Trip information is divided into six pages in order to help you plan your trip to Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld. Please read through all of these pages before registering.

CONTENTS
Introduction
Hotel Information
Disney Educational Programs
Universal Educational Tours ← you are here
Important Things to Know
Registration Form


Universal Educational Tours
Unlike Disney World, Universal does not require students to register for an educational program in order to get their discounted tickets. Their programs are completely optional, but cost extra, and you have to purchase our group tickets in order to participate.

This will be our first year participating in their programs, but they sound great. I've been told that they're more "behind the scenes" than most of Disney's programs. Another perk is that if our students are scheduled to ride an attraction (as part of the program), we'll be escorted to the front of the line (instead of waiting in the queue like we do during Disney's programs). And finally, there's no student/chaperone limit, so parents can (and at least one is required to) attend with their children.

I'm looking forward to trying these tours and hope we meet our minimum requirements (20 for each) to confirm. If we don't, your money for the programs will be refunded.

Grade/age guidelines will be enforced. Please note the date and time of the program before registering to make sure they don't conflict with any other educational programs or events you're registered for.

Special F/X
$22 per person, 3rd grade and up
Held at Universal Studios on Sunday, November 17
(Time of program will be determined at a later date. I hope to schedule this program and the next at different times, so you can register for both, if you want.)

Students in this 3-hour interactive, hands-on tour of Universal Studios will learn about the art and science used to create some of the most spectacular special effects in motion picture history. Highlights include a visit to Revenge of the Mummy to learn the secrets of set design and construction, experiencing the Universal Horror Make-Up Show for an up-close look at how make-up effects are created, strolling through some of their soundstages and production facilities (areas that are off-limits to the general public), walking through the streets of New York City, San Francisco, and Hollywood to learn the importance of atmosphere through set design, and a visit to Twister…Ride it Out to learn what it takes to recreate an F-5 tornado.

This program requires a park ticket, so you must use one day of your 2-day ticket if you register.

Behind the Adventure
$22 per person, 4th grade and up
Held at Islands of Adventure on Sunday, November 17
(Time of program will be determined at a later date. I hope to schedule this program and the previous at different times, so you can register for both, if you want.)

Students in this 3-hour program will have the opportunity to discover the science involved in creating Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park. It showcases the physics, technology, horticulture, and general sciences that went into designing the park. Students will discover how the Incredible Hulk Coaster is launched, how foliage throughout the park is chosen and cared for, and what technologies are utilized to make The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man so amazing.

This program requires a park ticket, so you must use one day of your 2-day ticket if you register.

School of Rock
$40 per person, 9th grade and up
Held at the Hard Rock Hotel on Monday, November 18 at 8:30 am

Students in this approximately 4-hour program will tour the Hard Rock Hotel, learning what makes a business run and discovering many of the career opportunities available in the hospitality industry. Highlights include a tour of the hotel, an overview of their collection of rare rock memorabilia and the hotel’s recreational amenities, and a behind-the-scenes look into the Food and Beverage, Catering, Housekeeping, Guest Services, and Sales and Marketing departments. Students will participate in discussions about the Hard Rock "brand" and how the hotel incorporates that identity to differentiate itself from other hotels. They'll also learn about the hotel’s marketing strategies and sales channels, including meetings and events, and the travel industry, and look at the day-to-day operations of a large hotel, from routine maintenance, to coordinating events, to revenue management. The tour ends with lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, The Kitchen, where everyone will have lunch and meet with one of the hotel’s chefs to learn about careers in the culinary arts.

This program is not inside either of the parks, so your 2-day ticket can be used on other days. There is a maximum limit of 40 participants for this program.

Still interested in going?
Please read the following links for more information:
Important Things to Know
Registration Form