marine Life Conservation | Disney Youth Education Series
• Discovering the American Spirit | Disney Youth Education Series
• Disney Leadership Strategies | Disney Youth Education Series
• Energy and Waves Physics Lab | Disney Youth Education Series
• Disney Leadership Strategies | Disney Youth Education Series
• Energy and Waves Physics Lab | Disney Youth Education Series
• Everyday Chemistry | Disney Youth Education Series
• Exploring Careers in the Marine Sciences | Disney Youth Education Series
• Exploring Careers in the Zoological Sciences | Disney Youth Education Series
• Fundamentals of Hospitality | Disney Youth Education Series
• Kingdom Keepers Quest | Disney Youth Programs
• Leadership Strategies – Disney Style | Disney Education Programs – College Edition
• Techniques of Teamwork – Disney Style | Disney Education Programs – College Edition

Disney’s accredited partners make sure that Disney Youth educational and performing arts programs offer excellent academic experiences to students. Learning has never been so fun!

If you wish to learn more about the courses offered by Disney Youth Programs or to book your school group for a Disney World workshop, please contact The Vacationeer. They can be your Disney liaison and coordinate every aspect of your visit!

How to Book a School Trip to Disney World

Here’s what you need to do as you book a trip for your senior class trip, band trip, or other school group or organization.

• Pick the Dates

Determine the best time to go to Disney World for your youth group. This decision will be based on certain factors like crowds, seasonal weather, availability of  Disney Youth Programs classes, academic schedules, etc. Consult our Disney Crowd Calendar to get an idea of the crowd sizes.

• Choose a Disney Resort Hotel

There’s an in-park resort to fit any budget.

Disney Value Resorts are the least expensive tier of in-park hotels. They offer basic accommodations, no-frills (but very adequate) dining options,  and bus transportation to the theme parks. . Disney Deluxe Resorts are the most expensive resort tier and offer the biggest room, nicest amenities, and best transportation options to the parks.  Disney Moderate Resorts offer a nice middle-ground in terms of price,  amenities, and transportation to the parks.

All Guests staying at Disney Resorts will receive an advance booking window for dining reservations, Disney Genie+ ride selections, and more perks than Guests staying at non-Disney hotels. See our Comparison of Disney World Hotels page for more on the resorts.

• Decide on a Dining Plan

Disney’s Dining Plan simplifies the way you eat at Disney World. There are several different tiers of the Disney Dining Plan to accommodate a wide range of eating habits and budgets. Learn more on our Disney Dining Plan Calculator page.

Another option is to just pay out-of-pocket. Paying as you go may save you money (especially if you’re a light eater), but, if you plan on eating at table service restaurants and/or have a big appetite, then the Disney Dining Plan may be the way to go.

See our Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants, Best Epcot Restaurants, Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants, and Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants pages for more dining information.

• Book the Dining Reservations 

Booking your dining reservations in a timely manner is crucial to the success of any school trip to Disney World. You really have to make your reservations early or else you may get shut out of some of the best dining experiences at Disney.

See our Disney Reservation Calculator and determine when you should book your reservations.

• Coordinate Payments

It can be a pretty complicated process to coordinate a payment plan for every single person in a group of 10+. Why not let the Disney travel specialists at The Vacationeer help you with this process? They can book every aspect of your Disney school group trip, including purchasing the park tickets, hotel stays, dining plans, and booking your dining reservations (not an easy task!). Plus, your dedicated Disney travel planner can process separate payment plans for each student.

All of this and their services are 100% free of charge. It’s really the way to go!

Fill out this Free Quote Form for School Groups and someone will get right back to you will the details.

• Create the Itinerary

It is a good idea to create an itinerary before your school group arrives at Disney World. But where do you start? After all, Disney World is home to 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and dozens of resorts and restaurants. It’s a huge place!

I’d start your research with our Best Magic Kingdom Rides, Best Epcot Rides, Best Animal Kingdom Rides, and Best Hollywood Studios Rides pages. We also have Best Disney Character Dining, Best Shows at Disney World, How to Plan a Disney Vacation and Disney World Map pages.

If this information overload is stressing you out, then I’d recommend reaching out to The Vacationeer for assistance. They can help you make sense of this massive resort and plan a magical school outing.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful trip!