Southwest Christian School

Thursday, February 25, 2010

ALOHA! Hungry SCS family members (107 in all)!

Today was a great day at the Magic Kingdom. During our class, Energy and Waves, we expanded upon what we're learning in Mr. Perry and Mrs. Lucas's IPC class. We discussed sound travel, amplitude, wavelength, crest, trough, and the reflection and refraction of light. Afterward, we all (yes, 107!) rode Mrs. Chaulk's favorite ride, "It's a Small World". (It's no surprise she's a geography teacher.) Afterward, as we were trying to get what some consider to be the annoying song out of our heads, we had an opportunity for some fun in the park with our friends. Many rode Space Mountain, Big Thunder Railroad, Buzz Lightyear, the Teacups, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion. We left the park and enjoyed a sensational Polynesian luau dinner show. We concluded the evening by discussing how God desires us to take responsibility for our actions while simultaneously leaning on him for support. Some students elected to swim after our evening devo. (YIKES!!! At 46 degrees, I'm thinking...CRAZY!!!) Others who were simply exhausted from the pace, chose to retire to their rooms and get some well-needed rest. Tomorrow we will be returning to EPCOT for some relaxing leisure time before returning to the airport for our departure back to Fort Worth. Although this trip has been VERY exciting and eventful, we are eager to return home to our family and friends.

Fire Dancer Extraordinaire

This showman really "burned down the house!"

Polynesian Luau

Core learning requirement! Hula Dancing Lessons! The students were great and shared the stage with others.

Okay...really!!! Who's the "character" Mr. Estep?

Mr. Estep is apparently interviewing with Mr. Disney here along with his son, Dillon.

Great picture inside "It's A Small World"

As cheesy as it is for some, this is Mrs. Chaulk's favorite attraction at Disney. It is a mandatory geography "experience" :)

Magic Kingdom Parade

MONDAY

4:15 AM Call AirTran 800-247-8726 to confirm flight is departing on time. Also, obtain terminal and gate information.
5:15 AM All students and parents leaving on AirTran #916 for Orlando arrive at DFW Airport for check in. Meet Mrs. Chaulk at the closest ticket counter to the departure gate. All adults must have photo ID. All passengers must have appropriate baggage fees. (Current price is $15 for first checked bag; $25 for second.)
7:00 AM Depart AirTran #916, flying non-stop to Orlando, FL
10:26 AM Flight #916 arrives in Orlando. Board Disney’s “Magical Express” bus to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (407-939-6244). (Luggage will be picked up and delivered to hotel; consequently, it is imperative that you tag your bags with the “Magical Express” labels provided to you at the airport.)
11:30 PM Eat lunch at Coronado Springs food court using Disney Dining Card.
12:45 PM Board Disney (bus) transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
5:45 PM All students and parents report to “Block Party Bash” in front of turnstiles for roll call.
5:55 PM Board Disney (bus) transportation to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground.
7:15 PM “Hoop-dee-Doo” dinner show at Pioneer Hall begins. Dinner salad, fried chicken, smoked BBQ pork ribs, seasonal vegetables, corn bread, and strawberry shortcake.
9:15 PM Board Disney (bus) transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
9:45 PM Board Disney (bus) transportation to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
10:15 PM De-briefing and devotional. (Location TBA)
10:30 PM All students and adults must be in assigned hotel rooms.
10:45 PM Lights out.

TUESDAY

6:45 AM Hotel wake up call. Breakfast at Coronado Springs food court using Disney Dining Card.
7:50 AM All students must meet in front of the bus transportation location to discuss instructions for completing the P.E.R.S.I.A. assignment accurately.
8:15 AM Board Disney (bus) transportation for EPCOT. Roll call. ** Parents NOT serving as sponsors for class: EPCOT opens early today (8:00 AM). Please plan on arriving at park no later than 11:30 AM. **
8:45 AM Meet Disney guides at The EPCOT Group Sales Building for “Millennium Cultures” class. Divide into groups with designated SCS chaperone.
12:00 PM Parents please meet up with group in front of the Canada Pavilion. Eat lunch in World Showcase at a restaurant of your choice (excluding USA) using Disney Dining Card.
1:00-3:30 PM After lunch, begin non-guided tour of EPCOT. ** Make certain you begin conducting your P.E.R.S.I.A. interviews and filling in your booklet. Go to each country’s Kids Cot Fun Spot for assistance with this project. Make sure to get it stamped! ** Students must see video attractions in the following countries: Canada, China, France, and Norway. **
3:30 PM All students must check in with assigned SCS chaperone in front of the Canada Pavilion for roll call.
5:30 PM All students and parents meet in front of The Land Pavilion to ride “Living with the Land”, “Soarin”, and “Honey I Shrunk the Audience” using the Fast Pass obtained by our Fast Pass parent sponsor. (Students/parents wishing to ride Test Track and Mission Space may receive fast passes at this time [optional].)
7:50 PM All students and parents meet for dinner at the art tower in front of the Italy Pavilion in the World Showcase.
8:15 PM “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” dinner buffet and light show begins. Mixed greens with cilantro vinaigrette and ranch dressing, tortilla chips with warm chile cheese dip, bean burrito, rice with tomato and peppers, beef taco with shells, chicken fajitas with condiments, apple slices with caramel sauce, assorted ice cream novelties, lemonade, and guava punch.
9:30 PM All students and parents repot to bus loading area. Roll call. Return to Coronado Springs Resort.
10:00 PM De-briefing and devotional. (Location TBA)
10:30 PM All students and adults must be in assigned hotel rooms.
11:00 PM Lights out.

