Field Trip Itinerary for High School Performance Groups in Orlando, Florida

Day 1: Walt Disney World and Disney’s Imagination Campus

Morning at Disney’s Imagination Campus Performing Arts

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (3 hours)

Performance groups have one-of-a-kind educational opportunities at Disney’s Imagination Campus Performing Arts, a program comprised of four outstanding workshops, two performance opportunities and festivals (competitive and non-competitive). 

Student groups are offered specially-priced ticket packages to participate in the following:

Workshops

Performing Arts Workshops offer high school students a real-life look at what it takes to be an entertainment industry professional. Each workshop is held at different locations throughout the Walt Disney World property and lasts 2 ½ hours. At the conclusion of these workshops, groups have opportunities to perform live, showcasing what they’ve learned and rehearsed. 

After registration, your group can choose to complete the workshop only, the performance only or sign up for both. Performance time slots are open to choose closer to your workshop reservation. 

• Instrumental Workshop: Students will gain experience in creating instrumental music in professional soundtrack sessions. The workshop focuses on sight-reading, honing skills like intonation and musical balance, and ensemble training. Their finished piece will be set to Disney film footage.
• Vocal Training Workshop: This workshop combines group singing lessons, sight reading, and vocal training. Students work directly with industry professionals to develop and achieve the fundamentals of music performance. They will view a screening of their final ensemble set to Disney film footage.
• Dance Disney Workshop: Professionals from Disney Live Entertainment teach student groups choreography, staging techniques and audition preparedness. Groups will also have opportunities to chat with industry veterans to gain career advice and get expert guidance. 
• Musical Theater Workshop: Student groups will experience Disney Broadway Magic led by industry professionals. They will learn through fast-paced rehearsals, breathing methods, body and facial language, audition techniques and more. 

Performances

Performing Arts Performances offer student groups opportunities to participate in marching band or stage performances. After their live shows, groups are treated like Disney Cast Members and invited to enjoy the park. 

• Marching Band Performance: This is a high-level, prestigious opportunity for high school marching band students to audition to perform on Disney’s coveted parade route for theme park guests. 
• Stage Performances: Groups who audition will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform for Disney guests on the big stage. Students will learn about what it takes to put on a professional performance in front of a huge audience while gaining insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of Disney’s teaching artists. 

Festivals

Festival Disney offers two unique music festival experiences for junior high students through college groups. Endorsed by the National Association for Music Education, groups can choose between competitive or non-competitive choral or instrumental performances. 

NOTE: These festivals require groups to be in Orlando to perform all day on Friday and Saturday. If you choose to participate in Festival Disney as part of your field trip, simply consider which itinerary day you want to replace with your second performance day. 

Lunch Options On-Site

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (1 hour)

Performance groups have many affordable lunch options when visiting Disney’s Imagination Campus and Walt Disney World: 

• Pre-ordered lunches are available from Imagination Campus for groups on the move between rehearsals and performing. 
• World Premiere Foodcourt provides American fare at affordable prices and meal options suitable for high school students.

Afternoon  

1:30 PM – 5:30 PM (4 hours)

Consider the afternoon time slot for your post-workshop student performance and theme park thrills.

Dinner Show at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

6:15 PM – 8:15 PM (2 hours)

Located in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue provides two hours of comedic, musical entertainment along with delicious dinner options. Student groups can sit down and enjoy a meal, including BBQ ribs, chicken, macaroni and cheese, drinks and dessert, while enjoying a live performance.

Alternative times include 4:00 PM and 8:30 PM.

Day 2: Perform at Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Youth Programs & Educational Workshops

Morning Workshop

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (3 hours)

Performance and Workshop times vary throughout the day but begin at 10:00 AM. Group leaders will receive their time slot three weeks prior to their reservation date. 

Dance is UNIVERSAL! A Workshop with the Professionals

Dance is UNIVERSAL! is an exciting opportunity for high school troupes to take part in a three-hour session with dance experts. Two options with customizable features are led by professional choreographers and performers:

• Master Class: In this two-hour master class, students receive specialized one-on-one feedback and focus on dance fundamentals accompanied by a choreographed combination of the genre of their choice.
• Audition Workshop: Prepare students for real-world performance career opportunities with guidance from industry professionals. High school students will gain insight into taking great headshots, creating thorough resumes, and experience a mock audition featuring two genres during a 2 ½ hour workshop.

Sound Design: Music and The Art of Foley

This workshop reinforces National Core Art Standards, offering a 90-minute educational experience for high school orchestra, band and choir students. They will gain perspective on life as a movie musician performing underscores, Foley effects and other digital sound effects for animated movie scenes, including Illumination’s The Secret Life of Pets and Despicable Me, DreamWork’s Trolls, and The Lorax.

Lunch at Universal CityWalk

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (1 hour)

Universal CityWalk is the epicenter of restaurants and entertainment with numerous lunch options for student groups, including Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company, Cowfish and Hard Rock Cafe. These are all great lunch options with plenty of room for large parties.

Afternoon STARS Stage Performance and Park Rides

1:30 PM – 5:30 PM (4 hours)

Performance and Workshop times vary throughout the day but begin at 10:00 AM. Group leaders will receive their time slot three weeks prior to their reservation date. 

High school groups can participate in unique STARS performance opportunities, including showcasing entertaining talents on the Lagoon Stage and parading through Universal Orlando with your school marching band. 

