Universal/Orlando trip

Package Info and Tentative Itinerary

Good Morning Taft Band/Orchestra Universal Studios Travelers!

My name is Mr. Mills, and it is my pleasure to be the lead coordinator on this year's magical band/orchestra trip to Universal Studios in Orlando. Now that we are in the new year, I wanted to start sending out more formal information about our upcoming trip, including our general itinerary and travel logistics.

***Please note that we have a mandatory parent/student meeting for all travelers and parents on February 25 at 7 PM in the Taft Band Hall. This meeting will detail the full itinerary, explain adult and student responsibilities, travel logistics, and student medication policies. Questions regarding "how" we do any of our trip policies, etc. should be reserved for this meeting.***

Required Traveler Communication

This year we will be using the app SportsYou to communicate as a group and receive announcements. All travelers are required to be on this app to receive regular updates throughout the trip. Parents of travelers are welcome to join as well to know what we are up to throughout the trip. To join, please download the SportsYou app, create an account, and join using the trip code. For security reasons the code will not be published here, please check the email that you received.

Rooming and Travel Groups

The email you received contains a pdf of our two travel groups, and their rooming assignments. With 120 travelers, it takes two separate flights and two separate busses to transport the group to and from Universal Studios. These groups are determined first by student rooming preferences, then to ensure that all parents traveling are on the same plane/bus as their child. This document also shows which adult chaperone is responsible for which students throughout the trip. Male chaperones are assigned male rooms, and female chaperones are assigned female rooms. We also have four parents (2 in each travel group) who are only responsible for student medications for their travel group. This is an important job, and I greatly thank these four ladies for accepting this responsibility!

Although students are welcome to spend time with whichever friends they choose during the trip, they will check in with their listed adult several times per day as we do routine safety checks, especially in the airport.

We will take two plane flights to Florida, and two flights back to SAT.  For security reasons the flight information will not be published here, please check the email that you received.

Transportation to/from the San Antonio Airport

On the day of our trip to Florida, all travelers will first report to Taft HS. We will have a team meeting, check in medications, then make our way using the provided transportation to the airport together.

Upon our return, you will have the option of taking a yellow bus back to Taft, or being picked up directly from the airport. Students that get picked up from the airport must check out with the travel group lead (Mr. Mills or Ms. Lim). All other students/adults will travel on the yellow limousine back to Taft.

General Itinerary

Below is the general itinerary for our trip. Specifics in regards to hotel address and specific timeline will be released as we get closer to the trip itself.

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

• You'll depart on your flight. You will meet your tour manager.

• You'll depart the airport and go drop your bags at the hotel.

• You'll store your bags at the accommodations and then head out for the day.

• You'll drive to the park from your hotel.

• You'll visit Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and the NEW Volcano Bay on your 4 day/3 park ticket. You'll get a chance to enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley ride inside of Universal Studios and the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross Station, London inside of Universal Studios to Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure. You'll also experience the NEW Volcano Bay Waterpark

• You will take a break for lunch (not included).

• You'll have dinner in one of the Universal parks.

• You will return to your hotel on the bus.

• You will arrive at your hotel and check in.

• Uniformed security guard will be at the hotel to monitor the hallways during the night.

Thursday, March 5

• You'll have breakfast.

• You'll drive to the park from your hotel.

• Explore Islands of Adventure!

• You will take a break for lunch (not included).

• You'll enjoy the park for the rest of the afternoon.

• You'll have dinner one of the Universal parks.

• You will return to your hotel on the bus.

Friday, March 6

• You'll have breakfast.

• You'll drive to the park from your hotel.

• Today enjoy the full day at Universal Studios

• You will take a break for lunch (not included).

• You'll get to see what it's like to be a working movie musician during the Music and Art of Foley Workshop at Universal Studios. You'll compose music for an actual movie scene including sound effects! This fascinating workshop is led by Robert W. Smith, one of the most popular composers for band today. He’s known throughout the United States as a consummate music educator with a focus on curriculum design and instructional delivery. At the end of the workshop, you'll receive a copy of your recording.

• You'll enjoy the park for the rest of the afternoon.

• You'll have dinner in one of the Universal parks.

• You will return to your hotel on the bus.

Saturday, March 7

• You'll have breakfast.

• You'll drive to the park from your hotel.

• Today visit Volcano Bay.

• You will take a break for lunch (not included).

• You'll enjoy the park for the rest of the afternoon.

• You'll have dinner in one of the Universal parks.

• You will return to your hotel on the bus.

Sunday, March 8

• You'll have breakfast.

• You'll check out of your hotel room.

• You'll depart on the bus.

• You'll enjoy some free time in Disney Springs it time permits (No entry into Disney)—a truly amazing place featuring an eclectic mix of unique boutiques, one-of-a-kind eateries and jaw-dropping entertainment.

• You will take a break for lunch (not included).

• You'll head to the airport for your return trip home.

• You'll have dinner on your own at the airport before departing your flight (not included).

• Your flight will depart.

• You will arrive at home.

I am looking forward to having a great time in only 2 months with everyone! Stay safe, and please call with questions that you don't feel our February trip meeting will cover.

Respectfully,

Greg Mills

Director of Bands | William H. Taft High School

11600 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78253

TMEA Region 29 Band Division Chairman

Gregory.Mills@nisd.net | 210.397.5976