WEDNESDAY

6:45 AM Hotel wake up call. Breakfast in Coronado Springs food court using Disney Dining Card.
7:45 AM Board Disney (bus) transportation for Animal Kingdom. Roll call. ** Parents NOT serving as sponsors for class: Please plan on arriving at park at 11:00 AM to meet our designated Fast Pass parent sponsor in front of Animal Kingdom. He/she will give you your ticket. Please then proceed to the Fast Pass Return entrance in front of Everest. **
8:30 AM Meet Disney guides at flag pole at main entrance to Animal Kingdom for “Team Up for Wildlife” class. Divide into groups with designated SCS chaperone.
11:30 AM “Team Up for Wildlife” class ends. Those who desire may ride “Everest” using their Fast Pass. Afterward, eat lunch in Animal Kingdom at a restaurant of your choice using your Disney Dining Card.
1:30 PM Meet SCS assigned chaperone at “It’s Tough to be a Bug”. We will all see this attraction together using the Fast Pass obtained by our Fast Pass parent sponsor. We will then proceed to “Kilimanjaro Safari” where we will do the same.
2:45 PM Begin non-guided tour of Animal Kingdom.
6:30 PM All students and parents report to bus loading area. Roll call. Return to Coronado Springs Resort.
7:00 PM Dinner at Coronado Springs food court OR Downtown Disney. Any parent wishing to go to Downtown Disney for dinner MUST take ALL students in his/her room and serve as a parent chaperone. Those students/parents wishing to stay at the resort may swim. EVERYONE MUST BE PROMPTLY ON TIME FOR DEVOTIONAL/DEBRIEFING!
10:00 PM De-briefing and devotional. (Location TBA)
10:15 PM All students and adults must be in assigned hotel rooms.
10:30 PM Lights out.

THURSDAY

7:15 AM Hotel wake up call. Breakfast in the Coronado Springs food court using Disney Dining Card.
8:15 AM Board Disney (bus) transportation for Magic Kingdom. Roll call. ** Parents NOT serving as sponsors for class: The Magic Kingdom opens early today (8:00 AM). Buses should begin running around 7:15 AM. Please plan on arriving at park no later than 11:30 AM to meet our designated Fast Pass parent sponsor in front of the turnstiles. He/she will give you your ticket. Please then proceed to the Fast Pass Return entrance in front of “It’s a Small World”. **
9:00 AM Meet Disney guides at the “Floral Mickey” for our “Energy and Waves” class. Divide into groups with designated SCS chaperone.
12:00 PM “Energy and Waves” class ends. Students will walk to “It’s a Small World” where they will meet the parents and ride the attraction.
12:40 PM Begin non-guided tour of Magic Kingdom. Eat lunch in Magic Kingdom at a restaurant of your choice using Disney Dining Card.
** Helpful Fast Pass Information: The following is a suggested order in which to obtain/ride Fast Pass attractions: “Space Mountain,” “Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin,” “Lilo and Stitch’s Great Escape,” “Big Thunder Railroad.” **
4:20 PM All students and parents meet at Ticket and Transportation Center for monorail transport to “Spirit of Aloha” dinner at the Polynesian Resort. Roll call.
5:15 PM “Spirit of Aloha” dinner begins. Tropical appetizer, lanai roasted chicken, island pork ribs, fried rice, fresh sautéed vegetables, and chef’s selection of dessert.
7:17 PM “Spirit of Aloha” dinner ends. Board monorail to Magic Kingdom and transfer to bus for Port Orleans Riverside Resort.
7:45 PM De-briefing and devotional in hotel lobby.
10:00 PM All students and adults must be in assigned hotel rooms.
10:30 PM Lights out.

FRIDAY

7:30 AM Hotel wake up call. Rooms will be called in increments of five to take luggage to the Magical Express representatives near the hotel lobby. “Boy” rooms will be called first
8:15 AM Breakfast in the Coronado Springs food court using Disney Dining Card. (Advice: Do not wait until the last minute to eat at the food court; it gets VERY crowded at 9:00, and you won’t have time.)
9:20 AM Meet in hotel lobby with any carry-on luggage. Put luggage carry-on items in hotel “logger”.
10:00 AM Board Disney (bus) transportation for Epcot. Roll call.
10:30 AM Begin non-guided tour of EPCOT. ** Make certain you complete your P.E.R.S.I.A. interviews and finish filling in your booklet. Go to each country’s Kids Cot Fun Spot for assistance with this project. Make sure to get it stamped! ** Students must see video attractions in the following countries: Canada, China, and Norway. **
1:00 PM All students meet assigned SCS chaperone for roll call in front of the Canada Pavilion. Eat lunch in World Showcase at a restaurant of your choice (excluding USA) using Disney Dining Card. After lunch, continue non-guided tour of Epcot.
4:30 PM All students and parents report to bus loading area. Roll call. Return to Coronado Springs Resort.
5:15 PM Obtain all items in logger at hotel. Board Disney’s “Magical Express” (bus) to Orlando Airport for return flight #917 to DFW.
7:15 PM All students and parents report to departure gate.
8:13 PM Depart AirTran #917, flying non-stop to DFW
10:04 PM AirTran #917 arrives at DFW Airport. Parents, before leaving for the airport, call AirTran at 800-247-8726 to confirm the arrival time and obtain the terminal and gate information. Meet your child at the designated luggage pick-up area for this flight.