STARS Stage Performance

Student groups participating in choir, band, dance, cheer or orchestra can wow Universal audiences during a 30-minute Universal CityWalk Lagoon Stage performance.

STARS Marching

Marching bands have an unparalleled opportunity to celebrate their school spirit during a one-mile march in uniforms through the decorated streets of Universal Orlando as park guests cheer on.

Afterward, enjoy thrilling park attractions until dinner.

Dinner Options On-Site

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (1 hour)

•  Bayliner Diner is located in Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and offers affordable classic American meals in a diner setting.
•  Richter’s Burgers, located on the waterfront near Fast and Furious Supercharged, is an all-American eatery with a historical theme. It showcases memorabilia from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and serves burgers, fries and other favorite classics with plenty of indoor and outdoor group seating.
•  Hard Rock Cafe at Universal Orlando is the largest Hard Rock Cafe in the world, able to accommodate a whopping 3,000 patrons. It offers groups plenty of space to dine and the same beloved menu known throughout the brand.   

Evening at Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular 

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM (2 hours)

Universal Studios is known for its evening performances and spectacular light shows. End your day with an evening full of captivating music and visual scenes at Universal’s new show, Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular. In a dynamic display, classic and beloved tales of Jaws, Shrek, Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Universal Monsters, Transformers, E.T., and many more culminate in a one-of-a-kind symphonic performance. 

Day 3: Performing Arts at SeaWorld Orlando

Morning Performance

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (3 hours)

Student performance groups in choir, band, or orchestra have unique opportunities to perform for hundreds of SeaWorld guests on one of the world’s most revered stages. With guidance from a professional event coordinator, they will help to organize your performance. 

Before lunch, spend time speaking to the professionals and asking questions about your area of study. Learn from the experts and gain a better understanding of the performance industry.

Lunch Options On-Site

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM (1 hour)

• Dockside Pizza Co. serves fresh slices and whole pies perfect for a group pizza party at SeaWorld.
•  Captain Pete’s Island Hot Dogs provides numerous twists on a favorite classic, along with drinks and sides for an affordable and quick lunch option.

Afternoon Thrills

1:30 PM – 5:30 PM (4 hours)

Enjoy thrilling rollercoasters that defy gravity and aquatic attractions like Journey to Atlantis. Explore SeaWorld’s animal exhibits and experiences, and catch live performances. 

Dinner Options On-Site 

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (1 hour)

• Altitude Burgers serves juicy burgers built your way and other options like onion rings and fries, fresh salads, and drinks for affordable and quick meals.
• Voyager’s Smokehouse prepares some of the best BBQ in Orlando with offerings like Texas-style brisket, meaty ribs, smoked chicken, fresh salads and more.

Evening Activity Options

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM (2 hours)

Groups can enjoy the rest of their evening at a unique SeaWorld event perfect for groups. Popular shows and performances include:

• All-New Xceleration: Cirque Show Extreme is a vibrant and heart-pounding display of gravity-defying BMX bikers, dancers and acrobats soaring through the air to the beats of exciting music.
• Ignite Fireworks is a spectacular fountains and fireworks show lighting up the sky with vivid colors. 
• Club SeaGlow invites groups to show off their dance moves at this family-friendly club with energetic music, fun lights, dancing and more.

Check SeaWorld’s event schedule for up-to-date performance times and information.

Day 4: Live Theater Performances

Morning at Orlando Family Stage

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (2 hours)

Start your day with an exceptional 10:30 AM live performance at the Orlando Family Stage. High school groups can choose between the following shows:

• P.Nokie: A Hip-Hop Musical
• Junie B. Jones Halloween
• Dragons Love Tacos
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid
• A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage

Lunch Options Nearby

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM (1 hour)

• Panera Bread serves fresh salads, soups and sandwiches for fast, affordable meals
• Papa John’s Pizza provides space for your group to enjoy an affordable pizza party lunch
• Grilled Cheezus on Mills Avenue is a fun eatery serving unique grilled cheese sandwiches with plenty of space for your group

Afternoon at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

1:30 PM – 5:30 PM (4 hours)

Live Performance

Enjoy entertaining education at one of the four theaters that comprise the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. These theaters showcase the best international, national, and local artists:

• Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater offers exciting theatrical shows like Ragtime the Musical, Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical, The Jungle Book and more.
• Judson’s Live provides a phenomenal platform for musical performances by a diverse range of genres and artists, from country to jazz, blues and beyond.
• Steinmetz Hall is the go-to theater for shows like Mean Girls High School Version, Hello, Dolly! and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
• Walt Disney Theater offers unparalleled and diverse theatrical experiences, including The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers live in concert and the Tony Award-Winning musical, Girl from the North Country.

Broadway Masterclass

In conjunction with the Broadway season, Broadway Masterclasses offer a variety of topics, including dance, stage management, acting, costuming and more. High school students will gain insights into the technical and artistic elements that contribute to professional performances. Class durations range from 60 to 90 minutes and are a great accompaniment to one of the exceptional performances at Dr. Phillips. 

NOTE: While Dr. Phillips invites high school field trip groups year-round, Broadway Masterclasses are available for reservations only two weeks before the performance due to last-minute scheduling conflicts. 

Evening at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows

6:30 PM – 9:00 PM (2.5 hours)

Groups will enjoy dinner and an interactive show, during which they can observe and analyze elements of improvisation, audience engagement, and what’s involved in putting on live performances. This will help them understand the dynamics of interactive theater.